LISTED telecoms operator Safaricom has denied trying to stifle the delivery of Zain’s traffic to its network, saying concerns raised by the company over Safaricom’s handling of traffic originating from Zain were somewhat premature.
Formed in 1997 Safaricom is the leading mobile network operator in Kenya, while Zain is a rival network.
“We must admit that we are quite surprised by the claims made by Zain that we are trying to stifle the delivery of their traffic to our network,” said Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph.
“These claims are quite insincere considering that Zain is fully aware of the procedures that all operators must adhere to when seeking to increase their inter-connect traffic capacity.
“Under the agreement the inter-connect pipe belongs to them and they should have upgraded it long before yesterday to accommodate their changed tariff plan.”
Zain yesterday announced it had slashed its call rates by 50% to all networks in Kenya “to make telecommunication services more affordable to all Kenyans”.
Consequently its rates are now the most competitive on the market, which is likely to attract more subscribers hence heavier call traffic.
Quoting the inter-connect agreement between Zain and Safaricom, Joseph stressed: “The inter-connect agreement between Safaricom and Zain provides for a minimum notice period of seven working days before a request for increased capacity can be effected. Zain’s formal request was received by us late last night (Wednesday) and we were in the process of processing it alongside other capacity requests received on the day.”
Safaricom, he said, would honour the terms of agreements with competitors.
“Safaricom has now and in the past adhered to the terms of the inter-connect agreements signed with all operators and wishes to urge other operators to do the same… We will however not take responsibility for the consequences of poor planning by other operators,” said Joseph.
“We feel that their request to the CCK (Communications Commission of Kenya) to declare Safaricom dominant so soon after the launch of their new tariff is insincere, particularly as it was the result of poor planning on their side.”
Joseph added that Safaricom had always been courteous to Zain, to the extent of accommodating the network when it was unable to clear the significant debt it owed Safaricom.
BRIAN ADERO in Nairobi, Kenya
