Kenya is set to use its more than 70,000 power transformers into internet hotspots, a groundbreaking initiative in the industry.
With a shared vision, the Kenyan government and the Kenya Power and Lighting Company are set to implement this ambitious plan, promising a brighter digital future for the country.
The concept announced over the weekend will use power lines rather than putting fibre on the ground.
A government official announced that Wi-Fi hotspots will soon be on Kenya Power transformers.
“Kenya Power has 74,000 transformers all over the country,” said Eliud Owalo, cabinet secretary for information, communication, and digital economy. “Where there is a transformer in that location, we will leverage that infrastructure to have an internet hotspot.”
He noted that the initial objective for the rollout was to build 25,000 hotspots.
“The 74 000 transformers will enable us (to) triple our target,” Owalo stated during a Chamber of Commerce meeting over the weekend.
This plan is innovative and promises significant cost savings. By installing the fibre alongside Kenya Power cables, the cost of deployment is drastically reduced, a development that bodes well for the future of internet accessibility in Kenya.
He said, “Rolling out fibre by digging trenches costs us approximately US$17,510 per km. Using this methodology, we will use $4,568 per km.
