Internet service providers in Kenya may soon encounter enhanced installation requirements following public consultation initiated by the national communications regulator on new standards designed to boost internet infrastructure safety, organization, and reliability nationwide.
The regulator announced on Monday, May 4, that these proposed measures seek to standardize how companies establish connections outside residences and business premises, where substandard installations have caused slow network performance, frequent disruptions, and hazardous wiring configurations.
This regulatory action responds to increasing public dissatisfaction regarding improperly positioned fiber optic and internet cables suspended from poles, attached to walls, and scattered throughout streets.
“Your digital experience isn’t determined by your device; it originates with the infrastructure surrounding your home or workplace,” the authority explained.
“Inadequate installation practices result in sluggish connections, persistent service interruptions, and potential safety hazards. This has motivated the development of comprehensive new guidelines,” they emphasized.
Citizens are encouraged to review the consultation document and provide their input by May 20.
The initiative establishes consistent national specifications for the design, placement, marking, sharing, maintenance, and safeguarding of fiber optic and various telecommunications cabling systems.
The regulator emphasizes these standards will promote superior quality installation work while establishing uniform technical benchmarks and supporting environmental sustainability goals.
Additional objectives include fostering infrastructure sharing, enhancing protection of essential communication networks, and ensuring strict adherence to relevant construction, environmental, and safety regulations.
A key focus of the proposal is addressing the widespread issue of exposed overhead lines and negligent cable burial practices prevalent in numerous residential and commercial areas.
The regulatory body requires all contractors to be properly licensed and all design plans to receive prior approval before route identification and submission within 30 days of project completion.
Urban trenching specifications mandate a minimum depth of 600 millimetres with maintenance access points every 150 to 200 metres, along with clear identification of responsible operators.
Duct systems must incorporate additional capacity for future development, including road, rail, and electricity initiatives to prevent repeated excavation.
The authority also recommends stringent protocols for pole-mounted aerial fiber, mandating compliance with safety clearance requirements established in cooperation with the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority and electricity service providers.
Concurrently, all new construction projects, including low-cost housing developments, will be obligated to incorporate broadband conduits and internal pathways from building entrances to individual units under the upcoming 2025 Building Code.
Upon final adoption, these regulations are scheduled to become effective on July 1, 2026, following official publication in the Kenya Gazette.