Safaricom has been ranked the best service provider for network and call connectivity across the country by the global advisory giant Umlaut.
After multiple drive tests and assessment of the different mobile networks for call and data performance, Umalut discovered Safaricom to be the only mobile operator to deploy Voice over LTE (VoLTE) services across the country including in rural areas scoring the best call set-up time.
Safaricom’s top performance in mobile data was due to its deployment of 4G Carrier Aggregation thus making it the only operator exceed 20 Megahertz in data upload tests.
4G Carrier Aggregation enables Safaricom to combine its 4G bandwidth on both the 1800 and 800 frequency bands.
In turn, this means Safaricom’s 4G customers can establish more than one simultaneous connection to network masts thus achieving more than 150% of the speeds of a typical 4G connection.
Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom expressed his joy at the accolade stating, “It is an honour to yet again be ranked ‘Best in Test’ for the fourth year in umlaut’s independent network tests.”
“Our exceptional network performance is proof of our commitment to provide our customers with the best technology and connectivity wherever they are in the country, empowering them to access life-changing opportunities,” he added.
READ>>>>>Safaricom Fights PR Nightmare as Customers Protest New Rules
For the download speed tests, Safaricom accomplished speeds up to 58.5 Megabits per second (Mbps) and an average upload speed up to 36.4 Mbps.
The call tests proved High Definition of voice quality calls across its network with call set up time of less than 2 seconds.
Hakan Ekmen, CEO Telecommunication at Umlaut commended Safaricom for having achieved the best user experience in Kenya stating, “On top Safaricom shows the best data and voice user quality and performance. This is remarkable in these challenging COVID-19 times!”
Traditional calls are said to slow down a customer’s data connection whenever on a call. Safaricom offset this limitation by use of VoLTE deployment across more than 90% of its network enabling customers to make calls and enjoy 4G data speeds at the same time.
The mobile operator has been aggressively expanding its 4G coverage with a goal of having 100% of its network on 4G. In 2019, Safaricom rolled out more than 1,600 new sites bringing its 4G reach to more than 92 per cent of the country’s population.
SEE ALSO>>>>>Women-led SMEs the Big Winners in DTB’s Ksh1.6B Economic Recovery Programme
Leave a comment