The JTL logo. The company is set to launch its mobile network from December 5, 2017. [Photo|squadlab.com]

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The battle for data provision is getting tougher with Jamii Telecoms set to launch its mobile network from tomorrow (December 5, 2017).

JTL becomes the fifth mobile network operator in Kenya after Safaricom, Airtel, Telkom Kenya and Equitel.

Christened Faiba Mobile, this will be JTL’s next frontier after aggressively pursuing broadband connectivity in the corporate, home and retail market segments in Kenya.

Getting its footing in an already crowded race, JTL will have to fend off increased competition in the data market already hogged by telecom giant Safaricom which is growing its mobile data and the home internet market with Safaricom Home.

After rebranding back to Telkom Kenya, the former Orange has positioned itself with subsidized data offerings targeting the youths.

Airtel Kenya has been offering data to its consumers at competitive rates which has forced even the giant Safaricom to review its offerings.

Mid this year, there were reports in one of the dailies that JTL was looking to venture into the payments segment going as far as registering trademarks for payments and mobile money services.

The expectation is that there will be an additional mobile money platform in Kenya- Faiba Money, Faiba Mobile and Faiba Pay. JTL is expected to provide 4G Internet.

Already earlier in the year, according to kenyanwallstreet.com, the Communications Authority of Kenya granted JTL 700MHz frequency that could allow the company to operate 4G.

Jamii Telecoms will offer mobile phone services with the prefix 0747 after the company invested Sh5.1 billion in its network infrastructure and successfully launched commercial trials.