Kenya's communications regulator bans cellphones with less than 8 hours battery life

david nganga

May 21, 2018 11:23 AM

The regulator has also declared it illegal to import phones that lack a physical manual

Kenyas communications regulator has banned the importation of mobile phones with less than eight hours talk time.

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), in the latest Kenya Gazette notice, has also declared it illegal to ship in phones that lack a physical manual in new guidelines aimed at curbing fake gadgets.

“Test reports submitted in the Type Approval process as evidence of conformance to these guidelines shall be from a test laboratory accredited under the International Laboratory Accreditation Co-operation (ILAC),” said the CA in the new guidelines.

The regulator also requires the devices to have the manufacturer’s brand or identification mark and the model printed on the mobile device in indelible ink, readily visible and legible.

IMEI

“Each mobile cellular device shall have a unique International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IMEI) assigned by GSMA. The IMEI shall be retrievable electronically by dialling *#06#,” reads the guidelines.

Only licensed telecommunications vendors will be authorised to import and distribute mobile phones with the CA requiring them to send samples for approval.

The government loses millions annually to counterfeit goods that come into the country through illegal channels.

A report of by the Anti-Counterfeit Agency indicated that fake goods valued at Sh1.2 billion have been seized in the country in the last seven years.

david nganga