The Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) intends to audit all radio and television broadcast frequencies, in a bid to identify and redistribute the approximately 30 per cent of frequencies that are unused.
A study carried out by Deloitte on the Kenyan spectrum allocation showed 30 per cent and 23 per cent of the radio and television signals respectively are not in use, despite having already been allocated to private holders.
The study recommended since there is little spectrum remaining the CCK should confiscate them and reallocate to other willing users.
“The licensees know the terms under which they are given the frequencies, they have to activate within one year. Those who have not complied will be notified,” Wangusi told The Star
Newspaper.
“This was meant to be done earlier, but we were tied up with the issue of illegally acquired frequencies, we should be able to start the audit before the end of this month.”
Wangusi did not however indicate how many frequencies are still dormant.
This announcement comes just a month after the CCK shut downtransmitters belonging to Royal Media Services for operating illegally.
The CCK said the 17 transmitters were operating without the necessary licenses, and accused the media house of allocating themselves the frequencies.
