The Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998 envisaged a broadcasting market structure consisting of the following licence categories:

• Public Broadcasting Services.
• Community Broadcasting Services.
• Private or Commercial Broadcasting Service.
• Subscription Broadcasting Services.
• Signal Distribution Services.
• Any other class of licence as may be determined in accordance with the regulations.

Download: Broadcasting Services Market Structure and Fee Schedule

Download: Digital Sound Broadcasting Licensing Framework

The Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998 vests CA with the responsibility of enforcing a programming code. The Authority engaged stakeholders on the development of a Programming Code for broadcasting services and a complaints handling procedure

The Programming Code for Broadcasting Services in Kenya 4th Edition, March 2024

Complaints Handling Procedures for Broadcast Content

The current telecommunications market structure was established in April 2026, and it is based on a Unified Licensing Framework (ULF) that operates on technology and service neutrality principles. It has the following 5 broad categories with a total of 19 distinct licence categories:

1. National Infrastructure Licences
1. Network Facilities Provider – Tier 1 Licence
2. Network Facilities Provider – Tier 2 Licence
3. Network Facilities Provider – Tier 3 Licence
2. National Infrastructure & Service Licences
1. Micro Network and Service Provider Licence
2. Community Network and Services Provider Licence
3. Private VSAT Licence (Operated through Foreign Hub Operators)
3. International Infrastructure & Service Licences
1. Landing Rights Authorization
2. International Gateway Systems and Services Licence
4. Service Licences
1. Applications Service Provider (ASP) licence
2. Content Service Provider (CSP) Licence
3. Electronic Certification Service Provider (E-CSP)
4. Dot Ke Sub-domain Name Registrar Service Provider
5. Communications Equipment Distributor (CED) Licence
6. Communications Equipment Contractor (CEC) Licence
7. Communications Equipment Vendor (CEV) Class Licence
8. Public Communications Access Centre (PCAC)
9. Business Processes Outsourcing (BPO) Licence
5. Technical Personnel Licences
1. Telecommunications Engineering Personnel Licence
2. Telecommunications Systems Professionals Licence

The telecommunications market structure and it's transitional provision are found below;

Telecommunications Market Strcuture and Fee Schedule

Transitional Provision for the Telecommunications Market Structure

Telecommunications Services

The Authority has revised the Licence Terms and Conditions of the following licences in line with the revised market structure.  

Below are the various licenses whose terms and conditions have been aligned with the revised market structure:

1. NFP Tier 3 licence conditions
2. NFP Tier 2 Licence conditions 
3. Micro Network and Service provider licence 
4. Landing Rights Authorization licence conditions
5. International Gateway Systems and Service Licence condtions
6. General VSAT licensing procedure
7. ASP License terms and conditions
8. BPO licence terms and conditions
9. CEC licence terms and conditions
10. CED licence terms and conditions
11. Public Communications Licence Centre terms and conditions
12. Communications Equipment vendor class licence terms and coditions
13. CNSP licence terms and conditions
14. CSP licence terms and conditions
15. eCSP licence terms and conditions
16. PCAC licence terms and conditions

EXCLUSIVE SERVICES

Exclusive services in the postal sector are provided by the Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK), which is designated as the Public Postal Licensee and the body charged with the responsibility of providing universal postal services. To fulfill the Universal Service Obligations (USO), PCK has been granted exclusivity in certain services (reserved services) including:

• Acceptance and delivery of postal articles weighing up to 350 grams.
• Provision of private letter-boxes and bags.
• Printing and issuance of postage stamps.

COMPETITIVE SERVICES

Both the Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK) and other courier operators provide these:

• Courier services – faster and more efficient means of delivery mainly same-day or overnight.
• Parcel services – catering for all postal items other than letters.
• Direct mail marketing services – passing message to a larger audience-customer communication, distribution of catalogues, orders, statements etc.
• Postal financial services – financial transfers particularly to help the rural folk from urban able or active heads.
• Electronic and hybrid mail services – use of modern technology to improve delivery speed.
• Distribution of publications – reliable system to distribute newspapers, magazines and journals.

