August 2010 - KICTANet

Fwd: [i-network] Zain Kenya Crying Foul at Safaricom
by Barrack Otieno 27 Aug '10

27 Aug '10

Listers I found this discussion interesting, interesting opinions from our brothers across the borders. Kind Regards ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Timothy Kabaza <tkabaza(a)gmail.com> Date: Fri, Aug 27, 2010 at 9:57 AM Subject: [i-network] Zain Kenya Crying Foul at Safaricom To: I-Network Uganda <i-network(a)dgroups.org> Badru, agreed from a purely free and competitive market environment. But it has never happened before anywhere in the world or in any industry? Why? Remember (Prof Micheal) Porter's five forces of competition 1. * Existing competitive rivalry between suppliers* 2. *Threat of new market entrants* 3. * Bargaining power of buyers* 4. * Power of suppliers* 5. * Threat of substitute products (including technology change)* here in our region, the biggest distortion of competition is #4, the power of suppliers (operators), not # 1 because of the oligopolistic/cartel tendencies. Hence my view that the regulators step in to protect the consumers. i am not advocating that the regulators protect the suppliers , NO, but to protect us, the consumers against the power of the suppliers. The last time the market was left to the power of suppliers with a 'self regulating' regime ( at most with minimum regulation), we ended up with the global financial collapse - (we are still suffering from the same and we should expect further failures, bail outs notwithstanding!). Tim On 24 August 2010 14:24, Badru Ntege <ntegeb(a)one2net.co.ug> wrote: > Tim > > There's two schools of thought here in a market environment the best > performer wins and takes the lion share. However it seems that when this > happens we then call for big brother the regulator to come help the none > performers. I think that is a wrong way towards building a sustainable > industry. Those players who cannot handle should seek partners who can help > them build a competitive business as opposed to hoping that the regulator > will always help them out. > > Regards > > Badru > > Sent from my® smartphone > ------------------------------ > *From: * "Timothy Kabaza" <tkabaza(a)gmail.com> > *Date: *24 Aug 2010 11:58:30 +0200 > *To: *I-Network Uganda<i-network(a)dgroups.org> > *ReplyTo: * "I-Network Uganda" <i-network(a)dgroups.org> > *Subject: *[i-network] Zain Kenya Crying Foul at Safaricom > > Precisely! > > Remember what I contributed about interconnection charges and the resultant > tariffs? I am of the view that regulators should take a strong stand in the > interest of the users and pro-actively address the issue of tariffs across > board. Perhaps the EAC Secretariat should include communication tariffs on > the custom union agenda. > > Tim > > On 20 August 2010 06:48, Kiiza Edgar <edgar212516(a)googlemail.com> wrote: > >> ** >> Zain accuses Safaricom of blocking calls >> *In Summary* >> >> *What CCK says on competition* >> >> · Commission says a competition study by PricewaterhouseCoopers will >> enable it identify the dominant companies, their price structure. >> Commission to apply a price cap on off-net tariffs >> >> · It costs Sh0.01 to terminate SMS on mobile and fixed networks but the >> operators charge up to Sh3.50. The lowest is Sh2 per SMS. >> >> A mobile phone company on Thursday sensationally accused its competitor of >> sabotaging its customers’ calls as a business war looms in the industry. >> >> Zain, which cut its calling charges by half on Wednesday, accused >> Safaricom of blocking its subscribers from calling the market leader’s >> numbers. >> >> The accusations came on the day the regulator announced a cut in the >> charges operators levy each other for calls across networks, setting the >> stage for cheaper calls. >> >> Now networks can only charge each other Sh2.21 a minute for calls and >> Sh0.01 for an SMS. Zain has already taken advantage and cut its calling >> rates to Sh3 and SMS to Sh1. >> >> But the company on Thursday said its subscribers were having problems >> making calls to Safaricom, because the bigger company was limiting the >> access of Zain callers into its network. >> >> In a complaint to the Communications Commission of Kenya, Zain claimed >> Safaricom was “abusing dominance” and asked CCK to intervene. >> >> “Our customers are experiencing congestion and call set-up issues when >> they call Safaricom and not when calling Zain. This is purely for the simple >> reason that our main competitor has been delaying the capacity increase >> request from our side to accommodate the incremental traffic coming from us >> after we launched our new offer in the market,” said Zain Kenya managing >> director, Mr Rene Meza. >> >> Safaricom dismissed Zain’s claims and instead accused its competitor of >> poor planning. Chief executive officer Michael Joseph said: “We feel that >> their request to the CCK to declare Safaricom dominant so soon after the >> launch of their new tariff is insincere, particularly as it was the result >> of poor planning on their side.” >> >> He added: “We have always been courteous to Zain, even to the extent of >> accommodating them when they were unable to clear the significant