CA is the regulatory agency for the ICT industry in Kenya with responsibilities in telecommunications, e-commerce, cyber security, broadcasting and postal/ courier services.
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has tasked all Kenyans dealing in Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) equipment to seek the required approval before embarking on selling or distributing the products.
CA is the regulatory agency for the ICT industry in Kenya with responsibilities in telecommunications, e-commerce, cyber security, broadcasting and postal/ courier services. The CA is also responsible for managing the country’s numbering and frequency spectrum resources, administering the Universal Service Fund (USF) as well as protecting the interests of users of ICT services.
In a notice shared on Tuesday, October 15, the communications regulator reminded all vendors and manufacturers of any equipment intended for connection to the Public Switched Telecommunication Network (PSTN) within Kenya to ensure compliance with the Type Approval process before it can be sold, distributed, or used in the country.
“In furtherance of its mandate of safeguarding consumer health and safety, upholding public interest, and securing telecommunications networks, the Authority type approves all ICT terminal equipment meant for use in the country to ensure that it conforms to both national and locally recognized international standards,” CA explained.
Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) headquarters in Nairobi. /FILE
In addition, the Authority noted that it facilitates trade in ICT through clearance of permits for type-approved imported equipment through the Kenya Trade Network Agency (Ken Trade) National Single Window System (Trade Net System/Trade Facilitation Platform).
“To ensure conformity with the law, the Authority wishes to remind all stakeholders, including manufacturers, vendors, importers, service providers, and the general public, that any equipment intended for connection to the Public Switched Telecommunication Network (PSTN) within Kenya must undergo the Type Approval process before it can be sold, distributed, or used in the country,” notified the regulator.
How To Access List of Approved Equipment
A complete list of type-approved equipment is available on the Authority’s official website at https://www.ca.go.ke/licensee-register. CA warned of legal consequences for anyone who does not comply with the requirement.
“Failure to comply with the Type Approval requirement may lead to legal penalties as outlined in the ICT sector laws,” warned the CA.
Requirements in Applying for Type Approval
To apply for type approval, the following requirements are mandatory:
- Type approval application form (CA/F/STA/TA 1.5).
- Letter of agency from the manufacturer or principal distributor. The letter should state other countries where the equipment is typed and in service.
- Technical manual containing information on the operations, programming and specifications of the equipment in English.
- User manual written in the English language.
- Declaration of Conformity issued either by the equipment manufacturer or accredited laboratory, where applicable.
- Test results on safety and other relevant parameters in English, issued by accredited laboratories. Evidence of laboratory accreditation tests from an accreditation body that is a signatory of ILAC should be provided.
- Compliance certificate for vendors duly issued by the Communication Authority for vendors and certified by a commissioner of oaths.
- Equipment sample complete with associated accessories and attachments where applicable.
The ICT Sector law is an act of parliament that provides for offences relating to computer systems including timely and effective detection, prohibition, prevention, response, investigation and prosecution of cyber-related crimes.
According to the constitution, any person found culpable of contravening the ICT Sector law is liable to a prison sentence of three years or a fine of up to Ksh5 million in the case of an offence under section 7 or up to Ksh250,000.
The directive came days after Chief Government Advisor Moses Kuria announced that the government would soon be targeting Kenyans who own phones imported into the country with no record of having paid applicable taxes by automatically blocking them from activating any network on the phones.
The former Cabinet Secretary explained that the move is aimed at maximizing revenue collection in the telecommunications market as the state looks for alternative revenue streams.
“We will automatically block from activating on any network any mobile phone imported into the country with no record of having paid applicable taxes,” Kuria said in a statement.
A person using their phone. /BBC