poa! Internet is a Kenyan Internet Service Provider (ISP) focused on delivering affordable, reliable internet services. Their mission is to close the digital divide by offering connectivity at significantly lower prices compared to many traditional providers. They primarily target low- and middle-income households and underserved neighborhoods.

History & Founding

The company was founded in 2015 by Chris Rhodes, Andy Halsall, and Michael Puchol. Its headquarters is in Nairobi, Kenya.

Scale & Reach

Over 12,000 home customers.

Tens of thousands more served through public street Wi-Fi points across Nairobi.

Employee base estimated between 150–200 people.

Products & Pricing

Unlimited home internet plans starting at around KES 1,575 per month.

Services are priced more than 50% lower than many alternative providers.

They use a combination of fixed wireless for homes and public Wi-Fi hotspots.

Funding, Partnerships & Investments

Raised multiple rounds of investment, including a Series C led by institutional investors.

Received a loan of about USD 5 million from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to finance network infrastructure and equipment.

Total funding across various sources exceeds USD 20 million.

Impact & Strategy

Focused on expanding affordable broadband access in Kenya, where less than half the population currently has reliable broadband.

Invests in towers, customer equipment, and infrastructure to cover underserved areas.

Uses a hybrid model of home fixed wireless and community Wi-Fi hotspots to maximize reach.

Challenges & Considerations

Infrastructure deployment is capital-intensive and requires significant investment.

Must comply with regulatory requirements around licensing and spectrum use.

Balances affordability with the need to maintain sustainable service quality.

Faces competition from established ISPs, mobile broadband providers, and fiber operators.