The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) is set to conduct a review of the monthly signal distribution fees paid by television and radio broadcasters to improve the quality of broadcasting services across the country.
The review will mark the first time the Ezra Chiloba-led authority will be reviewing the rates since January 2018, an exercise which will take into account all technology advancements as well as the developmental framework in place.
Broadcasters across the divide, who have initially raised issues about the expensive distribution costs, want the Authority to slash the fees.
According to CA, the monthly distribution fees are set at Ksh93,411 per month maximum for each site per megabit per second (Mbit/s) in Nairobi, Ksh39,074 to other cities and towns, and Ksh34,352 to rural areas.
“The overall scope of this project is to assess competition in the broadcasting sub-sector and review the pricing and access framework applicable to all broadcasters (content providers)," CA stated.
Aside from the technological factors, the Authority will also aim at creating a level playing field to enable fair competition among all stakeholders.
The broadcasters have in the past accused signal carriers, owned by Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, of enjoying a duopoly in the market.
“Review of the competition in the broadcasting sub-sector and the Broadcast Signal Distribution (BSD) pricing framework is key in enhancing fair and healthy competition in the broadcasting sub-sector with a view to maximising the efficiency of the market," CA noted.
The Authority noted that the rates were kept constant for four years to enable them to assess the market and make informed decisions on the upcoming tariff.
In 2016, the rates were set at Ksh89,545 for distribution within the Nairobi metropolitan region, indicating a decrease of 29 per cent down from Ksh125, 990.
