Safaricom pays Sh2.3 billion licence fee ahead of deadline

Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore. Photo/FILE 

In Summary

• The communications regulator says Safaricom’s new licence will be tendered afresh ahead of its expiry in 2024 and other operators will be invited to bid.

By OKUTTAH MARK
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Safaricom’s licence has been renewed after it paid Sh2.3 billion to the industry regulator, signalling that the operator has reached a deal over the quality voice checks.


 

Safaricom’s current licence expires on Monday and the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) had tied its renewal to payment of the fee and meeting the set quality standards as the government steps up pressure on mobile telephone firms to improve service.

“We have issued Safaricom with a letter to confirm that their licence has been renewed and they can come any time and pick it now that they have paid the Sh2.3 billion,” Francis Wangusi, the CAK director-general, said Tuesday.

Safaricom has over the past four years failed to meet the quality standards and last year posted a performance of 50 per cent against the minimum limit of 80 per cent.

This article first appeared in the Business Daily.