[kictanet] Unified license takes effect in Kenya]

[mwende njiraini]

Regulatory reform should be considered in discussions on Internet
governance.   Access to the internet is enabled through convergent networks.
Investment in these networks also referred to next generation networks (NGN)
is supported by dynamic and responsive regulatory frameworks.

According to the ITU (2006) "Africa is lagging behind in the global race to
build convergent networks that are indispensible for competition in the
global network economy".  The deployment of convergent networks has led to
the need for a re-evaluation of regulatory frameworks.  The development of
appropriate regulatory frameworks provides a competitive edge in the global
market and countries such as India, Singapore, Malaysia and European Union
have developed frameworks to encourage investment and transition in NGN.

Developing countries are poised to take up NGN through wireless access
technologies that offer ever-increasing broadband capabilities and national
fibre backbone deployments, however regulatory changes are needed to
facilitate these changes (ITU, 2007).  Fortunately, most countries in the
continent have relatively new regulatory frameworks that are amenable to
change.

1.      ITU (2006) Building and Inclusive Information Society for all in
Africa: Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities

2.      ITU (2007) Trends in Telecommunication Reform 2007: The Road to
Next-Generation Networks (NGN)

Kind regards

Mwende







Disclaimer: These comments are the author's own


On 8/20/08, alice <alice at apc.org> wrote:
>
> 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).
>
> Don't Miss!
> Read the latest WhitePaper - The Rise of USB in the Data CenterUnder
> 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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>
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