By The Enduring Value of Strategic Voice Partnerships in a Digital Age
By Michael Mutiga, Chief Business Development & Strategy Officer, Safaricom
Why Voice Still Matters
In an era dominated by artificial intelligence (AI), digital finance, and immersive realities, voice communication may seem less important. It does not attract the same capital or media attention as emerging technologies. Yet, the ability to speak clearly, securely, and without friction remains one of the most fundamental enablers of global interaction.
International voice calls often pass through several networks before reaching their destination. Each handoff introduces delays, added costs, or reduced quality.
With multiple intermediaries, it also becomes harder to detect fraud and maintain transparency in call routing and billing. This should not be the case, especially when we already have the tools and the will to improve the system.
The Enduring Value of Strategic Voice Partnerships in a Digital Age
The Power of Direct Exchanges
A Voice Onnet Exchange may not be revolutionary in a technical sense, but it is a strategic refinement of how global networks connect. By creating a direct link between two operators, we reduce complexity, improve call quality, and build more resilient and transparent pathways. This is especially critical for regions with growing cross-border engagement.
It is essentially about two operators choosing to exchange traffic directly, with no middlemen. A call from Nairobi to Guangzhou does not need to loop through Frankfurt or Dubai.
A student in Beijing calling her mother in Eldoret should not face dropped calls, distortion, or inflated charges caused by outdated routing systems.
When networks connect directly, customers benefit. The result is lower latency, better call quality, stronger fraud management, increased transparency, and an act of digital sovereignty. The fewer hands your data passes through, the more secure and accountable the system becomes.
Safaricom’s direct voice exchange with China Mobile International shows the value of this approach. By streamlining the voice route between Kenya and China, we have achieved measurable improvements in quality, reduced delays, and enhanced fraud control benefiting users in both countries.
Building Partnerships on Shared Principles
Creating a bilateral voice path is not just about technical integration. It also requires a foundation of trust, shared principles, and common values. Confidence in data management, alignment with regulatory expectations, and a commitment to long-term value are essential for success.
Such partnerships are not solely about efficiency or revenue. They are about ensuring both parties serve users with integrity and reliability.
Connectivity That Reflects Human Ties
Africa and Asia are becoming increasingly interdependent not only economically, but also socially, culturally, and technologically. Trade continues to expand. Migration is growing, with students, workers, investors, and tourists moving between the continents in large numbers. Unfortunately, infrastructure has not always kept pace with these human flows.
Connectivity must reflect these realities. It is not just a utility; it is a right, a tool, and often, a way of life. When a voice exchange is established between countries or carriers, it reflects the lives of the people it serves.
It signals recognition of cross-continental ties and makes it easier for families, businesses, and communities to stay connected.
Looking Ahead: Blending Technologies for the Future
The future of connectivity will not rely on one technology alone. Fibre, 5G, satellite, fixed wireless, and voice will all play distinct yet interconnected roles. Forward-looking operators will focus less on chasing trends and more on building partnerships that enhance reliability and user experience at a foundational level.
Direct voice exchanges exemplify this approach. They simplify cross-border communication, reinforce trust in infrastructure, and strengthen the digital backbone of societies.
As leaders, our responsibility is to design systems that reflect real-world behaviours and needs. By doing so, we reaffirm the enduring value of clear, secure, and accessible voice communication in an increasingly digital world.
https://africabusinessnews.co.ke/safaricom-business-powers-enterprises-across-kenya/
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