Markets & Finance

Telkom Kenya launches Apple iPhone 4

iphone 4

The iPhone 4 comes with a five megapixel camera, a clearer display, HD video recording, multitasking, video calls and many other features. Photo/AFP

Telkom Kenya has moved to retain its grip on the high-end smart phone market with its launch of the Apple iPhone 4, intensifying a battle between mobile operators keen to stamp their authority on the segment.

The move extends Telkom’s relationship with the Apple brand in Kenya, where it has secured exclusive rights to market the phone.

“Consumers are more sophisticated, demanding more data offerings as opposed to the voice services that have hitherto been the hallmark of mobile telephony. The handset is no longer just a communicating tool. It is now a source of entertainment, gaming, and an increasing effective business tool,” said Mickael Ghossein, Telkom Kenya CEO.

The last six months have seen a number of movements in the smart- phone market, with most players attempting to capture the lower-end of the market. 

Google, Huawei, Nokia, Safaricom, and Samsung are some of the companies that have stated their intention to sell smart phones that aim to rival Apple’s growing influence in the segment.

Telkom Kenya is looking to rope up market subscribers into its network using the iPhone 4 as buyers of the gadget would not be able to use rival networks.

This is crucial at a time when Kenya’s mobile telephony operators are engaged in an intense battle for control of the local market, culminating in a price war that has seen the operators lower their tariffs.

Over two million Apple iPhone 4’s have been sold since the device was launched in June.

The iPhone has transformed Apple into one of the world’s leading mobile phone companies, boosting its margins in the process.

The company has sold more than 50 million iPhones since the device debuted in 2007.

Although local users are unlikely to experience the full functionality of the phone as Telkom is yet to launch the 4G network the iPhone 4 is designed to run on, discerning users will be able to benefit from its expanded array of capabilities.

According to IDC, the smart phone market has grown to include 54.7 million smartphones sold by all vendors, 87.3 per cent of which were sold by the top five vendors in the industry.

Increased demand

Nokia remained the top smartphone vendor, with 39.3 per cent market share, unchanged year-over-year.

Research in Motion remained number two, with 19.4 per cent of the market, with Apple coming in at number three.

Mr Ghossein said the decision to launch the iPhone 4 in Kenya was informed by increased demand for data and entertainment based mobile phones among the company’s customers, and the dynamic mobile telephony market.

The new iPhone comes with a five megapixel camera, a clearer display, HD video recording, multitasking, video calls and many other features. 

The new iPhone, manufactured by Apple, will retail exclusively at Orange Customer Experience Centres and dealer outlets in the 16GB and 32GB variations.