Kenya hits 800 million GB of data as 2G and 3G fade

Kenyans used about 800 million gigabytes of mobile broadband data in a single quarter, a 6% jump, as the country keeps shifting off older networks toward faster ones.

The figures come from the Communications Authority of Kenya's sector statistics for January to March 2026, the third quarter of the 2025 to 2026 financial year. They show a digital economy that is no longer just being built, but heavily used.

The move away from legacy networks is clear. 2G subscriptions fell from 10.4 million in December 2025 to 9.7 million by March 2026, and 3G dropped from 5.6 million to 5 million over the same period.

Meanwhile, 4G climbed to around 45.9 million subscriptions and 5G reached 1.9 million, up from about 1.7 million. That means 5G added roughly 170,000 subscriptions in three months.

The most striking detail sits with 5G. Data consumed by 5G subscribers crossed the 100 million gigabyte mark for the first time, hitting about 102 million gigabytes in the quarter. The average 5G user got through 53.5 gigabytes, more than three times the national average across mobile broadband users.

Underpinning all of this is a device shift. Smartphone connections crossed the 50 million mark for the first time, reaching about 50.2 million, while feature phones stood at about 28.5 million. Cheaper smartphones are pulling more people into data-heavy apps, video, social platforms, payments, learning, and work tools.

There is a catch worth understanding. 5G's growth is still gated by the cost of compatible phones. Many entry-level handsets sold in Kenya support only 4G, so 5G remains concentrated among heavier users who can afford pricier devices.

For most buyers, 4G is still where the value is. 5G makes sense if you are a heavy user, live or work in good coverage, and can justify the extra phone cost.

Kenya's internet story has moved from getting online to how much we use, and that changes what phones, plans, and services are worth your money.