2 min readThe KinKonnects team
Business fibre internet in Kinshasa: what actually matters
The advertised speed means very little in Kinshasa. What matters is what is left at 3pm on a Tuesday, and what happens when the main link drops.
A business internet offer is sold on one number: speed. It is the least useful number for deciding. Three others matter more in Kinshasa.
Guaranteed or shared
A shared connection advertises a maximum you reach when nobody else is using it. A guaranteed connection, often called dedicated, reserves capacity for you whatever the load. The second costs considerably more and it is the only one that holds a video call at peak time.
In a workspace, ask it differently: how many people share this link, and what capacity is reserved for the meeting rooms?
Latency, not just speed
For a video call, latency and stability matter more than raw throughput. A slower but stable line gives a better call than a fast, erratic one. Test by making a call, not by running a speed test.
Failover
- A second provider, ideally on a different technology.
- Changeover that needs no manual intervention.
- Network equipment powered by the generator, otherwise the failover is pointless.
How to test before signing
- 1.Come and work for half a day on site.
- 2.Run a real twenty minute video call, not a speed test.
- 3.Share your screen during it, which is what exposes weaknesses.
- 4.Repeat the test late in the afternoon.
- 5.Ask what happened during the last outage and how long it lasted.
At KinKonnects
The Ngaliema space runs on fibre with the network equipment on backed up power, which means the connection survives an outage. Come and test it for half a day on an open seating pass before deciding, because that is the only demonstration worth anything.
FAQ
What speed does a team of ten need?
Less than you think if it is guaranteed, considerably more if it is shared. Think in reserved capacity per desk rather than one headline figure.
Is fibre available everywhere in Kinshasa?
No, coverage varies sharply between buildings even in the same district. Check the exact address, not the commune.
Do you need a backup connection?
If your work depends on calls or online platforms, yes. Above all check that changeover is automatic.
