Experts have raised the alarm over deteriorating network quality of service from mobile phone operators in the rapidly growing telecoms industry.
Despite cut-throat competition, a majority of operators in Kenya and many African countries are yet to meet the minimum thresholds for quality.
Participants attending the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) meeting in Nairobi say part of the reason for this is high rates of service subscription that has exerted pressure on service providers.
Ms Judit Katona Kiss, the counsellor, ITU-T said since Africa is witnessing one of the fastest growths in the telecoms industry.
She said there is need for operators to address consumer concerns.
In less than 10 years, the industry has been able to soak up 450 million subscribers in Africa from 16 million in 2000.
In Kenya, there are now nearly 20 million mobile phone users, with four operators – Safaricom, which controls a chunk – 15 million, Zain – owned by Indian firm Bharti Airtel and Telkom Kenya’s Orange.
“The industry has enormous potential for further growth given that half of the populations in our countries are yet to be covered. The future of the telecoms in Africa is therefore quite rosy,” said Information and Communications minister Samuel Poghisio.
While opening a two-day ITU telecoms workshop on delivering good quality telecommunications service in a safe environment, in Nairobi, Mr Poghisio said there is need for operators to share their infrastructure as continued expansion has raised both environmental and health concerns.
He said in Kenya, residential associations and environmental interest groups are raising hurdles for mobile network operators by resisting the erection of masts in their neighbourhoods, citing aesthetic and health concerns.
“Quality of service has become a major issue. In the recent past there has been a rise in dropped calls,” said Dr Bitange Ndemo, the PS ministry of Information and Communications said.
He said with availability of cheap mobile phones and other consumer electronics, the issue of e-waste was becoming a major concern.
“The transition to digital television broadcasting is expected to compound this problem as old analogue.”

CAROL MUTHONDU