CA pushes for Sh88.5b nation-wide broadband

Business
By Frankline Sunday | May 19, 2024
CA Director General David Mugonyi. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

The Communications Authority has unveiled a Sh88.5 billion strategic plan that aims to connect all Kenyans to broadband by 2027.

The CA Strategic Plan 2023-2027 will further see the authority build a multi-billion Global Innovation Hub expected to nurture innovation and facilitate collaboration with global ICT institutions.

"This strategic plan is focused on people. We believe digital access for all Kenyans is possible, and our mission is to enable the development of a sustainable digital society through responsive regulation of Kenya's ICT sector," said CA Director General David Mugonyi.

The plan is anchored on key pillars, including infrastructure development, consumer protection, improving competitiveness in the ICT sector, and an organizational overhaul of the sector regulator.

"We are committed to promoting universal service and access, competition, protecting consumer rights, and maintaining regulatory excellence in the ICT sector," stated Mr. Mugonyi.

To this end, the CA seeks to spend Sh28 billion over the next five years towards expanding mobile phone usage and mobile broadband to 66 and 65 per cent, respectively.

The infrastructure rollout also plans to have 95 percent of the population gain access to digital terrestrial television and universal adoption of mobile broadband. Currently, mobile phone usage is at 58 percent of the population, while broadband usage in the country is at less than 45 percent.

Another Sh27.8 billion will be spent over the next five years towards improving institutional performance at the CA. This also includes the construction of a multi-billion Center of Excellence in ICT Innovation and Leadership and new premises for the Authority.

"This multifaceted center will serve as a dynamic focal point for nurturing innovation and facilitating collaboration on a global scale," explains the CA in its strategic plan. "Its delivery includes the creation of three integral components: an ICT Hub Convention Centre, a state-of-the-art data centre, and an innovative Smart Multi-Office Storey Building."

Share this story
Diesel drops by Sh10 as petrol, kerosene remain unchanged
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has slashed Sh10 off the price of diesel in the latest fuel pricing cycle, as earlier directed by President William Ruto.
Budget fallacy: How supplementary budgets water down main plan, alter projects
Over the current financial year, the budget for State House was initially set at Sh8.58 billion but this, however, ballooned to Sh17 billion in the supplementary budget. 
Farmers reject Nakuru county's Sh400 per ton cess on flower exports
The Kenya Flower Council (KFC), has rejected the decision by the Nakuru County Government to impose cess on flower exports.
Finance barriers hinder women-led dairy enterprises
Thousands of women driving Kenya’s dairy industry remain locked out of formal financing due to limited ownership of land and productive assets.
Low insurance uptake fuels sector's shift
Jubilee Holdings is betting on digital platforms and retail insurance to boost coverage in East Africa, where insurance penetration remains among the lowest globally.
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS