Savanna Fibre’s Aggressive Internet Prices: Can They Really Last?
As someone who has juggled different ISP networks just to get my work done, I have had my fair share of resentment.
I have used Safaricom fiber, switched to a Safaricom 5G router (which turned out to be expensive for the base plan), and even switched to Airtel ODU 5G for its friendly price, which is the one I am currently using.
Recently, a company called Savanna has caused a buzz in the country with insanely good WI-FI packages.
You are getting 100 Mbps for KES 2,000, 250 Mbps for KES 4,500, 500 Mbps for KES 6,000, and 1 Gbps for KES 10,000, which is a very sweet deal. Is there any catch?
In this article, I will analyze the market landscape and determine whether it’s worth considering to help you make an informed decision.
Breaking Down the Numbers: Savanna vs. The Giants
Compairing Savanna with Safaricom and Zuku, Savanna is miles ahead in terms of connectivity and prices.
| Speed Tier | Safaricom (KES) | Zuku (KES) | Savanna Fibre (KES) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Mbps | 2,999 | 2,799 | - |
| 30 Mbps | 4,100 | 3,799 | - |
| 50 - 80 Mbps | 6,299 (80 Mbps) | 4,399 (50 Mbps) | - |
| 100 Mbps | - | 9,999 | 2,000 |
| 250 Mbps | - | - | 4,500 |
| 500 Mbps | 12,499 | - | 6,000 |
| 1 Gbps | 20,000 | - | 10,000 |
Taking things up a notch, Safaricom is pricing its 30Mbps plan at KES 4,100, while Zuku comes in a bit cheaper at KES 3,799 for the same speed. But Savanna doesn’t even bother with 30Mbps it jumps straight to 250Mbps for just KES 4,500. That’s a massive leap in value, and honestly, it’s hard to ignore.
At KES 6,299, Safaricom is offering 80Mbps. Zuku doesn’t have an 80Mbps tier; instead, it tops out at 50Mbps for KES 4,399. Then Savanna comes in swinging, offering a massive 500Mbps for KES 6,000. That’s seriously impressive.
Moving up a notch, Safaricom charges KES 12,499 for 500 Mbps. Zuku doesn’t even offer a 500 Mbps plan; its top tier is 100 Mbps at KES 9,999. Then there’s Savanna, offering the same 500Mbps for just KES 6,000, less than half of Safaricom’s price.
At the top end, it’s really just Safaricom and Savanna in the 1Gbps space. Safaricom is pricing its 1Gbps plan at KES 20,000, while Savanna comes in at KES 10,000 for the same speed, literally half the price.
The Business Angle: Is This Just Market Capture?
Building a fiber network requires a massive upfront capital investment, so a new ISP must rapidly acquire a large number of subscribers to survive.
So to achieve this, Savanna fiber uses penetration pricing, offering hyper-aggressive rates like 1Gbps for KES 10,000, at razor-thin margins, to trigger a quick customer exodus from entrenched incumbents like Safaricom and Zuku.
In my opinion, this is a calculated strategy to rapidly capture market share, hook customers with ultra-fast speeds, and then lock in the customer base before adjusting for long-term profitability.
The Starlink Effect
When Starlink first entered the Kenyan market, it caused quite a stir, prompting major ISPs like Safaricom to respond, notably by ramping up their Wi-Fi speeds.
Savanna Fiber isn’t pricing its packages aggressively just to beat Safaricom; it's also doing so to steer people away from subscribing to Starlink, which has now become a competitor among local ISPs.
Will It Last? (The Reality Check)
Well, while the prices are great, its physical footprint is still growing, and so far they have covered 15 counties, but the figure hasn’t reflected where the service is currently available.
The company’s support team also confirms that active connections are currently available in only five Nairobi neighborhoods: Kilimani, Kileleshwa, Lang’ata, Muthangari, and Lavington.
As Savanna continues to capture more subscribers, I still have my suspicions that once they have as many people as possible using their Wi-Fi, they will hike prices.
Savanna also claims that they don’t have any fair usage policy; basically, their internet is unlimited, but we will have to wait and see how this claim holds up.
So the big question is, should you switch to Savanna WI-FI? Yes, take advantage of this deal right now once it rolls out in your tour area, but don’t sign up for a multi-year lock-in contract. If you can avoid it.
Conclusion
Right now, this is a huge win for consumers, regardless of Savanna's long-term strategy.
I am also happy because this will serve as an awakening call to ISPs that overcharge for their basic plans, prompting them to restructure their pricing strategy.
Are you considering dropping your current ISP for these speeds, or are you waiting to see if the network holds up?
