Kenyan ICT group AccessKenya can now offer Internet services to the whole Kenyan market.
Jonathan Somen, MD of the group, says it acquired a $218 000 (KES$15 million) data carrier network licence from the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) last week. This allows the Internet service provider (ISP) to offer VSAT services.
The licence was acquired through Blue, the group's public data network operator. It will also allow AccessKenya to provide VSAT services through direct international contracts for its uplink gateways, as opposed to going through a third-party intermediary, explains Somen.
The licence is the successor of the original Internet backbone and gateway operator licence, which gives companies more scope to handle and control their own uplink gateways, he says.
Somen emphasises the group will provide a "direct out" VSAT solution aimed at remote locations. "The VSAT solution enables business people, operating in any part of Kenya, to connect to the Internet, who otherwise have no suitable local network connectivity."
Somen says the demand for installation sites is already around 600 subscribers, which is expected to grow.
The licence will help increase company revenue, as AccessKenya will be able to cover the whole Kenyan market. It is expected to add value to the company, which is awaiting Capital Markets Authority approval to list on the Nairobi Stock Exchange.
"Higher revenues will be invested back in to the company to help improve our network even further," he says.
The group's companies now hold four licences from CCK. The other three are ISP, public data network operator and local loop operator licences.
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