[kictanet] CCK extends deadline for switch off mobile handsets

[Wambua, Christopher]

Henry,

Many thanks Henry. I shall advise the coordinating Department to follow
up on your offer. 

Best regards,

Christopher Wambua
Asssistant PR  Manager
Communications Commission of Kenya
P.O. Box 14448, NAIROBI 00800
KENYA



-----Original Message-----
From: Henry Maina [mailto:henry at article19.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 10:52 AM
To: Wambua, Christopher
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: RE: CCK extends deadline for switch off mobile handsets

Dear Wambua,

Thanks so much for this. I appreciate that the management of CCK has
began to address the critical concerns and issues raised by stakeholders
before the planned switch off. I would be happy to organise some
stakeholder forums to mutually further the interests of consumers and
regulators.

Regards

HENRY O. MAINA
DIRECTOR
ARTICLE 19 KENYA/EASTERN AFRICA
P O BOX 2653,00100
NAIROBI
TEL:+254 (20) 3862230/2
FAX:+254 (20) 3862231
EMAIL: henry at article19.org

________________________________________
From: kictanet-bounces+henry=article19.org at lists.kictanet.or.ke
[kictanet-bounces+henry=article19.org at lists.kictanet.or.ke] on behalf of
Wambua, Christopher [Wambua at cck.go.ke]
Sent: 21 December 2011 10:41 AM
To: Henry Maina
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: [kictanet] CCK extends deadline for switch off mobile handsets

PRESS RELEASE


[CCK logo]
Listers
21st December 2011
RE: CCK EXTENDS DEADLINE FOR SWITCH OFF OF COUNTERFEIT HANDSETS The
deadline for mobile operators to switch off subscribers using
counterfeit phones in the country was today extended for a four-month
period, effectively giving the affected subscribers reprieve to replace
their handsets before they are disconnected.
ICT sector regulator, the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK),
today announced the extension of the disconnection deadline from the end
of this month to April 30 next year.
Acting CCK Director-General Mr. Francis Wangusi said the extension was
necessitated by the need to first undertake a consumer awareness
campaign and also for the industry to establish a mechanism through
which consumers could confirm the status of their mobile devices.
The extension will also allow mobile operators to undertake the
requisite technical preparations in readiness for disconnecting
counterfeit handsets.
The extension will provide the affected mobile subscribers with more
time to replace their mobile handsets in view of the prevailing hard
economic realities in the country.
Mr. Wangusi said the industry was exploring the possibility of putting
in place a system through which subscribers would be able to interrogate
a central database via SMS to verify whether their devices are genuine
or not.
Regulatory concern over counterfeit handsets stems from the fact that
counterfeit devices deny manufacturers of revenue through counterfeit
production of their products.
In addition, use of counterfeit handsets may expose consumers to safety
and health risks as the phones may not meet the approved radiation
standards. Further, counterfeit devices typically enter markets via
unofficial channels thus denying the government of revenue.
According to industry statistics, close to 2.4 million mobile phones in
the market are counterfeit, representing 9.39 % of the active mobile
devices in the country.
The ongoing initiative to rid Kenya of counterfeit mobile phones is
driven by CCK in conjunction with industry players, handset
manufacturers, and other relevant government agencies including KeBS,
Office of the President, Anti-Counterfeit Agency, and the Kenya Revenue
Authority.
Issued by:
[Signature0001]
Francis W. Wangusi
Ag. Director General