THE Communications Authority has unveiled plans to introduce a new Open Fibre Data Standard (OFDS) and a Shared Fibre Infrastructure Database.
These are aimed at eliminating costly duplication of fibre optic networks and accelerating universal broadband access.
Speaking yesterday during a stakeholder consultation workshop in Nairobi, CA director general David Mugonyi said the initiative will transform how Kenya maps, protects and deploys terrestrial fibre infrastructure.
The forum brought together industry leaders, licensed operators and development partners to deliberate on the adoption of the Open Fibre Data Standard and the establishment of a secure, centralised fibre database.
Mugonyi noted that while Kenya has made remarkable strides in digital connectivity, including investments in submarine cables, expansion of fibre networks across all 47 counties and near-universal mobile coverage, poor visibility of terrestrial fibre assets remains a major bottleneck.
“Despite this progress, limited visibility and lack of standardisation in terrestrial fibre infrastructure data present a significant challenge to our forward momentum,” he said.
Unlike undersea cable routes, which are publicly mapped to enhance coordination and resilience, terrestrial fibre networks remain largely undocumented and inconsistently reported across operators.
This, the regulator says, has resulted in inefficiencies in planning and investment.
According to the regulator, projects financed through mechanisms such as the Universal Service Fund and the government’s Digital Superhighway initiative have at times proceeded without full knowledge of existing infrastructure.
The result has been duplication of fibre routes along the same corridors, inefficient capital allocation and avoidable damage during construction works.
“We cannot collectively continue to operate with this level of confusion, waste and inefficiency,” Mugonyi said.
The OFDS framework, backed by the World Bank under the Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project, seeks to create a structured and secure approach to sharing essential, non-sensitive fibre data among operators and regulators.
The regulator expects several benefits from the initiative, including accurate and up-to-date fibre mapping to support national broadband planning, reduced duplication of infrastructure and more precise targeting of Universal Service Fund resources to underserved areas.
Other anticipated gains include improved network resilience through better redundancy planning and enhanced coordination with agencies responsible for roads, energy and railway infrastructure, where fibre cables are often deployed alongside public works.
However, the proposal has raised concerns among some operators over the potential exposure of commercially sensitive information and cybersecurity risks.
Mugonyi however said the OFDS is not designed to force indiscriminate disclosure of proprietary data or compromise competitive positions.
“This is a framework for achieving superior collective outcomes through coordination. It is not a platform for exposing sensitive commercial information,” he said.
To address industry concerns, CA has proposed a phased, trust-based governance framework.
Initial data submissions will be limited to clearly defined, non-sensitive parameters. Access to the shared database will be tiered and strictly controlled on a need-to-know basis.
Industry players will also be represented in governance arrangements, while the regulator retains oversight. Comprehensive cybersecurity measures, including independent audits, will be embedded from the outset.
The move comes as Kenya positions itself as a regional digital hub, with growing demand for high-speed internet driven by fintech, e-commerce, cloud services and digital public infrastructure.
Mugonyi said improved coordination in fibre deployment would lower costs, boost investor confidence and reduce regulatory complexity, ultimately speeding up progress towards universal, affordable connectivity.
“The truth is we need each other: government, industry and development partners. This is good for all of us,” he said.
If successfully implemented, the shared fibre database could mark a turning point in Kenya’s broadband development, reinforcing the resilience and inclusivity of the country’s digital infrastructure for years to come.
