NAIROBI, Kenya Dec 2 – Mobile telephone services network \’yu\’ has moved to activate its commercial machinery with the launch of a pioneering tariff and mobile sales stores in Nairobi.
Following a week of online number reservations on the \’yu\’ web portal, the subscribers’ can now pick their starter packs (\’yu\’ simcards) for Sh100 from any of the eleven operational mobile stores across the city beginning Tuesday morning.
The launch of the new mobile stores comes after the \’yu\’ tariff launch Monday featuring per second billing of Sh7.50 across networks.
Speaking when she confirmed the unveiling of the new sales avenue, \’yu\’ Sales Director Olga Arara explained that the new mobile stores and incentive packed tariffs are part of the network’s market entry strategy.
The \’yu\’ mobile stores are outfitted with computerised systems to handle all sales issues and have been rolled out at more than ten convenient locations within Oil Libya Service stations.
“Our constant promise to the market has been the fact that we will revolutionalise the local mobile telephony market and the launch of these stores and a pioneering per second billing tariff is just but one way to confirm our commitment,” Ms Arara said.
“With the ten mobile sales stores across the city, \’yu\’ is bringing its services to the people and cutting previous service delivery barriers by engaging in innovative sales delivery methods.”
Just a week into the launch of the new mobile network, the firm has rolled out a pioneering tariff that features an incentive for \’yu\’ subscribers’ receiving calls from across the other networks. For each call received from other mobile networks, \’yu\’ subscribers will receive a Sh75cents bonus airtime per minute. Subscribers’ on the \’yu\’ network will also enjoy a Sh2 sms rate.
Speaking during the launch of the new service last week, Marketing Director, Anna Othoro announced that the new brand would primarily target the youthful segment of the population.
The network is currently engaged in an initial roll out in Nairobi to be followed by Mombasa ahead of a full steam national rollout into the first quarter of 2009.
“yu\’ is for the youthful who want the freedom to explore or express themselves, to have fun and are independent. \’yu\’ will be the brand that allows them to keep in touch and in tune with their people all the time because ultimately it’s all about the simple things you do,” Ms Othoro said.