Telecommunications Company Safaricom now says it is not opposed to the idea of opening up its M-Pesa network to other players months after rival company Airtel filed a case against it for unfair dominance.
Its mobile money platform M-Pesa, is a dominating product save for Airtel money and Orange money. With 18.1 million customers since its launch and multiple agencies across the country, subscribers have been barred from making transactions across the network and if any, at a higher rate.
Safaricom admits to be preparing for its eventuality in the upcoming verdict by Communications Authority of Kenya come June 30th . This follows a move by Tigo, Zantel and Airtel agreement to allow transaction across networks freely indicating the shifting ground in the industry.
If the verdict turns out as predicted, the dominant telecommunications company will take a duration of almost two years to prepare for the change which includes sharing of earnings between competitor firms and their agents.
Safaricom’s mobile money market stands at 73 per cent which differs with the constitution law which does not allow more than 50 per cent dominance from one market for same goods or services therefore denying the public freedom of choice.