Kenya is set to introduce new rules governing internet-based voice calls as the country moves to strengthen the quality and reliability of calling services on 4G and 5G networks.
The Communications Authority of Kenya said it would hold a stakeholder validation forum on September 30 to review proposed guidelines for the deployment and operation of commercial internet telephony services.
The online meeting, scheduled for 10am, follows a public and stakeholder consultation on the draft regulations.
Internet telephony, also known as Voice over Internet Protocol, allows people to make voice calls over internet networks rather than relying solely on traditional telephone systems.
Under the proposed rules, mobile operators will be required to meet stricter performance standards for voice services on 4G and 5G networks.
The authority said the new framework would replace quality-of-service requirements introduced in 2018 for older 2G and 3G networks.
For 4G networks, operators will be required to achieve a 99 per cent Call Setup Success Rate, with calls connecting within two seconds.
The proposed rules also require operators to maintain voice quality at prescribed levels and keep problems such as muted calls, one-way audio and data packet loss below one per cent.
Mobile operators will also be required to deploy an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem, a core network technology used to support high-quality voice services over internet-based networks.
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For 5G networks, operators will be expected to keep voice call drops below two per cent across their coverage areas. Calls must connect within two seconds and achieve a minimum Mean Opinion Score of 4.0, a standard used to assess perceived voice quality.
The performance of Voice over LTE and 5G voice services will also be included in the overall assessment of mobile operators.
The Communications Authority said operators that fail to meet the prescribed targets could face regulatory action.
The authority said the proposed framework is intended to provide a clear and effective regulatory structure while improving the quality of internet-based voice services available to consumers.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
