• Latest
  • All
  • How To
Sambaza Internet

Safaricom Restricted Sambaza Internet Desperately Needs an Immediate Shakeup

May 18, 2020
Bitchat

Jack Dorsey Launches Bitchat, a Bluetooth-Only Messaging App

July 10, 2025
YouTube AI slop is getting demonetized

YouTube Declares War on Low-Effort AI Videos via Demonetization

July 10, 2025
Why Can'y You Register a Safaricom SIM Card After 7 PM

Why You Cannot Register a Safaricom SIM Card After 7 PM

July 10, 2025
Former Safaricom Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Cynthia Karuri-Kropac

Frankline Okata Takes Over as Cynthia Karuri-Kropac Exits Safaricom PLC

July 10, 2025
DHgate Tablet Cases deals
AI

OpenAI and Perplexity Launch Browsers to Rival Google Chrome

July 10, 2025
Vivo-Y29-4G

Vivo Y29 Launches in Kenya at KES 23,999

July 10, 2025
galaxy z fold7-galaxy z flip7-samsung

Samsung Unveils Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 with Bigger Screens

July 10, 2025
GTA VI

Rockstar May Be Testing 96-Player Servers for GTA 6

July 10, 2025
Former X CEO, Linda Yaccarino

Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years

July 9, 2025
Apple-WWDC25-iOS-26

iPhone Users Are Not Too Happy With the iOS 26 Liquid Glass Design

July 9, 2025
Official document handover by Bernard Mwonyonyo and Habib Lukaya from Roam.

E-Mobility in Kenya Gets a Lift with New Bike Financing Program

July 9, 2025
Samsung

This Samsung Security Update Could Change How You Use Your Phone

July 9, 2025
Techweez | Tech News, Reviews, Deals, Tips and How To
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Editorial
No Result
View All Result
Techweez | Tech News, Reviews, Deals, Tips and How To
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Editorial
No Result
View All Result
Techweez | Tech News, Reviews, Deals, Tips and How To
No Result
View All Result

Safaricom Restricted Sambaza Internet Desperately Needs an Immediate Shakeup

Kenn Abuya by Kenn Abuya
May 18, 2020
in Opinion
Reading Time: 2 mins read
265
0
Sambaza Internet

Back in 2013, Safaricom introduced a product that allowed its customers to share data bundles akin to Sambaza airtime. It was a needed development that worked as advertised. But it would not live for long.

In between that period, a lot of people saw business opportunities, and what did they do? Start selling data bundles on the cheap because the carrier allowed transfer copious internet-accessing nuggets with no limitations to speak of.

Background

Now, here is a small background about what actually transpired: if you have a social media profile, you must have seen ads selling Safaricom bundles at a steal. Kenyans being Kenyans love a bargain, so they hopped onto this bandwagon in troves.

It was a big deal that we sourced to loopholes or missteps by the Safaricom technical team. There are tens of accounts detailing the origin of the mess, but two stood out. One is that Safaricom was, still sells some devices that come pre-packaged with data bundles. The bundles were, or are still redeemed using the device’s IMEI number. Crafty folks devised ways to generate those codes without a new phone and sold them to customers who could pay. And the business picked.

The second case was associated or allegedly linked to rogue Safaricom insiders who liaised with buyers on the outside to make a quick buck. It was so bad that customers could purchase pre-loaded and pre-registered lines.

The outcome? Well, months elapsed as Safaricom tried to search for a solution because the illegal business was making a bad name of Kenya’s top mobile operator.

Limited Sambaza Bundles

Safaricom had no option but revise the Sambaza data offerings. Customers were only allowed to send 10 MBs of data for a maximum of two times.

The adjustment, as expected, was met by an uproar. But we all have come to appreciate some of the toughest business decisions made by the carrier, even if they mean that a customer will suffer, at least for a short while. And to its book, the revision stayed on and has not been lifted to date, nearly four years later.

Outcome

As said, some harsh business decisions pay off in the long run, and it would appear Safaricom weeded out the illegal data business for good. You have not been seeing these businesses because they cannot sustain themselves. After all, those IMEI number issues were fixed, and in cases where they fall short, the bundles cannot be transferred to a customer because of the Sambaza limitation.

But we want Sambaza adjusted

The other day, I wanted to transfer data bundles to a friend but realized I couldn’t help them. A transfer of 20 MBs is an insult to them because our phones are filled to the brim with data-hungry apps and services. This rude reminder made me wish Safaricom had not enforced the limitation, and if the operator can re-revise the model to support at least 100 MBs of data transfer.

Of course, I would be reminded that customers can now purchase bundles for another line, including non-expiry ones. But what is I don’t want to do that?

It is a tough sell, but it would be friendlier if slight adjustments were made during these tough COVID-19 times.

