Orange launches iPhone 3G

Supremacy to control the telephony industry continues to take centre stage after Telkom Kenya’s commercial brand Orange outmatched other operators to be the first to launch Apple’s iPhone 3G.

The iPhone combines the features of iPhone plus using 3G networking that is twice as fast, built-in GPS for expanded location-based mobile services and iPhone 2.0 software which includes support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync.

Provider

During the launch in Nairobi on Thursday, Dominique Saint-Jean Telkom Kenya’s CEO said, “We are excited to be the only network provider to offer iPhone 3G in Kenya and we will offer consumers full iPhone 3G experience.”

The phone which will be available in 12 Orange shops in Nairobi, Mombasa and all towns where GSM network is available, will retail at between Sh50,400 and Sh59,200 for postpaid and Sh33,900 to Sh42,700 for prepaid depending on memory space of the iPhone.

Customers will need to subscribe to benefit from the services. It will cost about Sh60,000 for the first year for prepaid package.

The combination of EDGE and WI-Fi over Orange Broadband networks will allow subscribers access voice calls, SMS and data traffic.

Fixed network

Telkom Kenya is Kenya’s national telecommunications operator. With fixed network, mobile and internet services, it is the only integrated telecommunication solutions provider in the country.

In December 2007, the operator entered a partnership with France Telecom, which bought a 51 per cent stake in the organisation.

Global alliance

The partnership has helped revamp Telkom Kenya through investments in to all levels of the business as well as providing a strategic global alliance enabling Telkom Kenya to provide enhanced services.

Orange is Telkom Kenya’s commercial brand. It is also the leading commercial brand of France Telecom.