[kictanet] Unified license takes effect in Kenya]

[alice]

Apologies for breaking the "rhythm" but this has IG  implications as 
well :-)

best
alice


Unified license takes effect in Kenya
By Rebecca Wanjiku , IDG News Service , 08/20/2008


The much awaited unified license has taken effect in Kenya after the
Ministry of Information and Communication issued new policy
guidelines aimed at streamlining license requirements and attracting
more investors.

The guidelines, revealed in this week's Kenya Gazette notice, drop
the multiple licensing regime where services were grouped on the
basis of technology. ISPs (Internet service providers), for instance,
were formerly required to obtain a separate license to offer VoIP
(voice over Internet Protocol).

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the new license regime, operators and service providers will be
licensed under three broad market segments: network facilities
providers, application service providers and content service
providers. The modified licenses will retain the original terms to
give operators time to transfer to the new regime.

Network facility providers will own communication infrastructure
based on either satellite, terrestrial, mobile or fixed lines. There
are three tiers of providers under this category: fixed line network
operators; data carrier network operators; and network facilities
providers, including local loop providers, international gateway
operators and companies providing fiber optic cable landing
facilities.

Content service provider licensees will provide information and data
processing services and include premium rate and credit card
validation service providers

The unified license policy guidelines were developed after complaints
by industry players that the Communications Commission of Kenya
required too many licenses and was not taking into consideration
issues of convergence in the ICT sector.

The guidelines stipulate that the CCK will regulate the adoption of
the new licenses and the smooth transition of companies that may hold
more than one license.

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/082008-unified-license-takes- 
<http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/082008-unified-license-takes->
effect-in.html

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