Essar Telecom Kenya, through its telecom operator yuMobile Kenya has announced today that it reached its 3 million subscriber mark. The youngest operator in Kenya's telecom playing field has reached the 3 million mark in 4 years since it set shop in the country in late 2008.

"We are delighted to acheive the 3 million mark as it is a demonstration of loyalty and trust from our subscribers and a sign that our products and services are well received in the market."  Said yuMobile Country Manager Madhur Taneja who was speaking during a press briefing.

According the latest sector report by Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), yuMobile is the fastest growing mobile operator in the country. The reports says that yuMobile grew its subscriber base by 68%, the fastest in the year June 2011/June 2012. The operator's market share grew to 9.8% from 2.7%, with an increase of 1.1 million subscribers in the year June 2011 to June 2012.

On yuCash, the operator's mobile money transfer service, Taneja said the company is looking at increasing outlets countrywide to ensure the service is taken closer to more subscribers. During the briefing, Taneja noted that the likelihood of call rates going up because of high Mobile Termination Rates and proposed taxes on money transfer is high.

Last month, yuMobile launched the  BlackBerry Service Plan for both retail and corporate subscribers that will give subscribers an option of eight service plans to pick from which will give them access to e-mail and messaging, social networking, web, multimedia and other business and lifestyle applications.

Read more on yuMobile Blackberry services.