24 March 2005, Celtel expands coverage

In its first phase of network roll-out this year, geared towards expanding services to cover over 70% of the Kenya population, Celtel has expanded coverage to new towns in far flung areas of Nyanza, Greater Nairobi, Rift Valley, Eastern, Masai Mara and Coast regions.

Residents of 20 towns, which include Olkuruk (Masai Mara), Olenguruone, Maungu on Nairobi Mombasa highway, Kakuma, Loitokitok, Lunga-Lunga in the South Coast border town of Kenya and Tanzania, Mutomo in Kitui, Keumbu in Kisii , Sondu Miriu and Kosele, Kusa, Bondo, Usenge Musoli, Ruai, Thogoto, Kinoo, Kianjogu, Wangige, and Magongo in Mombasa now have an opportunity to join the more than 1.3 million Celtel subscribers in Kenya, who are currently enjoying a growing number of services from the mobile operator.

Commenting on the network expansion, Celtel Chief Executive Officer, Gerhard May said, “We are delighted to make mobile telephony a reality to thousands of Kenyans in these diverse areas, in line with our commitment to make life better for our customers”.

“Our indelible footprint in Kenya not only brings with it mobile telephony, but opens a host of possibilities in terms of job creation and access to information”, he said.
The company has in recent months unveiled a host of innovative products and services aimed at increasing the availability and affordability of mobile telephony to a wider cross section of Kenyans.

Among these has been the introduction of low denomination talk time, through the launch of open voucher mobile top up, as well as the Kshs 100 and Kshs 200 scratchcards.