• Cryptocurrency
  • Earnings
  • Enterprise
  • About TechBooky
  • Submit Article
  • Advertise Here
  • Contact Us
TechBooky
  • African
  • AI
  • Metaverse
  • Gadgets
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
  • African
  • AI
  • Metaverse
  • Gadgets
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
TechBooky
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Home African

Kenya licenses Mobile Virtual Network operators (MVNOs)

Martin Odinuwe by Martin Odinuwe
September 23, 2014
in African, Charity, Mobile, Telecom
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) recently licensed three Application Service Providers to offer Mobile Virtual Networks Operators services. The operators have proposed to use this mobile platform to provide various application services, including mobile money transfer.

The Authority said in a statement that the intention of licensing these services is to encourage innovation in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector that will spur competition from various market segments, particularly involving  local investors

The expected competition and innovations by the Mobile Virtual Network Operators will provide consumers with varied services and  value for their money while at the same time catalyzing  economic development in the country.

Already, one of the MVNOs, Finserve Africa Limited, which was issued with an Application Service Provider licence, has expressed its intention to carry out the mobile payment services on its platform, using the latest technology of SIM card, commonly known as thin SIM or overlay SIM. This is a welcome development in the sector that continues to attract world-class innovations.

The move has, however, been challenged  by one Mobile Network Operator, Safaricom, on account that the dual use of the overlay SIM alongside any other on GSM handsets may cause interruption and interception of communication.  The operator further claim the dual use of overlay SIM may introduce vulnerabilities in the network as well as infringing on intellectual property rights.

This complaint was considered by the Authority in coordination with the Central Bank of Kenya, the regulator of mobile money transfer services. The two regulators engaged both Safaricom Limited and Finserve Kenya Limited for separate hearings on the matter. The two regulators also sought representations from Taisys SIMoME®, who is the manufacturer of the thin SIM in question. Opinion on the use of overlay SIM was also sought from GSMA, the association of GSM service providers and manufacturers of various products used in the provision of GSM services. The Authority also benchmarked with various standards organizations and regulators , who supported the intended use of the technology in Kenya.

After gathering information on the subject, the two regulators held a stakeholder conference that included participation fromSafaricom Limited, Finserve Kenya Limited, Airtel Kenya Limited Orange, Telkom Kenya Limited and Essar Telcom Limited. Others who participated at the forum were the two other MVNOs, GSMA and Taisys among others, at CA Center.

Following observations were made through this elaborate consultative process the Authority noted as follows;

  • That the thin SIM complies with all minimum mandatory international standards pertaining to the manufacturing of the thin SIM.
  •  That no major complaints and particularly on interception of traffic of the primary SIM card has been reported so far.
  • Tests conducted on Taisys thin SIM by China National Computer Quality Supervising Test Center as well as the Bank Card Test Center of China  show this particular thin SIM complies with applicable ISO and ETSI standards.
  • Based on the opinion of GSMA, save for the inherent vulnerabilities of all SIM cards, there are no specific and confirmed vulnerabilities arising from the use of the thin SIM.

Following on the outcome of the investigation, and findings on the subject, the Board of Directors of the Communications Authority of Kenya has decided as follows regarding the use of thin SIM card on the Kenyan market:

  1. There is no sufficient evidence to block in the Kenyan market the entry of the thin SIM.
  2. The Authority will allow the use of thin SIM technology under strict observation for a period of one year. During this period, only Taisys’ SIMoME® thin SIM will operate in the Kenyan market.
  3. The Authority has began the process of hiring an internationally reputable firm to conduct a security audit on all SIM cards, and in particular the use of the thin SIM in mobile transfer services, and recommend a framework for regulating the use of SIM card in Kenya during this period.
  4. During the one year testing period, if any vulnerability is discovered from the use of Taisys thin SIM card, then operations of the SIM card in the Kenyan market will cease forthwith pending the final recommendations from the security report.
  5. Operators intending to use the thin SIM for mobile money transfer must obtain authorization from the Central Bank of Kenya

