Kenyans to enjoy lower call rates after government review
Kenyans are set to enjoy lower call rates from March 2024 following a review by the Communications Authority (CA).
This follows a review of Mobile Termination Rates (MTR) and Fixed Termination Rates (FTR).
In the review, the CA capped MTRs and FTRs at Sh0.41 per minute from Sh0.58 for all telecom companies, effective for two years from March next year.
The Short Message Service (SMS) termination rate will remain at Sh0.05 per SMS.
“MTRs and FTRs are the costs that operators charge each other to allow customers to communicate across networks,” reads the CA statement.
The changes will apply to local voice traffic, and calls made within the country.
“The new rates take into account the prevailing economic environment, the dynamics of the ICT market, and the need to strike a balance between encouraging investment and protecting consumers. Lower MTRs and FTRs mean lower call rates for consumers”.
CA adds that the decision will have a positive outcome for both consumers and operators, with consumers enjoying access to a variety of affordable services across all networks, while operators will have pure price flexibility to develop more affordable products.
“Before the new tariffs come into effect, all operators must amend their interconnection agreements in line with the decision and file their deeds of variation with the authority no later than 1 February 2024,” CA says.
Lower mobile termination rates (MTRS) and fixed termination rates (FTRS) mean lower call prices for consumers.
The new rates will be in place for two years before being reviewed.
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