Category: World
Service
Date: 10.08.2004
Printable version
BBC World
Service has teamed up with Kenya's leading mobile phone services provider to unveil an
international breaking news alert and headline news service.
While BBC breaking news alerts will now be available
on the Safaricom Get iT 411 infotainment channel, Safaricom subscribers will
also able to access BBC international headlines and African football
news on demand.
Joseph Warungu, Editor, BBC African Service, said: "More
than six million people listen to the BBC World Service in Kenya.
"It is a crucial market for us and we are constantly
seeking new ways to serve our audience better.
"Now, through this partnership, Kenyans will be
kept updated through their mobile phones - an increasingly popular means
of communication."
Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Michael Joseph
said: "Safaricom's association with the BBC, a reputable
international news service, complements our existing national news
service on the Get iT 411 News channel.
"Subscribers will receive the most up-to-date and
accurate international news alerts as events unfold on the global
scene."
Safaricom's Get iT 411 is an SMS based information
service providing subscribers with instant information and entertainment
news alerts both on request and through subscription.
BBC World Service is an international radio and online
broadcaster with 146 million listeners around the world.
In Kenya it is available on short wave frequencies
and on FM frequencies in Kisumu 88.2 FM, Mombasa 93.9 FM, Nairobi 93.7
FM and Nyeri 92.3 FM in both English and Swahili.
BBC programmes are also available on the partner FM
station Kameme 101.1 FM.
BBC World Service can also be accessed via WorldSpace
digital receivers across Africa.
Notes to Editors
BBC World Service broadcasts programmes around the world in 43 languages
and is available on radio and online at bbcworldservice.com.
Its international online site attracts around 280 million
page impressions a month.
Safaricom is Kenya's leading mobile phone operator
with more than 1.8 million subscribers.
By keeping pace with the global mobile telecommunication
scenario it has created a niche in the Kenyan market.
Further information can be found at safaricom.co.ke
