The Kenyan internet landscape is growing, but at the same time, it is also witnessing an alarming number of unlicensed Internet Service Providers (ISPs)—Business Daily. The Communication Authority claims that most service providers in this niche take advantage of the license-free frequency bands to evade the regulator’s requirements.
“The Authority has observed a growing increase in unauthorized ISPs across the country,” CA states. Further, the authority explains that these operators have “deployed their networks using license-free frequency bands intended for industrial, scientific, and medical applications (ISM).
The authority has yet to give the exact names and figures of the country’s ISPs, but they state that most of them tend to operate in most overpopulated areas but lack extensive coverage as the licensed tier one, two, and three Network Facilities Providers (NFPs).
These latest developments come at a time when the Kenya Internet Market is experiencing considerable competition. As of the writing of the article, Safaricom PLC remains Kenya’s largest ISP, with a market share of 36.4%, followed by Jamii Telecommunications, with a share of 24%. Other players in the area include the Wanchi Group and Starlink, the latest Entrants in the Kenyan internet science.
It remains to be seen whether the communication Authority will act against illegal providers. As per the Informations and Communications Act in Kenya, operating as an ISP in Kenya without a proper and valid license can lead to huge fines and penalties not Exceeding Ksh 300,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or both if found Guilty.