debt that >> they owed us. This notwithstanding, we shall continue to cooperate with them >> as guided by the inter-connect agreement and other industry rules. We invite >> them to engage us within those parameters.” >> >> Mr Joseph said Zain ‘’is fully aware of the procedures that all operators >> must adhere to when seeking to increase their inter-connect traffic >> capacity. Under the agreement the inter-connect pipe belongs to them and >> they should have upgraded it long before yesterday to accommodate their >> changed tariff plan.” >> >> The Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek), welcomed the drop in charges >> but asked CCK to ensure fair play in the sector. ‘‘We do hope that >> competition among service providers shall remain decent, honest and >> objective,’’ Cofek said in a statement signed by programme officer Calvin >> Otieno. >> >> The organisation also asked CCK to tackle the issue of low speeds and high >> charges for internet long after all major fibre optic cables landed in >> Kenya. CCK director-general Charles Njoroge said Zain’s allegations would be >> investigated. >> >> “We shall look into the complaints. We know there could be challenges when >> the traffic is changing patterns and the important thing is to investigate >> and once we have answers we shall be able to take corrective measures to >> ensure whatever is happening is corrected,” he said. >> >> Mr Njoroge, speaking at CCK offices, said as the market opens up there >> will be alignment in terms of efficiency, and operators should co-operate to >> ensure there is access because the interconnection agreements demand they >> facilitate seamless interconnection. >> >> He said CCK had noted the wide difference between what operators charge >> customers to make calls within their networks and to competing networks and >> how this was being used by the large operators to block competition. The big >> companies were creating a “club effect” by using interconnection charges to >> discourage their customers from calling other networks. >> >> “This pricing mindset is offensive to competition as it entrenches tariff >> imbalances in favour of large operators and makes other networks net payers >> to large networks,” he said. Mr Njoroge said the issue of dominance will be >> comprehensively dealt with through a report to be released soon. >> >> He said the interconnection charges could have gone down to Sh0.99 but CCK >> said this would disrupt business plans of the operators. The Sh2.21 had >> factored the return on investment, but added that the benefits must be >> passed to the consumers. >> >> “We need to move to the second step. We have initiated a process, and have >> regulations and once we declare (a company) dominant and it is seen that the >> company is abusing the dominance we shall come in and put a cap to regulate >> the retail (prices),” Mr Njoroge said. >> >> He said they had a competition study by PricewaterhouseCoopers which will >> enable them identify the dominant companies, their price structure and know >> if there is an abuse of the market. He said in order to remedy the >> competition problem at the retail fixed and mobile voice markets, the >> commission intends to apply a price cap on the off-net tariffs >> >> Visit the I-Network website - www.i-network.or.ug Follow I-Network on >> Twitter: http://twitter.com/inetwork The I-Network Dgroup is a platform >> for ICT Knowledge Sharing >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> Visit web site <http://d2.dgroups.org/iicd/i-network/> >> Click here <leave.i-network(a)dgroups.org> to unsubscribe >> The email is intended only for the recipients. The owners of the Dgroups >> cannot be held responsible for the contents of the email message. >> > > > Visit the I-Network website - www.i-network.or.ug Follow I-Network on > Twitter: http://twitter.com/inetwork The I-Network Dgroup is a platform > for ICT Knowledge Sharing > > ------------------------------ > > Visit web site <http://d2.dgroups.org/iicd/i-network/> > Click here <leave.i-network(a)dgroups.org> to unsubscribe > The email is intended only for the recipients. The owners of the Dgroups > cannot be held responsible for the contents of the email message. > > Visit the I-Network website - www.i-network.or.ug Follow I-Network on > Twitter: http://twitter.com/inetwork The I-Network Dgroup is a platform > for ICT Knowledge Sharing > > ------------------------------ > > Visit web site <http://d2.dgroups.org/iicd/i-network/> > Click here <leave.i-network(a)dgroups.org> to unsubscribe > The email is intended only for the recipients. The owners of the Dgroups > cannot be held responsible for the contents of the email message. > Visit the I-Network website - www.i-network.or.ug Follow I-Network on Twitter: http://twitter.com/inetwork The I-Network Dgroup is a platform for ICT Knowledge Sharing ------------------------------ Visit web site <http://d2.dgroups.org/iicd/i-network/> Click here <leave.i-network(a)dgroups.org> to unsubscribe The email is intended only for the recipients. The owners of the Dgroups cannot be held responsible for the contents of the email message. -- Barrack O. Otieno +41767892272 Skype: barrack.otieno

