UNIVERSAL ACCESS IN KENYA

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UNIVERSAL ACCESS IN KENYA

• KAHINDI ALEX
• COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION OF KENYA

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Introduction

• Kenya has a population of about 32 million
  people.
  
• About 80 of this population live in the rural
  areas where access to communication services is
  very limited.
  
• 75 of the country is classified as Arid and Semi
  Arid Land inhabited mainly by pastrolist
  communities.
  
• Over 50 of the population live below poverty
  line - can not afford communication services.

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Kenya_at_Glance
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Access Obligations

• USO is mainly vested on the two major operators
  (TKL PCK) by the Act.
  
• UA previously defined as a telephone within a
  walking distance and a postal outlet within 352
  km2
  
• Other operators in telecommunication have limited
  USO mainly through public pay phones.
  
• Courier operators have no USO
• Proposed UA basic services
• voice (rural teledensity 6)
• data (1 access point per district)
• relevant local content (30-50 local content)

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Universal Access Study

• These urban/rural disparities and low teledensity
  gave rise to UA study.
  
• The study was funded by CCK and IDRC at about US
  220,000. (Dec 2003 to Nov 2004)
  
• The main objective of the study was to conduct
  research and consultations leading to the
  definition of access gaps and articulate UA
  strategies for the country.
• The study identified 90 administrative divisions
  (out of a total of 488) without access to any
  form of communication services except
  broadcasting (about 20 do not have form of comm
  service).
• The cost of these services is also a hindrance to
  most rural communities where poverty levels are
  high.

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Process in Developing UA Strategy

• Identification of team consultancy, CCK
• Stakeholder consultation launch workshop
• Data collection and analysis involvement of
  University researchers, CBS (NSO), CCK
  
• Demand and supply workshop - to discuss the
  findings of the baseline survey and supply
  conditions studies
  
• Interconnection workshop - to discuss the
  proposed interconnection model for Kenya
  
• Final report preparation
• Final workshopto discuss the proposed UA
  strategic plan and guidelines for its
  implementation with key stakeholders

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Outputs

• Vision quality communication services that are
  accessible, available, and affordable and that
  lead to enhanced and sustainable rural
  communications development
• Mission to provide an enabling environment and
  intervention for the development and
  implementation of communication infrastructure
  and services in rural and under-served areas.
• Objectives and 5-year targets
• Strategies
• UA financing
• Institutional arrangements
• Implementation plan and UA programme
• Manual of operating procedures
• Recommendations

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Funding

• Government, through duties and tax incentives
• CCK - initial seed funding and a 1 levy on
  gross revenue
  
• Telecommunications operators and service
  providers - 0.5 levy on gross revenue
  
• Postal and courier operators - additional levy
  of 20 of their respective current annual fees
  
• Donations and grants from development partners
  and well-wishers

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Institutional Framework

• New unit within CCK
• Role to plan and oversee the implementation of
  UA projects
  
• Separate board with stakeholder representation
• Director/UA runs UA on day-to-day basis
• CCK shall provide few staff dedicated to the new
  UA unit
  
• Selective outsourcing of some of the UA work

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Other Recommendations

• Change the regulatory framework Kenya
  Communication Act 1998 and Kenya Communication
  Regulation 2001 accommodate Universal Access
  strategies.
• Adopt FL-LRIC interconnection model after
  conduction a cost study.
  
• Review of the market structure to determine
  operators with SMP
  
• Sell the UA strategy to stakeholders (esp. Govt)
• Establish an ICT research unit (observatory)
• Carry out a pilot

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Proposed Programmes

• Carry out a pilot projects in four Divisions
  before full implementation.
  
• Telephone infrastructure
• Internet POPs
• Public access centres e.g. Telecentres,
  payphones,
  
• Development of local content
• ICT training
• Cost of UA programme is US 12,285,000 for a
  period of 5 years

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Challenges

• Operators cooperation
• Slow Gvt processes, esp. the legal instruments
• The cost of implementation
• Changing definition and scope of Universal
  Access
  
• Inadequate physical infrastructure in the rural
  areas
  
• Low incomes in rural areas.
• ICT literacy gap
• Choice of priorities (ICT vs Basic needs)