@Charles, Interesting views. I dont speak for Equity - and am not even a MEMBER (their customer). However, they have the following going for them. 1) they do have their OWN SIM card targetting their 8m banking customers. They can actually make money out their core group of customers using their mobile virtual network (riding on Airtel telco infrastructure i believe). 2) the thin-SIM technology is just a nice option for their 8m customers AND the 20+million Safaricom customers. 3) indeed Safcom can play dirty but I am sure they wont because (a) they can take on Equity challenge and (b) the regulator seems more ready than ever to pounce on them (recall regulator has been "looking" for them over quality issues :-). Remember, this looks like a mobile money battle, but the real deal is the collateral damage it is likely to cause in the voice market because once a Safaricom customer mounts the thin SIM Card and discovers that they can make cheaper calls/sms with it without losing their MPESA functionality...they will actually be having their cake (MPESA) while eating it (making Cheaper calls on the Equity Mobile virtual network). Essentially, Equity is breaking a small gap into the Safaricom defensive wall(MPESA) and once in, even the data-market may eventually be free for all i.e. #checkmate. walu. -------------------------------------------- On Mon, 9/22/14, Charles Kimani via kictanet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: Subject: Re: [kictanet] Equity Given Go Ahead by CAK To: jwalu@yahoo.com Date: Monday, September 22, 2014, 4:44 PM I think the thin sim strategy is brilliant...in theory. However, I am also wondering just how wise it is to place the success of your business model at the mercy of a hostile, powerful and uncooperative business rival. What if - 6 months after launch, for example - Safaricom decide to upgrade all their sim cards (genuinely or otherwise) just when Equity is in the middle of a critical (probably expensive) product rollout? What if Safaricom customer service and dealer/retail channels start advising subscribers who are having issues with their lines that the thin sim is the cause of their problems and show them how to remove it? How will Equity map their processes and logistics with the Safaricom SIM replacement processes? Will Equity subscribers need to remember to make an extra stop at an Equity outlet to have their thin sim re-attached once they do a sim swap? How easy is it to attach these thin sims? We have previously seen smart sabotage tactics bring down SAB Miller ambitions in the Kenyan market. Equity - in my opinion - is giving too much firepower to a determined competitor. It might be cheaper in the long run to just invest in own SIM and take Safaricom head-on. Regards,Charles On Mon, Sep 22, 2014 at 4:18 PM, Dennis Kioko via kictanet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: Meanwhile, I did get the Equitel SIM Card (haven't seen the infamous Thin SIM). So far, here's my experience with the same. http://www.infotake.co.ke/2014/09/how-does-equity-banks-equitel-work.html On 22 September 2014 16:11, Barrack Otieno via kictanet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: Sometimes diversification leads to loss of focus. Interesting discussions but let us see if this scenario will change some of this Principles that have evolved over time. Best Regards On Mon, Sep 22, 2014 at 3:56 PM, Bernard Kioko via kictanet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: I have noted media reports indicating Equity has been granted go-ahead by CAK to operate with Thin-Sim cards. Game changing I suppose. 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KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. -- "Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footsteps on the moon" -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. 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