Kenya: Orange Slashes Flagship Tariff Rates

 By NewsfromAfrica

Nairobi …Integrated telecommunications company, Orange, has reduced its mobile calling and SMS rates starting at midnight tonight.

The new tarrif offer, dubbed Tujuane, reduces off-net calling rates to KSh 3 per minute down from KSh 4 per minute. Orange mobile customers will also enjoy a 50 percent reduction on on-net and off-net SMS rates, down to KSh 1 from KSh 2. The cost of Orange-to-Orange calls remains consistent at KSh. 2 per minute and this includes calls from Orange Mobile to the company’s fixed line network.

Company CEO Mickael Ghossein said the new tariffs are Orange’s response to price elasticity of the market, which significantly influences usage habits of subscribers.   

“Our reduced pay as you go tariffs assure our customers of affordable service, whether they need to communicate on our network or to another network,” said Ghossein.

Customers that are currently subscribed to bundled offerings on Orange will still the benefits of the new Tujuane tariffs. When not subscribed to a bundle offer, they will automatically roll onto this new pricing plan. 

Tujuane, which is valid till May 31, 2013, is available 24-hours at no subscription fee making it attractive to entry level users who, typically, have less disposable income.

As additional value, Tujuane comes with free access to Facebook Zero as well as to Wikipedia, the world’s largest online encyclopedia. 

“The mobile phone is becoming an increasingly vital communications tool. However, calling rates can restrict access for price-conscious consumers. We aim to remain responsive to our consumer needs and expectations,” said Ghossein.

Other value-for-money offers that Orange is known for in the market include Holla, Usinyamaze and Jienjoy na Mbao.