Safaricom is preparing to unveil its own media streaming box aptly named the Big Box. The company will be providing buyers of the Big Box with free internet for the first six months. There is also free YouTube for users for three months. This confirms the speculation that the Big Box, running Android, will provide internet access via a 4G SIM slot as well as act as a wireless hotspot besides also being a gaming device. Streaming aside, the Big Box decoder will also have local channels NTV, KTN, Citizen and state broadcaster KBC.
Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore says the Big Box is Safaricom’s means of getting into the living rooms of its customers without using fibre. Speaking immediately after the release of the 2014/2015 financial results, Mr Collymore said, “We want to get into the entertainment space and provide access to content users want and not what the broadcasters want.” Simply put, that’s video on demand.
We expect to hear more about “The Big Box” tomorrow, Friday, May 8th.
