Internet in Kenya
Fellow Kenyans! At least that is how I will be starting my speeches after my
inaugration…..but I digress. I wanted to create a new forum for the user
experience with Internet access in Kenya. Be it at home, at work, on the move, in your village, in a cyber, in school, in a cyber in the village, on your mobile device etc
Let us share and educate each other. Post in the comments section below and I shall update the post with the comments, editing for clarity, brevity and to remove repetition.
I would like to chronicle pre and post fibre optic cable Internet connectivity in Kenya.
NB: Am very keen on Linux users….am told you can “tweak” your connection speeds in Linux. Where is Johnny from Egerton, our resident Linux guru?
I shall go first….I work from my balcony at home (but I don’t say). Currently am using KDN residentail broadband solution, a.k.a Butterfly. They have installed a wireless modem in my crib, my laptop is wi-fi ready (of course), so I hook up from the balcony, bila shoes! They have various packages ranging from 100/- to 5K, I think. The difference is the speeds and duration of connection. Am currently on 2,990/- for a whole month, unlimited! Contact Icon Telesec, the service resellers and installers on info@icon.co.ke or +254 20-386-0023 (office)
If only KDN could update their Butterfly website with these details, I would be happier. While I have yet to achieve the speeds Joe Gathu speaks of, am happy with the price / service. Once the FOC down the road from my crib is hooked to our gatehouse, am sure bandwidth will improve. We are currently on a wireless backhaul to the KDN network.
So post your expreriences below, and I will pick the items and update this post categorized by provider. Also feel free to email me your guest blog post for consideration as a full post on the same topic.
Happy surfing!
38 comments so far
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Well,I think this is a great idea,you know to have part of the kenyan internet history chronicled for future comparisons and references.
Ok here I go;I figured out Zain`s data services were the most economical for me and for my tarrif of choice;Uhurunet I pay ksh 3000/- per month (unlimited)having made a deposit of Ksh 5000/-(refundable at the end of one year,that is at the end of the contract)and got a Huawei E220 modem for Ksh 6000/- which is 3G enabled but the ZAin network still runs on Edge/GPRS only so maximum speeds of 29.5 KB/s.
During the day my speeds average at 3-5KB/s and at night I get an average of 8KB/s.On several occasions I have experienced speeds as low as 100bytes per second but a call to customer care soughts things out within hours.
Most of the time I use the service from my hostel at Egerton University,Njoro campus and the connectivity is efficient for both surfing and downloads.Currently the greatest anticipation for Data customers with ZAin (and other such ISP`S such as suffericom),including me is a full and countrywide network upgrade to 3G which would theoretically revolutioneze mobile internet experience.
oh and i almost forgot,about tweaking the internet speeds in linux,i dont think its possible.av looked around and about on forums but didnt come across any info on how todo this,actually if there does exist some internet tweak trick in linux,it will most likely be an equivalent of chucking the 20% percent bandwidth limit on windows as suggested by jaluo here;http://mwendariungu.wordpress.com/2008/09/03/of-safaricom-and-a-3g-hotspot/ and for me it didnt change anything at all!!or did it work for someone??
I have been shopping around for a service provider with affordable services availabe in rural Kenya – Ndagani Market, next to the Chuka University College – where i plan to set up a Cyber Cafe – but so far it has been great disapointmnet. All those nice things we take for granted in Nairobi are lacking in rural Kenya. When you are told to rely on VSAT to run your services, it makes the rural folk face serious set backs in their quest to access the Net. We hope the Fibre that is landing in June, SEACOM, will bring about alot of change.
To all ISPs “We in Rural Kenya are Waiting for you”
Any ISP with a WIMAX connection in this Locality?
I am happy to hear that internet services are in demand upcountry. From what I know, there is a fiber optic cable passing right on the roadside at Ndagani market. If the cable is not helping you serve your target market, then its of no use.
Safaricom is rolling out a Wimax network countrywide, but I have no time lines. This would be a good connection for your cyber. Keep me posted via my email (see Contacts) on how your project goes. I would be happy to support you in any way I can. I will check with VSAT providers if they offer solutions for your kind of setup. VSAT is quite efficient in data transmission. Is your email rinkline@ymail.com?
