Safaricom has launched B-Live, a new data product that allows customers to pay for mobile internet based on time rather than data volume, a bold shift aimed at restoring predictability and control in how Kenyans experience connectivity.
What Is B-Live?
B-Live offers unlimited browsing for fixed periods:
- 1 hour for KES 20
- 3 hours for KES 50
- 6 hours for KES 150
The bundles are available via USSD codes *544# and *555#, or through the mySafaricom app and web portal.
“We recognise that our customers are different. Some prefer managing their usage in MBs or GBs, while others simply want to enjoy the internet for a set period of time,” said Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi, Chief Consumer Business Officer at Safaricom PLC. “By adding this option, we’re putting control back in the hands of our customers.”
Why It Matters
For years, Safaricom users have voiced frustration over fast-depleting data bundles. B-Live shifts the unit of consumption from megabytes to minutes, promising clarity over cost; whether streaming, scrolling, or downloading.
This innovation builds on Safaricom’s infrastructure advantage:
- 4G coverage across 96% of Kenya
- Expanding 5G rollout into rural areas
- Investments in spectrum (700/900 MHz) and network densification
These upgrades make time-based access viable but also raise expectations for consistent speeds and transparency.
Caveats and Concerns
Despite its promise, B-Live comes with restrictions:
- No hotspotting or Sambaza
- Fair Usage Policy may throttle speeds after high consumption
- Bundles cannot be extended or gifted
- B-Live is consumed before regular data bundles
Competitive Landscape
Safaricom is the only Kenyan telco offering fully time-based mobile data. Competitors like Airtel, Telkom, and Faiba remain volume-based, with Airtel’s hourly bundles capped by usage.
Safaricom’s network strength gives it an edge, but the success of B-Live will depend on whether it truly delivers uninterrupted access or simply replaces old frustrations with new ones.
Final Take
B-Live is a strategic experiment in redefining mobile data consumption. It’s ideal for users with planned, time-bound activities like streaming or remote work. But without full transparency on usage limits, Safaricom risks eroding trust in what could be a game-changing product.
“This is about enabling digital lifestyles,” Safaricom stated. “We want every customer—youth, creators, hustlers, entrepreneurs, and professionals—to choose what works for them.”
