Kenya plans to boost its internet penetration rates from 41.6% to 70% while also growing mobile phone and digital television usage in the country.
This is a goal outlined by the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), which launched its third five-year strategic plan on Friday.
In terms of broadband consumption, the country plans to boost usage in this category from the current 2.4% to 10%.
Working with a deadline of 2018, the CCK also plans to increase the country’s mobile penetration rate to 90% from 75.8%.
With the digital broadcasting deadline fast approaching this month, the CCK has also targeted increasing TV broadcast coverage from 55% to 80%.
Furthermore, the CCK wants locally produced digital television content to have increased to 60% from 40%.
And if all goes as planned, the country expects to see its ICT sector contribute a total of 5% to its gross domestic product (GDP): a figure that is more than double its current contribution of 2.2%.
“The implementation of this strategic plan will support the realisation of the government’s ICT policy agenda,” said ICT cabinet secretary Dr. Fred Matiangi.
“I therefore urge the private sector to support the implementation of the five-year plan through making contributions to the universal service fund to help CCK to avail ICT services to all in Kenya by 2018,” said Matiangi.
CCK director general, Francis Wangusi, added that the strategic plan is part of the country’s ‘Vision 2030’, which intends to transform Kenya from a low to middle income country.
To help fast-track the process, the CCK aims to have telecommunications masts and cables in the country declared as critical national infrastructure: a move that is expected to compel mobile operators to share infrastructure countrywide.
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