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Kenya: Press Releases: Zain Launch Internet Packages for Prepaid Customers |
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Thursday, 10 September 2009 |
Nairobi, 10 September 2009 --- Zain Kenya today launched unlimited internet access services for the prepaid customer segment by unveiling two flat rate access packages in a bid to increase uptake of data services.
The bundled unlimited internet and the daily-rate access packages will see prepaid customers make up to 90% savings when access the internet.
Customers will pay a minimum flat rate of KES250 to gain unlimited access to the internet for one day. The package can be subscribed to for a maximum of 30 days at a cost of KES3,250. Alternatively customers will be required to subscribe to the bundled offer at KES100 for 25 MB.
Customers will be required to purchase USB modems at KES2,999, down from KES12,995, which are already pre-loaded with 150MB. "The relatively high cost of the modem has been a major hindrance to penetration of data services in this market. By making the set up costs affordable, we are optimistic there will be a corresponding uptake of the service," said Mr. Rene Meza, Zain Kenya Managing Director.
Mr. Meza disclosed that Zain Kenya had now connected to the SEACOM fibre optic cable thereby enhancing her data speeds. "This is critical for real-time services such as video streaming. It will also reduce backbone costs which will eventually bring down the cost to the end user," he said. The connection will enhance availability of bandwidth thus allowing for significant capacity expansion on the backbone to meet the growing demand of Kenya's Internet population.
The move by Zain Kenya to stir interest in data services among the prepaid customers is driven by the anticipated boom occasioned by the arrival of the fibre optic cables on the Kenyan coast line. Despite mobile telephony subscription growing to more than 16 million, data services have largely been utilized by corporate clients and customers in the post paid tariff plans.
Mr Meza said following an extensive network upgrade program which commenced last year, internet is now available in all parts of the country. The Zain Kenya network reaches 90% of the population.
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