Safaricom Slashes Internet Prices by 150%
Move is meant to pass the benefits of an improved business and regulatory environment to customers and is in response to the presidential directive on internet pricing
Nairobi, July 22nd 2011…Beginning today, Safaricom subscribers can enjoy more affordable internet services following a major price reduction as the country's leading telecommunications company passes on the benefits of an improved business and regulatory environment to its customers.
The reduction has been effected by increasing the data volume for every bundle by up to 150 per cent for the same value. For example a subscriber who pays KSh999 for 600 MB of data will now get 1500 MB, indicating a more than double increase in data volumes.
The move to lower the data access rates follows yesterday's meeting between industry players and Government which was held to discuss how best to implement the Presidential directive calling for a review of internet pricing in Kenya. President Mwai Kibaki made the directive two weeks ago when he launched the government open data website (www.opendata.go.ke), which aims to boost transparency in governance and empower citizens with relevant information.
It further follows commitments made by the industry regulator, Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) and the Ministry of Information and Communication to lower spectrum fees and review the overall spectrum policy for industry players by end next of month.
The government has also undertaken measures to address rampant fibre vandalism, which has been a huge cost to the industry, as well as classify ICT infrastructure as national utilities to bring the sector up to par with power and water providers. The new guidelines are expected to allow for compensation by local authorities and public works bodies for damage occasioned to ICT infrastructure during road or sewer construction.
According to the new prices issued today, heavy data users will also have the option to subscribe to either a weekly tariff for KSh1,000 or a monthly tariff for KSh3,000. This allows them to manage their data spend and access internet without worrying about their usage.
While announcing the reductions, Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore said the move was in line with the Safaricom 2.0 culture which puts customer needs at the centre of all the firm's actions.
"We are continuously reviewing our value proposition to ensure that our customers enjoy unrivalled communication services at the most affordable rates while expanding the options available to them.
"Safaricom is sensitive to the strain placed on our customers' finances by the obtaining high cost of living and hence our effort to ease this by passing the benefits of an improved working environment by lowering our prices."
The unprecedented price reduction is expected to further underline Safaricom's leadership in the data market in Kenya. Besides being a major investor in infrastructure, Safaricom has also taken the lead in developing local content to make the internet more useful to Kenyans. Today, nine out of 10 regular internet users rely on the Safaricom's network, which consists of Kenya's fastest 3G network, a growing WiMax footprint and the widest data and voice network coverage across the country.
Mr Collymore thanked the CCK and Ministry of Information for leading by example in addressing the industry's concerns regarding the macro issues affecting the pricing of internet access in the country. Mr Collymore stated further that
"We see this improved offering as the first phase of our data strategy and we are confident that as the Government follows through on its commitments to address our remaining concerns, we shall pass on additional benefits to the consumer".
About Safaricom
Safaricom offers total communications solutions to a growing clientele in Kenya. With a subscriber base of over 17 million, Safaricom provides a comprehensive range of services under one roof: mobile and fixed voice and data services on a variety of platforms: Kenya's widest and only 3G network; a growing fibre optic cable footprint and its most expansive WiMax presence. Safaricom also pioneered commercial mobile money transfer globally through M-PESA, the most successful such service anywhere in the world. www.safaricom.co.ke
CONTACT
Washington Akumu
Senior Public Relations Manager
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cell: 0724509033
Move is meant to pass the benefits of an improved business and regulatory environment to customers and is in response to the presidential directive on internet pricing
Nairobi, July 22nd 2011…Beginning today, Safaricom subscribers can enjoy more affordable internet services following a major price reduction as the country's leading telecommunications company passes on the benefits of an improved business and regulatory environment to its customers.
The reduction has been effected by increasing the data volume for every bundle by up to 150 per cent for the same value. For example a subscriber who pays KSh999 for 600 MB of data will now get 1500 MB, indicating a more than double increase in data volumes.
The move to lower the data access rates follows yesterday's meeting between industry players and Government which was held to discuss how best to implement the Presidential directive calling for a review of internet pricing in Kenya. President Mwai Kibaki made the directive two weeks ago when he launched the government open data website (www.opendata.go.ke), which aims to boost transparency in governance and empower citizens with relevant information.
It further follows commitments made by the industry regulator, Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) and the Ministry of Information and Communication to lower spectrum fees and review the overall spectrum policy for industry players by end next of month.
The government has also undertaken measures to address rampant fibre vandalism, which has been a huge cost to the industry, as well as classify ICT infrastructure as national utilities to bring the sector up to par with power and water providers. The new guidelines are expected to allow for compensation by local authorities and public works bodies for damage occasioned to ICT infrastructure during road or sewer construction.
According to the new prices issued today, heavy data users will also have the option to subscribe to either a weekly tariff for KSh1,000 or a monthly tariff for KSh3,000. This allows them to manage their data spend and access internet without worrying about their usage.
While announcing the reductions, Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore said the move was in line with the Safaricom 2.0 culture which puts customer needs at the centre of all the firm's actions.
"We are continuously reviewing our value proposition to ensure that our customers enjoy unrivalled communication services at the most affordable rates while expanding the options available to them.
"Safaricom is sensitive to the strain placed on our customers' finances by the obtaining high cost of living and hence our effort to ease this by passing the benefits of an improved working environment by lowering our prices."
The unprecedented price reduction is expected to further underline Safaricom's leadership in the data market in Kenya. Besides being a major investor in infrastructure, Safaricom has also taken the lead in developing local content to make the internet more useful to Kenyans. Today, nine out of 10 regular internet users rely on the Safaricom's network, which consists of Kenya's fastest 3G network, a growing WiMax footprint and the widest data and voice network coverage across the country.
Mr Collymore thanked the CCK and Ministry of Information for leading by example in addressing the industry's concerns regarding the macro issues affecting the pricing of internet access in the country. Mr Collymore stated further that
"We see this improved offering as the first phase of our data strategy and we are confident that as the Government follows through on its commitments to address our remaining concerns, we shall pass on additional benefits to the consumer".
About Safaricom
Safaricom offers total communications solutions to a growing clientele in Kenya. With a subscriber base of over 17 million, Safaricom provides a comprehensive range of services under one roof: mobile and fixed voice and data services on a variety of platforms: Kenya's widest and only 3G network; a growing fibre optic cable footprint and its most expansive WiMax presence. Safaricom also pioneered commercial mobile money transfer globally through M-PESA, the most successful such service anywhere in the world. www.safaricom.co.ke
CONTACT
Washington Akumu
Senior Public Relations Manager
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cell: 0724509033
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