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Re: [kictanet] Deteriorating Safaricom or simply broken systems??
by cliff＠acwsp.com 26 Aug '10

26 Aug '10

MJ, May I also draw your attention to my personal experience that the CC could not assist. On june 10th, I sent an sms to a number in China but it bounce back with an error- 'Failled by service'. I had to try 3 times before the sms was sent. Instinctly, I checked my balance coz I had just loaded airtime, I had been charge for all the sms. I checked with the guy on yahoo chat I was sending the sms if he received all the 3 so that I can offer an apology, he confirmed receiving only one. I called CC for a refund, I was told once the sms leaves my phone, its charged whether delivered or not. It happen again on 16th July when sending sms on the same number and the response from CC was the same! Honestly, why should customers be charged for a service never delivered? Kind regards, Cliff > -------- Original Message -------- > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Deteriorating Safaricom or simply broken > systems?? > From: Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo(a)gmail.com> > Date: Thu, August 26, 2010 2:37 am > To: cliff(a)acwsp.com > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > > > > On Thu, Aug 26, 2010 at 10:45 AM, Brian Munyao Longwe wrote: > > > Hi Washington, > > On Thu, Aug 26, 2010 at 10:39 AM, Odhiambo Washington wrote: > > > > > Hi Brian, > > I beg to disagree with your supposition that these are "mundane and rather trivial issues". Safaricom does not sell vegetables at Gikomba, nor Mandazi at Kibera. This is their core business and if anything goes wrong with these, as one Harry Truman, put it decades ago, the buck stops with one, Michael Joseph! > > > > > > PS: MJ - Thank you so much for taking up this issue. > > > > > > > Both you and I have run online service operations - these kind of issues do *not* need the CEO to spend his time on - unless things have deteriorated to abyssmal levels. > > > > Nevertheless his attention is much appreciated. > > > > > I am happy to report that after MJ's intervention, Safaricom has "indemnified" me on the case(s) that I complained about. To be precise, I got refunds for the amounts used "out-of-bundle" when their systems delayed in allocating me the bundles I had purchased. > > > I'd also like to publicly acknowledge their apologies, received from Muthoni Karimi and Jack Siperia. > � > I feel much better now, as a Safaricom customer, because I have been treated right, thanks to MJ. > > > > > -- > Best regards, > Odhiambo WASHINGTON, > Nairobi,KE > +254733744121/+254722743223 > _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ > "If you have nothing good to say about someone, just shut up!." > > � � � � � � � � -- Lucky Dube > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: cliff(a)acwsp.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/cliff%40acwsp.com >

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Re: [kictanet] Deteriorating Safaricom or simply broken systems??
by muliaro＠yahoo.com 25 Aug '10

