Youth-centric MVNO BeMobile launches

A new digital mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) BeMobile has launched, aimed at the emerging African youth market.

The MVNO comes from Kenyan radio brand, NRG Radio, powered by mobile enabler x-Mobility's AppVNO service.

"BeMobile will break the stereotypes of mobile and create an iconic youth brand across Africa. The youth is the market to win. NRG believes in the African youth culture and that's the reason we are launching BeMobile," said Kevin Mulei, Group MD of NRG Media.

The new MVNO originates from Kenya, but as a digital MVNO it is available across the continent and abroad. BeMobile offers users international numbers – from the UK, US or Canada – on an existing handset without needing an extra sim card.

It's targeted at the youth as it offers safe and separate numbers for chatting with dating site matches and free peer-to-peer calls.

"We use different email addresses and social profiles but we still only get one mobile number. Now you can get a different phone number for each part of your life, whether you're at home, work, abroad, socializing or to just keep your personal number private," the BeMobile website explains.

"NRG is an exciting youth brand committed to empower and inspire the African youth. Their new BeMobile service will be an exciting and disruptive mobile brand for Africa," said Shanks Kulam, co-founder of x-Mobility.

x-Mobility's digital AppVNO service allows brands to create new mobile services specifically for their target audience – offering calls, messages, multiple new number profiles (including international numbers) on their existing handset, along with free calls to friends and family at home or abroad.

"We are having more and more discussions about digital MVNO services with media companies and brands, both in Africa and beyond. With an existing user base to tap into and a digital offering that can go global, a digital MVNO solution is seen as a great way to deepen existing customer relationships, while also opening up new geographic markets," added Kulam.

x-Mobility has helped launch similar MVNOs for Vyke, Follow Me Talk and Gist Mobile.

*Top image source: BeMobile.

— The Staff, Connecting Africa