Emmanuel Toili
15 October 2008
Nairobi — Safaricom has announced new calling rates effective Thursday. The offer dubbed "Jibambie" was launched on Wednesday morning.
Safaricom CEO Mr Michael Joseph said the reduced rates will give both PrePay subscribers affordable calling rate options. However, the calling rates will be pegged on subscribers ability to top up an airtime voucher of different denominations. This service is only available within Safaricom network.
"We are lowering the cost of making calls for our subscribers by having simple, flexible and more affordable calling rates. This will give our entire subscriber base, a rate for as low as Sh3 and a maximum of Sh8, and the option to choose their own rate based on the recharge voucher value," said Joseph.
In the new calling rates, PrePay subscribers will be charged as low as Sh3 within Safaricom network, all day and all night, after topping up with an airtime voucher worth Sh1,000.
This also entitles the subscriber to send text messages (SMS) to other Safaricom subscribers at only Kshs 2.
A top up of Sh500 allows a subscriber to for Sh4 and send an SMS for Sh2, while Sh250 top-up will allow subscribers to call for Sh5 and send SMS for Sh3. Sh100 top-up will allow subscribers to call for Sh6 and send SMS for Sh3, while Sh50 top up will enable subscribers to call for Sh7 and send SMS for Sh3.50. A top -up for Sh20 will allow subscribers to call for Sh8 and send SMS for Sh3.50.
"The launch of this offer, which we have been developing over time, coincides with the achievement of our 12 millionth customer and is designed to offer the best value to our esteemed subscribers across the whole country: all having a variety needs that must be addressed, and where possible, at the same time. In this increasingly competitive environment, Safaricom must continue to ensure that our customer needs are the central and focus point of all our actions," said Joseph.
PostPay subscribers will also get a substantial lower calling rate from Sh10 to Sh7 and Sh6 respectively based on their monthly usage.
A majority of PostPay subscribers who typically spend more than Sh5,000 per month will now be charged Sh6 per minute, for calling other Safaricom subscribers.
The entry of a third mobile telephone provider Orange Mobile, has led to a cut-throat competition forcing established competitors to reduce their calling rates.
Orange mobile subscribers are now charged Sh1 within its network as Zain Kenya subscribers are charged Sh8 across network.
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