My Safaricom 5G Router Experience: The Good, The Bad, and Everything in Between
Why I switched to Safaricom 5G
For the past seven years, I have relied on Safaricom Home Fiber Wi-Fi. However, this year, seeking a fast, reliable, and secure network for my mobile lifestyle, I switched to the new Safaricom 5G router, a decision I have found to be a positive experience.
According to Safaricom, there are over 780,000 5G smartphones. They also announced that their 5G coverage crossed the 1,000-site mark, and their 5G network is now available in all 47 counties; this number is expected to grow.
First Impression - Setup and Design
I selected Safaricom 5G for several reasons. Primarily, their speeds were satisfactory, and customer reviews consistently highlighted minimal downtime and excellent customer service.
Second, their "unlimited" packages invariably included a data cap, meaning that once users exceeded their data allowance, their speed would be significantly reduced.
Of the numerous routers available, I opted for the Huawei 5G CPE router. It offered superior features compared to the Baicells and Nokia models.
I believe Nokia's router has the best design. Huawei's router design, while not spectacular, is certainly an improvement over the Baicells router.
The Huawei CPE router is available exclusively in white. It features a SIM card slot, a WPS button for quick connectivity, a telephone port, and two LAN ports, one of which supports 2.5Gbps.
The device features three front indicators and 5G branding. I've experienced excellent connectivity without any issues. While some users report slow connections, I believe this is likely due to their router or location rather than Safaricom itself.
The Good - What I loved About the Safaricom 5G Router
Connectivity is excellent. My bedroom router, despite being in a windowless room and placed on a stool, consistently delivers strong 5G. It only switches to 4G when no devices are connected.
I've generally found streaming YouTube, gaming, and working online to be smooth experiences. However, high latency can sometimes be an issue, particularly during heavy rain. My upload latency can spike to an extremely high 554. In contrast, my highest idle latency has been 31, and my highest download latency has been 33, both of which are considered good.
While I haven't had the opportunity to compare this 5G router with any 4G models, I can advise against purchasing a Safaricom 4G router. Their data packages are excessively priced and simply not worthwhile.
The Bad - Where Safaricom 5G Router Falls Short
When registering for this router, I was not informed about the options for postpaid and prepaid services. Postpaid service involves paying after use, typically at the end of a billing cycle, while prepaid service requires payment before use.
I was unknowingly registered for a Postpaid plan by Safaricom. I discovered this after receiving a call from Safaricom regarding an internet bill. I had initially expected to pay KES 2,999, but my bill had increased to approximately KES 3,600.
I made the switch to Safaricom's prepaid plan and was pleasantly surprised by the faster speeds compared to my previous postpaid plan. While I used to get 10Mbps on postpaid, I now consistently achieve 15Mbps with prepaid. It seems Safaricom has updated its plans, as its website now indicates 15Mbps for both postpaid and prepaid options.
Second, I'm experiencing difficulty accessing certain applications. Specifically, I cannot open Threads on my phone or Instagram on my laptop. However, these apps function correctly when I use mobile data, connect to a different Wi-Fi network, or utilize a VPN.
The 5G internet's performance fully justifies its cost, delivering fiber-optic speeds at an equivalent price. The added advantage is its portability, allowing me to use it wherever I choose.
Data Plans and Value for Money
Here is a comparison of the previous data Plans and the Current data plans
| Price (KES) | Speed (Current) | Validity | Fair Use Policy (FUP) | Previous Plan Baseline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KES 2,999 | 15 Mbps Upgraded | 30 Days | 450 GB | 10 Mbps (250GB FUP) |
| KES 4,000 | 50 Mbps | 30 Days | 1.5 TB | 50 Mbps(1TB FUP) |
| KES 5,000 | 100 Mbps | 30 Days | 2.0 TB | 100 Mbps |
| KES 10,000 | 250 Mbps | 30 Days | 4.0 TB | 250 Mbps |
| Hardware Cost | Up to KES 3,000 (+ setup) KES 2,999 Flat (Safaricom Shops & Partner Supermarkets) | |||
The KES 2,999 package saw a significant upgrade, with the speed increasing from 10Mbps to 15Mbps. Safaricom also enhanced the data cap from 250Gbps to 450Gbps. Previously, the 25Gbps data cap was a major drawback of the 5G router, as I would often deplete it in two weeks, or speeds would be throttled after reaching this limit.
Comparison: 5G vs Safaricom Home Fibre
| Price (KES/Month) | 5G Wireless Plan (Speed & Data Cap) |
Home Fibre Plan (Speed & Data Cap) |
|---|---|---|
| KES 2,999 | 15 Mbps (Up to 450GB FUP) | 15 Mbps (Up to 100TB/1TB FUP WI-FI 5Mbps/Fibre lite 15Mbps) |
| KES 4,000 / 4,100 | 50 Mbps (Up to 1.5TB FUP) | 40 Mbps (Up to 1.5TB FUP) |
| KES 5,000 | 100 Mbps (Up to 2TB FUP) | No plan at this price |
| KES 6,299 | No plan at this price | 60 Mbps (Up to 2TB FUP) |
| KES 10,000 | 250 Mbps (Up to 4TB FUP) | No plan at this price |
| KES 12,000 | No plan at this price | 500 Mbps (Up to 7TB FUP) |
| KES 20,000 | No plan at this price | 1,000 Mbps (Up to 7TB FUP) |
The 5G packages appear to be a favorable and suitable option for many, particularly given that the 5G Fair Usage Policy is more advantageous than that of Home Fibre. Conversely, Safaricom Home Fibre provides a wider array of packages, making it a more suitable choice for larger businesses.
Verdict
I'm even more impressed with the 5G router after using it for a while, especially since they've increased their speeds and improved their Fair Usage Policy. I can now use it comfortably without worrying about my data plan running out.
This 5G router is ideal for mobile professionals. Its plug-and-play functionality, combined with an active data plan, ensures connectivity no matter where you're working.
Would you buy this 5G router or would you go the fibre route? Do let me know in the comments section.
FAQ Section- Quick Answers for Curious Readers
Does the Safaricom 5G work with other SIM cards? The Safaricom 5G router is designed to work exclusively with the provided SIM card. It will not function with other SIM cards, and the issued SIM card is tied solely to that specific device.
How can I check 5G coverage in my area? To check for 5G coverage in your area, visit the Safaricom website and look up your location.
What happens if the data bundle runs out? When your data bundle is depleted, your internet speeds will be significantly reduced. This will continue until either your billing cycle ends or you activate a new data plan.
