Telcos train sights on restless youth to grow Internet market share

Mobile companies and manufacturers are coming up with affordable handsets in a bid to take the Internet to the mass market.

Even in the high-end market, phone firms are battling for deals to distribute smart phones.

“The youth top the chart for the number of hours spent and the Internet per day,” said Mr Martin Omondi, an ICT consultant at Technology Associates.

The youth, he pointed out, prefer using SMS and a free service would be an incentive to subscribe onto a network.

According to Mr Omondi, the mobile service providers can no longer ignore the youth if they want to grow their data business.

“By accessing unlimited SMS all day and free Zain to Zain calls from 11pm-6am for Sh 20,  this offer brings forth to the market affordable SMS and voice calling options which are a key factor in increasing availability and penetration of telecommunications services in Kenya,” said Mr Meza.