Kenya’s leading telecom operator Safaricom, in partnership with Huawei, will officially launch the country’s first Video Ring Back Tone (VRBT) service on October 8, 2025, marking the next evolution of the popular Skiza Ring Back Tone platform introduced in 2009. This upcoming launch promises to revolutionize caller experience by replacing audio-only ring back tones with customized video clips, while unlocking new monetization avenues for content creators and businesses.
A Visual Upgrade to Skiza’s Legacy
Skiza has been one of Kenya’s most successful value-added services, boasting over nine million subscribers and contributing KES 7.58 billion in annual revenues. VRBT builds on this foundation by streaming short videos – ranging from music snippets to branded promotions – during the call-setup phase, transforming idle waiting time into an engaging multimedia experience.
Leveraging VoLTE Infrastructure
The VRBT service will utilize Safaricom’s established Voice over LTE (VoLTE) network, launched in May 2020, which supports simultaneous high-quality voice and video transmission over 4G. With 97% population coverage on 4G and over 1,700 planned 5G sites by March 2025, Safaricom’s network readiness ensures seamless VRBT delivery even during peak traffic.
Huawei’s Proven VRBT Expertise
Huawei has integrated VRBT technology with China Mobile since 2016, serving over 400 million users and generating more than USD 1.5 billion in revenue. The platform supports multiple tiers – Caller VRBT, HD VRBT, Business VRBT, and AI VRBT – offering tailored video experiences before, during, and after calls.
Key Service Features
- Customizable Video Library: Subscribers choose from music videos, personal greetings, and branded content.
- Business Solutions: Companies can display product demos, promotional offers, or corporate messages to callers.
- Content Creator Revenue: Artists and agencies monetize video content via revenue-sharing models similar to Skiza’s 40% payout to artists today.
As voice and SMS revenues decline globally, VRBT provides a new value-added stream. Safaricom’s value-added services, including M-PESA, already comprise 44.2% of service income; VRBT could significantly enhance this contribution. The launch also differentiates Safaricom in a market where Airtel Kenya is expanding 4G coverage and preparing home fiber offerings.
The Communications Authority of Kenya has facilitated innovative service rollouts by partnering with Huawei on 5G deployments. Independent benchmarks rate Safaricom’s VoLTE performance highly across urban and rural areas, indicating strong video-streaming quality for VRBT.
Tomorrow’s event will mark Phase 1 of VRBT deployment. Future enhancements may include AI-generated video greetings, interactive advertising, and deeper integration with Safaricom’s digital ecosystem. Huawei and Safaricom’s broader collaboration spans cloud computing, AI, and network optimization, hinting at continuous service innovation.
The official VRBT launch ceremony takes place tomorrow. Stay tuned for updates on service availability, anything on pricing, and what Safaricom will say at launch.
