Re: [Skunkworks] Equitel Thin SIMs
There abt 30m subscribers in Kenya..so 1m is about 3.3%. I have about 1620 contacts on my phonebook.. so ideally 54 of them should be on Equitel prefix. On avarage I do about 30 calls a day..again it means at least one call shud be from an Equitel prefix...unfortunately that's not the case. I highly doubt the numbers being talked about On Jul 21, 2015 12:44 PM, "Alvin Jason Ochieng via skunkworks" < skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote: Airtel also have several Prefixes but are they even half full? #MarketingStartegies On Tue, Jul 21, 2015 at 12:26 PM, Tony Likhanga via skunkworks < skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
*2015-07-21 10:05 GMT+03:00 Njiri John via skunkworks <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke>>:*
*Equitel have unveiled a new 0764 prefix after hitting one million customers on the previous 0763 prefix.*
*1,000,000 X 600= KES 600,000,000* *Mwangi should be a professor by now.. you are told its free to transact but already made 600m just from sim change over.*
Hype aside, remember they've also had for a while, the *'normal SIM'* that goes for free (or market-rates at most). That possibly forms the bulk of their current subscribers.
Tony.
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@Jared, while you may have a point regarding the actual uptake, your methodology of arriving at that conclusion may not necessarily be correct. I believe that the Equitel subscribers would be enticed by the *'banking'* proposition more than the voice calls. As such, the majority of the SIMs would ideally be lying somewhere in wait, only to be used for banking transactions on a need basis. On a similar note, I've noted that a number of folks I know recently hopped onto the *'Airtel Unliminet'* bandwagon through use of dual-SIM phones, ostensibly to make use of the internet data offering. None of them actually remembers the Airtel number they are on, and most would never bother to share the same as their alternative contact. Tony.
@Tony but Airtel Unliminet has an attractive offer for Voice Calls & Texts too thats their selling point :-) On Tue, Jul 21, 2015 at 1:59 PM, Tony Likhanga via skunkworks < skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
@Jared, while you may have a point regarding the actual uptake, your methodology of arriving at that conclusion may not necessarily be correct.
I believe that the Equitel subscribers would be enticed by the *'banking'* proposition more than the voice calls. As such, the majority of the SIMs would ideally be lying somewhere in wait, only to be used for banking transactions on a need basis.
On a similar note, I've noted that a number of folks I know recently hopped onto the *'Airtel Unliminet'* bandwagon through use of dual-SIM phones, ostensibly to make use of the internet data offering. None of them actually remembers the Airtel number they are on, and most would never bother to share the same as their alternative contact.
Tony.
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@Alvin, interestingly, the 4 guys I know simply run down the minutes meant for calls, then focus on the data. They don't bother much about SMS (balme it on whatsapp and co.) I found this a bit unconventional. *<Note to self>I need to stop hanging around weirdos.</Note to self>*
Tonny, I am of them. I bought an Airtel line to enjoy the unlimited bundles. I can not tell the last time l used my airtel line given am using a dual phone. I find myself buying Safaricom's bundles. Why? Because l find saf to be super fast. Kind Regards, Catherine Njoroge On Tue, Jul 21, 2015 at 1:59 PM, Tony Likhanga via skunkworks < skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
@Jared, while you may have a point regarding the actual uptake, your methodology of arriving at that conclusion may not necessarily be correct.
I believe that the Equitel subscribers would be enticed by the *'banking'* proposition more than the voice calls. As such, the majority of the SIMs would ideally be lying somewhere in wait, only to be used for banking transactions on a need basis.
On a similar note, I've noted that a number of folks I know recently hopped onto the *'Airtel Unliminet'* bandwagon through use of dual-SIM phones, ostensibly to make use of the internet data offering. None of them actually remembers the Airtel number they are on, and most would never bother to share the same as their alternative contact.
Tony.
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@Catherine for the next Unliminet Bundle try run down the minutes calling also as its cross border all networks not for Airtel calls only. Dual sims come in real handy for this I agree :-) On Tue, Jul 21, 2015 at 2:16 PM, Catherine njoroge via skunkworks < skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
Tonny,
I am of them. I bought an Airtel line to enjoy the unlimited bundles. I can not tell the last time l used my airtel line given am using a dual phone. I find myself buying Safaricom's bundles. Why? Because l find saf to be super fast.
