Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore and the general manager for consumer
business Sylvia Mulinge during the launch of the firm's Internet-enabled
TV decoders in Nairobi. PHOTO | FILE |
NATION MEDIA GROUP
By MUGAMBI MUTEGI
In Summary
- The telco unveiled the 4G-enabled devices betting on the demand created by the migration of analogue TV broadcasting to digital platform to drive sales of the decoder.
- It has sold more than 1,500 devices in seven months, a period occasioned by technical glitches that in August forced the firm to suspend sales to facilitate a software upgrade.
Safaricom
has slashed the prices of its Internet-enabled digital TV decoders by
50 per cent in a re-launch meant to address the low uptake of the
devices dubbed ‘The Big Box’.
The telco last Friday started selling the devices for
Sh4,999 which is half the price the decoders have been retailing at
since being launched in May.
Safaricom has sold more than 1,500 devices in seven
months, a period occasioned by technical glitches that in August forced
the firm to suspend sales to facilitate a software upgrade.
The NSE-listed telco also increased data bundle
prices meant for use on the ‘The Big Box’, terming the old rate as an
“introductory offer” which was “heavily discounted”.
“We believe that the new price point will enable us
attract a wider set of users to the product as it is now the lowest
priced 4G Wi-fi device in the market,” said Sylvia Mulinge, Safaricom
consumer business director.
The telco unveiled the 4G-enabled devices betting
on the demand created by the migration of analogue TV broadcasting to
digital platform to drive sales of the decoder.
The device incorporates data and Pay-TV services,
more than 30 free-to-air channels, TV recording capability, and USB and
SD media playback for pictures, music and videos. It has an in-built SIM
card whose number can be used to buy Internet bundles.
The device, however, suffered a technical glitch
where Wi-Fi function was not strong enough to support indoor Internet
access, forcing Safaricom to suspend sales of the boxes in August.
“We have consistently addressed technical issues
over time since May and have been sending updates and re-testing with
our existing customers,” said Ms Mulinge.
Customers will now have to part with more money to
load Internet bundles. Through a monthly data bundle option, subscribers
could previously purchase 50GB bundles for Sh4,000, 20GB for Sh2,000,
10GB for Sh1,500 and 6GB for Sh999.
Bundle prices
The new monthly plans will now see users buy 5GB
for Sh1,199, 15GB for Sh3,199 and 30GB for Sh5,999, a more expensive
offering than the one Safaricom outlined in May.
“The new bundle prices have been adjusted slightly
but still remain attractive and highly discounted compared to our
regular mobile data bundle prices,” said Ms Mulinge.
“These bundles are exclusive to the Big Box only
and cannot be purchased for any other device.” When the Big Box was
launched, users could buy it using two options
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