Fibre, 4G, 5G, Radio Links, and Low Earth Orbit Satellites Are Expanding Digital Connectivity
Nairobi, Kenya, 21 September 2026 – Kenya’s internet landscape is changing quickly as new technologies help expand connectivity and support the country’s growing demand for faster and more reliable digital services. Recent data from the Communications Authority of Kenya shows that fixed internet subscriptions increased by 32.4 percent between June 2025 and June 2026, highlighting the continued expansion of the country’s broadband market.
Fibre remains the largest fixed internet technology in Kenya. Subscriptions reached 1.57 million in June 2026, up from 1.21 million a year earlier. At the same time, newer connection methods are gaining attention as network providers look for ways to reach areas where installing traditional infrastructure can be difficult or expensive.
Radio based internet recorded particularly rapid growth. Subscriptions increased by 471.1 percent year over year to 8,606 in June 2026. Radio technology uses wireless signals to deliver internet services without relying entirely on physical cables, making it useful in locations where fibre deployment may be challenging.
Satellite connectivity is also becoming an important part of Kenya’s digital infrastructure. Satellite subscriptions increased by 54.4 percent to 27,695 in June 2026 from 17,939 a year earlier. Much of this growth has been linked to the expansion of low Earth orbit satellite services, which operate closer to the planet than traditional satellite systems and can provide lower latency and higher speeds.
Direct to cell satellite technology is another development that could help address connectivity gaps. The approach allows compatible mobile phones to connect directly with satellites, potentially extending basic connectivity to areas where mobile towers are unavailable. Airtel Africa has partnered with SpaceX to introduce the technology across its African markets, while Vodacom has also entered an Africa wide agreement involving Starlink technology.
Mobile internet remains the largest part of Kenya’s connectivity market. Mobile data subscriptions reached 64.3 million by the end of June 2026, up from 58.6 million a year earlier. Mobile broadband accounted for 85.5 percent of total subscriptions, while 4G remained the most widely adopted broadband technology with 48.3 million users.
The demand for better connectivity is closely connected to changing digital habits. Video streaming, online education, remote work, e commerce, cloud computing, and other data intensive services are encouraging households and businesses to seek faster connections. The number of fixed connections offering at least 1 Gbps more than doubled to 1,853 in June 2026 from 701 a year earlier.
Network investment is supporting this transition. Safaricom has invested more than Sh500 billion in capital expenditure over the past decade, including spending on network infrastructure, data centres, and software. Airtel Africa also invested $884 million in capital expenditure during the year ended March 2026, mainly toward network expansion across its African markets.
Kenya’s internet growth therefore reflects more than the expansion of fibre networks. A combination of fibre, mobile broadband, radio links, 4G, 5G, and satellite technology is creating multiple routes to connectivity. As digital services become more deeply embedded in everyday life and business, these technologies could play an increasingly important role in extending reliable internet access across the country.
