ICT Infrastructure Sharing Framework for Developing Countries: Case of Mobile Operators in Kenya

Abstract

The lack of infrastructure in Africa especially sou th of the Sahara is widely recognized as one of the continent ’s greatest impediments to sustainable development ) [ ( 1 ) ]. Even with this challenge, ICT operators in Kenya prefer to invest in own infrastructure despite the availability of underuti lized ICT resources from other operators and players. This ha s led to wastage of scarce resources, high cost of services, poor quality services, environmental degradation and low investment in rural areas among others. The research sought to propose an adoption framework for ICT infrastruc ture sharing for mobile operators in Kenya after establi shing the levels, drivers and challenges of infrastructure sh aring. Data was collected from ICT staff of the four mobile ope rators Safaricom, Airtel, Essar and Telkom Kenya Orange across the country using a questionnaire. To supplement and in crease reliability, data was also collected from other I CT stakeholders such CAK, ICTA, submarine operators, ICT vendors, KBC and non ICT related firms Equity, Barc lays and Kenya Power Company. The research found out that th e level of ICT infrastructure sharing among mobile operator s was low at 20.4%. The five key drivers were identified as n ew market entrants, cost optimization, environmental conserva tion, operators focus on core business and network deploy ment to underserved and un served areas. The five main cha llenges were lack of regulatory framework, high capital, co mplexity of the sharing process, high charges by infrastruct ure owners and operators unwillingness to share. The TOE frame work can be adopted for ICT infrastructure sharing with organizational factors having a greater influence than technology and external factors. Operator controlle d infrastructure rollout had worked previously but du e to changes in local and global market, there was need to change the way ICT resources were utilized. To achieve qui ck wins, operators had to partner with competitors by leasin g and undertaking joint ventures. Infrastructure sharing was beneficial hence strategies to promote the same by use of incentives license fee and tax concessions, having a legal framework, government investment in backbone infras tructure and attracting independent firms will ensure compet itiveness and a knowledge economy status