Kenya’s telecommunications regulator, CCK has hiked fees for broadcasters with more than one frequency per broadcast spot or site.
The rates efective from next month are an attempt to introduce healthy competition due to the existing disparities in the distribution and use of broadcasting spectrum in the country.
According to the commission, “The new charging methodology shall ensure fair distribution of broadcasting frequencies, and promote competition in the sub-sector.”
CCK added, ” The methodology will (also) enhance plurality and diversity of views and opinions as envisaged in the ICT Sector Policy Guidelines and the Kenya Information and Communications Act, CAP 411A.”
Effective July 1 2013, the new charges are based on formula: New frequency fee payable per site = (2n-1) x current fee.
CCK says frequencies are national resources and should be distributed fairly and equitably. Below is a list of the number of frequencies per site and the effective prices.
| No. of Frequencies | Zone A (High Congestion Zone) |
Zone B (Low Congestion Zone) |
| Broadcaster with 1 frequency in one site | FM: KShs130,000/= p.a. TV: KShs360,000/= p.a. |
FM: KShs65,000/= p.a. TV: KShs180,000/= p.a. |
| Broadcaster with 2 frequency in one site | FM: KShs390,000/= p.a. TV: KShs1,080,000/= p.a. |
FM: KShs195,000/= p.a. TV: KShs540,000/= p.a. |
| Broadcaster with 3 frequency in one site | FM: KShs910,000/= p.a. TV: KShs2,520,000/= p.a. |
FM: KShs455,000/= p.a. TV: KShs1,260,000/= p.a. |
| Broadcaster with 4 frequency in one site | FM: KShs1,950,000/= p.a. TV: KShs5,400,000/= p.a. |
FM: KShs975,000/= p.a. TV: KShs2,700,000/= p.a. |
| Broadcaster with 5 frequency in one site | FM: KShs4,030,000/= p.a. TV: KShs11,160,000/= p.a. |
FM: KShs2,015,000/= p.a. TV: KShs5,580,000/= p.a. |
| Broadcaster with 6 frequency in one site | FM: KShs8,190,000/= p.a. TV: KShs22,680,000/= p.a. |
FM: KShs4,095,000/= p.a. TV: KShs11,340,000/= p.a. |
| Broadcaster with 7 frequency in one site | FM: KShs16,510,000/= p.a. TV: KShs45,720,000/= p.a. |
FM: KShs8,255,000/= p.a. TV: KShs22,860,000/= p.a. |
| Broadcaster with 8 frequency in one site | FM: KShs33,150,000/= p.a. TV: KShs91,800,000/= p.a. |
FM: KShs16,575,000/= p.a. TV: KShs45,900,000/= p.a. |
| Broadcaster with 9 frequency in one site | FM: KShs66,430,000/= p.a. TV: KShs183,960,000/= p.a. |
FM: KShs33,215,000/= p.a. TV: KShs91,930,000/= p.a. |
| Broadcaster with 10 frequency in one site | FM: KShs132,990,000/= p.a. TV: KShs368,280,000/= p.a. |
FM: KShs66,495,000/= p.a. TV: KShs184,140,000/= p.a. |
