The Safaricom AirFiber is a wireless internet solution introduced by Safaricom Ethiopia, aimed at delivering fast and reliable connectivity without the need for extensive wired infrastructure. The service targets enterprise customers and residential users in areas with Safaricom’s network coverage, leveraging the company’s existing 4G and 5G-ready infrastructure. AirFiber is available in areas with Safaricom’s 4G coverage, which spans over 25 cities, with Addis Ababa as a primary focus.
Here is how Safaricom AirFiber is transforming Ethiopia’s digital landscape:
1. Enhancing Accessibility with Wireless Broadband
Safaricom AirFiber uses microwave wireless technology to deliver high-speed internet without relying on extensive fiber optic infrastructure. This is a game-changer in Ethiopia, where terrain and infrastructure limitations have slowed fiber deployments. In urban areas like Addis Ababa, AirFiber offers a plug-and-play solution that reduces setup time and complexity.
Users only need a Network Terminating Unit (NTU) and a microwave receiver, enabling homes and businesses to connect quickly and efficiently. This innovative model is vital in a country where internet penetration was just around 25% as of 2022.
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2. Boosting Competition and Service Quality
The launch of Safaricom Ethiopia AirFiber has disrupted the longstanding monopoly of Ethio Telecom, fostering much-needed competition in the market. With Safaricom promising “blazing fast speeds” estimated between 50–300 Mbps, the pressure is now on other providers to improve their offerings.
Since Safaricom’s entry in 2022, internet prices have declined significantly—for example, unlimited mobile data from Ethio Telecom dropped from $100 to about $19 per month. Even without unlimited plans, AirFiber’s competitive presence has already driven improvements in pricing and service quality across the telecom sector.
3. Empowering Businesses and Urban Economies
Safaricom AirFiber is designed with business users in mind. The service supports data-intensive activities such as cloud computing, remote work, and e-commerce—making it ideal for startups, SMEs, and corporate enterprises in Ethiopia’s fast-growing urban centers.
With features like a “Best Effort VPN”, AirFiber also enables secure, encrypted internet access, which is crucial for organizations handling sensitive data. This improved connectivity is helping modernize operations and support economic growth in key cities like Addis Ababa, where digital transformation is a top priority.
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4. Supporting Digital Inclusion and Youth Engagement
Ethiopia’s youthful population, where nearly three million people turn 18 each year, is a driving force behind rising digital demand. Safaricom Ethiopia AirFiber is helping meet this demand by delivering faster, more stable internet that supports content-heavy platforms such as YouTube and TikTok.
While still expanding, the service already enhances digital inclusion in cities and lays the foundation for greater nationwide connectivity. By connecting more youth to the digital world, AirFiber contributes to goals outlined in Digital Ethiopia 2025, providing access to education, digital jobs, and entertainment.