Huawei Technologies Kenya has launched its 2018 ambitious strategy geared towards building a sustainable business environment and improve its returns to its 20% target.
Huawei Kenya CEO Stone He says the company intends to heavily invest in technology and infrastructural development with rural areas being the key target.
“Our spot check on technology consumption in Kenya reveals that many Kenyans are passionate about new technology. However many rural areas lack proper and quick access to latest technology. This is why we have chosen to invest in technology this year.”
Top in the list of the third best mobile company in Kenya is to introduce 4G spectrum and solar powered base station to ease transmission and lower costs.
“Instead of using big generators and satellite, we intend to introduce solar powered base station with a coverage of around 300 people per station and a 4G spectrum to ease transmission, this is actually a cheaper but effective option,” said Mr Adam Lane, senior director, public affairs.
According to Mr Lane, the company also intends to engage its partners and communication authority to conduct a research on the poor network system in Kenya. “ The report is already approved by communication authority awaiting our final decision.” he adds.
To create a more friendly business with final consumers, the company in collaboration with its partners intends to do a review in the cost of data bundles to provide lower cost solutions that is friendly to its clients.
“Some rural areas still operates with 2G to access internet services, this seems too much time consuming and expensive considering that the network might not be that faster compared to 4G. We will forge way forward to see how we can provide lower cost solutions for them and upgrade such areas with our latest technology,” Mr He Stone said.
Cloud technology is another main area the company has considered to revamp this year. This Mr Lane says will be of great importance both to the government and to its consumers since it will make it more easy to store and access any data on their clouds system.
“Our first cloud technology centre will be based at Konza city and talks are already at advanced stages . Huawei in collaboration with the ICT ministry will want to see a more better and safer way of storing and retrieving documents and information of any importance to the country,” he told BT.
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The Chinese head-quartered company will also introduce its local mobile app store which will allow easier access to apps and use of local payment systems to purchase apps.
Since its establishment in Kenya, Huawei has taken part in a series of corporate social responsibilities like donating tablets to schools, offering free health services, organizing empowerment programs among others.
“Last year we had 30 university students in our digital life skills training, we also made donations to different schools in parts of the country. this year we intend to increase the number and our focus will mainly be on the unemployed youths and needy families,” Sane said.