Tags: Safaricom
SendShare148Tweet92
Kenn Abuya

Kenn Abuya

Kenn Abuya is a friend of technology, with bias in enterprise and mobile tech. Share your thoughts, tips and hate mail at [email protected]

Related Posts

Why Can'y You Register a Safaricom SIM Card After 7 PM

Why You Cannot Register a Safaricom SIM Card After 7 PM

July 10, 2025
Former Safaricom Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Cynthia Karuri-Kropac

Frankline Okata Takes Over as Cynthia Karuri-Kropac Exits Safaricom PLC

July 10, 2025
Mobile Data

Kenya Draws More Tourists as Mobile Data Roaming Soars

July 3, 2025
Safaricom Ethiopia Celebrates Big Win with 10 Million Customers

Safaricom Ethiopia Celebrates Big Win with 10 Million Customers

July 1, 2025
Which ISP is best in Kenya

Kenya’s Best ISP: Faiba Claims the Crown for Fastest Internet

June 30, 2025
the process of setting up an Internet service provider (ISP) in Kenya

Airtel Rises While Safaricom Drops in Network Quality Scores

June 30, 2025

Latest

Bitchat

Jack Dorsey Launches Bitchat, a Bluetooth-Only Messaging App

July 10, 2025
YouTube AI slop is getting demonetized

YouTube Declares War on Low-Effort AI Videos via Demonetization

July 10, 2025
Why Can'y You Register a Safaricom SIM Card After 7 PM

Why You Cannot Register a Safaricom SIM Card After 7 PM

July 10, 2025
Former Safaricom Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Cynthia Karuri-Kropac

Frankline Okata Takes Over as Cynthia Karuri-Kropac Exits Safaricom PLC

July 10, 2025
AI

OpenAI and Perplexity Launch Browsers to Rival Google Chrome

July 10, 2025
Vivo-Y29-4G

Vivo Y29 Launches in Kenya at KES 23,999

July 10, 2025

Best devices

budget smartwatches 2025

Best Budget Smartwatches To Buy in Kenya 2025

February 13, 2025

Best Infinix Smartphones To Buy in Kenya 2024

February 13, 2025

Best Laptops for Battery Life in 2024

August 21, 2024

Best “Battery Warrior” Smartphones To Buy in 2024

August 22, 2024

Jack Dorsey Launches Bitchat, a Bluetooth-Only Messaging App

July 10, 2025

YouTube Declares War on Low-Effort AI Videos via Demonetization

July 10, 2025

Techweez is a fast growing influential source of technology news, reviews and analysis by leading tech geeks in the industry.

Follow Us

Editorials

Abductions and Arrests! Kenyan Government’s Fear and Hate of X Users Makes No Sense

Actors and Film Crews Are Worried About Veo 3 Taking Their Jobs

Samsung QLED TVs Now Officially Certified for Real Quantum Dot Technology

Trump’s Tariffs Will Be the End of Affordable Tech

5 Ways to Prep Your Tech for Resale

The Weaponization of PDFs: How Cybercriminals Are Exploiting a Trusted Format

More News

Samsung Unveils Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 with Bigger Screens

Rockstar May Be Testing 96-Player Servers for GTA 6

Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years

iPhone Users Are Not Too Happy With the iOS 26 Liquid Glass Design

E-Mobility in Kenya Gets a Lift with New Bike Financing Program

This Samsung Security Update Could Change How You Use Your Phone

  • Terms Of Use
  • Techweez Brand
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact Us

© 2024 Techweez - Palahala Media Group may earn a commission when you buy through links on our sites.
A Palahala Media Group Brand. All rights reserved.
.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Techweez | Tech News, Reviews, Deals, Tips and How To
Crunchy Cookies 🍪 Ahead!

Hey there! Just a heads-up: we're big fans of cookies - both the digital and edible kind! 🍪 We use our cookies and some from third parties to ensure your browsing experience on our site is smooth sailing and secure.

 

But wait, there's more! We also use cookies to gather stats and insights on how you navigate our site. It's like getting a behind-the-scenes peek at your digital adventures!

 

Don't worry, you're in control. You can adjust your cookie settings anytime to suit your preferences. Feeling curious? Dive into our Privacy Policy for all the juicy details. Happy browsing! 🚀

Functional Always active
Listen, this legal stuff is about as exciting as watching paint dry. But it basically says we only use your stuff for what you asked us to do, and nobody else gets to peek!
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
It's those sneaky cookie crumbs websites leave behind to count visitors, like counting ants at a picnic! Totally harmless, just for fun facts. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
Hey there! Just letting you know we use some fancy gizmos to remember your preferences. This way, we can show you ads that are, well, not completely bananas.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
Make cookies
{title} {title} {title}
Techweez | Tech News, Reviews, Deals, Tips and How To
Crunchy Cookies 🍪 Ahead!
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
Listen, this legal stuff is about as exciting as watching paint dry. But it basically says we only use your stuff for what you asked us to do, and nobody else gets to peek!
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
It's those sneaky cookie crumbs websites leave behind to count visitors, like counting ants at a picnic! Totally harmless, just for fun facts. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
Hey there! Just letting you know we use some fancy gizmos to remember your preferences. This way, we can show you ads that are, well, not completely bananas.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
Make cookies
{title} {title} {title}
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Editorial
  • Automotive
  • Entertainment

© 2024 Techweez - Palahala Media Group may earn a commission when you buy through links on our sites.
A Palahala Media Group Brand. All rights reserved.
.