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Safaricom eyes huge capital savings with new base stations
Safaricom staff repair a communication mast in Kwale County. The telco has so far rolled out 4G+ network and 4G coverage to all 47 counties. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NMG
What you need to know:
- Tubestar Base Stations could help to cut up to three quarters of land area required to erect telecommunication masts.
- The new base stations come with inbuilt equipment that also eliminate the need for diesel generators since it uses high-performance lithium batteries, cutting down on carbon emissions from network sites.
- The first structure has been installed at Clay Works along the Nairobi Thika Highway, and is set to improve coverage in Roysambu which has in the past been heavily affected by call drops.
Safaricom is testing new network coverage technology known as Tubestar Base Stations that could help to cut up to three quarters of land area required to erect telecommunication masts.
Tubestar Base Station is a tubular structure intended to replace the current telecommunication towers that require a compound and perimeter wall. The new, compact base stations will see Safaricom save billions of shilling previously spent on land acquisition and erection of security walls. The telco spends upwards of Sh30 billion every year on network expansion.
