Nairobi, Kenya
Samsung has launched Samsung Chief Hero, a dual SIM phone meant to rock the Kenyan market, trailing the success of Samsung Galaxy Pocket and Samsung S111, barely three months ago.
The phone, designed for cost-sensitive users, is loaded with a Kiswahili language option and comes with a free 2GB memory card and headset in-box, an introductory offer of 50MB data for a period of 3 months, a free phone cover and Kshs 100 worth of airtime.
Speaking in Nairobi, Samsung Electronics East Africa Business Leader Robert Ngeru disclosed that the new internet enabled handset has been customized for local conditions to boost the uptake of genuine handsets and support Communications Commission of KenyaCK’s anti counterfeit phones campaign.
“At Samsung Electronics East Africa, we are committed to supporting initiatives by the market regulator to enhance customer confidence through the provision of affordable, genuine handsets carrying a 24month warranty,” Ngeru explained.
According to the CCK, close to 3 million mobile phones in the Kenyan market are counterfeit, translating to about 10% of all the active mobile devices in the country.
This has not only infringed on the manufacturer’s intellectual property rights, but has also denied the government revenue in the form of tax as well as posing a health risk to the consumers.
In accordance with Regulation 24 of the Kenya Information and Communications (Importation, Type Approval and Distribution of Communications Equipment) Regulations 2010, requires all mobile phones to be type approved.
Contravention of this statute attracts a fine not exceeding three hundred thousand shillings or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both.
Among other features, the Samsung Chief Hero features a Smart dual-SIM capability to meet local consumer preferences where a significant percentage of mobile phone users carry multiple SIM cards to take advantage of the different pricing plans on offer from the various operators.
The Smart Dual SIM technology allows both SIM cards to be active and ‘always on’. The Samsung Chief Hero supports GPRS dual band technology and with a 1000mAh battery, boasts an 11-hour talk time and 550 hours of standby time.
The phone also supports an additional 13 languages including Yoruba and Igbo.
The writer is a Communication and Journalism Student, Moi University
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