* Acquires 100 percent of Packetstream Data Services
* Deal still needs approval by regulator
* CEO Joseph says complements stake in Onecom
NAIROBI, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Kenya's leading mobile firm Safaricom said on Thursday it had bought a second local WiMAX operator to boost its product range.
Chief Executive Officer Michael Joseph said his company had bought 100 percent of Packetstream Data Networks, but he did not disclose the value of the deal.
"It complements our acquisition of 51 percent in Onecom," Jospeh told a news conference, adding that the transaction still needed regulatory approval.
WiMAX is a high-speed wireless technology used in telecoms networks.
Safaricom bought its Onecom stake nearly a year ago for $2.6 million.
Late last month, Safaricom said it had started offering broadband internet to its customers after a first fibre-optic cable was switched on.
Telecommunications in east Africa are hampered by lack of infrastructure. Known as SEACOM, the undersea cable links east Africa to South Africa, India, Middle East and Europe. (Reporting by Duncan Miriri; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Jon Loades-Carter)