Handset manufacturers are embroiled in a last minute effort to save over 2.5 million subscribers in possession of counterfeit phones from disconnection ahead of regulator plug off.
The Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) September 30th deadline requires mobile operators to switch off all counterfeit phones from their network. Leading handset manufacturers Samsung and Nokia have embarked on initiatives targeted at either replacement or safe disposal of the electronics.
“The counterfeit switch off is an industry initiative, the operators and handset manufacturers have different roles to play,” says Bruce Howe, Nokia’s general manager, East Africa region.
“While the operators were tasked with switching off counterfeit phones, ours was to work on better ways to make genuine phones affordable,” he said.
Pocket friendly
“We have been cooperative so far and made most of our handsets pocket friendly to consumers,” he said.
An estimated three million mobile phone subscribers, holding counterfeit handsets, are set to enjoy an attractive replacement offer as Samsung Electronics East Africa, moves to mop up all counterfeit devices. Samsung Electronics is offering reprieve to all subscribers through a mop up campaign dubbed: Give up the Fake! which kicked off last week.
In the mop-up, Samsung is reaching out to subscribers to turn in their counterfeit handsets and in return get genuine Samsung mobile handsets with better prices.
Robert Ngeru, Samsung Electronics East Africa business leader confirmed that the firm’s sales promotion is geared to support the on-going CCK ‘Pata ukweli wa mtambo’ campaign.
“As part of this campaign, we have undertaken to replace the estimated three million counterfeit handsets across major towns by replacing them with affordably priced Samsung handsets.”
“In addition, we have retained a locally accredited E-Waste Recycling Company to manage the collection and ultimate disposal of all counterfeit handsets.” Ngeru observed. Nokia also said it is partnering local mobile service providers and retail outlets to collect and dispose of counterfeit phones.
The company, which already has several collection points at its customer care centres. It has partnered with Safaricom, Airtel, Nakumatt, Naivas, Phonelink, and Tuskys to ensure an additional 100 collection points are set up across the country, making it easier for consumers to dispose of fake phones.
According to CCK industry statistics, close to three million mobile phones in the market are counterfeit, translating to about 10 per cent 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 form of tax. It also poses a health risk to the users since the phones do not meet the set global manufacturing safety standards.
“As the industry regulator, the CCK is mandated by law to protect consumers of communications services and in consultation with representatives from the four mobile operators, mobile phone manufacturers and relevant ministries and agencies, we will continue to execute this mandate,” assured the new CCK Director-General Mr Francis Wangusi.
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 Sh 300,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both.
