Kenya’s telecom regulator proposes 800% increase in satellite ISP licensing fees

Kenya’s Communications Authority (CA) has proposed increasing 15-year licensing fees for satellite Internet providers (ISPs) from $12,302 to $115,331 and introducing an annual levy of 0.4% of gross turnover. While the changes aim to regulate the growing satellite ISP market and ensure fairness, they may hinder progress in expanding connectivity to underserved areas. Smaller ISPs like Viasat and NTvsat, which serve fewer than 1,000 users combined, could struggle with the financial burden, potentially slowing the deployment of high-speed Internet in remote regions. These higher fees risk limiting competition and innovation at a time when demand for reliable Internet access is surging.