Mobile web to 15m more Kenyans

TELECOMS

Safaricom has launched a new service that will take internet chat and email services to the owners of all makes of phones – a move expected to benefit over 15 million mobile phone subscribers in Kenya.

The service, Kipokezi, will allow mobile phone subscribers to use internet chat and email services with any phone capable of sending SMSes. Safaricom, Kenya’ s largest mobile phone operator, says the move will allow over a third of Kenya’ s population to exchange email messages and online chat messages.

The company says Kipokezi is particularly attractive for young “ early adopters” , giving them a cheaper and more convenient way to access email and chat services like MSN Messenger, Yahoo!, Windows Live and Gtalk.

Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph, said: “ This service packs great value to our customers. They will be able to handle their business online, check mail, find information, chat and keep in touch from wherever they are in a fast and cost-efficient manner. The price of internet-ready phones has kept many Kenyans off the web, a trend we are determined to change. This innovation is also at one with our constant strategy of increasing the utility of the mobile phone and expanding the reach of our data product.”

Safaricom’ s consumer data services, backed by the country’ s only and widest 3G network has been well-received with latest statistics showing that at least 3.5 million out of the 5 million Kenyans who regularly access the internet do so through the Safaricom network.