Kenya - Mobile phone subscribers inch closer to 20 million

[cck] The four mobile phone operators in Kenya had a combined subscription base of 19.4 million in December 2009, representing a penetration rate of close to 50 per cent. According to ICT sector statistics released by the Commission today, 99 percent of subscribers were on the pre-paid tariff. The mobile signal covered 85 per cent of the population and 34 per cent of the land mass.

Increased competition in the mobile telecommunications market saw a reduction of on-net call charges to Kshs5.66 per minute down from Kshs 6.33 in September 2009, fuelling growth in intra-network traffic.

The number of the main fixed lines declined to 243,656 from 247,654 in September 2009, posting a 1.6 per cent drop. On other hand the number of fixed wireless subscribers grew to 429,289 from 367,557 in the previous quarter.

Meanwhile, the number internet users grew by 10.4 per cent over the previous year to close to four (4) million in December 2009. Internet growth is projected to remain on a growth trajectory on the back of access to broadband and mobile data.

Mobile phone subscribers inch closer to 20 million
see also statistics report