25 Aug '10

It depends on how you define quality. take a system perspective and customer care would be reduced to one of the dimensions of quality. This aside, the point is- CCK has the responsibility of ensuaring that licensed companies like safaricom deliver within the acceptable limits thus protecting consumers. Dr Muliaro Wafula Sent from my Nokia phone -----Original Message----- From: McTim Sent: 25/08/2010 11:02:00 pm To: muliaro(a)yahoo.com Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: Re: [kictanet] Deteriorating Safaricom or simply broken systems?? Hi, On Wed, Aug 25, 2010 at 10:18 PM, muliaro(a)yahoo.com <muliaro(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > This is Quality of Service issue. To be precise, this is a customer service issue, not a QoS issue. Most people mistakenly use the term incorrectly. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality_of_service -- Cheers, McTim "A name indicates what we seek. An address indicates where it is. A route indicates how we get there." Jon Postel

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Re: [kictanet] Deteriorating Safaricom or simply broken systems??
by muliaro＠yahoo.com 25 Aug '10

25 Aug '10

This is Quality of Service issue. It is CCK that needs to handle such complains. any body from CCK to take on this issue? Soon CCK will be overwelmed with more ICT actors attempting innovative ways to stay ahead of there competitors at the expense of regulations. Dr Muliaro Wafula Sent from my Nokia phone -----Original Message----- From: ESTHER MUCHIRI Sent: 25/08/2010 4:34:23 pm To: muliaro(a)yahoo.com Cc: 'KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions' Subject: Re: [kictanet] Deteriorating Safaricom or simply broken systems?? Hmm - is someone from Safaricom looking into these matters? It is really frustrating waiting for the bundles and getting none.. Or being told you have received 300MB and it evaporates in a day or two with limited use! ===================== "The future belongs to those who believe the beauty of their dreams.". -- Eleanor Roosevelt From: kictanet-bounces+emuchiri=andestbites.com(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+emuchiri=andestbites.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Brian Munyao Longwe Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 3:24 PM To: emuchiri(a)andestbites.com Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: Re: [kictanet] Deteriorating Safaricom or simply broken systems?? I had similar experience last week with the 500sh bundle - it took almost 12 hours to activate and in the meantime about 400 sh of my airtime was chewed by the off-bundle rate... Brian On Wed, Aug 25, 2010 at 3:08 PM, Harry Karanja <kairo(a)softlaw.co.ke> wrote: Washington, I share your frustration. I experienced the same thing albeit with smaller amounts. When I called CS I was told that it could take up to 48 Hours for the bundle to be loaded, and no they could not refund the airtime. I was forced to purchase more airtime and use the KES. 8 out-of-bundle charges. To date I am not sure whether the bundle was ever allocated. Harry Karanja n Director n SoftLaw Limited n Genius Executive Centre n 15th Floor View Park Towers n Utalii Lane n Nairobi CBD n Tel: +254 20 342 225 From: kictanet-bounces+kairo=softlaw.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+kairo <mailto:kictanet-bounces%2Bkairo> =softlaw.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Odhiambo Washington Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 2:22 PM To: kairo(a)softlaw.co.ke Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: [kictanet] Deteriorating Safaricom or simply broken systems?? Last evening I loaded KES 2,300 worth of credit on a Safaricom data line (0720 332211) and sent an sms to 446 to purchase a 300MB bundle. With their br0ken systems (the whole of yesterday) they could not allocate me the bundle immediately, even though they promptly deducted the KES 999. Because I could not get the confirmation of bundle allocation (CS kept telling me to wait for 20, 30, N minutes for the confirmation to come) I decided to just plugin the SIM card and use it, hoping the bundle had been allocated but only the confirmation sms was delayed. I ended up using KES 800 of my balance airtime after they deducted the KES 999 (instead of the bundle!!) and I got to know that only today when I called CS and they gave me the shocking news - you have only KES 500-and-something airtime on that line!! The whole of yesterday their system was broken down. I suffered the same during the day. I loaded 2500 on a different number and sent "activate" to 448 for a 1GB Bundle. I could not get the confirmation after about 10 minutes and called CS, who told me that they were experiencing problems and I should wait for about 2 hours. I had to buy 500 and top up and just use it like that without purchasing a bundle, while waiting for the 2+ hours... Is there a way for redress with Safaricom? They've literally stolen from me, by deducting my KES 999 and not allocating me the bundle "within the required time" (or isn't there something like this?), making me to use my reserved airtime instead! There must be better ways of dealing with this from Safaricom, or any other provider for that matter. It is simply not acceptable, and I do feel that when I buy a commodity (like the bundle) I should get it immediately, unless there is a condition that stipulates that the provider is at liberty to decide when to give it to me. I also believe that it's the obligation of the provider to notify me when they have a problem that would affect the services I buy from them. Safaricom, I want my money back, as small as it is! -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ "If you have nothing good to say about someone, just shut up!." -- Lucky Dube -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ "If you have nothing good to say about someone, just shut up!." -- Lucky Dube _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: blongwe(a)gmail.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/blongwe%40gmail.com -- Brian Munyao Longwe e-mail: blongwe(a)gmail.com cell: + 254 722 518 744 blog : http://zinjlog.blogspot.com meta-blog: http://mashilingi.blogspot.com

