For years, the phrase “unlimited internet” in Kenya has almost always come with an asterisk. Sometimes it’s hidden fair usage limits. Other times it’s speed throttling after a certain amount of data. And in many cases, the price simply puts it out of reach for the average user. So when I came across Telkom Kenya‘s newly launched 4EVA Unlimited bundles, I had to stop scrolling.

At first glance, the packages look surprisingly attractive. Instead of forcing customers into expensive monthly commitments, Telkom is now offering unlimited internet in four different durations, making the plans accessible whether you only need a few hours online or want coverage for an entire month.

According to promotional material shared by the company, the new bundles include:

KES 19 – Hourly Unlimited (valid for 3 hours)
KES 49 – Daily Unlimited (valid for 24 hours)
KES 299 – Weekly Unlimited (valid for 7 days)
KES 1,299 – Monthly Unlimited (valid for 30 days)

Customers can activate the bundles by dialing *544*0#.

Interestingly, Telkom says the offer can be purchased multiple times once a bundle expires, although it’s currently available only to prepaid customers.

Affordable enough to make me consider buying a Telkom SIM

I’ll admit it. I don’t currently own a Telkom line. In fact, it’s been years since I seriously considered getting one. Like many Kenyans, my primary SIM cards are from the country’s larger operators, simply because they’re easier to rely on wherever I travel.

But these prices genuinely made me pause. A three-hour unlimited bundle for KES 19 is difficult to ignore if you occasionally need to download large files, stream a football match, binge a few episodes of a series, or back up your photos without worrying about exhausting your data allocation. Even the monthly option at KES 1,299 compares favourably with many capped data bundles currently available on the market. But the weekly KES 299 plan looks like the sweetspot.

For heavy internet users, students, gamers, remote workers or anyone who streams regularly, the pricing is arguably one of the most aggressive we’ve seen from a Kenyan mobile operator.

There’s just one problem everyone keeps bringing up

Almost immediately after Telkom began promoting the new bundles, I noticed a familiar trend in the comments. The excitement over the pricing was quickly followed by a flood of users asking essentially the same question:

"What's the point of unlimited data if the network barely works where I live?"

It’s hardly a new criticism. For years, Telkom has struggled with the reality that its network coverage simply isn’t extensive enough compared to Safaricom. Users frequently report inconsistent coverage outside major urban centres, weaker indoor reception and slower data performance depending on location.

Of course, experiences vary considerably from one town to another. There are places where Telkom delivers excellent speeds, especially in parts of Nairobi and other urban centres where its infrastructure is stronger. But there are also many areas where simply getting a stable LTE signal can be a challenge. And unlimited data doesn’t mean much if you’re constantly hunting for bars of signal.

One surprising thing about this launch is just how quietly it happened. Had I not stumbled across Telkom’s promotional campaign, I probably wouldn’t have known these bundles existed. That says something about Telkom’s current position in Kenya’s telecom market. Even when it launches one of the country’s most competitively priced unlimited internet offerings, the news doesn’t generate the same buzz as a similar announcement from Safaricom or even Airtel.

Perhaps that’s exactly why these bundles deserve attention.

For users who already live or work in areas where Telkom has strong coverage, the plans could represent exceptional value. If you’re fortunate enough to have a reliable Telkom signal, paying KES 49 for an entire day of unlimited internet or KES 299 for a full week is difficult to dismiss.

Should you try them?

If you already own a Telkom SIM card and enjoy decent coverage where you live, these new bundles are certainly worth testing. But if, like me, you don’t currently use Telkom, the pricing is compelling enough to at least make you consider picking up a SIM card. But before making the switch, it would be wise to check how well the network performs in your area first.