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Zain Kenya to start 3G services
29 June 2010
Zain Kenya, now owned by Bharti, has become the third Kenyan operator to win a 3G licence, following Safaricom and Telkom Kenya
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Kenyan mobile operator Zain Kenya has been awarded a 3G licence by the Communications Commission of Kenya. The operator is planning to roll out national 3G network coverage by December 2011, said CEO Rene Meza.
Zain has become the second mobile operator in the country after Vodafone-backed Safaricom to launch the services.
Zain paid $10 million for the licence, while Safaricom paid $25 million for the 3G service in 2007. The regulator cut the price earlier this month to enhance competition. Zain and Orange had sought the reduction for some time.
Zain Kenya is one of Zain’s former operations in sub-Saharan Africa that is now owned by Indian group Bharti.
Telkom Kenya, 51% owned by France Telecom, is planning to set up a 3G network by the end of the year in about 10 locations for corporate customers. GTB