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Africa has 7 of top 10 safest web surfing nations
by Leonard Mware 25 Aug '10

25 Aug '10

Interesting article http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=3236847 For once we can flaunt our 'safety' rating!

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Re: [kictanet] Pondering mobile competition
by Andrea Bohnstedt 25 Aug '10

25 Aug '10

The 'abuse' complaint was silly, I think: Zain's network was congested from day one of their tariff launch. I'm sure, very very sure, that telecoms professionals at both Zain and Bharti are, well, professional enough to anticipate the need to increase network capacity if they launch such an aggressive tariff. You've seen the fun little leaked exchange between Rene Meza and Michael Joseph - Zain approached Safaricom in the evening asking for capacity on the Safaricom-owned link, and Joseph promised to look into this in the morning. The interconnection agreement between both companies states that this protocol can take up to seven days, as far as I understand. http://www.ratio-magazine.com/201008203586/Kenya/News-Analysis-Telecoms-Pri… Either they could have just increased capacity before the launch, or, if they were worried about alerting Safaricom to this, then just suck up and tell customers that the network will be congested for another seven days. So for Zain to come out the next morning and shout about abuse is dishonest and a cheap marketing ploy that I think they really don't need. I'm a happy capitalist. Competition is a good thing, in Kenya as elsewhere. So I'd like them to compete on the strength of their services and concepts, not by overnight accusations of 'abuse'. Mind you, if Zain kill of Orange and Essar, we'll have a bit less competition in terms of numbers, but hey ... :) Happy phone calls, Andrea On 24 August 2010 14:34, Emmanuel Khisa <oloo.khisa(a)googlemail.com> wrote: > Hi Andreas, > > You have spoken for me on this one...I have also wondered since zain/bharti > lodged their complaint with CCK over clogged network, were they just playing > spoilt kid or do they have a valid claim? My opinion is that since they have > experienced an unanticipated rise in subscribers they didnt have the network > infrastructure to support these calls and so quickly blame the rival and > make them look bad. But then again maybe they have a valid case against the > boys in green. > Nonetheless the winner here is the consumer. Shall we safely say that we > have entered the third mobile revolution. > > > > > On Tue, Aug 24, 2010 at 1:56 PM, Andrea Bohnstedt < > andrea.bohnstedt(a)ratio-magazine.com> wrote: > >> I'm wondering: >> >> Will CCK strictly enforce the cut-off deadline for unregistered SIM cards >> at the end of August? Are Zain making sure that everyone picking up a new >> line also register them immediately? >> >> If price war is Zain's strategy, will they have enough money left to >> invest in infrastructure and customer service once their subscriber numbers >> go up significantly? Will they be able to scale up both systems quickly >> enough? >> >> Telkom Orange are cited in the media as complaining that the interconnect >> rate also applies to their fixed line service and that this is not even >> covering their costs ( >> http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Telkom%20unhappy%20with%20interlink%2…) >> I wonder if the two big ones having it out won't kill the two small ones >> first? >> >> Bharti/Zain have also launched free sms alongside lower on and off-net >> calling rates and free minutes in Nigeria: >> http://telecomyatra.afaqs.com/news/?sid=1652_Bharti+subsidiary+Zain+introdu… >> >> Happy afternoon, >> Andrea >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: oloo.khisa(a)gmail.com >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/oloo.khisa%40gmail.com >> >> > -- Andrea Bohnstedt Publisher +254 720 960 322 www.ratio-magazine.com

