On-demand wireless streaming service Able Wireless is taking inroads in Nairobi city estates with its video streaming service set to provide TV, Internet and other entertainment content to its customers affordably, taking on incumbents Zuku, Jamii Telecom and Liquid Telecom’s recently launched Hai.
The firm recently launched its BlackBIRD Service- providing WiFi at Just Ksh 500 a month and while in July it aims to introduce Fibre to the Home plus at just Ksh 1,000 Bob a month. The firm says its services are now available in Ngumba, Mbindah and some parts of Messo Estates in Nairobi. The firm chose Ruaraka and Eastland areas of Nairobi which are neglected by present providers whose focus is mainly on affluent areas of the city. The Blackbox offers 1080p HDMI Streaming, allows use of apps and plugins and users can watch both live shows or on Demand at just Ksh 2,500.00 a month.
Those who want Unlimited WiFi Only pay just Ksh 500 a month while those who want both Unlimited WiFi and Streaming pay Ksh 3,000 for the first month and subsequently Ksh 500. This is just a start. In 2014, Able Wireless told TechMoran it would enter Kenya’s voice industry by harnessing VoIP services exclusively for its subscribers. Able Wireless co-founder and CEO Kahenya Kamunyu said, “We are looking at switching voice calls such as GoogleTalk, Facebook calls and others to link our users who are connected to a Wi-Fi network. We are not building an app. We want to have enhanced service for Facebook calling and routing it locally to our network instead of how it’s being done.”
As a delivery service and not a content retailer, Able Wireless is taking on big wigs who have been in the market for sometime now but who have failed to serve the mass market according to Kamunyu. Through it’s partner AIB Capital and several other partners, the firm is targeting the middle and low income earners, students and everyone who wants premium content at an affordable fee of just Shs 500 a month. Able Wireless has signed a deal with 3 ISPs to supply them with internet and has a growing number of content providers.