Data services company Jamii Telecommunications plans to roll out fibre-to-the home (FTTH) services to 5,000 homes in the Kenyan holiday city of Mombasa.

The Standard Digital newspaper has reported that the company plans to connect the homes by the end of this year.

According to company chairman and chief executive officer, Joshua Chepkwony, the introduction of the high speed FTTH or ‘Faiba’ project is intended to help kickstart small businesses in the area.

So far the $1.17 million project has connected homes in Nyali, Tudor, Kizingo, Shanzu and Mtwapa. The next phase is expected to link Mombasa Old Town, Changamwe, Kilifi, Malindi, Ukunda towns.

“The future looks bright as homes will be fully online and people will be able to work at home. We can set up offices in homes using internet platforms,” said Chepkwony.

“The fibre infrastructure will enable people in Mombasa do business in a competitive manner globally,” he added.

Chepkwony also urged government to safeguard the internet infrastructure in the country by coming up with stringent rules to curb vandalism.

“The service should be classified as a utility just like electricity because today we cannot do business well without connectivity,” he said.