Airtel steps up price war with post-paid tariff plan

Airtel Kenya CEO Prasanta Das Sarma. PHOTO | Salaton njau | nmg 

By BRIAN NGUGI

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Summary

• The two new post-paid tariff plans by Airtel Kenya cost Sh1,499 and Sh2,999 per month for a pre-set amount of talk time, SMS and data usage with a deposit equivalent to one month’s cost of the preferred plan.
• In exchange, customers will receive between 1,500 and 6,000 talk-time minutes within the Airtel Kenya network, between 500 and 1,500 of talk-time minutes from Airtel to other networks as well as 3,000 SMSs and between six to 30 gigabytes of data.

Airtel Kenya has announced new post-paid tariff plans, stepping up the battle for customers in the telecommunications market.

The two new post-paid tariff plans by Airtel Kenya cost Sh1,499 and Sh2,999 per month for a pre-set amount of talk time, SMS and data usage with a deposit equivalent to one month’s cost of the preferred plan.

In exchange, customers will receive between 1,500 and 6,000 talk-time minutes within the Airtel Kenya network, between 500 and 1,500 of talk-time minutes from Airtel to other networks as well as 3,000 SMSs and between six to 30 gigabytes of data.

Airtel said the new postpaid plans are aimed at heavy data, SMS and voice users and “cater for the increasing demand for blended offerings that meet all the requirements of customers.”

Airtel’s new tariff comes barely a fortnight after Safaricom

launched a similar plan.

“We remain committed to stimulating growth and competition in the market through our innovative products and services,” said Airtel Kenya CEO Prasanta Das Sarma said in a statement. “Our smart postpaid bundle plans are aimed at offering value for money, convenience and peace of mind to all our customers.”

Data is one of the engines for growth of market leader Safaricom’s revenues but rivals Airtel Kenya, Telkom Kenya, and lately Jamii Telecom Limited have sought to unveil cheaper or competitive data packages.

Safaricom’s newly unveiled two postpaid products dubbed Platinum Plus and Platinum cost between Sh2,000 and Sh10,000 a month for a pre-set amount of talk time, unlimited SMS and preset data usage.

Safaricom’s two tariffs consist of eight choices whose monthly cost is Sh2,000, Sh3,000, Sh5,000 and Sh10,000.

In exchange, customers receive between 200 and 3,000 talk-time minutes, unlimited SMSs and five to 30 gigabytes of data.

READ: Safaricom launches new tariffs as it seeks to stay ahead of rivals

Safaricom also offers three personal post-pay plans -- Advantage Postpay, and the two Karibu tariff plans: PostPay 1,000 and Postpay 2500.

Customers on the tariff currently pay either Sh1,000 or Sh2,500 per month for a mix of talk time and text messages (for use within and outside Safaricom’s network) as well as data bundles.

Jamii Telecom Limited last December unveiled 1GB data bundles costing Sh50 (valid for one day), 70GB at Sh3,000 (valid for a month) and 210 GB at Sh6,000 for a month as well.

Telkom Kenya increased its subscriber base by about 540,000 in just three months after it unveiled its new brand mid last year. Telkom Kenya offers 1.5GB for Sh499 and 100GB for Sh8,999.