SatADSL – a Belgium based service provider dealing in satellite solutions, has unveiled new solutions for supporting deployment of nation-wide ATM networks in East Africa at the on-going AITEC Mobile Money Conference, COMESA being held at Nairobi’s Intercontinental Hotel. SatADSL’s latest solutions are expected to enhance Automated Teller Machines (ATM) operators and banks with the ability to deploy cash machines in small urban areas across East Africa where terrestrial communication services are either not available, unreliable or too expensive. SatADSL offers specialized products and services that are aimed at boosting the operations of financial institutions in Africa independently from any terrestrial infrastructure.
Alcatel Introduces One Touch Pop C1, C3, C5 and C7 Affordable Android Phones
Following in the recent announcement of Alcatel One Touch Idol S, the phone maker has unveiled yet a new line-up of budget android smart phones with screen sizes ranging from 3.5inches to 5.0inches. Alcatel was once considered a major player in the cell phone market but failed to cop-up with competition from rivals such as Samsung and Apple. The latest addition to the C series line-up including the Alcatel One Touch Pop C1, C3, C5 and C7 are expected to cost slightly lower than close rivals in a move that’s expected to propel the phone maker back to its previously presumed position and cause some concern to market’s current favorites
Airtel Kenya Reviews Calling Rates Upwards
Airtel Kenya has revised calling rates for both calls made within and outside its network, subscribers will now pay Sh4.02 per minute up from previous Sh3.60. However, calls made during off-peak hours (from 10pm to 6am) will remain unchanged as well as charges for customers on its postpaid plan. The new tariffs were effected as from September 1st. The changes were notified through an advert on Saturday which indicated the operator had reviewed its rates upwards from a 6 cents per second billing rate to 6.7 cents. The changes put Airtel at par with Safaricom’s Sh4 per minute for both calls within its network and those terminating on rival networks.
Airtel’s and Safaricom’s rates are relatively higher than other service providers, YuMobile charges Sh3 for both calls made within and outside its network while Orange Kenya charges Sh3 for calls made outside its network and Sh2 for those made within its network. The move comes despite the government’s decision to lower termination rates. Mobile Termination Rates (MTRs) are charges mobile service providers pay their rivals for calls made to their rival’s network but initiated within their own network or by their subscribers.
Soon after the termination rates were reduced by almost half by the communications commission of Kenya, it resulted in price wars that seriously impacted voice revenues. Service providers had to cope with reduced revenues by finding alternative avenues such as data to compensate. Interestingly, Airtel was a major player in the sense that it actually fired the first shot by reducing its tariff charges by half.
Lipa Kodi Na Mpesa Service from Safaricom to Process Rent Payments
Kenyan landlords have a new service from Safaricom dubbed Lipa kodi na mpesa which enables tenants to pay their rental bills via Mpesa mobile payments system. Lipa kodi na Mpesa basically means paying rent via Mpesa – a mobile banking platform which is widely used by Safaricom subscribers across the country. The service which is expected to offer a convenient and reliable mode for rental bill payment will reduce the risks of carrying money said Safaricom’s general manager for financial services, Betty Mwangi-Thuo
Nokia announces flagship sponsorship for DEMO Africa at Nokia Showcase in Johannesburg
At an event in Johannesburg, which highlighted the entire Nokia portfolio to media and customers from across the region, Nokia also confirmed their support as the platinum sponsor for the second DEMO Africa. DEMO Africa provides the most innovative new and established companies from across Africa the opportunity to launch their products on stage at the high profile event, which takes place in Nairobi at the end of October 2013. At the Showcase, Nokia also announced availability for the Lumia 925 and Nokia Lumia 625 with both smartphones expected in Kenya in the coming months. Joining the new devices in Kenya soon will be a new classic mobile phone, the Nokia 208.
NaivasCard – a Visa enabled Prepaid and Reward Card for Naivas Customers
As most Kenyan businesses move towards chip-enabled card technologies, Naivas – one of Kenya’s biggest supermarket chains isn’t taking chances either; it has introduced the ‘NaivasCard’ to reward its customers as well as allow them to save money through a virtual account. The service which falls under the supermarket’s digital wallet offering comes at an ideal time when most businesses in the country adopts similar technologies. The NaivasCard will enable customers save money as well as act as a prepaid card which can be used for other VISA related transactions. NaivasCard can be loaded with funds via Mpesa, Airtel Money and from any branches of the solution provider – Chase Bank.
The NaivasCard will also sort out the Ksh.1 coin change problems experienced by most supermarket chains in the country. Shortage of the Ksh.1 coin in the country had forced most retail outlets to substitute with other goodies such as sweets and matchboxes for change lower than Ksh.5. The move wasn’t optional forcing most customers who were rather uncomfortable with the idea to just deal-with-it. It hasn’t been an easy task even with the intervention of the Central Bank of Kenya which is entrusted with distribution of the currency in the country. The bank had attributed the shortage to customers who leave coins at home, and had appealed to shoppers to return coins they leave at home.
Naivas supermarket’s business development manager – Mr. Willy Kimani indicated the chain had set aside Ksh.45 million as a reward float for the card holders. In the new deal, Naivas customers will be able to top up and shop online at any VISA enabled merchant thanks to Chase Bank and VISA; the card is aimed at giving the user an ample way to manage funds securely. With Naivas Supermarket’s E-coin facility, change will be loaded directly on to the card eliminating the need for sweets and matchboxes as change.
Samsung Galaxy Trend S7560 Android Phone Review
The Galaxy trend offers nothing new for those who’ve had a Galaxy device before, but it has an almost rock-bottom price tag you’d struggle to ignore. The phone was recently launched for the Asian market with little word on its availability to other regions; except that we can now confirm its availability in Safaricom retail stores for the Kenyan consumers. The Galaxy Trend S7560 has the basic functionalities you’d expect in a mid-range smart phone; but it’s not the best device within that price range, close rivals like the feature-rich Alcatel One Touch Star go hand-in-hand with its pricier siblings like the Galaxy S3 Mini featuring a double core processor and an AMOLED display panel. There isn’t much difference between Trend S7560 and its older sibling – Galaxy S Duos except for the Dual SIM feature, it has the same plastic casing that’s typical on most Samsung devices including its flagship smart phones.
Nokia 515 delivers premium design with high performance
Nokia unveiled its latest entry level device – the Nokia 515 featuring an elaborate premium design curved from lightweight aluminium, it features Nokia’s typical contemporary design, top range materials and a beefed-up performance experience. The Nokia 515 is available in single and Easy Swap Dual SIM variants. The Nokia 515 reflects Nokia’s approach to design, focused on simplicity, purity and craft. It features scratch resistant Gorilla® Glass 2, gently curved for a beautiful finish, and a classic highly polished camera bezel. Available in black or white, the phone’s elegant profile and aluminium body is perfect for style minimalists. At only 11 mm thick, the Nokia 515 will slide beautifully into the smallest pocket or bag.