Orange launches unrivalled Kshs 1 internet Offers

• Orange announces most competitive and affordable internet price
• Orange doubles speed for its customers
• Orange internet modems now available over the counter

Nairobi 28th October, 2009
Orange today announced a Ksh 1/- per MB tariff – now the most affordable internet bundle in the country. This announcement by Orange is one of the first genuine offers in the market, coming in the wake of an overly anticipated lowering of costs by service providers by the market as a result of the landing and commissioning of fibre optic cable networks in Kenya.

According to the recently released 2009 ICT Facts and Figures report, the high price of internet has been highlighted as the major hindrance to internet penetration in Africa. Notably, Africa has the lowest penetration and highest cost of broadband in the world.

Benefiting immensely from existing and recently refurbished fixed and wireless infrastructure in addition to investments made over the last 2 years in the mobile network, Orange internet coverage now comprehensively covers 70% of the Kenyan landscape. Its ability to provide coverage across various technologies has given the company versatility that is currently unmatched in the country.

Highlighting the new offer, Mickael Ghossein, Telkom Kenya’s Chief Executive Officer commented.
“Globally, Orange is the leading provider of data services and today I am glad to confirm that locally Orange will now commence a steady but sure process of securing data leadership due to our unmatched ability and capacity to deliver real broadband experience to our customers through a variety of solutions to suit the dynamic needs of the market. In setting the pace, our goal is to ensure more subscribers are able to access faster and high capacity internet from accessing the company intranet for travelling executives, quick email communication for business practitioners or email correspondence between family and friends.”

Stimulating the ensuing internet pricing debate, the new Orange Internet Everywhere bundles unveiled, are set to also offer doubled speeds across the range of Orange pre-paid and post-paid bundles. Ghossein also informed that the revamped broadband offers were not only targeted towards the mass market but were also available to the SME and corporate market. The company has already initiated a proactive exercise of doubling capacity to its over 3,000 existing business clients as well as up selling of new value added services such as teleconferencing, Business VPN to companies across the country.

To address the barrier to purchase, Orange also reiterated its 70% reduction in device costs with Internet Everywhere modems now priced more affordably. Those subscribing to the 2000 MB and 4000 MB postpaid bundles will get the devices free of charge.

In conclusion, Ghossein further announced that to complement the company’s current distribution channels to increase availability and accessibility strategic partnerships with key outlets and supermarkets had been signed up across the country. With immediate effect, the wide array of Orange plug and play internet solutions are now available at Fone Xpress shops located at the Nakumatt and Tuskys outlets countrywide as well as all Uchumi Hypers and Chandarana supermarkets. 

ENDS
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About Telkom Kenya
Telkom Kenya is committed to providing innovative, accessible and refreshingly simple communications solutions to its customers.

With fixed network, wireless, data, mobile and internet services, Telkom Kenya is the only truly integrated telecommunication solutions provider in the country. Orange Mobile, Orange Fixed Plus and Orange Broadband are Telkom Kenya’s GSM, wireless and internet services provided under its commercial brand, ‘Orange’. The national fixed line service, Telkom Fixed, is provided under the Telkom Kenya brand.

Established in 1999 as the nation’s original telecommunications provider, Telkom Kenya continues to have the largest footprint across the country enabling more people to connect, create and come together to achieve more.

For more information please visit www.telkom.co.ke, www.orange.co.ke

About Orange
Orange is the key brand of France Telecom, one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators. With 123 million customers, the Orange brand now covers Internet, television and mobile services in the majority of countries where the Group operates. At the end of 2008, France Telecom had consolidated sales of 53.5 billion euros (12.7 billion euros for the first quarter of 2009) and at 29 April 2009, the Group had a customer base of almost 184 million customers in 30 countries. These include 123 million mobile customers worldwide and 13 million broadband Internet (ADSL) customers in Europe. Orange is the number three mobile operator and the number one provider of broadband Internet services in Europe and, under the brand Orange Business Services, is one of the world leaders in providing telecommunication services to multinational companies.

The Group's strategy, which is characterized by a strong focus on innovation, convergence and effective cost management, aims to establish Orange as an integrated operator and benchmark for new telecommunications services in Europe. Today the Group remains focused on its core activities as a network operator, while working to develop its position in new growth activities. To meet customer expectations, the Group strives to provide products and services that are simple and user-friendly, while maintaining a sustainable and responsible business model that can be adapted to the requirements of a fast-paced and changing eco-system.

France Telecom (NYSE:FTE) is listed on Euronext Paris (compartment A) and on the New York Stock Exchange
For more information: www.orange.com, www.francetelecom.com, www.orange-business.com
Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trademarks of Orange Personal Communications Services Limited, Orange France or France Telecom.