Kind Regards, Catherine Njoroge
On Tue, Jul 21, 2015 at 1:59 PM, Tony Likhanga via skunkworks < skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
@Jared, while you may have a point regarding the actual uptake, your methodology of arriving at that conclusion may not necessarily be correct.
I believe that the Equitel subscribers would be enticed by the *'banking'* proposition more than the voice calls. As such, the majority of the SIMs would ideally be lying somewhere in wait, only to be used for banking transactions on a need basis.
On a similar note, I've noted that a number of folks I know recently hopped onto the *'Airtel Unliminet'* bandwagon through use of dual-SIM phones, ostensibly to make use of the internet data offering. None of them actually remembers the Airtel number they are on, and most would never bother to share the same as their alternative contact.
Tony.
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@Allan, next time l will use them. Kind Regards, Catherine Njoroge On Tue, Jul 21, 2015 at 2:26 PM, Alvin Jason Ochieng <ajochola@gmail.com> wrote:
@Catherine for the next Unliminet Bundle try run down the minutes calling also as its cross border all networks not for Airtel calls only. Dual sims come in real handy for this I agree :-)
On Tue, Jul 21, 2015 at 2:16 PM, Catherine njoroge via skunkworks < skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
Tonny,
I am of them. I bought an Airtel line to enjoy the unlimited bundles. I can not tell the last time l used my airtel line given am using a dual phone. I find myself buying Safaricom's bundles. Why? Because l find saf to be super fast.
Kind Regards, Catherine Njoroge
On Tue, Jul 21, 2015 at 1:59 PM, Tony Likhanga via skunkworks < skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
@Jared, while you may have a point regarding the actual uptake, your methodology of arriving at that conclusion may not necessarily be correct.
I believe that the Equitel subscribers would be enticed by the *'banking'* proposition more than the voice calls. As such, the majority of the SIMs would ideally be lying somewhere in wait, only to be used for banking transactions on a need basis.
On a similar note, I've noted that a number of folks I know recently hopped onto the *'Airtel Unliminet'* bandwagon through use of dual-SIM phones, ostensibly to make use of the internet data offering. None of them actually remembers the Airtel number they are on, and most would never bother to share the same as their alternative contact.
Tony.
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On the pricing... someone raised some interesting questions : - What if Equity is still running pilot tests on the thin SIM thing? The 'prohibitive' cost of the thin SIM would effectively limit the 'test' traffic to manageable levels. - What if the pricing of the thin SIM kit is a tactical decision to try avert a possible industry backlash from other mobile operators, so as to ensure that their whole strategy does not suddenly come to cropper. Tony.
Have had Equitel for almost a year and haven't bought credit, call, SMS or data on Equitel yet and i wonder how long their validity period must be? .....unless the free bank transaction is extending the validity period. Equitel is very convenient though for a Equity bank customer. Free transaction costs for Paybill KPLC, startimes and Equity to Equity.. Equity to M-PESA also much cheaper than MPESA to MPESA. On Tuesday, July 21, 2015 2:59 PM, Tony Likhanga via skunkworks <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote: On the pricing... someone raised some interesting questions : - What if Equity is still running pilot tests on the thin SIM thing? The 'prohibitive' cost of the thin SIM would effectively limit the 'test' traffic to manageable levels. - What if the pricing of the thin SIM kit is a tactical decision to try avert a possible industry backlash from other mobile operators, so as to ensure that their whole strategy does not suddenly come to cropper. Tony. _______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
i think this thin sim business is zero risk, on the part of equity. Worst case is that they subsidize the targeted 10 million customers at 300 meaning they will only have to spend 3 billion for the entire business model. And them having 10 million customers means that they will be transacting a lot more than this figure on a daily basis. The rest of the capital is leveraged on existing uses On Tue, Jul 21, 2015 at 2:53 PM, Tony Likhanga via skunkworks < skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
On the pricing... someone raised some interesting questions :
- What if Equity is still running pilot tests on the thin SIM thing? The 'prohibitive' cost of the thin SIM would effectively limit the 'test' traffic to manageable levels.
