Kenya: Parliament authorises new internet service providers
October 2nd 2024
Kenya is campaigning for healthy competition between Internet service providers. The aim is to enable people to benefit from quality services. To achieve this, the authorities are taking appropriate decisions.
Kenya’s parliamentary committee on communications, innovation and information has approved new internet service providers (ISPs) to operate in the country. The aim is to increase competition in the segment while ensuring strict compliance with laws protecting consumer rights and data privacy.
The move comes amid concerns from Kenyan telecoms operator Safaricom. In a letter to the Communications Authority (CA) a few weeks ago, Safaricom suggested that the regulator require satellite internet providers to collaborate with local mobile network operators, instead of granting them standalone operating licenses.
Kenyan President William Ruto spoke on the issue at the 79th United Nations General Assembly in the United States in September. He said the introduction of Starlink, a US-based provider of high-speed satellite internet services, in the Kenyan market in 2023 had created competition, pushing existing players like Safaricom to provide better services.
“I keep encouraging Peter [Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom CEO] that competition keeps you ahead and he is doing quite well, I must admit, he has really upped his game,” Ruto said.
In Kenya’s mobile internet market, Safaricom dominates with 63.5% of subscribers followed by Airtel Kenya (31.5%), Telkom (1.8%), Equitel (1.5%), and Jamii (1.5%), according to data from the Communications Authority as of March 2024. In fixed internet, Safaricom holds 37.4% market share, followed by Jamii Telecommunications Ltd (22.6%), Wananchi Group (Kenya) Limited (18.8%) and Poa Internet Kenya Ltd (13%).
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