The Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) will roll out its fibre optic cable business alongside its pipeline from Mombasa to Nairobi through Nakuru to Eldoret and Kisumu.
The venture is a single-mode fibre (SMF) product that has been licensed by the Communications Authority of Kenya under a tier 2 network infrastructure.
KPC Managing Director Macharia Irungu said that the agency was looking forward to seeing a fruitful venture as it leverages its infrastructure to compete with telecom giant Safaricom and Zuku to provide internet to Kenyans with KPC targeting to focus more on rural Kenya.
“Just like in the pipeline business where we enable economic growth through fueling the economy, through fibre optics, we are enabling internet connectivity in support of the government’s agenda of ‘Internet Mashinani’,” he said.
“We purpose to improve internal communication infrastructure for the country, diversify into the data communication sector to create a new revenue stream, and utilise technology as a business driver for both ourselves and our customers,” he added.
Some of KPC’s clients are Safaricom, Airtel, and Jamii Telco Limited.
The organisation will attract a charge of USD22 per kilometer and a USD200 installation fee per site with a contract duration of 5,10,15, 20, and 25 years.
Due to the cable’s proximity to the oil pipeline, Irungu notes that the cable will be secure and heavily guarded against fibre cuts.
“Through the dark fibre carrier-of-carriers’ business, we seek to spur change in the industry landscape for our customers, government institutions, three international data and voice gateway providers, and other tech-oriented corporates,” he said.
CA Chief Executive Officer, Ezra Chiloba alluded to the venture being a great addition that will facilitate connectivity among Kenyans
“At this time, nearly all sectors are dependent on IT, and through such an initiative, the country will be more connected and will subsequently boost the economy and ease the cost of living,” he remarked.
Joe Mucheru, the ICT Cabinet Secretary, urged other companies like Kenya Power and Ketraco, who have the ‘right of way’ to launch such an initiative to improve the country’s infrastructure.
