John Waweru, the Director General of the Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK), said the Government would focus on reforms in the ICT sector.

"There are no roadblocks in legalizing VoIP. However, caution is necessary," Waweru said.

Waweru said policy guidelines for the sub-sector will be released in the next two weeks and the licences issued later. He added that only 49 countries have formally adopted the technology worldwide, a sign that a certain level of caution is appropriate.

Waweru said the new policy framework would grant incentives to companies intending to invest in rural areas. The aim, he said, is to develop marginalised areas and create balanced development in all parts of the country.

Industry players have questioned government's commitment to liberalisation of the ICT sector. Joseph Mucheru, Chair of Telecommunication Service Providers of Kenya, accused the regulator of stifling the industry's growth through frequent changes in regulatory policy.

Source: The East African Standard - WDR/Intelecon Regulatory News