A Kick in the Wallet for Operators in Kenya, Chad

2018 has not started well for the wallets of mobile operators in Kenya and Chad.

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has fined three mobile operators -- Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom Kenya -- Ksh.311 million (US$3 million) each for failing to meet the quality of service (QoS) standards for the 2015/2016 financial year.

According to the CA, none of the three achieved the 80% minimum threshold set for compliance with a number of QoS parameters for the fourth year running.

The CA's QoS report notes that Safaricom scored 62.5%, while Airtel and Telkom Kenya each achieved a 75% rating. For more details, see this announcement.

Meanwhile in Chad, mobile operators have been saddled with an increase in the annual tax they must pay to the government, reports Telegeography. According to the report, the annual fees have increased from 7% of revenues to 9%: Only several years ago, in 2014, the rate was just 4%.

The news follows a report that the Cote d'Ivoire government has imposed a 0.5% tax on mobile money payments.

— Ray Le Maistre, International Group Editor, Light Reading for Connecting Africa.