The Board of the Authority recognizes the importance of mobile platforms, including payment systems to be robust enough to guarantee security and sufficiently flexible to allow for seamless interconnectivity with other services within the sector.  In so doing the Authority encourages innovation by market players in the industry for the benefit of Kenyans.

source: BizTech Africa

Related Posts:

  • Starlink Kenya
    Kenya Appeals to the UN's Help in Regulating Elon…
  • coding-game-1
    Kenya's Mobile money Operator M-Pesa Launches…
  • telco-banner-v2
    Nigerian Telcos Threaten Service Suspension Over Tariffs
  • mpesa-1500-800-2
    M-PESA Is Experiencing Technical Downtime In Kenya
  • How-MTN-and-Microsoft-Will-Transform-Business-Operations-with-Cloud-Computing
    MTNN Partnership With Microsoft Will Leverage Cloud…
  • mtn-ussd-e1615941968215-scaled
    NCC Approves Telcos' USSD Shutdown Over N200bn Bank Debt
  • Telecom-Operators-to-Disconnect-Banks-over-Huge-USSD-Debt
    The ALTON Backed MTNN, Glo, Airtel & Others To…
  • NCC_LOGO
    Telecom Operators React to NCC’s 50% Tariff…

Discover more from TechBooky

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Tags: internet safetyonline transactionstwitchwynk
Martin Odinuwe

Martin Odinuwe

I am Martin Odinuwe, a logo identity designer, Graphic designer, Video editor and a professional videographer based in Abuja, Nigeria with over five years experience. I am currently a consultant with Reachout Multiservice company ltd a multimedia company in Abuja

BROWSE BY CATEGORIES

Select Category

    Receive top tech news directly in your inbox

    subscription from
    Loading

    Freshly Squeezed

    • AI Helps Google One Reach 150 Million Subscribers May 16, 2025
    • FT Lists Paymenow, TymeBank & Omnisient Among Africa’s Fastest-Growing Firms May 16, 2025
    • MoonPay and Mastercard Partner to Advance Stablecoin Payments May 16, 2025
    • Google Gemini Advanced Users Can Now Link to GitHub May 16, 2025
    • TikTok Accused of Violating EU Internet Content Rules May 15, 2025
    • Activists and Users Criticize NCC & Telcos Over Customer Penalties May 15, 2025

    Browse Archives

    May 2025
    MTWTFSS
     1234
    567891011
    12131415161718
    19202122232425
    262728293031 
    « Apr    

    Quick Links

    • About TechBooky
    • Advertise Here
    • Contact us
    • Submit Article
    • Privacy Policy

    Recent News

    AI Helps Google One Reach 150 Million Subscribers

    AI Helps Google One Reach 150 Million Subscribers

    May 16, 2025
    FT Lists Paymenow, TymeBank & Omnisient Among Africa’s Fastest-Growing Firms

    FT Lists Paymenow, TymeBank & Omnisient Among Africa’s Fastest-Growing Firms

    May 16, 2025
    MoonPay and Mastercard Partner to Advance Stablecoin Payments

    MoonPay and Mastercard Partner to Advance Stablecoin Payments

    May 16, 2025
    Google Gemini Advanced Users Can Now Link to GitHub

    Google Gemini Advanced Users Can Now Link to GitHub

    May 16, 2025
    TikTok Accused of Violating EU Internet Content Rules

    TikTok Accused of Violating EU Internet Content Rules

    May 15, 2025
    Activists and Users Criticize NCC & Telcos Over Customer Penalties

    Activists and Users Criticize NCC & Telcos Over Customer Penalties

    May 15, 2025
    • Login

    © 2021 Design By Tech Booky Elite

    Generic selectors
    Exact matches only
    Search in title
    Search in content
    Post Type Selectors
    • African
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Gadgets
    • Metaverse
    • Tips
    • About TechBooky
    • Advertise Here
    • Submit Article
    • Contact us

    © 2021 Design By Tech Booky Elite

    Discover more from TechBooky

    Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

    Continue reading

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok