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Kenya: Press Releases: Zain Kenya Expands Data Roaming Reach |
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Friday, 12 February 2010 |
Nairobi, 11 February 2010 --- Zain Kenya has entered into a partnership with 45 new telecommunications operators as it continues to expand the international roaming coverage for data services. Zain customers will now be able to use their phones or modems to access the internet, mail and other data applications in more than 130 countries spread across the continent after the company entered into the agreements for data access through the GPRS service.
Managing Director Mr. Rene Meza said Zain was now placing more emphasis on data in the new partnership following an upsurge in demand for the services. The roaming partnerships apply in countries outside the One Network platform. Currently, Zain subscribers are not charged roaming fees when travelling around 19 countries in Africa and the Middle East.
“The new destinations, which are largely in Western Europe and USA, have been mapped following a careful study of international traffic. We will continue to ensure that our customers stay connected when moving around the globe,” said Mr. Meza.
Zain Kenya has entered into roaming agreements with more than 400 telecommunications operators worldwide. “In the past, demand for roaming was restricted to voice services predominantly in the post paid customer segment. We are now witnessing a major shift as more customers embrace data applications,” he said. Last year, Zain Kenya’s data business experienced a record growth largely due to the introduction of internet access modems for the pre paid customer segment. The unprecedented growth has seen Zain intensify its network upgrade program to effectively handle the fast-growing data business. Additionally, Zain Kenya connected to the Seacom fibreoptic cable last year a move that has increased availability of more bandwidth. Zain customers are charged to access data services through segmented internet bundles, pay as you go or through the BlackBerry service.
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