Agency services—to provide profitable value added services as agents for paying taxes, municipal fees, electricity, motor licenses and pensions amongst others.

SUMMARY OF POSTAL OR COURIER MARKET STRUCTURE

The licensing process commences with the submission of a duly completed application form that should be completed in English. Application forms are available for download at the License Application Forms section of this page. All applications must be addressed to the Authority.

Within the form, there are details of the minimum requirements for acceptance of any licence application. Generally, all applicants should meet the following minimum conditions:

• The entity should be registered in Kenya as a limited liability company, sole proprietor, Co-operative Society or partnership.
• Have a duly registered office and permanent premises in Kenya.
• In case of a company should provide copy of certificate of shareholding –CR12
• Co-operative Societies should provide Minutes of their last AGM held, by-laws and letters of proof or registration by the Ministry of
• Co-operatives or the appropriate Ministry.
• Company with foreign ownership Issue at least 20% of its shares to Kenyans on or before the end of three years after receiving a license.
• Provide a valid tax compliance and PIN certificate

Upon receipt of the application, the following process ensues:

• Payment of the prescribed non-refundable application fee (currently Ksh.5, 000).
• Publishing of the applicant’s name in the Kenya Gazette upon endorsement by the Communication Licensing Committee and awaits the expiry of 30 days within which representations on the application from interested parties could be raised.
• Upon expiry of the 30 days period and without representation from interested parties, the application is forwarded to the Board for further consideration and approval.
• The applicant is advised on the license fee payable.
• Issuance of the postal/courier license.

Procedure for Licensing Postal and Courier Operators

Procedure for authorization and licensing of Radio Communication Services

In accordance with provision of Section 36 of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998, all radio communication equipment in Kenya must be owned and/or operated under a license, issued by CA and which must be kept in force at all times by regular payment of the prescribed license fee.

The process of authorization and license administration for radio communication services is as outlined below:

• Private Radio Networks (HF/VHF, Private Paging)
• Fixed, Cellular Mobile and Public Paging Services
• Amateur Radio License
• Citizen Band Radio License
• Aircraft Station License
• Maritime (Ship) Station License
• Guidelines for use of Wireless Access Systems (WAS) on Shared Non Protected Basis in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz Frequency Bands

Frequency Spectrum Management Guidelines 2020
Frequency Transfer Guidelines 2022
Procedure for Licensing use of Radio Frequencies

Dynamic Spectrum Access Framework for Authorization of the use of TV White Spaces

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) is committed to discharging its mandate to ensure that the ICT sector contributes to the socio-economic growth of Kenya, in line with its vision of a digitally transformed nation.

The Authority is adopting methods beyond the traditional model of dedicated spectrum licensing to individual operators to meet the rapidly increasing demand. To achieve this Implementation of spectrum sharing is a key regulatory intervention that the Authority intends to adopt to accommodate varying levels of spectrum demand and over time, this approach shall be a key strategy of spectrum management.

The Authority authorizes the use of TV white spaces (TVWS), in the 470-694 MHz UHF Spectrum band, currently allocated to the broadcasting service on a primary basis. White Space Devices (WSDs) shall be authorized to operate in areas where specific channels are unused for Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) broadcasting.

The Authority, therefore, adopts the framework set out in this document, including the definitions, rules and procedures defining TVWS availability and associated power levels to be controlled by the geolocation databases.

The Authority shall maintain control over the effective implementation of the regulatory framework allowing TVWS operation, subject to market demand and periodic feasibility assessment of costs and benefits for efficient operation.

The Qualified Geolocation Database for TVWS is listed here

• Dynamic Spectrum Access Framework for Authorisation of the use of TV White Spaces May 2021
• Procedure for Qualification of Geolocation Databases May 2021
• Application for Qualification of Geolocation Database Form (CA-F-FSM-27)
• Qualified Geolocation Databases for TVWS

The Authority plans frequencies for use by various services every four years following outcomes of the World Radiocommunication  Conference (WRC) which takes place every three or  four years.