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Re: [kictanet] kictanet Digest, Vol 39, Issue 42
by ALEX OWITI 25 Aug '10

25 Aug '10

** * * *SAFARICOM UNVEILS NEW POSTPAY RATES* * * *August 24, 2010...*Safaricom’s PostPay customers can now call make calls at a flat rate of Sh3 per minute. This follows the launch of a new tariff plan for this category of subscribers by the country’s leading telecoms operator. The rates will apply for both on and off-net calls and will be applicable throughout. Per second billing applies on this tariff, which takes effect starting August 25 and is targeted at the firm’s PostPay, a key component of its 16 million-strong subscriber base. Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph said the tariff was a way of thanking the firm’s PostPay subscribers for their loyalty and extending to them price concessions similar to what PrePay customers were enjoying. “Our PostPay customers are a huge reason for our success. We thank them for their custom and considerable spending on our network. We promise to remain responsive to their needs and promise them a number of incentives, going forward,” said Mr Joseph. Earlier in the day, Safaricom had announced a value-based PrePay tariff promotion whose main point was a Sh2 per minute calling rate on the purchase of certain air-time denominations, the lowest level in the market currently. *ENDS...* * * *About Safaricom...*Formed at the turn of the decade, Safaricom has firmly established its credentials as a regional leader, spawning a virtual telecoms revolution in Kenya. Safaricom is a total telecoms company. With a subscriber base of over 16 million, Safaricom offers all telecoms services under one roof: mobile and fixed voice and data services on a variety of platforms: Kenya’s widest and only 3G network; a growing fibre optic cable footprint and its most expansive WIMAX presence. For more details please go to: *http://www.safaricom.co.ke/* Alex. ** * * * * * * * *

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Safaricom personalizes mobile service Implements Nokia Siemens Networks’ subscriber data management platform
by ALEX OWITI 25 Aug '10

