SAFARICOM TARIFFS: PRE-PAID VERSUS POST PAID

Safaricom Pre-Paid Tariffs

This tariff allows users/subscribers to top-up their Safaricom lines with Safaricom Recharge vouchers before being able to use their accounts. Customers on the Prepaid tariff usually pay 4bob to calls both Safaricom and other networks between 8am to 22pm. The rate then drops to 2bob for Safaricom to Safaricom calls from 22pm to 8am the following morning but remains at 4bob for calls to other networks.

Safaricom Scratch Cards are available in various denominations of 5/=, 10/=, 50/=, 100/=, 250/=, 500/= and 1000/=. The pre-paid plan is OK for users who make limited calls or those who are always being called and not the other way round. The most common tariff on this plan is the Uwezo Tariff.

Safaricom Post-Paid Tariffs

As the name suggests, you will only pay your Safaricom bill after using your Safaricom line for a period of one month. Under the post paid tariff; users have two options to choose from

i)                    Safaricom Advantage 1000

ii)                  Safaricom Advantage 2500

Before enjoying any of the above two tariffs Safaricom users must registers at a Safaricom Shop anywhere in the country. Usually, you will require your Original and a copy of your ID in addition to a Valid Address to register. You will also require a deposit amount equivalent to the amount of the tariff you choose i.e. for Safaricom Advantage 1000, you will need to pay 2,000 upfront and 5,000 for the case of Advantage 2500. The deposit acts as security in case you default to pay your bill in future! The Deposit is also refundable.

The scheme of Safaricom Post-Paid Plans

For the Safaricom Advantage 1000, you will receive:

• 900 on-net minutes ie Safaricom to Safaricom talk times
• 100 off-net minutes ie Safaricom to other networks.
• 100mb data bundles
• 100 on-net SMS
• 100 bonga Points

 On the other hand, Advantage 2500 offers users:

• 2200 on-net minutes for Safaricom to Safaricom calls
• 300 off-net minutes for calls to other networks
• 250 On-net SMS
• 250MB of Data bundles
• 250 Bonga Points

With simple mathematics it will thus emerge that using the Safaricom Advantage Tariffs is way much cheaper than the other pre-pay options.

It is also good to note that in case you don’t exhaust your given bundles, they will be rolled-over to the next month and remain active (usable) until the 16^th day of the due month. But this does not mean that after this day your bundles will vanish; no they will only remain inactive and will become active again after the monthly bill is paid. Safaricom advises users to pay bills before the 16^th day of the due month.