The WRC reviews, and, if necessary, revises the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and the geostationary-satellite and non-geostationary-satellite orbits. Revisions are made on the basis of an agenda determined by the ITU Council, which takes into account recommendations made by previous world radiocommunication conferences.

Download the National Table of Radio Frequency Allocations document.

National Table of Frequency Allocations 2024

1. An application for Type Approval must be made using the Application Form for Type Approval/ Type Acceptance of ICT Equipment
2. The under-listed documents must be submitted together with the Type Approval Application Form:
   
   • A letter of Agency from manufacturer or principal distributor.
   • Sample of equipment/device model, complete with associated accessories and attachments. The Authority is not obliged to return to the applicant, equipment that has been submitted for type approval purposes.
   • Technical Manuals (Operation, Programming, specifications) in English.
   • User Manuals in English.
   • Soft copies of Conformance certificates from a Regulatory Authority or accredited laboratory, Test reports and results (RF, EMC & Safety) from manufacturers or accredited testing laboratories in English.
   • A valid copy of the Authority’s Licence/Compliance
   • Evidence of payment of the non-refundable Type Approval/Acceptance fee.
     
     
3. The Authority shall use the laboratory and manufacturer’s test reports and technical documentation to evaluate the equipment submitted for type approval. The Authority has no obligation to return these laboratory test results and technical documentation to the applicant.
4. If the equipment is found to comply with the mandatory standards and specifications in all respects, a Provisional Type Approval or Authority to Use shall be granted to the applicant as appropriate.
5. If the application is rejected, the Authority shall inform an applicant.

The Communications Authiority of Kenya (CA) regularly prescribes the minimum requirements for various comunications equipmment in line with the applicable international standards.

The following specifications are meant to guide equipment vendors on ensuring that such equipment sold and used in the Kenyan  market meets the technical  requirements set herein.

• Technical Specifications for Mobile Cellular Devices June 2026
• Technical Conditions for Type Approval of Static Mobile Signal Repeaters 2022
• Minimum Technical Specifications for DVB-C2 Cable Television Receivers_Decoders
• Minimum Technical Specifications for DVB-S2 Satellite Television Receivers_Decoders
• Minimum Specifications for DVB-T2 Recievers in the Kenyan Market
• Technical Specifications for IPTV Set Top Boxes - Jan 2018

Eligibility, Application procedures and general conditions for numbering resources

Eligibility criteria

• All licenced operators that require numbers for their operations, are eligible for assignment of numbers from the national numbering resource.
• Organizations intending to become licenced under the Act and whose granting of the licence has been agreed in principle and require numbers for planning, may seek reservations of numbering resource for a maximum period of three months.
• End users and service providers requiring numbers shall seek secondary assignment from those eligible. These secondary assignments should be done in line with the principles of transparency, non-discriminatory and equitable access, for those with rights to assignments of numbers from the Authority.
• All licenced mobile operators shall be eligible for administration of Short Numbers with leading digits 2 to 8 to own customers licenced to provide service to the mobile operators end users for text messaging. The administered short numbers shall also be liable for the audit process under 5.10 below.
• Short codes in the series beginning with 1 and 9 are designated for customer services and emergency services and are only assigned directly by the Authority.

Click here to view the: Conditions for Numbering Assignments

The Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998, mandates the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to prepare and manage the National Numbering Plan and updates it periodically to meet the needs of future growth, provide the flexibility required to accommodate the capabilities and usage of different new telecom technologies and services, ensure the availability of numbers, and maintain consistency with the recommendations of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

The National Numbering Plan sets out the principles, rules and guidelines for the management of numbering resources for all types of telecom services in Kenya. The overarching principle is for the Authority to continuously meet the requirements of telecom services provision by the licensed service providers and the application of the transparency and equity principles in the assignment of numbers.

The National Numbering Plan outlines the regulatory and technical principles related to number structure, allocation rules, and other relevant numbering matters related to communication services, such as Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and Public Mobile Networks. As numbers are a limited national resource, they must be used efficiently and managed in such a way as to ensure their availability to meet current and future demand.

Download: Telecommunication Numbering Plan for Kenya April 2026