Safaricom and Google Monday launched the application, ‘Waze,’to offer motorists accurate and real-time traffic information, based on crowd-sourced data from other road users.
It uses a Global Positioning System technology to collect traffic information varying from; accidents, impassable routes, traffic jams and advices on alternative routes.
“Waze will be the ultimate driving companion, tracking your progress in traffic jams, it will also update you of information by other motorists,” Charles Murito, Country Manager, Google Kenya.
ALTERNATIVE ROUTES
The partnership will help Safaricom widen its data network usage as more subscribers enroll onto the program to get a traffic update through Waze.
Safaricom is also positioning itself to gain from the partnership by enhancing its 4G network to 15 major towns, while it increases its 3G coverage countrywide. Currently, the network has over 11 million active data subscribers.
“Traffic information on Waze, which is updated in real time, will save users the hassle of enormous amounts of time spent in traffic by offering alternative routes,” said Sylvia Mulinge, Director, Consumer Business at Safaricom.
Waze is available on the Android or iOS App Stores. Customers are required to enter details of their information on the application to access traffic information. The application was acquired by Google in 2013, it is already used by over 4 million motorists in 200 countries.
By LILIAN OCHIENG
