An update on the Faiba 4G MiFi

- Works relatively well where I live/work in Nairobi. I take it with me on the go.
- It worked in Mombasa BUT in some spots in Nyali.
- Excellent speeds where it works. I consistently get 5Mbps+ [even as high as 20Mbps]. Netflix streams in HD but that's almost 2-3Gb/hour in my estimate!
- I still have Airtel and Safcom as backup.
- The modem will die if not charged and is constantly connected. The battery will deteriorate over time.
- The phone (not compatible with 700 MHz) needs to constantly (re) charged since it is on wifi 24/7. If I am low on battery, I will switch off my wifi.
- 25Gbs for 1,000/- so I do not ration my usage and even use my laptop on mobile data. With Safcom, I would hardly do so!
- Recharge is via M-Pesa Paybill. 1,033/- for a 25Gb bundle. I hope they offer alternatives in the future.

I used to buy 3Gbs for 1,000/- [Safcom] and also data from Airtel. Safcom was much faster than Airtel but I used Airtel when speed wasn't critical.

My data usage on Safcom has decreased 80%. Mostly used when I am out of Nairobi. I have not bought Airtel data since I got Faiba 4G. I had a Telkom SIM for data but I don't even care to look for it.

I hope the quality of the network is maintained. I expect to recover my "investment" [5,600/-] in the modem by March!

I admit my data consumption has increased since I do not throttle my usage. 25Gb lasts me 3 weeks. I do use (free) wifi where possible but when the free wifi is slow [happens often!] I use my modem.

*No, I am not being paid for this by Faiba but they should! I got 2 folks to buy the modem!

It seems the India telco market has been heavily rocked by Reliance Jio...

AIRCEL files for bankruptcy

Idea Cellular & Vodafone India merge to create the largest mobile telco in India and withstand competition from Reliance Jio

Competition is good for consumers!
Meanwhile, will Helios "revive" the Zuku brand? [It's still a strong brand but I have ditched it, like many others, coz of poor internet services]

They aren't interested in Zuku.They own a minority stake compared to Telkom kenya where they have a majority stake and can therefore draw and implement the strategic direction they want to take the company.

Mr Wangusi declined to name the companies that are gunning for the new spectrum. According to CA data, tier two electronic service providers include Wananchi Group, Liquid Telecom, iWay Africa, and Access Kenya Group. There is no, as of yet, indication that they are part of the consortiums.

Tier two companies have so far been providing fixed and wireless services. The Unified Licensing Framework allows them to venture into the mobile business, but they had not been allocated the spectrum to do so.

One of the options on the table for the consortium members is to jointly invest in a special purpose vehicle that will deploy and run the network on their behalf. The consortium members will then hook up their customers to this network.

Alternatively, consortium members can direct the CA to issue the spectrum to one of their members. This designated company will then roll out the network and lease it out to the rest of the consortium at pre-agreed prices.

Got one at their Nyali office for 5400 Bob and a 25GB bundle for 1k

Same case in Runda

I have given up on this Faiba4G thing. Lemme stick to Safaricon/ Telecom

This Faiba is just but a Branded Tortoise. Nothing more

Just buy the 4G mobile wifi router that you can use with sim card of any of the providers at ksh.12k

It works well for me. I primarily use it in (built-up) Nairobi and Mombasa. I have not used it in the exurbs of Nairobi. Decent speeds.

I think Faiba4G isn't for everyone and works well where Faiba JTL (fibre) provides service i.e. they have nodes/bases since they seem to piggy back on the "underground cable" rather than towers.

I also use Safaricom but that's not for data intensive usage and primarily on my mobile phone.

I pay 1,000 monthly for 25Gbs. They have a weekly bundle at 300 for 8Gbs. I also buy Saf bundles as needed. Lots of places offer (not always reliable) free WiFi nowadays.

The irony is that I buy Faiba bundles using M-Pesa

The main disadvantage of my preferred usage of Faiba4G is the use a modem which can die + the phone uses more battery power when it's on WiFi.