Nairobi, Thika Start Enjoying Low-cost Internet After Facebook, Surf Partnership.
Facebook’s Express Wi-Fi is similar to the Google balloon
powered Internet (Project Loon) intended to take the Internet rural, remote
areas. The Express Wifi has a 10-day offer where users access 100MBs free daily
package after which they are required to top up through recharge agents
recruited in areas where it is available.
Its entry to the Kenyan market will surely be a shakeup and
some reforms. For instance, Safaricom offers daily Internet bundles at Sh. 50
for 65mbs while Airtel and Orange offers 50mbs and 400mbs for the same amount,
respectively.
Daily Internet bundles by Facebook’s Express Wi-Fi cost Sh. 10
for 40 megabyte (MB) and Sh20 for 100mb while weekly Express Wifi bundles cost
Sh. 50 for 300mbs and Sh. 100 for 500mb.
Monthly bundles cost Sh. 200 for 1.25 gigabyte (GB) and
Sh500 for 3 GB.
The table below show the exact contrast in internet charges
between Express WI-FI and our local providers.
|
|
Express Wi-Fi
|
Safaricom
|
Airtel
|
Orange
|
|
Daily (KES.20)
|
100MB
|
35MB
|
50MB
|
40MB
|
|
Weekly (KES.100)
|
500MB
|
200MB
|
250MB
|
200MB
|
|
Monthly (KES.500)
|
3GB
|
1GB
|
1.2GB
|
1GB
|
Surf Kenya CEO Mark Summer said in an interview with a local
media house that the prices could change after official launch of the service.
“With Express WI-FI, we are working with carriers, Internet
service providers, and local entrepreneurs to help expand connectivity to
underserved locations around the world. Express WI-FI empowers local
entrepreneurs to help provide quality Internet access to their neighbours and
make a steady income. Working with local Internet service providers or mobile
operators, they’re able to use software provided by Facebook to connect their
communities,” said Facebook’s Internet.org in a statement.
The tech giant says that they are using Internet access to
drive economic opportunities and enable the free exchange of data and
information, by ensuring that it is available, affordable and allows usage that
promotes positive social and economic outcomes.
Facebook switched on its low-cost Internet in Nairobi and
its environs about three weeks ago after previous launches in Uganda, Nigeria
and India, stepping up competition for telecommunication firms which earn
significant revenue from users of the social networking site. Its entry is
likely to be met with a lot of opposition by local internet providers.
As a consumer, competition is good, it will ensure that I
get the best internet at the best prices. Express Wi-Fi’s expansion to more
areas in the country, will threaten Safaricom’s revenue from mobile data, if
they maintain the status quo.
No comments: