Voice calls & SMS are still alive in Kenya’s digital age
Kenya has nearly doubled its 5G data subscriptions since June 2024 thanks to a growing smartphone user base that has now overtaken feature phones, but..
✨ Key Highlights
Despite a surge in 5G data subscriptions and the popularity of messaging apps, traditional voice calls and SMS remain resilient and are thriving in Kenya, according to the latest ICT sector report (Q4 2024/25) from the CA.
- Kenyans logged 29.2 billion minutes of domestic calls by June 2025, a significant increase from 28.9 billion in March.
- SMS traffic also saw growth, reaching 15.25 billion messages, up from 14.3 billion the previous quarter.
- Safaricom held the largest share of domestic call minutes with 18.5 billion, followed by Airtel with 10.6 billion minutes.
- International incoming call traffic to Kenya increased by 48% year-on-year.
Continue Reading
Read the complete article from Techish Kenya
Part of the Day's Coverage
DStv Loses 84.2% of Subscribers Amid Shifts in Kenya's Telecom Market - September 2025
DStv Kenya experienced an 84.2% year-on-year drop in active subscribers by June 2025, reducing its base to 188,824, while its terrestrial arm, GOtv, saw an almost 89% reduction. This shift comes as Kenya's data usage evolves, with 5G experiencing significant growth and 4G remaining dominant. Despite the surge in data, traditional voice calls and SMS remain resilient, according to the CA's Q4 2024/25 report. In parallel, Kenya's fixed internet subscriptions reached 2.14 million by June 2025. However, access remains an urban luxury with only 0.6% of rural homes connected compared to 17.3% in urban areas, and the country's median download speed is only 15.4 Mbps.
