Safaricom, a leading Kenyan telecommunications company, has launched a managed SD-WAN service designed to help businesses connect multiple branches through a centrally managed network. The service, which starts at KES 9,500 a month per branch, is tailored for businesses such as retailers, banks, manufacturers, distributors, and healthcare providers that operate across multiple locations. This new offering aims to provide reliable connectivity between branches and headquarters.
The SD-WAN service allows businesses to combine different connections, including fibre, 4G, 5G, broadband, dedicated internet, and MPLS, into one network. This enables businesses to maintain critical services such as payment terminals, inventory systems, and online ordering, even if one connection fails. The system can automatically switch traffic to another available connection, ensuring minimal disruption. Additionally, the service can prioritize important applications, such as customer payments and business communications, over less critical internet traffic.
Safaricom is offering the SD-WAN service on 12, 24, and 36-month contracts, with longer contracts carrying lower monthly costs. The Basic Plus plan costs KES 9,500 a month per branch and KES 29,500 a month for headquarters equipment on a 36-month contract. In comparison, the same plan costs KES 19,800 a month on a 12-month contract. The monthly charges include equipment, software, maintenance, and 24/7 support, while connectivity is charged separately.
According to Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom PLC, the SD-WAN service brings multiple connections under one managed network for a predictable monthly fee. This allows businesses to expand without a large upfront investment in hardware, with Safaricom providing the support. The service also includes security features at each location, helping businesses protect their networks without having to purchase and manage separate firewall equipment for every branch.
The SD-WAN service offers flexibility and scalability, allowing businesses to connect new branches using 4G or 5G where suitable coverage is available, without waiting for fibre installation. Fibre can then be added later as the business grows. Businesses can also retain existing connections from other providers as part of the network. A central dashboard allows IT teams to monitor the performance of different sites from one location, while Safaricom engineers provide 24/7 monitoring and support.
The service has various applications across different industries. For retailers, it can help keep point-of-sale terminals, inventory systems, and online ordering connected across branches. Banks can use it to connect branches, ATMs, and other systems, while manufacturers can link production sites to head-office enterprise resource planning systems. Healthcare providers can also use the network to connect patient records, prescription systems, and laboratory applications across different clinics.
Safaricom emphasizes that the final network design and package will depend on each customer’s requirements and network assessment. The company’s Ready Mobility offering enables businesses to quickly connect new branches, and the SD-WAN service is designed to be adaptable to the evolving needs of businesses. With this launch, Safaricom aims to support businesses in Kenya in managing their network infrastructure more efficiently.
Key points
- The service starts at KES 9,500 a month per branch.
- The SD-WAN service supports multiple connections, including fibre, 4G, 5G, and broadband.
- The service includes 24/7 monitoring and support from Safaricom engineers.
