New Entrant Raids Telkom Stronghold in Fixed Line Niche

MTN Business has launched its Internet Protocol Private Automatic Branch Exchange service in Kisumu, hoping to gain a foothold in the fixed line market in other words currently dominated by Telkom Kenya.

MTN Business managing director Tom Omariba said the new service aims at providing seamless connectivity across all platforms at affordable costs.

The MTN-managed IP PABX service can do voice

"The MTN-managed IP PABX service can do voice, data, mobile. It is ideal for corporates and SMEs who are looking for new solutions to their communication needs," Mr Omariba said while a presentation to customers at the Imperial Hotel on Friday last week.

According to the latest data from the Communications Commission of Kenya, CCK the number of fixed line subscribers reduced to 355,493 from 374,942 in the period ending September 2011.

The fact that MTN's IP PABX is fully hosted

"The fact that MTN's IP PABX is fully hosted by us means that our customers do not have to worry about maintenance and installation. That means they get to save on capex and operating costs," said MTN's Yusra Abdallah.

PABX is a software-based telephone exchange service that encompasses the traditional Private Branch Exchange in business environments and a digital interface that can be accessed by PCs, and portable devices.

"We shall be offering it at four shillings to all GSM lines and Sh3.50 for fixed lines and all that the customers need is an Internet connection or a 3G connection in their offices," said Ms Abdallah. "Already the reception we received from our launch in Nairobi last year has been very encouraging and we are moving to launch the same in Mombasa."

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