<div dir="auto">Dear Mwendwa,<div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Gratefull for the groundbreaking exercise that was spearheaded by KICTAnet with the support of APC. We look forwad to the moderated discussion.</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Thank you</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Best Regards</div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Mon, 24 May 2021, 12:33 pm Mwendwa Kivuva via kictanet, <<a href="mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke">kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><div><span style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;white-space:pre-wrap;text-align:justify">Dear Listers,</span><br></div><div><span id="m_1945783417579315586gmail-docs-internal-guid-ff5db038-7fff-70b6-1504-f472946e7e3f"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">KICTANet will hold a moderated discussion led on 27th and 28th May on the licensing and shared spectrum framework for community networks. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Together with our partners, we formulated a Licensing and Shared Spectrum Framework for Community Networks for Kenya. The Communications Authority of Kenya has invited comments from all stakeholders, including members of the public, licensees utilizing spectrum resources, and government institutions on the proposed framework available on the Authority’s website </span><a href="https://ca.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Licensing-and-Shared-Spectrum-Framework-for-Community-Networks-May-2021.docx.pdf" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,255);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">direct download here</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">.</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 11pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Community Networks are a way to bridge the connectivity gap when people come together to build and maintain the necessary infrastructure for Internet connection. Internet by the people, for the people.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">This licensing framework by CA will create a mechanism to attract existing community networks that have been operating outside the regulatory tent into the overall regulatory framework</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The framework proposes to integrate a new licensing category for community networks within the Unified Licensing Framework. The license will be exclusively for community-based organizations or other forms of non-profit collectives, limited to a sub-county.  The community will be issued a ten-year license with the application fee and the annual operating fee set at Ksh. 1000 and Ksh. 5000 respectively. This is quite affordable compared to the lowest fee in the Network Facilities Provider Tier3 commercial license which pays an initial license fee of KShs. 200,000 and an operating fee of KShs. 160,000.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The framework allows community networks to access the Universal Service Funds to support bottom-up digital skills help the growth of local initiatives, and also provide capacity-building initiatives within communities; </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 12pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">While CA will help the communities negotiate discounted backhaul capacity for community networks, the framework also requires fiber-optic network operators to publish their pricing to ensure access, transparency, and non-discrimination in wholesale backhaul markets.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt;padding:0pt 0pt 11pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Finally, the licensing frameworks gives recommendation on how license exempt spectrum (frequencies allocated for communication over the airwaves) can be utilised more effectively;</span></p><ul style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">To review the Guidelines on the use of Radiofrequency Spectrum by Short Range Devices to amend EIRP limits for 2.4 & 5 GHz Wi-Fi for Point-to-Point and Point-to-Multipoint use.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">To review options for lowering the barrier to use of other license-exempt bands for PtP and PtMP use, including 24 GHz and 60 GHz.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">To expand the range of frequencies available for license-exempt use, especially in the 5-6 GHz bands.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">To strengthen collaborations with service providers to foster standards and regulatory inclusion.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">To expedite the commercial availability of geolocation database service and implement required mechanisms to make the TVWS spectrum available immediately to operators.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">To establish an incubatory period for TVWS technologies.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">To evaluate with regional regulators the feasibility of a common approach implementation of geolocation databases.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">To develop a shared spectrum framework for underutilised IMT spectrum bands.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt;padding:0pt 0pt 11pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">To review the spectrum fee framework, recognizing the need for significantly reduced fees for underserved areas</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">This consultation process is meant to give stakeholders and the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed draft framework. The comments received will inform the adoption of the Licensing and Shared Spectrum Framework for Community Networks in Kenya.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Any comments or memoranda should be sent to the email address: </span><a href="mailto:frequencyreturns@ca.go.ke" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">frequencyreturns@ca.go.ke</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">  or the official CA address before the close of day on 1st June 2021.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 11pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">KICTANet organized a webinar to introduce stakeholders and the public to the proposed draft framework. The webinar recording is available on YouTube </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSVv7VRtMdU&t=2s" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">here</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">.</span></p></span><br><div><div dir="ltr" data-smartmail="gmail_signature">______________________<br>Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya<br><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwendwa-kivuva" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwendwa-kivuva</a></div></div></div></div>
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The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.<br>
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