Safaricom to switch off 600,000
TELECOMS
By BiztechAfrica - Sept. 29, 2012, 7:32 a.m.
Safaricom says it will comply with the directive to switch off services to all counterfeit handsets on its network from 30th September 2012 at 2359 hrs. Approximately 600,000 out of Safaricom’s 19.1 Million subscriber base will be affected by this switch off.
Company CEO Bob Collymore said: “We deeply regret the inconvenience that this switch off will cause to our innocent subscribers. We have been contacting all affected customers and providing them with affordable genuine options. Collymore added: “This exercise will only be successful if all operators play their part.”
For technical reasons, Safaricom will conduct the counterfeit handsets switch off in phases. The exchange of data with other operators for blocked handsets will begin by the 1st of October to ensure cross network blocking.
Collymore added: “We recognise that blocking handsets alone is not the long term solution and we call for more support to the CCK by related Government agencies to block entry and sale of the counterfeit devices and to step up prosecution of those who engage in the vice.”
Safaricom subscribers can also confirm the authenticity of their handsets by dialling *#06# to get the IMEI number, which they in turn must send to 1555.
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