Airtel Kenya has joined Faiba and Safaricom by launching eSIM support for its customers.
The eSIM was launched in an event that was attended by Airtel Africa CEO Segun Ogunsanya, and Airtel Kenya’s MD Ashish Malhotra.
An eSIM (embedded-SIM) is a form of programmable SIM card that is embedded directly into a device (in this case a phone).
Instead of a physical and removable SIM, an eSIM consists of software installed onto an Embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC) chip permanently attached to your phone.
It is designed to replace the traditional SIM card, which is a removable chip that identifies and authenticates the user on a cellular network.
With eSIM, the user can switch between mobile network providers without physically changing the SIM card, which in the Kenya case will now be among Airtel, Safaricom, and Faiba.
eSIM technology is also used in other devices such as smartwatches, laptops, and IoT devices.
Kenya is the second market in Africa that supports this technology powered by Airtel; Airtel is present in 14 African countries.
How to activate Airtel eSIM
Step 1: Check if your phone is compatible by dialing *#06# on your smartphone. Your device should display an EID number – which means that your device is eSIM capable.
Step 2: Visit any Airtel shop where our seasoned customer care executive will walk you through the process of setting up your eSIM using the QR code.
Price
Customers will part with Ksh 100 to have an Airtel eSIM.
Airtel eSIM benefits
Here are some reasons why you should get an Airtel eSIM.
- eSIM enables you to get a seamless device setup experience, without the need to insert or replace a physical SIM card.
- eSIM allows you to use multiple mobile numbers, both physical and eSIM on one phone/device. This reduces the hassle of moving around with several phones.
- You no longer need to fear damaging or losing your SIM card.
- If you are a frequent traveler, you will find the eSIM very convenient for switching network operators at a much easier rate.
Airtel Kenya
Airtel Kenya is a telecommunications company that provides mobile voice and data services in Kenya. The company is a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel, a leading global telecommunications company headquartered in India.
Airtel Kenya was established in 2010 after Bharti Airtel acquired Zain, a mobile network operator that had been operating in Kenya since 2005.
Airtel Kenya offers a wide range of mobile services, including prepaid and postpaid plans, data bundles, international calling, mobile money transfers, and value-added services such as caller tunes, mobile TV, and gaming.
The company has a network coverage of over 95% of the population in Kenya, with more than 5,000 base stations and 4G coverage in major cities and towns.
One of the unique features of Airtel Kenya is its Airtel Money service, which allows customers to send and receive money, pay bills, and buy goods and services using their mobile phones.
Airtel Money has revolutionized the way Kenyans conduct financial transactions, especially in rural areas where access to traditional banking services is limited.
Airtel Kenya has also been at the forefront of promoting digital inclusion and empowering communities through its corporate social responsibility programs.
The company has invested in initiatives that support education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship in Kenya, including the Airtel Touching Lives program, which provides financial assistance and mentorship to underprivileged communities.
In addition, Airtel Kenya has partnered with various organizations to provide innovative solutions to social challenges, such as the Airtel Internet for Schools program, which provides free internet access to public primary schools in Kenya.
Bharti Airtel presence in Africa
Bharti Airtel is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world, with a presence in 18 countries across Asia and Africa. In particular, its presence in Africa has been significant, with operations in 14 countries on the continent.
The company’s entry into Africa began in 2010 with the acquisition of Zain Africa, which gave it a foothold in 15 African countries.
Since then, Bharti Airtel has invested heavily in its African operations, expanding its network infrastructure and improving its services to better serve the needs of its customers.
Today, Bharti Airtel is one of the leading telecommunications companies in Africa, with a customer base of over 120 million people. Its services include voice, data, and mobile money, which has become an increasingly important offering in many African countries.
One of the reasons for Bharti Airtel’s success in Africa has been its ability to adapt to the unique challenges and opportunities of the African market.
The company has made significant investments in building out its network infrastructure, particularly in rural areas where connectivity can be challenging.
Bharti Airtel has also been successful in building partnerships with local businesses and governments, which has helped it to better understand the needs of its customers and tailor its services accordingly.
For example, the company has partnered with local banks to offer mobile money services, which has proven to be a popular and convenient way for people in many African countries to manage their finances.
Airtel Kenya FAQs
What is Airtel Kenya?
Airtel Kenya is a telecommunications company that provides mobile voice and data services to customers in Kenya.
How can I contact Airtel Kenya customer care?
You can contact Airtel Kenya customer care by dialing 100 from your Airtel line, or by sending an email to customerservice@ke.airtel.com.
How do I activate my Airtel SIM card?
To activate your Airtel SIM card, simply insert it into your phone and dial *131#. Follow the prompts to register your SIM card and activate it.
How can I check my Airtel Kenya balance?
You can check your Airtel Kenya balance by dialing *131# and selecting the option for balance inquiry. Alternatively, you can download the Airtel app and check your balance there.
How can I buy airtime on Airtel Kenya?
You can buy airtime on Airtel Kenya by dialing 130PIN# or by using the Airtel app.
How can I subscribe to Airtel Kenya data bundles?
You can subscribe to Airtel Kenya data bundles by dialing *544# and following the prompts. Alternatively, you can use the Airtel app to subscribe to data bundles.
How can I check my Airtel Kenya data balance?
You can check your Airtel Kenya data balance by dialing *544# and selecting the option for balance inquiry. Alternatively, you can use the Airtel app to check your data balance.
How can I activate Airtel Kenya international roaming?
To activate Airtel Kenya international roaming, dial *100# and select the option for international roaming. Follow the prompts to activate international roaming on your Airtel line.
How can I deactivate Airtel Kenya international roaming?
To deactivate Airtel Kenya international roaming, dial *100# and select the option for international roaming. Follow the prompts to deactivate international roaming on your Airtel line.
How can I transfer airtime on Airtel Kenya?
You can transfer airtime on Airtel Kenya by dialing *140# and following the prompts to transfer airtime to another Airtel line.
How can I activate Airtel Kenya call forwarding?
To activate Airtel Kenya call forwarding, dial 21PhoneNumber# and press send. Replace “PhoneNumber” with the number you want to forward calls to.
How can I deactivate Airtel Kenya call forwarding?
To deactivate Airtel Kenya call forwarding, dial ##21# and press send.