Telkom has launched the Kaduda 4G Phone Series, the latest installment in the Kaduda series that premiered successfully with Kaduda 1, the Kaduda Selfie, and the Kaduda Smart. The Kaduda series are smart feature phones retailing at accessible price points which enable more customers to access the Internet.
The first of three devices is the T-Smart, retailing at KSh. 3,100. It runs on KaiOS Technology (KaiOS is part-owned by Google) that supports smart-phone applications like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Youtube. The T-Smart will help address the growing demand for competitively-priced Internet-enabled devices. T-Smart will enable users to access the Internet via Wi-Fi and 3G/4G/LTE.
“The Kaduda 4G is a significant upgrade in the Kaduda series that will allow more of our customers to have access to additional features and applications not seen in the previous devices.” Said Steve Okeyo, Telkom’s Managing Director for Consumer.
A current Telkom subscriber who purchases the T-Smart will receive a free daily introductory bundle of 100 MB of Data to browse the Internet. They will also receive another free 100 MB of Data to access WhatsApp as well as another free 100 MB of Data to access Facebook. 100 minutes to call within the Telkom network also form part of this bundled offering, which will be renewed daily for a whole one month.
First-time subscribers to Telkom who purchase the T-Smart, and top-up their line with KSh 50 or more, will receive free 50 MB of Data to browse the Internet, another free 50 MB of Data to access WhatsApp as well as free 50 minutes of call within the Telkom network, daily, for the first 30 days. This offer will be replicated in the second month should the first-time subscriber maintain a top-up of KSh 100. The same free offer will also be extended to the subscriber’s third month on the network if they top-up another KSh 100 or more.
This comes amid a rise in demand for more smart devices that have been occasioned by the accelerated digital transformation that is being witnessed across the globe, and which has made more people and businesses increasingly adopt the use of automated and digitized platforms. This digital transformation is particularly important within the telecommunications sector, creating an increased demand for broadband, connectivity, and digital platforms, by individual consumers, corporates, and the public sector.
“Entry-level smart-feature devices constitute about 40% of phones sold in Kenya, affirming their acceptance and popularity; due to longer-lasting batteries and the ability to pick signal faster in areas that are underserved with regard to connectivity.” Mr. Okeyo added.
According to the Global Mobile Economy 2019 report, mobile Internet users in Africa in 2018 stood at 239 million (a penetration rate of 23%). These numbers are projected to rise to 483 million, translating to a 39% penetration rate by 2025. Overall, unique mobile subscribers on the continent are projected to rise from 456 million (in 2018) to 625 million; about half of the continent’s population, by 2025.
The T-Smart phones will be available in all Telkom shops, countrywide, from Wednesday, September 9, 2020.
