Telecoms Rates, Offers and Coverage (briefs)

- Nairobi — Safaricom has cut its international calling rates by nearly 90 per cent in an effort to defend its market share after its rivals made similar reductions in a move that looks set to further pile pressure on its profitability. Kenya's largest mobile telephony operator reduced its international call tariffs to Sh3 a minute from Sh25 for calls headed to USA, China and India, putting it at par with rivals Zain, Orange and YU.

- The number of mobile phone users in Ghana, has been predicted to reach 70% of the country's total population of about 23 million.