i have tasted most networks and for me the freedom is with butterfly i live in upper hill using my laptop wifi the net to me is just the best downloads of 256kbps and instant internet i use the cards for top up and also the kipepeo no its simply the best for telekom their modems are fast the current one for 3500 is not bad but can really be slow and during the day its 2/- per min thats a ripoff given its dial up but as long as u can dial kipepeo there is no need its cheap and fast zain are jocking thats 2.5G they better style up safaricom is even worse 3G but the catch is that u are charged per MB and the cheapest is 1000 thats very crazy if u update ur antivirus most of the time ur in real trouble zuku are still teething people are complaining orange is very expensive bvut one last thing if u want cheap internet via phone then get a 3G enabled phone(very expensive) with the fastest internet down load protocol in the world HS…
Butterfly still remains the best internet connection if you do not want to part with much money and still get unlimited internet connection.I happen to work for Icon Telesec and I can always help you attain the best speeds for your connection using butterfly. Just send me an at oliver_omondio@yahoo.com or oliver.ogutu@icon.co.ke
Since February, we have been shoping around for a service provider to provide us with internet services in UpCountry. Finaly we managed to secure the services of Kenya Data Networks though one of the Local ISPs in Meru Town (Mt Kenya Computers). Now am writting this comment from the now established Rinkline Cyber Cafe in NDAGANI MARKET, Meru South District.
Through all this search, I have discovered that the secret is to work with the available service provider in the area you are, do not look at the already established providers in Nairobi, they may not have plans for your area in the near future. This so called “small ISPs” do all they can to offer the service.
Now we are ready for the Fibre. SEACOM and TEAMS, Ndagani is now ready.
I couldn’t be happier for this development. My opinion is that we need to penetrate deeper into the country, as this will bring connectivity closer to the people. Maybe this can start urban-rural migration that we so much desire.
The question still remains, what shall we do with the connections once they reach places like Ndagani, Meru South?
At the moment we are taking time to introduce people to the internet, INTRODUCE thats the key word here.
We have seen a keen intrest which is encouraging.
@Guru
We have now managed to overcome most of the initial problems of set up and are looking foward to offer better services now. It has been a tough first 2 months of on the Job forced training but we are managing.
Support is now the challenge, there is very little qualified personnel upcountry, which impacts negatively on support. We are managing by outsourcing from outer towns such as Embu and Meru. We hope with time we can get people to support us here.
THE FUTURE IS PROMISING.
@Eliud Wasike
In one months time, the Fiber Optic Cable(TEAMs and probably SEACOM) will be ready for commercial use. Please, elaborate to all of us fans of this blog; What to expect and what to start doing to be prepared. These are aspects most people are leaving out of discussions.
Does anyone know the pricing and effectiveness of Safaricom wimax? Which provider currently offers the best wimax?
@Christopher
I got a taste of their PRICING when I requested for a quote. They quoted a “dedicated” 1024kbps/1024kbps at Kshs. 75,650.00 per month with setup cost of Kshs. 23,500.00(for configuration and cabling); they will “give” the equipment to you “free” but you will have to provide a Router.
I cannot test their effectiveness since I have concluded this to be way too Expensive for my line of work.
Try KDN WIMAX, though I have not experienced it personally some of my friends have and are happy, so far.
I’ve been using KDN Butterfly wi-fi and have to say it has been great especially as it is unlimited! Very good speeds, pre-SEACOM I was getting speeds of upto 256kbps and post-SEACOM I’m now getting upto 1mbps although during the free week it shot to 2mbps. All this for just KShs 2,900 a month. I read in this Business Daily article, http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Company%20Industry/-/539550/634846/-/u8e55vz/-/index.html , that the cost will go down to KShs 1,900. Has anyone verified this?
If you are looking for an ISP, search for Butterfly wi-fi, if you can’t get a signal, call them and see if you can get DSL where you are. Prices are the same (although there is an installation fee I believe).
hey all, i use wanainchi online and the monthly charge of 2000/= if you have cable, or 3000/= if you dont, pliz if any one can help me find faster internet with download speeds of about 1mbps contionous without hickups email me at viralrox@hotmail.com tanx all. my speeds go from 30-40kbps constant without any problems. its quite a good service provider at the moment.
Dear Readers,
Since we all want unlimited 1mbps+ broadband, who is the provider doing this for REAL (not just lofty adverts). We want real tested connections. ALL the adverts are saying the same thing, but whats the feedback on the ground.
KDN’s Butterfly is giving me speeds of around 2Mbps download and 512kbps upload. My downloads max out at around 190kB/s. It costs 2,320/= a month for both wi-fi and DSL. I’m using wi-fi but my friend on DSL says his speeds are around 1.5Mbps
Have you heard of Sovaya wireless broadband connections? probably not. Sovaya uses Wi-Fi to deliver “the last mile” and with great speeds. tobias@sovaya.com is my address, we could just have your answer!
