Essar-owned yuMobile is set to roll out its 3G network across Kenya, becoming the fourth operator in the country
According to the Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK), the mobile services company has been given a spectrum to test-run the 3G network before it is offered to customers.
yuMobile has already announced plans to sell a stake worth US$100mn later this year to finance this roll out as well as the expansion of its network.
Recently, the company applied for a frequency to operate a 4G network, promising to provide free internet services to the public primary schools under the government sponsored one-laptop-per-child project.
According to a recent report by market regulator Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), internet usage in Kenya rose by 11.6 per cent in three months to December 2012 pushed by increased access through mobile phones and competition by service providers.
Currently Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom Kenya operate the 3G networks making competition stiff for the roll out of data services.
Mwangi Mumero
