Wananchi Group has launched its much-awaited triple-play offering, "Zuku," with a promise to provide services that bridge the rural-urban divide.

At a cost of 2,999 Kenyan shillings (US$42.71), subscribers can access cable television, broadband Internet and voice services.

The price is expected to decrease when TEAMS (The East African Marine System) lands in Mombasa, as Wananchi holds a 10 percent stake in the submarine fiber-optic cable.

"We are not competing with the other cable TV providers in the market; our products are for the masses," said Wananchi chief operating officer Suhayl Esmailjee. "We want to provide a package for all income groups -- for instance, one where people pay 300 shillings a month."

"Our aim is to cover up to 300,000 homes in Nairobi and Mombasa by mid-2009," he added.

This is the first time that a Kenyan company has offered true converged services, said Wananchi CEO Euan Fannell.

Wananchi plans to roll out 100 WiMax base stations in Nairobi and Mombasa before the end of the year to enhance Internet connectivity for both residential and businesses customers, Esmailjee revealed.

Through the Africa Technology Media and Telecoms Fund, Wananchi has invested $70 million in infrastructure, acquisitions and the merger of services.

The IDG News Service is a Network World affiliate.