The government plans to raise license fees for satellite communication service providers.
This will make internet companies like Starlink to pay more to operate in Kenya.
The new proposals were published by Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) in December who seeks to review the Satellite Landing Rights license which will require the companies to obtain set up shops locally.
Photo: Courtesy
The CAK seeked to raise the initial license fees from the current approximately 1.6 million to 15 million and wants to introduce an annual operating fee of Ksh. 4 million or 0.4 per cent of the company’s annual gross.
With this, the Stakeholders have till January 23rd to submit their views for the proposed regulations, which might be implemented in the 2025/2026 financial year.
According to CAK, the change will ensure technology neutrality and allow investors to land signals using any technology and also expand its scope to accommodate investors.
Companies will be required to pay a Ksh. 5,000 application fees for the license whose term is 15 years.