@ Tito how much does it cost for the dsl connection per month and installation cost. For butterfly do you have an external antenna, if so which one?
The DSL connection costs 2,320/= for the standard connection and 3,400/= (approx.) for the premium. Installation is around 5,000/=. Wi-fi only has one tariff at 2,320/=
I don’t have an external antenna for the wi-fi but I do have a high gain indoor antenna that I got from the UK. It cost me £50 (6,000/=) here’s a link to one http://www.amazon.com/Hawking-HWU8DD-Hi-Gain-Wireless-G-Adapter/dp/B000DINCIQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1254233270&sr=1-3
I get a weak butterfly signal so a high gail antenna will help me out. On the dsl do they insist on a contract?
I’m not too sure about DSL i’d advise you to contact sales@kdn.co.ke. I’ll post later if I manage to speak to my friend who is on DSL.
Just spoke to him, there is no contract. You just pay the 5,000/= to get the modem.
I will get it and try it. Whats the average speeds do i expect on the dsl line.
Sorry for the late reply. My praise for KDN may have been too hasty. I’ve been down for the past week and support has been wanting (endless repeats of the same procedures with different people).
To answer your question, you should get upto 1Mbps.
After many problems and false starts with KDN ADSL, I have opened the door to Accesskenya @ home. I am getting the equipment free, plus free installation. I will post the experience. They promise DEDICATED bandwidth! That sounds like music to my ears.
I contacted kdn about the dsl connection and the wimax radio unit scared me this is what they charge.
Wimax $ 1,250.00
Installation fee Kshs. 20,000
Integration fee Kshs. 3,500/-
Kindly note that the above wimax can also be rented at Kshs. 2,500 per month
Your monthly running cost for the 3-4 machines would be Kshs. 3,000 + VAT
@ Guru is this the same quote u got from them? And can I get a wimax radio cheaper that this. $1250 is about 100k and access give it free. think its over priced.
The ADSL connection in my apartment is part of 32 units where I live. We got the back haul connection free, same for the wireless routers in our houses. No installation or configuration charges. Even though there less than 10 users in all apartments, we are getting crappy bandwidth.
The quote must be for the Wimax backhaul they charge for corporate clients.
I have a linux aspire 1 series laptop and I have no idea how to connect this machine on the net via Zain Modem. I have called customer care I think 2 million times in vain, even to the extend of emailing them and NOTHING those dudes and duddesses have no idea what am talking about and not TOO smart I might say. Sometimes I have to teach them some stuff!, so annoying….. I am sure its got to do with some internal settings on my laptop, maybe some LAN settings…..SO HELP ME OUT PEOPLE…Tired of hitting the sack without HALARING TO PEOPLE!.
Try installing Umtsmon or Vodafone Mobile Connect’s web:
https://forge.betavine.net/projects/vodafonemobilec. if all hits rock bottom install another version of linux like ubuntu or even windows on it.
Nice blog. I think i have made up my mind for kdn butterfly!
Thanks for the comment Alex. Tread with care, their customer service has been wanting in most people’s experience, still its great when it works.
@guru am unfortunate that am not any closer to the hotspot. A’m opting for adsl but i dont understand the difference in price. Does it cost 5k for modem?
The ADSL router costs may depend on who si providing you with the service. KDN work wiith resellers, so many things vary. Largely it depends on if they are getting business from a arge group of users, or if its an individual. Contact Icon Telesec, the service resellers and installers on info@icon.co.ke or +254 20-386-0023 (office). Ask for Mark.
@Guru. Am really interested it the current KDN offer but the cost of equipment is scary. they quoted 100k for wimax equipment and 38k for router. I belive its possible to get my own wimax equipment and router matching their specifications. What do u think.
The safaricom offer is really a s***. The fastest speed i get when downloading is 3kb/s. Evening opening google is a struggle on its own. i have to wait for 5 minutes. Safaricom are stealing from people money. I cant imagine spending Ksh200 on a 50cent per min cyber wich is 10 times far better than safaricom. Id even opt for zain or maybe orange modem. Is anyone exeperiencing the same problem as mine?
I too am experiencing excruciatingly slow speeds on Safaricom. Right now im planning on switching to Kdn but Ive been hearing complaints about Kdn. To anyone currently on Kdn, is it fast and reliable? And has the speed increased since the bandwith quadrupled?
@Paul,What Linux Distribution are you using on your Acer Aspire one?I would agree with Buju,Ubuntu handles everything just fine,particularly the Ultimate Edition.
For any Linux Distribution call: 0720 851 941,E-mail;shekeine@yahoo.com.Website;www.linux4kenyans.blogspot.com