Airtel has officially launched eSIM services in the country.
Airtel Kenya, the second largest in the country by subscriber base, now joins competitors Safaricom and Jamii Telecommunications Limited (JTL).
JTL was the first mobile network operator in the country to unveil and enable eSIM services for subscribers to its Faiba network in January 2021 with Safaricom following suit in June of the same year.
Kenya is the second country in Africa where Airtel has launched eSIM services.
The multinational, which is (majority) owned by Indian company Bharti Airtel, has a presence in 14 African countries.
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is, according to Airtel, “a digital SIM that enables customers to access the same functionality as someone using a physical SIM.”
“The eSIM offers several benefits over the traditional SIM cards as it is quick and simple to set up online, it is planet-friendly (plastic free/zero carbon emission) and provides an easy extra line as you can use two numbers without needing two phones/handsets, You no longer need to fear damaging or losing your SIM card and If you are a frequent traveller, you will find the eSIM very convenient for switching network operators at a much easier rate,” Airtel says in a statement.
Airtel Kenya says that subscribers wishing to switch to an eSIM only need to “ensure that they have a compatible device by dialling *#06#, obtain the required QR code and be guided through a SIM Swap process by an Airtel service personnel.”
“To get an eSIM visit any Airtel shop and our customer care executive will walk you through the process of setting up your eSIM using the QR code,” the company says.
