Cell Broadcast : A new concept in Kenya

SMS Cell Broadcast messaging is designed for simultaneous delivery of messages to multiple users in a specified area. Whereas the Short Message Service (SMS) is a one-to-one and one-to-a-few service, Cell Broadcast is one-to-many geographically focused service. It enables messages to be communicated to multiple mobile phone customers who are located within a given part of its network coverage area at the time the message is broadcast. Cell Broadcast is more akin to other mass distribution media such as teletext -which KBC is planning to intoduce soon - or Radio Data System (RDS).

Since it was technologically demonstrated in Paris for the first time, in 1997, it has come a long way and finally we have it in use here in Kenya since the introduction of Super Ongea - a dynamic tariff where price "moves" depending on time and location- from Safaricom the leading Cellular network in Kenya with over 80 % of the mobile market share.
Safaricom is using Cell broadcast to inform the user the current calling charges.

More important is that Cell broadcast services can be utilised to provide vital information about any disaster, disaster management measures or any other important information. The location-based services include different services, including: traffic alert service, emergency service, public safety and information regarding weather etc. Maybe even for adverts in future ??

Cell Broadcast messaging is particularly appropriate for emergency purposes as it is not as affected by traffic load; therefore, it may be usable during a disaster when load spikes tend to crash networks.

For instance during the Tsunami catastrophe in Asia. Dialog GSM, an operator in Sri Lanka was able to provide ongoing emergency information to its subscribers, to warn of incoming waves, to give news updates, to direct people to supply and distribution centres, and even to arrange donation collections using Celltick's Cell Broadcast Center.

Read more on the scenarios where it is in use or being tested here

Number Portability long overdue in Kenya

The announcement by the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) of an approximately 1 year deadline to introduce number portability service. Service providers have 6 months to start implementing the service.
Number portability allows a subscriber to retain there number while migrating from one service provider to the other. The 3 underdogs (Zain,Orange and YU) were undoubtedly very elated. The dominant player (Safaricom) is not,and am sure they will put all obstacles possible towards achieving this as they definitely stand to lose the most.Their CEO was already on TV critising the service talking of how expensive it is to implement and ineffectiveness in getting subscribers to migrate.
CCK has asked the public to give its views. CCK says studies carried out by the commission indicate that Service Provider Number Portability (SPNP) offers effective intervention in markets that are dominated by single players.
From a consumer point of view this is long overdue. Furthermore it has already been implemented in African countries including South Africa,Nigeria and Egypt
However the one time fee of KSh. 1000 to users is extorbitant. Most Kenyans will be wondering what makes more sense between loading airtime worth Sh 1000 and making a switch.
The service should be either free as in most countries like Brazil,Israel, UK, Ireland and many others or for a reasonable fee such as the one Safaricom is suggesting of about Sh 20 (same as a SIM card).
The proposed 3 day period it will take for the switch to effect is too long considering it takes a mere 20 minutes some countries such as in the Republic of Ireland.
These are some of the challenges that need to be addressed before this service is implemented.

Mobile Money Transfer posing serious security challenge

Two days ago a friend of mine narrated to me the ordeal his relative underwent after being kidnapped in one of Nairobis estate.The kidnappers used his phone to contact his family demanding USD 5000.What struck me was the mode of payment they insisted on,which was M-PESA, Safaricom's mobile based money transfer. There has been a recent wave of kidnappings in the City. A while ago thugs (most of whom were in jail) would call someone they know and threaten you with murder if you failed to send a certain amount of money to their mobile based accounts.Most people sent them the money losing their hard earned cash easily.
Obviously Mobile based money transfer is the preffered mode/enabler for such crimes as the only two other options available are not viable,Cash delivery would expose them to being ambushed outright by cops, while bank accounts are well regulated and thus it's easy to follow the money.
The recent Govt. directive for Mobile SIM card users registeration can be seen as a positive step but is not sufficient.
I think more needs to be done now,Mobile based money transfer services such as ZAP and MPESA should now be put under CBK regulations and thus account opening/monitoring should follow same regulations as Bank accounts. There should be CCTV servuillance at all agents/dealers where subscribers can withdraw/deposit cash.This may mean fewer agents and this is not obviously music to the ears of Mobile operators.
But Security has a price !!!Otherwise uncontrolled and unregulated the trend of mobile based theft will worsen.