Communication Authority of Kenya Connects 14 Sub-Locations to Mobile Network Services in West Pokot County
The Communication Authority of Kenya has announced that it has connected 14 sub-locations to mobile network services in the County of West Pocket. The communication authority affirms that 101 areas across the country will be supplied with communication services sponsored by the Universal Service Fund (USF) to the tune of KES 1.1 Billion.
The Universal Service Fund was created to make communication services available in various parts of the country, especially the remote and hard-to-reach areas.
The Director-General of the Communication Authority Ezra Chiloba, said the 14 sub-locations were among those identified for connectivity in the second implementation of the Universal Service Fund.
What The Communication Authority Project Will Achieve
‘‘This project will facilitate residents of the beneficiary sub-locations to enjoy a host of services, including mobile voice, data, Internet, and a bouquet of other value-added services, including mobile money transfer services,’’ said Mr. Chiloba.
While applauding the activities and efforts of the Communication Authority, West Pokot Governor Prof. John Lonyangapuo highlighted the Authority’s communications interventions in the area. He stated that the communication services will go a long way in transforming the lives of the people and in tackling insecurity challenges.
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‘‘Until the intervention, the residents of these unserved locations have not been able to place or receive a call from their localities, forcing them to walk several kilometers to make or receive calls. This is indeed a stitch in time!’’ said the Governor.
ICT Cabinet Secretary Mr. Joe Mucheru who graced the occasion said the Universal Service Fund projects were greatly complementing the various initiatives that the government put in place to narrow the digital divide, lower the costs of communications services, and enhance the country’s competitive edge in ICT development.
The Cabinet Secretary said ‘‘The cost of services can only be reduced if there is a deliberate effort for operators to collaborate in the deployment of infrastructure. When the private sector collaborates on infrastructure sharing, a significant amount of investment costs could be saved and thereby prevent the duplication of similar infrastructure on the same route,’’
He also challenged the Authority to consider implementing other projects to address communication gaps in broadcasting and postal and courier services in rural and other high-cost areas saying ‘‘As we develop the telecommunications and Internet services, we need to focus also on these other sub-sectors because they are not only contributing to the kitty but also because the sub-sector provides important services to the communities,’’.
The Authority also formally launched the second phase of the USF Voice Infrastructure Connectivity project at Akiriamet, one of the beneficiary sub-locations in West Pokot County. Other are Kases, Kiwawa, Meshau, Lotokum, Kola, Ompolion, Kaptolomwo, Kachawa, Amaler, Emboasis, Kokwoptorir, Marus, and Pkpogoh.