Telecommunication service providers face challenges in expanding their last-mile data networks to meet the increasing demand for internet services. By leasing space on these Smart Poles, telecom companies can significantly enhance their data coverage, capacity, and overall service quality. The pilot project, currently implemented at six locations in Nairobi, will set the stage for the installation of Smart Poles across Kenya Power’s overhead network.
The deployment of Smart Poles brings forth numerous benefits and opportunities. Firstly, Kenya Power can diversify its revenue sources by leasing pole space to telecom service providers. This revenue diversification strategy ensures a sustainable future for Kenya Power, reducing reliance solely on electricity sales.
Secondly, the increased availability of high-speed internet connectivity facilitated by Smart Poles creates new possibilities for businesses, institutions, and individuals alike.
Kenya Power, in partnership with the Ministry of ICT, aims to leverage its extensive network and fiber capacity to provide affordable internet connectivity infrastructure to public institutions. Schools and hospitals, in particular, will greatly benefit from this initiative, gaining access to essential educational resources, telemedicine services, and other digital platforms at a reasonable cost.
Beyond revenue diversification and improved internet connectivity, the Smart Poles project contributes to Kenya Power’s broader objective of fully automating the grid. Automation offers numerous advantages, including enhanced system efficiency and improved customer service. Kenya Power has already made significant progress in this direction by automating medium voltage line switches in the Nairobi metropolitan counties of Kajiado, Kiambu, and Machakos.
Furthermore, the implementation of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project has proven instrumental in revenue protection and accurate meter readings. The installation of smart meters in small and medium-sized enterprise premises, coupled with the establishment of meter data control centers, has led to increased sales, timely billing, and reduced energy pilferage.
Kenya Power’s Smart Poles project marks a transformative step towards comprehensive connectivity, revenue diversification, and automation, bringing numerous benefits to the company, telecommunications service providers, public institutions, and the general public.
