Safaricom Webbox Turns your TV into an Internet Ready Computer

Safaricom is proving to be a major headache to other service providers in Kenya fuelled by its innovative approach in introducing new unexploited services to subscribers. In a move that’s expected to spark a major twist in the consumption of data related services in Kenya, Safaricom has introduced Webbox; a device that when connected to your television set, it gives your TV internet connectivity capabilities allowing anyone to access internet right from the television set. Webbox is shipped in form of a computer keyboard but with an inbuilt broadband modem and a Sim card (in this case Safaricom’s), it comes pre-installed with Google’s Android v2.1 Éclair operating system which offers a simple to use user interface coupled by its plug and play nature that requires no technical skills to install. The device is said to have been developed by Vodafone and is already available on Vodafone’s affiliated networks in Ghana, India and South Africa.

Mobile service providers in Kenya continue to experience diminishing returns on voice calls as a result of competition; in order to cover for lost revenues, providers such as Safaricom and Orange have engaged in an aggressive campaign targeting data consumers. Safaricom’s Webbox service gives non PC owners an opportunity to experience full web browsing capabilities on their TV’s with similar data bundle rates as regular PC consumers. Apart from data services, Safaricom Webbox owners can also send text messages, E-mails and carryout normal Mpesa transactions just like any other mobile phone would. On top of that, Safaricom Webbox service allows subscribers to access online FM radios, online photo albums, video players, music players and video games. You’ll also stay connected to friends and family members via social networks as well as update your status on major social sites such as facebook and twitter; Webbox also comes with pre-installed games to get you going. For those who would like to download content from an extensive Android market place, there is a major setback when it comes to Safaricom Webbox; the Android market application is not available meaning you cant download applications on the device.

In addition to its user friendliness, Safaricom Webbox does not have compatibility issues as it’s designed to work on all TV’s as long as its plugged in. Webbox is now available at Safaricom retail outlets across the country and comes with initial subscription goodies such as free data bundles. If you intent to use Safaricom Webbox with a different Sim card other than Safaricom’s, then be prepared to do some tech-work to unlock the device as its initially locked to accept Safaricom Sim cards only. It has a password protected control panel to safeguard against unauthorized access and allows both prepaid and postpaid subscribers access internet without any additional configuration. In order to use Safaricom Webbox, users are required to connect with a TV and select av/video mode after which they’ll be required to power the device by pressing power button and input password when prompted. Bundle subscription on Webbox is no different to Safaricom’s normal process.

Safaricom Webbox Offer

• Safaricom Webbox Price in Kenya: Kshs.4999
• Free 200MB data bundles on initial purchase (send IMEI No. to 440 to activate)
• To check bundle balance, send Balance via SMS to 450