Fiber vs 5G: How Safaricom Is Actually Connecting Kenyan Homes in 2026

For years, moving into a new apartment in Kenya usually came with one important question: Which fiber provider is available here? But based on Safaricom’s FY26 earnings, that conversation is slowly changing.

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Fiber internet remains important, but 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is now playing a much larger role in connecting homes across the country.

The numbers tell a very interesting story.

Safaricom’s Fixed Services and IoT segment generated KSh 20.20 billion in revenue, representing 12.2% growth over the previous year. 

Consumer fixed internet revenue alone jumped by 19.5% to KSh 9.03 billion, showing that demand for stable home internet in Kenya is still rising really fast.

Fiber Is Still Important, But Expansion Takes Time

Fiber to the Home (FTTH) remains Safaricom’s strongest home internet product. 

The company grew its FTTH customer base to 407,080 users, marking a strong 35% year-on-year increase. Safaricom also expanded its fiber coverage significantly, with homes passed reaching 807,016, up by 16.2%.

This growth becomes easier to understand when you look at Safaricom’s recent customer retention strategies. As internet usage habits continue to change, the company has been making several moves to keep existing subscribers satisfied. 

We recently saw Safaricom quietly increase fibre internet speeds, followed shortly after the company decided to remove the controversial 15TB Fair Usage Policy limit after the speed upgrade.

Safaricom understands that faster speeds alone are no longer enough.

Customers now expect fewer restrictions, better value, and a more consistent internet experience overall.

Still, fiber expansion is not simple.

Rolling out fiber infrastructure requires trenching, permits, building access approvals, and physical cable installations. 

In many estates and apartments, deployment can take months before customers ar finally connected. 

While fiber remains one of the most stable and reliable internet options once installed, getting the infrastructure in place is both expensive and time-consuming.

5G FWA Is Quietly Becoming the Fastest Solution

The most interesting part of Safaricom’s report is how quickly 5G Fixed Wireless Access is growing.

According to the company, 5G FWA contributed 52.3% of all new connection growth during the year. In simple terms, more than half of Safaricom’s new internet connections came from wireless 5G routers instead of traditional fiber cables.

That is a major shift.

Safaricom’s FWA customer base grew by 53% to reach 132,060 users, while the company increased its 5G base stations across Kenya by 10.5% to 1,879 sites.

This explains why 5G home internet is becoming increasingly attractive, especially in areas where fiber has not yet arrived. Instead of waiting for cables to be installed, customers can simply buy a compatible router, power it on, and connect immediately, and it's made even easier where you just walk into Naivas supermarket and grab your 5G router

For renters, this is even more convenient. Many tenants struggle with landlords who do not allow drilling or fiber installations inside apartments. With 5G FWA, there is no need for technicians, wall modifications, or lengthy installation appointments.

As long as the 5G coverage is strong, the experience can be surprisingly good for streaming, gaming, remote work, and everyday browsing.

Kenyan Consumers Finally Have More Choices

Fiber internet is still growing strongly in Kenya, with connections increasing by 25.8% to 358,640 customers. But the speed at which 5G FWA is expanding shows that wireless home internet is no longer just a backup option.

It is becoming a serious alternative.

For Kenyan consumers, this means more flexibility and less dependence on whichever ISP happens to have fiber cables running through a specific estate or apartment block. 

In 2026, home internet is no longer just about fiber coverage.

Increasingly, it is about who has the strongest and most reliable 5G network in your area.