Safaricom limits Sambaza data transfers to 20MB a day

Scores of Safaricom subscribers on social media are up in arms over the terms and conditions governing the mobile giant’s new unlimited Internet data bundles.  

This follows introduction of a new data pricing structure at the weekend.

Users are rallying around two hashtag protests to express displeasure at the expiry of unused bundles as well as a rule limiting bundle sharing to 20MB a day, down from 999MB.

“Any data bundle not consumed within its validity period will be deleted and won’t be available for use,” Safaricom’s rules for its new bundles say. They add: “It is not possible to extend expiry… by purchasing newer bundles.”

The new rules also limit transfers of data bundles between subscribers.

“It will be possible to Sambaza internet, but only to a maximum of 10MB per transaction and limited to two transactions (20MB) in a day,” Safaricom says. “All other rules for Internet Sambaza will remain in place.”

Airtel Kenya faced similar discontent in mid-2013 when it reintroduced its unlimited internet service with daily, weekly and monthly ‘Blaze bundles’ that expired in much the same way as Safaricom’s current offering.

In January, Safaricom lowered the cap on the number of times one SIM card can Sambaza data bundles in a month from 50 to 20.

The move was aimed at throttling a thriving black-market in online reselling of cheaper data bundles, popularly known as “bundles mwitu”. With the latest limits, “bundles mwitu” sellers have effectively been pushed out of business.

Update:

Shortly after ‎5.30pm on Monday, Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore responded via social media with a promise to review the expiry limits.

"Ok. I've heard you on the data bundle expiry issue and have asked the team to urgently look at some options. Just trying to give better value," he tweeted.

The Consumer Federation of Kenya has urged the company to reconsider the changes and said it would seek redress for affected customers.