Mwaniki Wahome
1 November 2006
Nairobi — Safaricom has launched a faster and more user-friendly communication system.
The third generation Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) known as 3G will run on a pilot basis for one year before being officially rolled out.
Chief executive Michael Joseph said the packet-based technology will initially be confined around Westlands.
It will enable the storage of data in discrete packets unlike in the current technology where a call ties up the network resources. It will also be four times faster than the current technology.
Mr Joseph said in Nairobi that upon proof of viability, the network will be unveiled in selected parts of the country.
"This is an expensive technology that requires new base stations and links and we are initially targeting corporate bodies but provisions will be made for such institutions like schools and hospitals in the rural areas," he said.
"During the duration of the trial we will decide whether to apply for a full 3G licence and if positive, we will convert the trial network to a commercial one," he said.
The one year project has not been charged by the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK).
"Do not inhibit us through high licence fees when we finally seek to unveil the network," urged Mr Joseph adding that the new technology was expected to push their subscriber base to 5.5 million from the current 4.7 million and cut costs by dealing directly with the international tier one operators.
Information and Communications minister Mutahi Kagwe said the mobile phone subscribers were now ten times more than those using the fixed network.
In a speech read by CCK director general John Waweru, he said the industry was faced by an interconnectivity problem because operators were delaying the signing of important agreements.
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