4.2.2 Driving Forces
Key drivers for an integrated ICT infrastructure are:
‘Despite the
progress made
so far, there is
need to step up
development to
the next
generation of ICT
infrastructure’
a) Stewarding the development and provision of national ICT infrastructure that promotes inclusion and indiscriminate right of access
to Government services in conformance with the Constitution of Kenya;
b) Increasing demand for accessible infrastructure to drive high volume data/internet services that are accessible everywhere in the
country;
c) Emerging reliance by Government, businesses and citizens on reliable,
and secure ICT infrastructure for business applications and value
added services;
d) Increasing demand for access to affordable infrastructure by citizens; and
e) Lowering operational cost for Ministries, Counties, Departments
and
Agencies (MCDA’s) by sharing integrated infrastructure.
4.2.3 Desired Outcomes by 2017
A robust ICT infrastructure is mandatory in facilitating the development of ICT enabled economy. Despite the progress made so far,
there is need to step up development to the next generation of ICT
infrastructure that is robust, trusted, and promotes integration and
sharing of ICT infrastructure.
..58
.................................................................................................................Towards
...............a...Digital
.............Kenya
............
The outcomes envisaged in this Master Plan are:
a)
Increased coverage of the national broadband infrastructure
especially in the rural areas to achieve the National Broadband Strategy targets:
•
35% broadband penetration to households
•
100% broadband availability in schools
•
100% broadband availability in health centres
b)
High quality of broadband (99.99% availability, high reliability
and secure (can be trusted);
c) Affordable broadband for citizens (cost of broadband as a proportion
of
disposable income
is
benchmarked
against
middle
income countries); and
d)
Additional 2.5% contribution to GDP. This is possible given the
huge increases in penetration of broadband, going by the Worldbank’s
estimate that very 10% increase in internet penetration results in
1.3% increase in economic growth.
4.2.4 Objectives and Strategies
‘The Government
has set up the
Universal Access
Fund’
Objectives O5: Support provision of reliable, secure and
affordable connectivity across the country to all citizens
Strategy S1: Promote inclusive broadband connectivity by enabling
infrastructure providers to roll out affordable last-mile connectivity.
Current infrastructure roll-out has created a ‘coverage divide’, with
the rural areas largely remaining underserved as they are deemed
unprofitable to investors. The Government has set up the universal
access fund, and in this plan period will facilitate the use of the universal access fund to build infrastructure for the underserved rural
Kenya. The Government will fast-track the deployment of broadband
in under-served areas using appropriate technologies (e.g. 4G tech-
59
Towards a Digital Kenya
..............................................................................................................................................................