(d) Harnessing PCK broadband infrastructure as the first touch point for government and other
services, particularly in remote and rural areas.
(e) Setting aside space and resources for training, airtime distribution, sale of end-user
equipment; rolling out Wi-Fi hotspots in rural and semi-rural areas; and supporting crossdepartmental rollout of further government services through PCK’s extensive network.
10 COMPETITION
The Government will continue to review the existing ICT market structure to foster a competitive
operating environment. The Government will further strengthen the regulatory frameworks and
introduce measures to promote robust competition in order to ensure realization of the national
policy goals.
11 RADIO FREQUENCY SPECTRUM
11.1 Introduction
Radio frequency spectrum is a public resource that must be focused on delivering public value. The
optimum and effective utilisation of spectrum from social, economic and technical perspectives to
enable the achievement of the developmental goals in our Vision 2030 will be the first consideration
for the policy options which are expected to support the National Broadband Strategy and its positions
regarding broadband for all.
Radio frequency spectrum is a limited natural virtual resource where, in certain frequency bands, the
demand for spectrum far exceeds the amount of spectrum that is available. The radio spectrum is
available equally in every country, and is a resource limited by technology and management capability.
It is not a consumable resource.
Spectrum being a scarce public resource that can go to waste if not used optimally. The frequency
spectrum will, therefore, be managed in line with public policy objectives, with a view to making it
available to all users under specific and clear conditions.
This process will maintain a balance between the public and private interest. In the event of conflict,
public interest shall prevail. Radio Frequency Spectrum (hereafter Spectrum) generates concerns
about spectrum pricing, the fact that spectrum demand will inevitably increase as society moves
through the “information age”, creating a need for ever more “Information Bandwidth”. In planning
and allocating radio frequency spectrum, Kenya must take into account the outcomes of the
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Radio-communication Conferences (WRCs).
Spectrum management takes place within a regulatory framework comprising policies, legislation,
regulations and procedures. Spectrum policy must provide for the harmonisation of spectrum bands
to ensure spectrum efficiency and regional economies of scale in radio equipment.
Use of the radio frequency spectrum should contribute to the promotion of national interests,
development and diversity, including increasing the amount of spectrum available for assignment,
improving sharing conditions among different radio communication services and increasing the
number of licences dedicated to community services.
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