40 / 84
Safaricom Sustainability Report 2016
40
UMTS 900 sites help us achieve 3G expansion
In terms of 2G coverage, our target for FY16 was to provide 93% of the population with access to 2G services. We surpassed
this target and now offer 95% of Kenyans 2G services, a feat we achieved by rolling out 418 strategically located new sites
during the year (see next section for further detail).
We currently offer 78% of the population access to 3G services, which is slightly short of our target of providing 80% of the
population with access by the end of March 2016, despite the accelerated rollout of 3G broadband, facilitated by the
additional spectrum we acquired in the previous reporting year, and the fast-tracked deployment of an additional 1,037
UMTS 900 sites, which provide better signal penetration in high-density urban environments.
We grew our 4G services from 236 to 463 sites during the year. The 4G services currently support voice calls, using a
technology referred to as Circuit Switch Fall Back (CSFB). We currently provide 4G services in over 20 counties and to
approximately 8% of the total population.
CHANGE IN 2G NETWORK COVERAGE (FY14 TO FY16)
3G Coverage
(% Population)
2G Coverage
(% Population)
2G Coverage
(% Landmass)
3G Coverage
(% Landmass)
90%
78%
92%
69%
95%
58%
FY14
FY15
FY16
74%
44%
27%
25%
70%
72%
CHANGE IN 3G NETWORK COVERAGE (FY14 TO FY16)