Whoooaaa! Missed all the "praise" from @kanda @guru267. Okay some facts:

1. If Zain Kenya had not reduced their price, whatever their ulterior motive, we would not be paying 2/= on Safaricom.

2. Though every man can lie, Bob Collymore knows much more than you and I on performance of Zain.

3. Over 50% of Zain traffic terminates to Safaricom network. This means over 50% of Zain traffic earns them 0.17 per minute, while earning Government 0.62 per min, and earning Safaricom 2.21 per min.

4. It was reported on Reuters/Bloomberg yesterday that Bharti strategy in Africa is now in question as it seems to pursue market share at the cost of overall profit turnaround.


Weighing these 4 facts, I wouldn't be so quick to criticize my citing of Bob Collymore. Which by the way was made in an official Earnings Announcement, and quoted widely in international press.

1) I call all networks. I like the PERMANENT rates from Zain. No confusion! I don't have a Mathematics PHd to figure Safaricom's 'offers'...

2) Also ALL sms are 1/-. safcom has funny deals but 3.50 across networks.

3) I also use the One Network. Very nice. Works great in Uganda + Tanzania. Cheaper than Safaricom Roaming. Free incoming calls!

Dumped my safaricom though there are a few things we should accept in this world of wealth maximization:
1. They've got a strong balance sheet. Their debt to capital ratio is ok as compared to the industry, a healthy cashflow. Business is all in the money.
2. Around the world ICT is driven by innovation. It reaches a point where you not only want to use you phone to call. 7 yrs or 5 yrs ago who would have conteplated browsing or sending money via phone in Kenya if not safcom
A long term investor's jewel

Quite some confusions on this thread. Many against safaricom (as consumers). Many supporting safcom because they are investors (mostly i think because they are stuck in already). On the first group, i doubt whether there are anyone(as consumers) who would not praise zain move, unless they are safconemployees.
so is the discussion about safocn as an investment option or as product provider?

It always comes down to how much you are spending - i use zain most of the time coz atleast i understand the rates- 3 bob for calls and 1/= for sms. simple and clear. i dont care much about who is making profits vs losses.