Airtel call rate increases to Sh2.78 per minute across networks

Airtel subscribers will now pay Sh2.78 per minute when they make calls across all networks.

This means that it will no longer be Sh2 per minute.

Managing Director Prasanta Sarma said on Friday that this followed the governments amendment to the Finance Bill.

"...the excise duty on telephone and internet services has been revised from 15 percent to 20 percent effective July 1,2021," Sarma said.

However, Some users received a message for the company saying the rates had increased to Sh4.5 per minute.

But the company said that for a customer to migrate to the Sh 2.78 call rate, they  need to dial *544*2#.

Sarma said that Airtel Kenya will increase its headline voice tariff to Sh2 plus taxes which will equate to 2.78 per minute.

Airtel has ensured that prices of all data and voice bundles remain unchanged.

"Hence there will be no changes to amazing unlimited and tubonge bundles," Sarma said.

Tubonge subscription allows you to make Airtel to Airtel calls at no extra charge and a preferential rate of 2 Shillings + Tax to call other networks.

To opt in on the new offer, dial *544# and follow the prompts to choose from the various categories for daily, weekly or monthly offers.

"We stay committed to ensuring that our customers continue to enjoy the best value for their money through our products and services," Sarma said.

According to the latest statistics report from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), which covers the period between January and March 2018, Airtel Kenya increased its local mobile voice traffic by recording a total of 3.6 billion minutes up from 2.5 billion minutes recorded during the previous quarter.