Kenya’s Parliamentary Committee on Communication, Innovation, and Information has endorsed new internet service provider market players.
However, the committee noted that it would vet the players to ensure that the law was followed and that consumer’s rights and data were protected.
The entry of US-based Starlink company into the internet market has ruffled feathers, with the country’s Safaricom company warning that this could disrupt the market.
The committee chairman, John Kiarie, said the new player’s entrance would lower internet charges, a popular move among Kenyans.
He said the issue had been brought to the committee’s attention, adding that they were looking into it to ensure that the US company had abided by the law.
“Competition is healthy as consumers end up benefiting from better services and lower internet rates, and innovation brings disruption,” he said.
Addressing the press at Enashipai Spa in Naivasha during a committee meeting, the Dagoreti South MP promised a fair playing field to all players in the internet sector.
At the same time, he said the committee reviewed all archaic laws and policies in the ICT sector, as they were hindering development.
On digital hubs, the legislator said that parliament had created rules and regulations that allowed the NG-CDF to construct the hubs and the national government to equip them.
“The government has plans to open 1,450 digital hubs across the country, and this is on course in a partnership between the NG-CDF and Ministry of ICT,” he said.
This was echoed by nominated MP Irene Nyakerario, who termed the digital hubs as a game changer that would support unemployed youths.
“We are working with stakeholders to identify the policy gaps in the ICT sector even as we empower our youths to free the internet,” she said.
For her part, Engineer Maureen Mwaniki from Huawei Company said they had partnered with the Ministry of ICT to connect 30 schools with free internet.
“Six of these schools cater to special and needy students, and this is part of digital learning as part of improving learning,” she said.
Others who spoke were Fiona Asonga, CEO of the Technology Service Providers Association of Kenya (TESPOK), who called for a review of some archaic ICT sector laws.
