Leveraging ICTs in the Fight Against COVID-19 Pandemic - 30/04/2020
Communications Authority of Kenya
TELECOM/ICT Policy Makers and Regulators | Africa | Kenya
The Kenya Government has invested heavily in ICT infrastructure seeing 99.9% of its citizens connected mainly via mobile phones; with 2G and 3G-network coverage of about 96% and 93% of the population respectively.This connectivity has hugely supported voice communication among citizens across the country and has aided the dissemination of COVID-19 specific messaging by the Government. The widespread use of mobile handsets has significantly facilitated contact tracing of possibly infected persons and supported Government disbursement of funds to the vulnerable groups who are the hardest hit by the tough economic times. The Government has also waived fees for toll free numbers for both public and private entities offering COVID-19 related advisories and designated a short code to be used as emergency number by the Kenya Private Sector Alliance to facilitate business continuity for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Telecom service providers have enhanced capacity of their networks to allow for increased access to voice, data and Internet by consumers in view of increased demand. Kenya has also ensured that first responders in Government and health agencies have access to communication services at times of possible network congestion to ensure continued provision of emergency services. With learning in public institutions suspended the Government has designated Edu TV as a must-carry channel by all Broadcast Signal Distributors (BSDs) to facilitate home based learning. The public broadcaster, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation has allocated additional airtime to education related content. All licensed Digital Terrestrial Television (DDT) broadcast signal distributors and DTT pay TV providers have been directed to unconditionally remove any restrictions and enable reception of all free-to-air broadcast signals from all other DTT platforms. With increased uptake of e-commerce, courier operators have been encouraged to temporarily lower tariffs on items weighing more than 350 grammes to facilitate enhanced sending and receipt of parcels.

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