Kenya Data Network (KDN) is overhauling its existing fibre optics infrastructure in Nairobi at a cost of Sh365 million ($4 million).

The frequent damage of the infrastructure by road contractors has affected the quality of Internet and data services KDN offers to its clients and raised maintenance costs. The firm has leased the facility to major telecommunications companies including Safaricom and Airtel. Therefore, the quality of its networks affects the services its clients offer.

KDN chief marketing director Atul Chaturvedi said that the overhaul of the network will also reduce their cost of doing business as they provide quality services to their customers. Fibre optic network that has undergone numerous repairs has leakages and thus consumes a lot of power thus increasing costs. Other than increasing expenses, infrastructure providers also face penalties running into hundreds of millions from their clients for the down times.

"We are replacing the old fibre with new one and upgrading the main equipment that facilitates data transportation making it four times bigger to cater for the increasing demand," said Mr Chaturvedi.

This comes at a time when infrastructure providers have asked the government to come up with regulation that will ensure that road and sewerage contractors compensate them when they interfere with their facilities.

Nairobi and major towns whose roads are under construction are the most affected. In Nairobi, the building of Thika and the Namanga highways has seen most infrastructure providers realign most of their networks.