Recently they enabled number portability for Kenyan subscribers across network providers. It's however not as easy to shift from one network to the other as is shifting from #mkz to #twitter .There are a documents that are needed by the new network. Anyway it's something common to have 'original' documents needed as you enter anywhere (! including kanjo toilets) so we assume that it's acceptable for the new network to request for 'originals' as you enter their territory.
It's quite a common Kenyan trend to defect parties in a wave. Mostly it's the younger generation that'll tend to shift more from network to the other as some form of adventure, however retaining a number is also a thing the elderly phone users might be convinced to change providers especially for those who've had a number for a long period.
With this #nikuhama wave there are a number of things in the game that have to change, some for better some for worse.
The first thing have a feeling is that Should there arise a wave of shift from network to the other, 'marginalized' (smaller) networks in Kenya stand to gain(obviously) more so those that readily welcomes defectors. Airtel in my view would be the biggest gainer of these wanderers having started their campaign a good while ago with the number portability awareness so well CCK didn't have to put much effort to publicize the same.
Based on this argument, when smaller networks get numbers, there will arise a sort of level playground having better positions in the market. Safaricom will from thence, have to regard to this marginalized service providers more as competitors than what they'd call AOB.
Interconnection between these networks will also improve with more subscribers across different networks. With regards to this Safcom have to increase incoming traffic allowance . You will not be able to guess automatically to what network a subscriber belongs to and hence you can't even make prejudice on a call and the call rate. This definitely calls for some form of equality amongst the networks. The call rates therefore must be looked at once again and some form of standardization of making off net calls.
Money transfer is also an issue of dispute with safaricom having the major role in the market of money transfer. However the cost of transacting with safaricom's m-pesa has been for long the cry of many who now believe it's quite on the higher side and that we ought to have it's cost reduced. With 'marginalized' networks gaining porting defectors, their money transfer services are bound to improve which means some compe to the current leaders in this service.
It's clear that I support this growth of marginalized networks for the better of the telecommunication industry in future. I'd like to stop there but should anyone have figures of porting that have taken place I'd like to know of them, my email- billnguts@gmail.com
These are just a few of my foresights, from my point of ,,, inexperience.
Let's wait and watch
Well, so we thought that safaricom will be the loser, but we are wrong, on second thought, those who moved out might make it more expensive for their friends to call them should safaricom decide to increase incoming call wall.
ReplyDeleteAll in all, what we will see is value winning, and some stranded subscribers wondering why they moved from whatever service they are in, when they discover the other service is poorer than the one they were in.
Good analysis.
Hey martin, first of all thanks for leaving me your thoughts here, on who's the loser, my idea is that he who has better services carries the day, i like to imagine safaricom being the losers with the large numbers they have, see, it's quite a challenge to provide the same quality service to all, and so these 'marginalized networks' must take keen notice of that to gain masses.
ReplyDeleteThe market however may react differently such as to disapprove any fore-thoughts, but hey, thinking ahead is fundamental to growth.
once again thanks for sharing thoughts