A new digital mobile network has launched in East Africa – an MVNO enabled by x-Mobility, a company that styles itself as an MVNE – a mobile virtual network enabler.
BeMobile is described as a new African digital mobile network targeting the Kenyan and African youth market – its aim in fact is to create an iconic youth brand across Africa.
It’s useful therefore that the new MVNO appears to have backing from NRG Media, whose NRG Radio is described as the leading radio station in Kenya among youth.
MVNE x-Mobility, a UK-based company, says it is pioneering a digital-first approach that allows brands to offer their subscribers a SIM-less mobile experience through an app.
BeMobile’s network will enable callers to connect with the world on different international numbers (in the US, Canada and UK) using personalised profiles, without the need for an extra SIM card. All they need is the BeMobile app to access the service.
BeMobile says that its international call rates are up to five times cheaper than those of local operators when calling international markets like the US.
The process is simple enough. The BeMobile App offers international numbers in the UK, US and Canada on an existing handset. It also offers free calls to friends and family at home or abroad (if they call within the app), cheaper international call rates, and multiple new number profiles (including international numbers) for chatting with, for example, dating site matches.
This is the latest in a number of major MVNO deals for x-Mobility this year. They include powering WanTok Mobile’s launch on the Pacific Islands of Tonga and Vanuatu, announced in September, and the global expansion of x-Mobility’s AppVNO service in March through the offering of local numbers for both Australia and Vietnam.
Nigeria, Pakistan and India are among x-Mobility’s biggest markets.
