The Kenyan Communications Authority (CA) is intensifying efforts to enhance the country’s ICT sector by inviting public input on three critical regulatory initiatives designed to drive growth and innovation.
One of the key initiatives involves a comprehensive review of the telecommunications market structure. This review aims to reassess the decade-old technology-neutral Unified Licensing Framework (ULF). The objective is to address and eliminate market entry and operational barriers, clarify the scope of existing licenses, and propose new licensing areas aligned with current ICT policies.
Public input is being sought to strengthen the review process, adhering to the constitutional requirement for public participation in policy-making. Stakeholders have until January 23, 2025, to submit their feedback.
This policy review aligns with the Kenyan government’s intensified push to establish the nation as an ICT innovation hub, a move seen as crucial to unlocking the full potential of the digital economy. Significant measures have already been implemented to achieve this goal, including the national ICT policy, the Kenya Start-Up Act, the Data Protection Act, the Digital Economy Blueprint, and the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act.
Kenya’s ambitious Konza Technopolis project—a planned technology hub located 64 kilometers south of Nairobi—remains a centerpiece of the Vision 2030 development strategy.
Another regulatory focus is the proposed update to the minimum technical standards and requirements for second-generation Terrestrial Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB-T2) receivers. Kenya adopted the DVB-T2 standard for terrestrial digital television broadcasting in 2015, ahead of the international analogue switch-off deadline.
The Authority introduced technical specifications for DVB-T2 Digital Set-Top Boxes and Integrated Digital Television receivers to facilitate digital migration.
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The new proposals aim to ensure that only digital receivers meeting current technical standards are approved for use in Kenya. Updates will incorporate advancements in terrestrial digital television broadcasting technology, potentially enabling viewers to access new features on digital platforms. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback by January 15, 2025.
In the realm of digital radio, the Authority has developed a Digital Sound Broadcasting (DSB) framework to guide the rollout of digital radio services. As part of preparations for the implementation of the DSB licensing framework in the 2025/26 fiscal year, the Authority has also created corresponding license templates for DSB infrastructure and services. Input is being sought on ten proposed license categories under the framework, with a submission deadline of January 17, 2025.
