Kenya Internet Bandwidth Up 20pc on Cable Upgrade
By Brian Ambani, Nation Africa
June 27, 2023
Kenya internet bandwidth increased by 20.4 per cent in the three months to June after a major upgrade of the capacity of one of the main fiber-optic undersea cables landing in the country, paving the way for faster internet speeds and reliable connectivity.
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) says total international internet bandwidth available in Kenya grew to 14,413 gigabits per second (Gbps) between January and March up from 11,970Gbps in the preceding quarter.
The higher bandwidth follows the upgrade of the capacity of the East African Marine System (TEAMS) fiber-optic undersea sea cable. TEAMS is one of the six undersea cable landings in Kenya.
Others are SEACOM, EASSy, LION 2, DARE 1, and PEACE.
“During the reference period, the total international internet bandwidth available in the country grew by 20.4 per cent to 14,413.053Gbps. The increase is due to capacity upgrade on the cable by TEAMS during the period,” says CA.
The 5,000-kilometre TEAMS links Mombasa to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The cable, whose construction began in January 2008 and was completed in June 2009, was built as a joint venture between the government of Kenya and Kenyan operators, who hold 85 per cent shares, and UAE-based operator Etisalat, with 15 percent.
The recent upgrade saw its bandwidth capacity jump by 151.1 percent from 1,618Gbps to 4,063Gpbs enabling it to surpass SEACOM to make TEAMS the second largest fiber-optic cable landing in Mombasa.
