Orange Kenya has today slashed calling prices in what it says is a response to price elasticity in the market, which the company says could influence how customers call and send messages.
The new rates will take effect tonight at midnight under a tariff dubbed “Tujuane”, and will see a 25 per cent drop in off-net calls from KSh4 to KSh3.
Text messages will also witness a 50 per cent cut off-net from KSh2 to KSh1. According to Orange chief executive officer (CEO) Mickael Ghossein the reduction will encourage communications whether within or outside the Orange network.
“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.
The reduction is however only going to affect off-net calls with the cost of Orange-to-Orange calls (GSM and Orange wireless) remaining at KSh2 a minute.
The offer, which ends on May 31, will also automatically apply to customers currently on other bundled offerings when not subscribed to a bundle offer, otherwise referred to as the pay-as-you-go rate.
The company adds the new tariff will not attract a subscription fee to make it attractive to entry level users with less disposable income.
Those who subscribe to the offer will further enjoy free data for the use of Facebook and Wikipedia as an additional value.
“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.
The new offer is seen as a counter offer to others on the market to encourage off-net calling, such as Essar’s and Airtel’s KSh3 per minute off-net promotions.
