Communications Authority challenges mobile operators to enhance quality of service

Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has challenged mobile network operators to deploy more masts in terrains with mountains and valleys in order to enhance their quality of service, amid complaints of increased drop calls and weak signals in such regions. 

Speaking during the 18^th ICT Consumer Forum, dubbed Kikao Kikuu in Nyandarua County Mercy Wanjau, CA’s acting Director-General said while mobile penetration in the country stands at 109 percent the quality of voice and data services still remains the biggest challenge to consumers.

During the forum Nyandarua County was  cited as one of the regions whose topography affects the services offered by the mobile operators and as a results its  residents   experiencing drop voice  calls, poor internet connections  and weak signals , despite  99.7 per cent of its  population being covered by 2G and  66.1 per cent of the population covered  by 3G,  serving  61.5 per cent of its population that owns  mobile phones. 

“At the Authority, quality of service provided to consumers is very dear to our heart.  While we have a high mobile penetration of 109.2 percent in Kenya, The concerns for the quality of these services are still not satisfactory in some areas, Nyandarua county included,” Mrs. Wanjau said during the Forum.

The County ICT Consumer Forum, organized by CA in partnership with the County governments,   enables communication service providers to have a deeper understanding of consumer issues and concerns as directly presented by consumers.

Francis Kememia, Governor Nyandarua County noted that the County is committed to promoting faster adoption of ICTs and improved network connectivity will enable the residents to effectively leverage ICTs and boost their socio-economic development.

“We are cognizant that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have an impact on socio-economic development. The focus on ICT utilization and their development is therefore key to support our traditional economic activities and retain our competitiveness, however, this can only be realized through stable networks,” Mr. Kememia said.

Section 23 of the Kenya Communications Act, 1998, mandates the CA to ensure that the licensed telecommunications operators and service providers offer good quality services. This is also in line with the licence conditions that obligate licensees to provide good quality service to their customers.