Doesn't it bug you when your airtime runs out on you fast and unexpectedly, especially when you thought you had enough? Or when you have to sit down and make those mental calculations on if you can afford to make that simple cross network phone call?

Times are tough and we have to cut down on costs by all means possible, and thanks to Mobile number portability (MNP) we can all move to the more affordable networks that suit our budget.

Before you “vuka” take a look at our comparison of the various tariffs by the 4 mobile service providers.

Prepaid Customers

Calling rates

Each network claims to have a tariff that suits your lifestyle, let’s try to compare them.

On-Net calls made during the day

While Safaricom charge you KSh 4 for a on-net call, Airtels’ Feelanga Free tariff allows you to call another Airtel subscriber for as low as KSh 1, while Orange And Yu; Usinyamaze and Amua tariffs respectively have no charges for their day time on-net calls.

On-Net calls made at night

Safaricom lowers hits calling rates to KSh 2 from 10 pm to 8 am; while Airtels’ Club 10 lets you enjoy unlimited calls from 10 pm to 6 am for a daily subscription fee of KSh 10. Orange Usinyamaze tariff rates are KSh 2 while Yu has the most expensive rate of KSh 3 for the night calls.

Off-Net

The cross network calling rates are standard, both at day and night.

Safaricom has the highest off-net calling rates while Airtel and Yu have the lowest rates of KSh 3.

SMS Rates

The four mobile service providers have the same on-net SMS rates of KSh 1, though the variation comes in the cross-network SMS rates.

Special SMS Rates

The four service providers have special tariffs for those who prefer texting as opposed to making a phone call.

Safaricom Maasaa ya SMS tariff 

This service allows Safaricom subscribers to enjoy:

• 20 On-net SMS for KSh 5 a day
• Unlimited On-net SMS for KSh 10 a day

Airtel Club 10

Airtel subscribers get to unlimited on-net SMS for KSh 10 a day

Orange 20 Bob all day and night

Orange customers get to earn 100 on-net SMS for KSh 20 a day.

Yu

Yu has no special SMS tariffs, thus not ideal for the"texting" enthusiasts.

Deduction

Considering the fact that most calls are made during the day, the most affordable network to be on is Yu. This is because Yu has zero (0) charges for the on-net calls and charges you KSh 3 for the cross network calls. It is actually cheaper to call a Safaricom subscriber from Yu during the day as compared to a Safaricom subscriber calling another Safaricom subscriber during the day. It is important to note that Yu is yet to roll-out 3G network so for those with 3G endabled phones won't enjoy fast Internet connectivity. This should not discourage you since Airtel recently launched their 3G system, plus they also have relatively affordable calling rates as compared to Orange and Safaricom.

When it comes to SMS rates, Airtel is the most affordable as compared to the rest since it has lowest on-net and off-net SMS rates with a  special SMS tariff rate of KSh 10 for unlimited  SMS. This means that a Airtel subscriber who's subscribed to Club 10 will enjoy unlimited Airtel to Airtel SMS and will only be charged KSh 1 for the cross network SMS.