AccessKenya woos property developers with multi-use cable

Internet services firm AccessKenya is seeking to ride on increased activity in real estate market to grow sales by connecting homes and offices to its fibre network during construction.

Jonathan Somen, the managing director, said the links will be used by other service providers like voice, TV, air-conditioning, CCTVs and alarms, doing away with the need for multiple connections.

“We will lay one single high speed fibre that other services will be connected to and it is cost-effective because it avoids multiple connections and hiring numerous providers,” said Mr Somen, adding AccessKenya is selling the idea to property developers.

Cut dominance

This system also allows for the control of services from a central location in what is dubbed Intelligent Properties.

AccessKenya hopes the model will allow it to grow subscriber base when Kenya’s middle class is increasingly developing an appetite for home Internet.

Property developers use Internet connecting as a value-add in the battle for home buyers.

The bulk of connections come after construction and some building owners ask for payment to allow entry into their premises.

AccessKenya is betting on the step to cut the dominance of rivals Kenya Data Networks and Wananchi whose market share stood at 33 per cent and 23 per cent respectively, according to the communication regulator, CCK.

AccessKenya share stood at 15 per cent and it needs new subscribers to grow sales that marginally increased 1.7 per cent to Sh1.73 billion last year.