Safaricom 5G Routers Now Selling at Naivas Supermarkets
Safaricom has teamed up with Naivas, Kenya's largest supermarket chain, to offer its 5G routers, aiming to expand 5G connectivity to a wider population.
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| Photo credit: Safaricom |
Safaricom's 5G network now extends to all 47 counties, boasting over 1,000 active sites. The telecom giant also reports that more than 780,000 smartphones are currently utilizing its network.
This new partnership seeks to broaden access to the 5G router, previously available only at Quickmart stores and Safaricom outlets, by connecting more people.
Why Naivas? The Smart Retail Move by Safaricom
To boost the availability of its 5G router, Safaricom has formed a strategic partnership with Naivas, Kenya's largest supermarket chain, which operates over 110 branches across the country. This collaboration is anticipated to considerably expand Safaricom's market reach and help close the gap with its competitors.
This approach will also reduce the barrier to purchase, as buyers won't need to make a separate trip to a Safaricom shop. Instead, they can conveniently buy the router alongside their groceries, creating a "one-stop shop" experience.
The primary objectives are to boost 5G home internet subscriber numbers and enhance brand visibility, with the sale of the router serving as a key indicator of success.
What You Can Expect: Router Specs and Pricing
At the launch, Safaricom collaborated with Huawei to provide the Huawei CPE 5G router . Unfortunately, the Nokia Way 2 router is no longer available, you get the option to choose between Huawei CPE 5G and Baicells
I highly recommend the Huawei CPE 5G, as it's the model I personally use. It features an integrated firewall and supports WPA2 and WPA3 protocols for secure wireless connections. Additional features include parental controls, Wi-Fi 6, and a built-in fan to cool the CPU during high internet usage.
Unlike the Huawei CPE 5G, the Baicells router features an inbuilt battery. This provides 3-4 hours of continuous internet usage during power outages.
The router will retail for KES 2,999, and you have four packages to choose from as listed below.
The new Safaricom router is perfect for households requiring a fast, reliable internet connection across multiple devices. It supports simultaneous activities like 4K movie streaming, intensive online gaming, and multiple users without compromise.
The router is also well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses requiring uninterrupted operations.
For individuals residing in areas without Safaricom's fibre connection, this 5G router offers a crucial solution, delivering a wireless, fibre-like experience.
Unlike Fibre, which necessitates an installation appointment, the 5G router offers a straightforward "plug-and-play" setup for users seeking simplicity.
This 5G router is ideal for individuals who require a fast and reliable network for both home and on-the-go use. Its portability ensures seamless connectivity wherever 5G coverage is available.
Benefits of Buying From Naivas Supermarkets
Purchasing a Safaricom 5G router offers several key advantages. Naivas provides a convenient, one-stop shopping experience, allowing you to acquire the router while completing your regular shopping, thus eliminating the need for a separate trip to a Safaricom store or dealer.
Naivas' nationwide presence could significantly improve the accessibility of the router, especially for individuals in areas without a nearby Safaricom Shop.
For those with a Naivas reward card, you could easily use it to earn points on the purchase, which is a small added financial benefit.
Naiavs often run their own promotion or bundle deals, which could also apply to the router.
Safaricom’s Broader 5G Vision in kenya.
Driving Digital Inclusion
Safaricom is transforming how customers access high-speed internet by offering routers as convenient "off-the-shelf" products in supermarkets, much like groceries. This strategy eliminates the need for customers to visit a dedicated physical shop.
This 5G router offers a vital "fibre-like" wireless solution, instantly bridging the digital divide for underserved homes and businesses. It's a critical step for digital inclusion in areas where the high cost or impracticality of laying fibre optic cable has been a barrier.
Enhancing the Smart Ecosystem
5G's high speed and massive capacity enable seamless operation of multiple smart devices, such as smart TVs and security cameras, without buffering. This positions the 5G router as the core hub for realizing smart home capabilities.
This solution offers businesses an affordable and rapidly deployable internet option. The router delivers the high-speed, reliable connectivity essential for cloud-based tools, seamless online transactions such as M-PESA, and effective remote work, ultimately boosting their productivity and competitiveness.
Conclusion: Bringing 5G Closer to Every Kenyan Home
This collaboration combines Safaricom's rapid 5G technology with Naivas' widespread retail network, effectively bridging the digital divide by making advanced internet readily available to all.
By moving 5G, an advanced technology, from a specialized Safricom Shop to a familiar supermarket, the product becomes demystified. This makes it seem less like a complex gadget and more like an ordinary everyday appliance.
Customers can now conveniently purchase high-speed internet solutions for KES 2,999 during their regular shopping, eliminating the need for an additional trip and saving them time and effort.
This partnership streamlines the process of getting online, offering an immediate "grab-and-go" experience. Customers can now purchase a router at any Naivas store, take it home, and use a simple plug-and-play setup, eliminating the typical delays associated with scheduling technician visits.
