Telkom brings back Kaduda phone with new smarter 4G series

The Telkom Kaduda series lives on. Telkom has today announced the launch of the Kaduda 4G series. The first in this new series is called the Kaduda T-Smart that will be retailing at KES. 3,100. It joins the growing list of KaiOS phones in the Kenyan market.

KaiOS is a low-end operating system that makes feature phones smart in some way. It supports Apps like the Google Assistant, Facebook, WhatsApp and YouTube. One can also access 4G internet, and use WiFi with devices running KaiOS. In Kenya, TECNO, Nokia, and Faiba 4G have already introduced KaiOS devices.

The T-Smart will be available in all Telkom shops, countrywide, from tomorrow Wednesday, September 9, 2020.   

The Kaduda 4G series joins Telkom’s previous Kaduda devices which include:

• The famous Kaduda 1
• The Kaduda Selfie and
• The Kaduda Smart.

The new series seeks to move consumers from just calling and texting, as they would do with previous feature phones, to a more connected, more versatile phone experience allowing them to use the internet, and much more.

A rise in demand for more smart devices has been occasioned by the accelerated digital transformation that is being witnessed across the globe, and which has made more people and businesses increasingly adopt the use of automated and digitized platforms. This digital transformation is particularly important within the telecommunications sector, creating an increased demand for broadband, connectivity, and digital platforms, by individual consumers, corporates, and the public sector.

Steve Okeyo, Telkom’s Managing Director for Consumer says. “The Kaduda 4G is a significant upgrade in the Kaduda series that will allow more of our customers to have access to additional features and applications not seen in the previous devices.” 

A current Telkom subscriber who purchases the T-Smart will receive a free daily introductory bundle of 100 MB of data to browse the Internet. They will also receive another free 100 MB of data to access WhatsApp as well as another free 100 MB of data to access Facebook. 100 minutes to call within the Telkom network also form part of this bundled offering, which will be renewed daily for a whole one month. 

First-time subscribers to Telkom who purchase the T-Smart, and top-up their line with KES. 50 or more, will receive free 50 MB of data to browse the Internet, another free 50 MB of data to access WhatsApp as well as free 50 minutes of call within the Telkom network, daily, for the first 30 days. This offer will be replicated in the second month should the first-time subscriber maintain a top-up of KES. 100. The same free offer will also be extended to the subscriber’s third month on the network if they top-up another KES. 100 or more. 

Mr Okeyo adds, “Entry-level smart-feature devices constitute about 40% of phones sold in Kenya, affirming their acceptance and popularity; due to longer-lasting batteries and the ability to pick signal faster in areas that are underserved with regard to connectivity.”  

According to the Global Mobile Economy 2019 report, mobile Internet users in Africa in 2018 stood at 239 million (a penetration rate of 23%). These numbers are projected to rise to 483 million, translating to a 39% penetration rate by 2025. Overall, unique mobile subscribers on the continent are projected to rise from 456 million (in 2018) to 625 million; about half of the continent’s population, by 2025.   

Last month after the collapse of the merger talks with Airtel Kenya, Telkom unveiled new strategic focus areas that will address the current transformational dynamic as well as Telkom’s long-term objectives, as it works towards becoming a thriving integrated Telco provider and the technology company of the future.  

Telkom says it has also restructured its business to reflect this new strategic direction, enabling it to sharpen its efficiencies, with respect to service provision and overall customer experience. This business restructuring, the company says, will enable them partner more strategically with like-minded entities, for example, in the telecommunications, technology and financial services sectors, with the end game being to become the technology partner of choice to its consumers, private and public sector clients.  

Telkom Kaduda T-Smart 4G Specifications and Price: