Kenyan mobile service subscribers have a reason to smile as the new year will come along with some goodies.

Consumers will enjoy lower calling rates following a review of mobile termination rates (MTRs) and fixed termination rates (FTRs) by the Communications Authority of Kenya.

“Consumers will enjoy lower calling rates following the review of mobile termination rates (MTRs) and Fixed Termination Rates (FTRs) by the Authority,” the statement read in part.

The Communications Authority of Kenya announced this on Wednesday in a press release.

The authority has capped the MTRs and the FTRs at Sh0.12 per minute in their latest review. These are the costs that mobile service operators charge each other to allow seamless communication across networks.

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According to the press release, the review is supposed to take effect from January 1, 2022.

“In the latest review, the Authority has cupped the MTRs and FPRs at KES. 0.12 per minute with effect from 1st January 2022,” the statement read.

At the moment, all mobile service providers are implementing an MTR and FTR of Sh0.99 which makes it difficult for consumers to enjoy affordable communication services.

With this in mind and the recognition that higher MTRs and FTRs mean higher calling rates to consumers, the authority reviewed the rates downwards.

The authority projects the revised interconnection rate to have a positive outcome for both the consumers and operators because consumers will enjoy access to a variety of affordable services across networks at the retail level while operators will have more price flexibility when developing innovative and affordable products at the wholesale level.

The move is in alignment with CA’s vision of a ‘Digitally Connected Nation’ and the National ICT Policy Guidelines 2020, which aims at ensuring accessible and affordable ICT products for Kenyans.

With the latest review, consumers will be saved from the burden of having multiple SIM cards as charges across networks will come down significantly.

The authority undertook the public participation exercise on the matter in July 2021 as required by the constitution. It collected views and comments from various stakeholders, including telecommunication operators.