- What if the pricing of the thin SIM kit is a tactical decision to try avert a possible industry backlash from other mobile operators, so as to ensure that their whole strategy does not suddenly come to cropper.
Tony.
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-- Best Regards, Stephen Munguti. +254720425104
@Jared et. al the value proposition for small business owners to switch to Equitel is already huge because of zero transaction costs by customers and direct credit to Bank account. My assumption is that I actually don't need a merchant number to accept payments etc significantly reducing barriers to entry - disruption. A paybill no. (read Safcom) still has the advantage of an accounting front-end although Equitel could still introduce this as a value add (chargeable or not). I wonder what happens to Excise Duty or VAT for that sake... Regarding the 600bob slim sim: Probably for puritans (iPhone heads etc) who'd much rather not by a dual-sim phone. The lower end of the pyramid is however littered with these from as cheap as 2K to quite the high-end. Regards, ed On Tue, Jul 21, 2015 at 3:13 PM, Stephen Munguti via skunkworks < skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
i think this thin sim business is zero risk, on the part of equity. Worst case is that they subsidize the targeted 10 million customers at 300 meaning they will only have to spend 3 billion for the entire business model. And them having 10 million customers means that they will be transacting a lot more than this figure on a daily basis. The rest of the capital is leveraged on existing uses
On Tue, Jul 21, 2015 at 2:53 PM, Tony Likhanga via skunkworks < skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
On the pricing... someone raised some interesting questions :
- What if Equity is still running pilot tests on the thin SIM thing? The 'prohibitive' cost of the thin SIM would effectively limit the 'test' traffic to manageable levels.
- What if the pricing of the thin SIM kit is a tactical decision to try avert a possible industry backlash from other mobile operators, so as to ensure that their whole strategy does not suddenly come to cropper.
Tony.
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--
Best Regards, Stephen Munguti.
+254720425104
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lets sit back with them popcorns and see how all this unfolds On Tue, Jul 21, 2015 at 5:45 PM, Omingo Obiko <edobie@gmail.com> wrote:
@Jared et. al the value proposition for small business owners to switch to Equitel is already huge because of zero transaction costs by customers and direct credit to Bank account. My assumption is that I actually don't need a merchant number to accept payments etc significantly reducing barriers to entry - disruption.
A paybill no. (read Safcom) still has the advantage of an accounting front-end although Equitel could still introduce this as a value add (chargeable or not). I wonder what happens to Excise Duty or VAT for that sake...
Regarding the 600bob slim sim: Probably for puritans (iPhone heads etc) who'd much rather not by a dual-sim phone. The lower end of the pyramid is however littered with these from as cheap as 2K to quite the high-end.
Regards,
ed
On Tue, Jul 21, 2015 at 3:13 PM, Stephen Munguti via skunkworks < skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
i think this thin sim business is zero risk, on the part of equity. Worst case is that they subsidize the targeted 10 million customers at 300 meaning they will only have to spend 3 billion for the entire business model. And them having 10 million customers means that they will be transacting a lot more than this figure on a daily basis. The rest of the capital is leveraged on existing uses
On Tue, Jul 21, 2015 at 2:53 PM, Tony Likhanga via skunkworks < skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
On the pricing... someone raised some interesting questions :
- What if Equity is still running pilot tests on the thin SIM thing? The 'prohibitive' cost of the thin SIM would effectively limit the 'test' traffic to manageable levels.
- What if the pricing of the thin SIM kit is a tactical decision to try avert a possible industry backlash from other mobile operators, so as to ensure that their whole strategy does not suddenly come to cropper.
Tony.
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--
Best Regards, Stephen Munguti.
+254720425104
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www.omingoobiko.com
-- Best Regards, Stephen Munguti. +254720425104
@Omingo, I can assure you this 'free' no transaction fee they talk about will be shelved the moment they have the numbers. It would not be cost effective, to pay engineers, customer support, data center costs etc millions of shillings every month to maintain & improve the system while making zero profit. Enjoy it while it lasts. Regards, John K. On 21 July 2015 at 18:31, Stephen Munguti via skunkworks < skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
lets sit back with them popcorns and see how all this unfolds
On Tue, Jul 21, 2015 at 5:45 PM, Omingo Obiko <edobie@gmail.com> wrote:
@Jared et. al the value proposition for small business owners to switch to Equitel is already huge because of zero transaction costs by customers and direct credit to Bank account. My assumption is that I actually don't need a merchant number to accept payments etc significantly reducing barriers to entry - disruption.
