PLMN ID · 63905
MCC
Mobile Country Code
MNC
Mobile Network Code
PLMN
MCC + MNC
TADIG
GSMA roaming code
Technology
2G on this network
Record
Updated 2025-04-09
- Brand
- yu
- Operator
- Essar Telecom Kenya
- Country
Kenya(KE)
- Region
- Africa
- Dialling code
- —
- Mobile Country Code
- All 11 networks on MCC 639
- Mobile Network Code
- PLMN ID
- What is a PLMN ID?
- TADIG code
- TADIG directory
- Technologies
- 2G1 band on file
- VoLTE (4G calling)
- UnknownTell us
- Wi-Fi calling
- UnknownTell us
- Video calling
- UnknownTell us
- VoNR (5G calling)
- UnknownTell us
- Status
- Live
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MVNOs
Add an MVNOMVNOs sell their own SIMs and plans but run on yu's network rather than owning one.
No virtual operators on record for yu. Know one that runs here? Add it.
Cell towers
Last measured 2026-06-24
12
Cells
4
Location areas
28
Measurements
2025
First measured
Measured 4G cells on this network, but no 4G band is on record. Add the band if you know it.
Find a cell on this network
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Crowd-sourced cell measurements from OpenCelliD, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · as of 2026-09-27. Counts are cells people have measured, not an operator's own figures.
About yu
Essar Telecom Kenya, operating under the "yu" brand, was a mobile network provider in Kenya, Africa. Identified by its Mobile Country Code (MCC) of 639, representing Kenya, and Mobile Network Code (MNC) of 05, yu held a significant, albeit ultimately transient, position in the Kenyan telecommunications market. The network launched with the aim of capturing a younger demographic, offering competitive pricing and innovative data packages. At its peak, yu competed with established players like Safaricom and Airtel, striving to gain market share through aggressive promotions and a focus on value-added services. They aimed to differentiate themselves, aiming to get users not to pay for services they weren't using. Despite initial success and a loyal customer base, yu faced challenges in maintaining profitability and expanding its network infrastructure. The competitive landscape of the Kenyan mobile market, coupled with the need for significant capital investment, proved difficult, like many other countries around the world. Ultimately, Essar Telecom Kenya made the strategic decision to exit the Kenyan market and its assets, including its subscriber base and infrastructure, were acquired by Safaricom and Airtel in 2014. The MCC 639 with MNC 05 is now no longer in operation within Kenya. The legacy of yu in Kenya serves as a case study of the opportunities and challenges inherent in the African mobile telecommunications industry, highlighting the importance of sustainable business models and strategic partnerships.
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