Airtel is quietly—and cleverly—building something big. If you’ve recently updated your My Airtel app, you might have noticed a new tab at the bottom labeled “Smart Connect.” It doesn’t just look different; it’s the clearest hint yet that Airtel is gearing up to transform your smartphone into a full-fledged smart home control center.

Tapping on this new tab whisks you away from your usual data bundle juggling and Airtel Money transfers into a new “Home Wi-Fi” window, with the promise of Smart Connect Device Onboarding. While it currently reads “Coming Soon,” what’s under the hood is already giving us serious FOMO for the future.

Welcome to the Age of Airtel-Connected Homes

What’s Airtel up to? Essentially, the telco is working on a way for users to add, remove, and manage their Airtel smart home or broadband Wi-Fi devices right from the app. No need for fiddly IP addresses or obscure browser logins. Whether it’s a 5G router or a 4G box, your devices will soon report for duty directly from your My Airtel dashboard.

The new Smart Connect section also showcases Airtel’s hardware lineup:

5G Smart Connect Router – It brings 5G speeds without needing a new phone.
4G Pocket Wi-Fi – For KES 2,500, Airtel says you’ll get the device plus 5GB free data, perfect for older 3G phones needing a boost.
4G Smart Box – A powerhouse router supporting up to 32 users for KES 4,500. Ideal for homes, small businesses, or those weekend-long LAN parties.

There’s even an option to “Add New SmartConnect Account,” where you can plug in your alternate number or Home Broadband number. I tried adding my current Airtel number that is tied to my 5G router and got a message that it’s “already added” — meaning the backend infrastructure is already shaping up.

Airtel vs. Safaricom: The Smarter Play?

Now, let’s talk competition. Safaricom’s MySafaricom app does have a Home Internet section, but it stops short of what Airtel is cooking. There’s no direct device onboarding or remote management for smart routers and boxes. Airtel’s move could be the first step towards a more hands-on, app-based smart home ecosystem—something no other local telco is currently offering. And with Kenya’s growing appetite for smart tech, this could be a game-changer.

Interestingly, this Smart Connect initiative is just the cherry on top of what’s been a very busy period for Airtel:

The My Airtel app now works without needing data, making it easier to access features anytime, anywhere (read more).
You can even check network coverage in-app before moving to that new apartment in Athi River (see how).
Their latest 5G routers promise faster speeds at lower prices, part of Airtel’s continued mission to democratize high-speed connectivity (details here).
And on the global front, Airtel is already blocking dangerous websites in India—could Kenya be next in line for an extra layer of web safety? (read more)

So, while the Smart Connect feature might still be in the “coming soon” phase, its presence in the My Airtel app is no small update. It’s a bold move toward integrating connectivity and smart home management under one neat digital roof.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on the rollout and let you know when the feature becomes widely available.