By Standard Reporter

Zain-Kenya projects that its subscriber acquisition rate will remain stable this year despite the anticipated effects of economic recession.

This follows the successful uptake of Vuka Plus tariff launched last month.

The tariff, which enables subscribers to call 10 preferred numbers for Sh3 within the Zain network, was launched at a time when it was feared that activity in the mobile telecommunications industry would slow down due to the global economic recession and famine in the country.

According to a research carried out by global group AC Nielsen in the last quarter of last year, at least one million people in Kenya are acquiring sim cards for the first time every month. Out of the new subscribers, the research indicated, Zain accounts for slightly more than 50 per cent.

This was attributed to the firm’s superior network quality, customer service and affordable on-net and cross network calling rates.

Zain Kenya Managing Director Rene Meza says the competitive offerings had enabled the company to recapture more than five per cent of the market share over the last six months.

“Vuka plus has enabled us to sustain the momentum since it has largely solved the problem of dual simming. This tariff enables subscribers to make calls within the network and to others at the most affordable rates in the market,” said Mr Meza.

The tariff is available to pre-paid and post paid customers.