Telkom and the Standard Group have partnered to enable customers access the Group’s digital newspaper versions of their print content, conveniently and in real time, via their smartphones.

At the push of a button, Telkom customers will now read The Standard and The Nairobian e-papers. Each e-paper will cost Sh. 20, payable via Airtime. Also available are the daily newspaper pull-outs that one may opt for at Sh. 5 each. The partnership seeks to make content more conveniently and instantly accessible to news consumers, regardless of their physical location. The e-paper data rate has also been zero-rated.

Telkom chief executive officer Mugo Kibati says that simplifying people’s news consumption, and at favourable price points, resonates with Telkom’s mission to provide the best value for a simpler life, efficient business and stronger communities.

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“This partnership strengthens our proposition as a technology company of the future, one that is integrating technology to simplify content accessibility during this period, and as the country and the world continue to progressively digitise more aspects of every day life,” he said. “This is the new normal and we are excited to be part of this universal journey, working with the media industry to help power their digitised content to consumers. Moreover, with customer trends shifting to contactless engagement, this initiative is timely.”

On his part, Standard Group chief executive officer Orlando Lyomu said that the partnership with Telkom would make Standard Group’s e-paper available to readers everywhere.

“This partnership allows readers to have a choice. They can select their favorite pull-out at a very affordable rate,” Lyomu said, noting that this is what makes this partnership unique.  “It is convenient, offers more options for customers and is affordable. Readers can now access an array of high quality journalism products from the Standard Group at the click of a button, at an affordable price.”

To register for the service, customers will simply need to dial *550#, via their Telkom lines, buy their select e-paper by picking a Daily or Weekly option, or the pull-out of their choice, proceed to make the purchase and read via a link.

The proliferation of digital transformation in the publishing industry has been intensified by the pandemic, with sector players now diversifying their product and content offerings.

Mid-last year, Telkom announced a business restructure with a focus on the Digital and Consumer segments, reflective of the firm’s new strategic direction, as it gears to become a fully-fledged technology company.