Starting March 2024, Kenyans are set to start enjoying low call rates following a review by the Communications Authority (CA).
In the move, CA reviewed the Mobile Termination Rates (MTR) and Fixed Termination Rates (FTR).
CA capped the MTRs and FTRs at Ksh0.41 per minute from Ksh0.58 for all telecommunications companies which shall apply for a period of two years from March next year.
Short Message Service (SMS) termination rate will remain at Ksh0.05 per SMS.
“MTRs and FTRs are the costs that operators charge each other to allow customers to communicate across networks,” reads the CA statement.
The changes will apply to local voice traffic, calls within the country.
“The new rate is informed by the prevailing economic environment, ICT market dynamics and the need to strike a balance between the promotion of investment and the protection of consumers. Lower MTRs and FTRs mean lower calling rates for consumers.”
Telecommunication companies are expected to oblige by CA review by giving Kenyans low call rates.
“Ahead of the new rates taking effect, all operators are required to vary their InterconnectionAgreements in line with the Determination and file their Deeds of Variation with the Authority latest 1st February 2024,” CA stated.
This would be a relief expecially at the time when citizens are grappling with high cost of living.
At the moment, making calls is a little bit expensive costing north of Ksh2 per minute.
Calling from one network to another is again expensive in the country.
International calls vary depending on the network.
At the moment, Safaricom still dorminates the Kenyan telecommunication space with a larger market share and profitability margins.
