Flashcom invests in network expansion
Flashcom has put up more base stations to expand its network reach
Nairobi February 23 2007…Leading local loop operator in Kenya Flashcom limited has announced a further move to expand its network coverage by adding additional base stations.
The four additional base stations which were set up will see the company increase the geographical area of its network coverage and improve the communication signal for customers in the fringes of the network.
Flashcom Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Robert Mugo said in a statement that this was the second phase of the firm's network expansion plans which will result in a nation wide coverage by the end of the year.
The first major upgrade on the nascent communication network, of the new generation of base transceiver stations (BTS) took place in December last year. Mugo explained that the expansion was on schedule according to the company's plans.
Commenting on the move by the Communications Commission of Kenya to place a cap on interconnection fees, Mugo noted that as the leading local loop operator Flashcom had been a long time champion for the reduction of interconnection tariffs were extremely excited by the CCK's decision.
He pointed out that until today it still cost Kenyans less to make international calls from their mobile networks yet they deserved lower call rates for local calls. "By placing a cap on the interconnection rates, it seems the regulator is keen to level the playing field especially for new entrants like the local loop operators," he said.
Flashcom recently won the Best Local Loop Operator 2006 award from the Computer Society of Kenya at their 11th Annual Awards.

About Flashcom
Flashcom was established in 2004 and was one of the first new operators to be licensed. Prior to 1999; telecommunication services were the preserve of the government owned incumbent operation. However, in order to bring about competition and its benefits to Kenyan people the government started the process of liberalizing the sector which culminated in the licensing of new telecommunication service provided and the end of he incumbent's monopoly in 2004.

Flashcom launched its commercial services in December 2005 and were the first private fixed wireless network operator. In November 2006, Flashcom won the Best Local Loop Operator award at the 11th Annual Computer society of Kenya awards.

Flashcom used the latest in 3rd generation wireless technology called Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), which is touted as the future of wireless communications and is the fastest growing wireless technology, this technology has gained popularity due to the fact that is supports both voice services and high speed data in a single carrier class platform.. Our network infrastructure is built to world-class standards and by managing it ourselves we are able to provide the quality of the service and the flexibility that our customers require. We have been able to successfully cover the whole of Nairobi and the immediate surrounding environs and we pride in having the largest number of base stations in Nairobi as compared to other LLOs.

Our services mainly include telephone services; this allows customers to make calls to other Flashcom subscribers, the traditional landline network, mobile network and even international destinations. We are able to offer our customers very affordable rates, making Flashcom to Flashcom calls the customer makes savings starting from 40% as compared to other traditional operators. Our call rates are the lowest in the market, our popular Flashcom to Flashcom calls are charged at 3Kshs per minute, to landline is 5.5.Kshs, to mobile is 16Kshs and international calls are charged from 12Kshs and the calls are all billed per second, and in addition to having the lowest rates in the market, we also provide a bundle of attractive rates to all the networks. Flashcom has 2 tariff options to chose from, namely postpaid and prepaid option.

Other services offered are Data services that enables one to use data applications such as email and internet access and the customer is able to connect at speeds which are up to 3 times faster that those of the traditional dialup; fax service is also available.

Our network design and technology ensures that our service is available whenever the customer requires it and the customer is always connected also given that the technology is wireless implementation is instant for the prepaid customers and 24hr wait period for the postpaid customers.

In a bid to expand the its subscriber base, Flashcom has been seen to advertise even on the Citi Hoppa buses its attractive low rates and carry out outdoor promotions to educate the public. With the increase in the competition among the service providers, Flashcom has been able to provide affordable reliable service to its customers.