A paybill no. (read Safcom) still has the advantage of an accounting front-end although Equitel could still introduce this as a value add (chargeable or not). I wonder what happens to Excise Duty or VAT for that sake...
Regarding the 600bob slim sim: Probably for puritans (iPhone heads etc) who'd much rather not by a dual-sim phone. The lower end of the pyramid is however littered with these from as cheap as 2K to quite the high-end.
Regards,
ed
On Tue, Jul 21, 2015 at 3:13 PM, Stephen Munguti via skunkworks < skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
i think this thin sim business is zero risk, on the part of equity. Worst case is that they subsidize the targeted 10 million customers at 300 meaning they will only have to spend 3 billion for the entire business model. And them having 10 million customers means that they will be transacting a lot more than this figure on a daily basis. The rest of the capital is leveraged on existing uses
On Tue, Jul 21, 2015 at 2:53 PM, Tony Likhanga via skunkworks < skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
On the pricing... someone raised some interesting questions :
- What if Equity is still running pilot tests on the thin SIM thing? The 'prohibitive' cost of the thin SIM would effectively limit the 'test' traffic to manageable levels.
- What if the pricing of the thin SIM kit is a tactical decision to try avert a possible industry backlash from other mobile operators, so as to ensure that their whole strategy does not suddenly come to cropper.
Tony.
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--
Best Regards, Stephen Munguti.
+254720425104
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-- OO
www.omingoobiko.com
--
Best Regards, Stephen Munguti.
+254720425104
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On Jul 21, 2015 7:22 PM, "John K. via skunkworks" <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
@Omingo, I can assure you this 'free' no transaction fee they talk about
will be shelved the moment they have the numbers. It would not be cost effective, to pay engineers, customer support, data center costs etc millions of shillings every month to maintain & improve the system while making zero profit. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Probably Equity is banking on getting the free cashflow when funds remain in their network. People can trade as much as they want but the means of exchange they use is just ascii characters in form of sms. How much deposit does Safaricom have on their network? Who cannot salivate on such huge sums of cashflow?
At the risk of derailing the discussion off Equitel and the thin SIM..... those with Dual SIM phones should be aware that both slots are often not 3G capable. There's usually a primary slot (usually SIM1 slot) that does 3G while the other one does 2G. Ensure that you slip the 'internet data' SIM card into the 3G slot. Meanwhile Equitel Tweeted this yesterday : *"A thin SIM is costing Equitel Ksh 600. We are giving it for Ksh 500 and you get Ksh 200 worth of airtime at activation. #Equitel <https://twitter.com/hashtag/Equitel?src=hash>"* Tony
@Tony true my methodology assumed an ideal world scenario... Equitel must first focus on gaining critical mass and I still can't understand how selling simcards at 1000% above main competition will help them in that. It also worth noting that Safaricom has since shifted focus from selling Mpesa as a money transfer but as a payment platform. With everyone, shop, bar, petrol station accepting mpesa payments it's gonna be an uphill task for any competition. Equity will have to craft a different melody to woo an otherwise comfortable safaricom customer base. On Jul 21, 2015 2:06 PM, "Tony Likhanga via skunkworks" < skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
@Jared, while you may have a point regarding the actual uptake, your methodology of arriving at that conclusion may not necessarily be correct.
I believe that the Equitel subscribers would be enticed by the *'banking'* proposition more than the voice calls. As such, the majority of the SIMs would ideally be lying somewhere in wait, only to be used for banking transactions on a need basis.
On a similar note, I've noted that a number of folks I know recently hopped onto the *'Airtel Unliminet'* bandwagon through use of dual-SIM phones, ostensibly to make use of the internet data offering. None of them actually remembers the Airtel number they are on, and most would never bother to share the same as their alternative contact.
Tony.
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participants (9)
-
Alvin Jason Ochieng -
Catherine njoroge -
Jared Koyier -
John K. -
Mwendwa Kivuva -
Omingo Obiko -
Peter Muli -
Stephen Munguti -
Tony Likhanga