Safaricom Business Internet plans explained: Standard Fibre vs. Secure Fibre

Whenever I talk to startup founders or local business owners, the conversation almost always drifts to internet connectivity. We spend so much time talking about Safaricom Home Fibre, but the reality is that running a business demands a vastly different kind of reliability and scale.

Safaricom actually has a robust portfolio of enterprise solutions, but today, I want to focus strictly on Safaricom Business Internet, specifically, their fixed broadband offerings.

If you are setting up an office, scaling your team, or just tired of shared connections dropping during crucial Zoom calls, Safaricom gives you two main fixed options: Business Fibre and Secure Business Fibre. I’ve dug through the fine print, the FAQs, and the feature lists so you don’t have to.

Here is everything you need to know to make the right choice.

Standard Business Fibre vs. Secure Fibre: What’s the difference?

The most common question I get asked is, “Why are there two different fibre offerings, and why is one slightly more expensive?”

The answer comes down to cybersecurity and scale.

The Standard Business Fibre is your everyday, high-speed corporate connection. It’s built to be affordable, reliable, and capable of handling standard office tasks ranging from basic web browsing and e-commerce to cloud-based ERP systems and high-definition CCTV monitoring.

The Secure Business Fibre, on the other hand, layers an enterprise-grade cloud security system (SecureNet) right into the connection. Before any internet traffic even reaches your office, it passes through a cloud-based firewall that filters out malware, blocks malicious traffic, and prevents access to inappropriate or non-productive web content. Plus, while the standard tier tops out at 150Mbps, the Secure tier scales all the way up to a massive 1,000Mbps (1Gbps) for larger, data-heavy enterprises.

Let’s break down the specific packages for both.

Option 1: Safaricom Business Fibre (Standard)

If you have a straightforward business setup and handle your own endpoint security (like local antiviruses on your office PCs), this is the value-for-money option. One standout perk I noticed with this tier is the Loyalty Rewards Program. Safaricom automatically enrolls you, and you earn points for every KES 7 spent on your postpaid bill. You can redeem these points (valid for 24 months) for devices or bill payments.

Here is how the standard packages stack up:

Note: All plans include a free router and free installation. A refundable one-month deposit is required.

Option 2: Safaricom Secure Business Fibre

If you are dealing with sensitive client data, or if you simply want the peace of mind that comes with network-level antivirus and web filtering, this is where you should put your money. The Secure Internet connection actively monitors your incoming and outgoing traffic, making network administration much easier, especially if you want to block sites that eat up employee productivity.

Here are the pricing tiers for the Secure Fibre option:

Note: Like the standard tier, these plans include free installation and a free router, subject to a one-month refundable deposit.

How to sign up for Safaricom Business Internet

Setting up your Safaricom commercial internet is relatively painless, but there is some bureaucracy involved since you are registering as a business entity.

What you will need:

• A completed Business Connectivity application form (available at Safaricom shops or via a sales agent).
• Your business’ Certificate of Incorporation/Registration or a valid Business Permit.
• Your company’s KRA PIN Certificate.
• Identification (ID) of the primary contact person.

Installation details:

Installation is completely free of charge, and Safaricom provides the router at no extra cost (though it remains their property and must be returned if you cancel). Once you pay the initial deposit, their installation partners reach out to schedule the setup.

A quick tip from my experience: Safaricom’s team will handle the connection to the router, but they do not do internal LAN office cabling. If you need Ethernet cables run through walls to specific desks, you will need to hire a separate local technician.

Billing, payments, and support

Unlike home internet which is prepaid, Safaricom Business Internet is strictly a postpaid service.

• The billing cycle: You will receive your invoice on the 1st of every month. The first bill you get will be prorated based on the day you joined, plus the full charge for the upcoming month.
• Payment deadlines: Your bill is due on the 16th of the month. Safaricom does offer a 10-day grace period, but if you don’t pay, you will be disconnected. If a bill remains unpaid for 90 days, the service is terminated, your deposit is absorbed, and debt collection protocols may kick in.
• How to pay: For your initial onboarding deposit, use M-PESA Paybill 140140. For your ongoing monthly bills, use Paybill 200200 with your specific service account number. You can also pay via cash or cheque at any Safaricom shop.

If your network goes down or you have billing issues, Safaricom has dedicated enterprise support. You don’t have to wait in the regular consumer queues. You can dial 0722 002222, use USSD *485#, or email them at business.support@safaricom.co.ke.

Pros and cons of Safaricom Business Internet plans

Choosing between these two tiers isn’t just about looking at the price tag; it’s about understanding what your business actually needs on a day-to-day basis. Based on my analysis of both offerings, here is a breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of each option to help you make an informed decision.

Standard Business Fibre

The advantages

• Unbeatable cost-to-speed ratio: For just KES 2,999, you get 40Mbps. That is an incredible entry point for small startups or retail shops that just need reliable connectivity without breaking the bank.
• The loyalty rewards program: I love that Safaricom automatically rewards you for paying your bill. Earning points for every KES 7 spent on postpaid services means your internet bill actively helps you accumulate points for future device upgrades or charity donations.
• Higher base speeds for lower tiers: At the entry level, the standard plan gives you 40Mbps, whereas the entry-level Secure plan drops you down to 15Mbps for a slightly higher price.

The disadvantages

• Zero network-level protection: This is a “pipe-only” connection. If an employee accidentally clicks a phishing link or downloads a malicious file, your network won’t stop it. You will be entirely dependent on whatever antivirus software is installed on individual devices.
• Hard speed ceiling: The standard packages top out at 150Mbps. If your business grows exponentially or you have massive data-transfer needs, you will eventually outgrow this tier.
• Manual productivity management: If you want to stop staff from streaming videos or scrolling social media all day, you have to configure those restrictions yourself on your own hardware.

Secure Business Fibre

The advantages

• Hands-off, enterprise-grade security: The cloud-based firewall (SecureNet) inspects traffic before it even hits your office router. It catches malware, viruses, and intrusions seamlessly, acting like an invisible IT security team.
• Built-in productivity controls: The web filtering feature is a massive win for managers. You can easily block or restrict access to distracting websites, ensuring your bandwidth is actually being used for work.
• Massive scalability: With speeds scaling all the way up to 1,000Mbps (1Gbps), this service is built to grow with you, easily supporting up to 60+ heavy users and data-intensive cloud applications.

The disadvantages

• The “security premium” cost: You are paying more money for less raw speed at the lower levels. For example, KES 3,499 only gets you 15Mbps on the Secure plan, while KES 2,999 gets you 40Mbps on the standard plan.
• Potential redundancy: If your company already pays for an expensive, sophisticated local firewall (like Sophos or Fortinet) and premium endpoint security software, you are essentially paying twice for the same layer of protection.

Verdict

If you run a small local shop, a boutique, or a lean startup where budget is tight, the standard Business Fibre 40Mbps plan at KES 2,999 per month is a fantastic deal. It gives you stable speeds and enough bandwidth for daily operations and a couple of security cameras.

However, if your business relies heavily on data integrity, be it a law firm, accounting practices, or medium-sized tech agencies, the premium you pay for Secure Fibre is worth every penny. For instance, stepping up from the KES 5,000 standard plan (100Mbps) to the KES 6,799 Secure Fibre plan (100Mbps) gives you enterprise-grade web filtering and threat protection that would cost you significantly more to implement independently.

Whichever route you choose, migrating between plans is as easy as contacting their sales team, meaning your Safaricom Business Internet can seamlessly scale right alongside your company.