Communications Authority Moves to Regulate 5G Network, Invites Public Participation

Mobile phone users across Kenya could soon enjoy better network services after the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) moved to revise quality-of-service standards for all mobile networks.

The regulator has launched public consultations on new rules that will assess how effectively mobile companies deliver their 5G services to consumers.

This marks the first significant update since 2018, when current quality standards were introduced, before the widespread deployment of 4G and 5G in the country.

Kenyans have until February 13, 2026, to submit their views on the proposed framework, which seeks to address common complaints such as dropped calls and slow internet speeds.

The Authority said changes in technology mean new networks now need updated quality standards, since some of them did not exist when the earlier rules were put in place.

Under the proposed rules, mobile operators will face stricter targets for call success rates, internet speeds, and SMS delivery times across different network technologies.

"Over the years, there have been significant developments in the telecommunications sub sector, necessitating a review of the current framework, to include measurement of new technologies such, 5G among other new technologies," the Authority stated in a public notice.

The new standards will separately measure radio signal quality and actual service performance, helping regulators identify whether problems stem from coverage gaps or network capacity issues.

Mobile companies will be required to maintain a call setup success rate of at least 99 per cent on 4G VoLTE networks and ensure that voice quality meets international standards.

According to CAK, for 5G networks operating in standalone mode, operators must ensure call setup times remain under two seconds and maintain voice quality scores of at least four out of five.

Internet users will benefit from stricter data service requirements, with 4G networks required to maintain latency below 80 milliseconds and 5G networks below 10 milliseconds for optimal browsing experiences.

The Authority will also introduce crowdsourcing mechanisms allowing Kenyans to report their network experiences through mobile applications, complementing traditional quality measurement methods.

"The Communications Authority of Kenya is mandated by the KICA to ensure mobile operators maintain the highest standards of services while offering communication services to the public," the regulator noted.

The public can review the complete proposed framework on the Communications Authority website and submit feedback via mail before the deadline of January 13, 2026.

Stakeholders, including mobile operators, consumer groups, and individual Kenyans, are also encouraged to provide specific input on how the new quality standards will impact service delivery