25 Aug '10

* * *Press Release* *Nairobi**, Kenya** – August 25, 2010* *Safaricom personalizes mobile service*** *Implements Nokia Siemens Networks’ subscriber data management platform * Leading Kenyan telecoms operator Safaricom will soon be able to offer new, personalized services to its subscribers. The operator is deploying Nokia Siemens Networks’ Subscriber Data Management (SDM) platform to pull together subscriber data that currently resides on multiple databases. The platform will allow Safaricom to gain better insight into the needs and likes of its customers and offer targeted services. The deployment is part of Safaricom’s transition to an all-IP network. “We want customers that stay with us because we offer the specific services they love,” said John Barorot, chief technology officer, Safaricom. “Nokia Siemens Networks’ subscriber data management platform helps us understand the needs and demands of our subscribers. This enables us to provide more customized and secure services and that makes for happier customers.” “A central, unified data base allows secure, seamless data management for services and applications,” added Manfred Egger, head of Safaricom customer team, Nokia Siemens Networks. “By bringing together subscriber data, Safaricom will obtain insight into its subscribers’ behavior and be able to offer customized services that meet their varied interests.” Nokia Siemens Networks will supply its subscriber data management solution, including the One-NDS real-time subscriber data repository, to consolidate subscriber data from multiple applications. The consolidation is far more efficient than managing multiple databases for different applications, including Home Location Register (HLR), Home Subscriber Server (HSS) and converged Data Authentication, and provides a converged platform that makes it easier to create and deliver new services. Nokia Siemens Networks will also enhance Safaricom’s network management system to enable better monitoring and optimization of its network.Integration and consulting services will be provided to ensure a smooth implementation. *About Safaricom* Formed at the turn of the decade following the liberalization of Kenya’s telecoms sector as a joint venture between global leader Vodafone of the UK and the government of Kenya, Safaricom has firmly established its credentials as a regional leader, spawning a virtual telecoms revolution in Kenya. Growing from its cradle in mobile voice services, Safaricom is a total telecoms company. The firm, which has a subscriber base of over 16 million, offers all telecoms services under one roof: mobile and fixed voice and data services on a variety of platforms: Kenya’s widest and only 3G network; a growing fibre optic cable footprint and its most expansive WIMAX presence. For more details please go to: http://www.safaricom.co.ke/ About Nokia Siemens Networks Nokia Siemens Networks is a leading global enabler of telecommunications services. With its focus on innovation and sustainability, the company provides a complete portfolio of mobile, fixed and converged network technology, as well as professional services including consultancy and systems integration, deployment, maintenance and managed services. It is one of the largest telecommunications hardware, software and professional services companies in the world. Operating in 150 countries, its headquarters are in Espoo, Finland. www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com Talk about Nokia Siemens Networks’ news at http://blogs.nokiasiemensnetworks.com and find out if your country is exploiting the full potential of connectivity at http://connectivityscorecard.org Media Enquiries Nokia Siemens Networks Nada Chammas Media Relations, Middle East and Africa Phone: +971 4 4460213 e-mail: nada.chammas(a)nsn.com Media Relations Phone: +358 7180 31451 e-mail: mediarelations(a)nsn.com Safaricom Washington Akumu Public Relations & Sponsorship Manager Phone: +254 724 509 033 e-mail: pr(a)safaricom.co.ke Notes to editors: *After the data consolidation, Nokia Siemens Networks will substitute the existing HLRs with new data-less NT-HLR frontends. Further, data-less network applications such as Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Equipment Identification Register (EIR), Mobile Number Portability (server) (MNP) and Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (server) (AAA) will follow soon.

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Thank you all
by robert yawe 25 Aug '10

25 Aug '10

Hi, I finally have 3G connectivity from inside my house in South C thanks to all the rants I posted in the forum, it is good to know that this forum has the right listener ship. Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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Safaricom Attitude - Consumer Issues
by Edith Adera 24 Aug '10

24 Aug '10

There's need for consumer issues to be taken VERY seriously in the Kenyan Telecommunication market. I believe CCK is listening and this should not be allowed to happen to any Kenyan consumer. As a non-user of money transfer services (I'm a proxy user), I decided to try the Mpesa service today as I did not have a 3rd party proxy to undertake the transaction on my behalf as I usually do. The last I tried to register for the service, I was informed that I had an old generation SIM card and needed to replace it yet the agent did not have the replacement SIMs. I was directed to follow a convoluted process of getting the replacement SIM, which I did not have the time for at that point. Today, I was rudely informed that as a non registered user I cannot send money by Mpesa (Prestige service provider) - never mind that I have a very active Safaricom line. This puzzled me as in the banking sector, you can always bank money into any account at a bank in which you're not a "member". So in search for an answer to this issue, I decided to call a Safaricom Officer (Ms Bernice - department that issues Short Codes) to get some assistance. I called her on my Zain line. As soon as she picked the call, she was very cold and retorted "for starters, you have called me from the wrong network - meaning from Zain - and secondly, you cannot send money if you are not a registered user". My issue as a consumer is - why should I be rebuked for using my Zain line to call Safaricom? Is it a Safaricom policy that no one should call them using a Zain line or lines from other network providers? what does the CCK regulations say about such issues? My little telecommunication background tells me that the "consumer is king" and that a consumer must exercise their "right of choice" in a competitive market. why should I be dictated to what network I MUST USE or NOT use to make calls? Is this a reflection of the interconnection issues that are currently hitting media headlines? I have taken this issue very seriously and demand an apology and response from Safaricom. I believe CCK will take appropriate action to ensure that this is not the modus operandi in the Kenyan telecommunication market. Edith Kenyan Consumer

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