CA Committed to Spurring Innovation and Uptake of New Technologies, Says Director General

The Authority is committed to facilitating an enabling regulatory environment to spur innovation and uptake of emerging technologies, the Director General David Mugonyi has said.

Director General Mr. David Mugonyi says the Unified Licensing Framework (ULF), which is service and technology neutral, allows businesses to provide diverse services under one licence, spurring investment in the delivery of infrastructure and other ICT services.

‘‘If we are to truly make the digital transition, we cannot be laggards in the adoption of emerging technologies, that have a potential to turn around our fortunes, spur connectivity and power our digital economy, said Mr. Mugonyi during the recent launch of a multi-million-shilling long-distance fibre network from Mombasa to Malaba by Bayobab Kenya.

Mr. Mugonyi also cited the ongoing review of the legal and regulatory frameworks a proactive step towards ensuring the Authority is responsive to the emerging issues in the sector and enabling access for all, facilitate the growth of ICT enterprises and the spread of innovation.

The long-distance fibre connects over 1,000 kilometers, and runs along the Kenya Railway's metre gauge railway line, providing Internet connectivity to towns along the route. Internet service providers looking at expanding or boosting connectivity in the areas along the route will be able to leverage the new fibre infrastructure as an efficient high-capacity backbone.

The long-distance fibre runs up to the border of Kenya and Uganda where it interconnects into Uganda for onward connectivity to Rwanda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) thus, revolutionising connectivity and boosting reliability in this vital region.

The DG noted that broadband is the definitive digital investment for digital development, as it is the essential component of the Digital Superhighway, the government’s programme for accelerating ubiquitous access to broad in the country.

“Today, Bayobab presents to us and the market their solution for enhancing connectivity across Kenya and at the same time strike a blow for digital progress and prosperity,” said. Mr Mugonyi. He added that Kenyans are innovative and enterprising, and with relevant infrastructure and solutions, they are able to thrive in the digital economy, and boost efforts at narrowing the digital divide.

‘‘Eliminating the digital divide is the hurdle, the task that we must surmount, each in our own ways and according to our capacity to deliver Kenya’s digital promise and broadband, is at the heart of meeting our national need for digital access,’’ added Mr. Mugonyi.

Bayobab Kenya’s Managing Director, Sylvia Anampiu, expressed her pride regarding the  project which she said underscored the company's dedication to pushing the boundaries of telecommunications infrastructure through an ambitious programmes of  building 135,000km of proprietary fibre across Africa by 2025.

''This project is about connecting communities and businesses, creating opportunities, and delivering a modern connected life to more people across the continent. We are confident that this initiative will be a game-changer for connectivity in Kenya and beyond," she said.

This new route represents a significant milestone in boosting reliability and ensuring low-latency connectivity inland and cross-border between the East and West coasts of Africa, a vital step towards enhancing the digital economy, trade, and economic growth within the region.

It will also link landlocked countries to subsea cables at the port of Mombasa using the shortest route and provide a unique route to protect and strengthen services for Bayobab Kenya’s existing and new customers.

Bayobab Kenya is part of the Bayobab Group, the digital infrastructure business arm of MTN Group.

Through the Universal Service Fund, we play an integral role in supporting the Government’s agenda of expanding digital connectivity through enhancing access to communications services particularly in underserved and unserved communities.

Over the last five years the Authority, through the Universal Service Fund (USF), has connected over 750,000 people across 136 sub locations in 24 Counties to network services. The ongoing second phase of the project targets 101 sub-locations with two more phases to follow targeting 400 sub-locations across the country.

The Authority in supporting the realization of the Government’s Digital Transformation Agenda, is partnering with the ICT Authority to deploy 2,500km of last mile fibre connectivity across 19 Counties at a cost of KSh 5 billion. So far, 1,300km of fibre has been deployed across Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Samburu, Marsabit, Mandera, Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale, Kitui, Laikipia, Isiolo, Garissa, Wajir, Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado and Narok.

In the second Phase of this initiative the Authority is collaborating with the Kenya Power connect 3,800 public offices and institutions across the country to the Internet. Other programmes in the pipeline include the establishment of 47 ICT Centres of Excellence in all Counties and 1,450 ICT hubs in every Ward, to be delivered in partnership with the Konza Technopolis Development Authority.