CCK plans to have 90 per cent of Kenyans access mobile services

PHOTO | FILE ICT Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i speaks during the launch of the digital migration consumer campaign at the Serena Hotel on October 23, 2013. Communications Commission of Kenya on November 29, 2013 unveiled an ambitious plan that will see nine out of 10 Kenyans access mobile phone services.   NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• Regulator aims to grow Internet penetration from 41.6 per cent to 70 per cent
• The plan also seeks to have at least 80 per cent of the Kenya population have access to television services in the next five years.

By MUTHOKI MUMO
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The Communications Commission of Kenya has unveiled an ambitious plan that will see nine out of 10 Kenyans access mobile phone services.

The plan also seeks to have at least 80 per cent of the Kenya population have access to television services in the next five years.

The targets are part of the regulator’s third strategic plan which was launched on Friday.

“The plan defines the direction that ICT regulation in Kenya will take within the next five years,” ICT cabinet secretary, Dr Fred Matiang’i said during the launch.

CCK also aims to grow Internet penetration from the current 41.6 per cent of the population to 70 per cent.

With these advancements, the government hopes that the contribution of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector to the country’s wealth will climb from the current 2.2 per cent of the GDP to five per cent by 2018.

To reach 80 per cent of the population, CCK says it will review spectrum assignment policy and procedures with an eye towards opening up the market to more players.

STAALEMATE OVER DIGITAL MIGRATION

Currently there is a stalemate between media owners and the government over the December 13 planned digital migration deadline.

Generally, the regulator hopes to increase competition in ICTs by reviewing requirements that potential licensees are expected to meet. 

In telecommunications, CCK has reiterated a plan that would see masts and cables declared critical national infrastructure.

This would oblige mobile operators to share infrastructure across the country.

The regulator is also working with the Central Bank of Kenya and the competition watchdog to develop regulations that would require mobile money operators to share their infrastructure.

“We are working with the Competition Authority to ensure that all the mobile money transfer platforms are transparent in order to promote competition,” said CCK director general, Mr Francis Wangusi.

The Postal Corporation of Kenya may also see its position in the market challenged further as the CCK says that it will review exclusivity provisions in the sector. 

Existing regulations grant the corporation exclusivity in the delivery of all articles weighing less than 350 grams, issuance of private letter boxes and bags as well as printing and issuance of postage stamps.