Mobile number portability which gives mobile users the ability to switch to an operator of choice while retaining their number identity was implemented by the Kenyan telecoms regulator the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) on April 1.
And barely three weeks into its implementation, there is movement in the sector marked by feuds among the two leading operators towards what analysts say is a high stakes jostle for Kenya's over 20 million mobile users.
According to ICT experts, as is the experience in other countries where it has been implemented, MNP will allow in the fullness of time the Kenyan subscriber to reign supreme over the telecoms operators.
In turn operators must now up their game in terms of quality of service or lose out business to rivals, thanks to a now greatly empowered Kenyan subscriber who has also increasingly become technology savvy and choosy over time.
"There are no two ways about it. The quality of network service from all operators especially the dominant ones must go up as mobile users have been empowered.
The rates for the services offered must also be favourable to customers as well," says Job Ndege an ICT expert based in the city.
In the latest feud between the two dominant operators, Airtel Kenya in a complaint to telecoms regulator, CCK, claimed on April 12 that Safaricom was engaging in "under hand tactics to sabotage" the MNP process.
Airtel managing director Rene Meza particularly flayed Safaricom for what he claimed was employing "several anti-competition tactics to block customers seeking to move to its network."
"It is amazing that after completing the 48-hour porting process, some players had deliberately declined to de-activate the old sim cards from their network," he complained adding in strong terms: "In essence, what this means is that the customer has not completely moved to his/her network of choice but is still held captive by Safaricom, an act that is anti patriotic and gross abuse of dominance by Safaricom clearly designed to beat efforts of the Government to fully liberalise the sector."
But Safaricom, in a counter accusation issued the same day, blamed Airtel Kenya of not adhering to MNP guidelines and hoarding vital information to porting customers.
"We appeal to the CCK, Porting Access Kenya and all operators to ensure that the MNP guidelines as set out by the regulator and agreed by all operators are strictly adhered to. This is the only way this protocol can be of benefit to the Kenyan subscriber," responded Safaricom in a statement.
"The market should understand that porting is a serious decision by a subscriber and should be treated as such by all operators. It can never be a casual decision, based on incomplete information and done by the roadside at the instigation of commission-hungry agents."
Kenyans were treated to such feuds amongst the two dominant operators last August following the slashing of interconnect rates by CCK, a move that radically brought down the cost of calling rates in the country.
ICT experts say unlike last August , MNP has pushed the stakes even higher by ushering in an even more critical era for the Kenyan mobile subscriber where they can move from one operator at the slightest whim of discontent with certain service.
"Not only do you expect calling rates to fall further in the near future as operators woo subscribers to stay on their networks, but the quality of service as well is set to improve," says Ndege, the acting managing director of communications solutions firm, iWay Africa Services Limited.
He noted that in September this year all operators are expected to be in a position to offer 3G network services, a service where market leader Safaricom enjoys monopoly.
The three other rivals Airtel Kenya, Telkom Kenya and Essar Limited (Yu) have acquired 3G licenses and are set to roll out the service in the near future.
CCK itself has hailed MNP's implementation with CCK director general Charles Njoroge saying it critically represents the last mile of competition in the Kenyan telecoms sector.
"This country has matured to a level where customers have another advantage where today they do not have to stick to network 'A' because you don't want to lose your number which has become your identity.
Now you have the freedom to decide where the value of your money is, given the products in the market," Njoroge told the EABW in an interview held late March.
Ndege, however, notes that there is need for the telecoms regulator the CCK to create more awareness among Kenyans about how mobile number portability works, which at the moment is said to be at a low. According to a recent survey conducted by market research firm TNS RMS East Africa, there is a significant level of growth in mobile literacy in Kenya.
Statistics by the research firm indicated a steady growth in mobile phone use as the primary media for communication at 86% compared to 14% who use PC.
The report which peeked into Kenyan mobile phone use and behavior dubbed Mobile Life 2011, also showed that Kenyans have moved from basic phone use which includes social networking to even using their mobile phones to access financial services such as bill payments.
"48% of Kenyans believe mobile finance can replace banks (traditional banking service), said Melissa Baker, CEO TNS RMS East Africa.
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