Kenya's telecommunications regulator had issued licenses for three new operators of satellite internet services in an attempt to improve broadband access and boost the development of the telecommunications sector.

The Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) awarded licenses to Kenya Data Networks, Jamii Telcoms and AFSAT Communications, a year after state-owned telecommunications provider Telkom Kenya’s monopoly expired.

"For the first time (Kenyans) will enjoy diversity in internet backbone and gateway services ... and lay the foundation for an e-society," CCK Director General Sammy Kirui said.

"We cannot talk of a networked economy where internet is unreliable," he said.

The main reason for granting the new licenses is to increase ICT access in Kenya's underdeveloped rural areas. Today, less than 10% of Kenya's rural population knows what the internet is and less than 2% have an e-mail address, according to a 2004 study by the CCK and the International Development Research Centre.

In addition, less than 0.2% of Kenya’s rural population has access to fixed telephone line at home and must travel on average six kilometers to get to a phone, the Universal Access Study revealed. In some cases, people in rural Kenya have to travel as much as 100km to access telecommunications services, according to the study.

Intelecon Research & Consultancy Ltd. 13/01/2005
Source: AFP