The Communications Commission of Kenya has been challenged to introduce rules to regulate the Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) market in Africa.
Although the communications regulator issued guidelines for VoIP a technology that will drastically reduce international call charges by taking voice communications and transmitting them as packets of data on Internet networks about three months ago, analysts say the market needs detailed, well-articulated and clear-cut guidelines that will properly address emerging critical market issues.
Analysts say that with the tremendous growth expected in the VoIP market, the Commission should come up with an appropriate regulatory framework that will protect consumers, generate revenue for the government through taxes, promote competition and foster innovation in the sector by providing a level playing ground.
Telkom Kenya launched its pre-paid VoIP service last month. Consumers will enjoy the new service as part of the prepaid Telkom calling cards, now rebranded as the Telcom Big5 Calling Cards. The cards come in Ksh100 ($1.35), 200 ($2.7), 500 ($6.76), 1,000 ($13.5) and 2,000 ($27) denominations.
Other newcomers are expected to roll out the service following CCK's amendment to the Internet Service Providers' licence in early October to allow them to provide the service. The commission has removed the section that barred service providers from offering the service and ISPs have up to December 31 to renew their licences.
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