New bill proposes metered billing to track internet use in Kenya

A new bill compels telecommunications companies and internet service providers (ISPs) operating in Kenya to introduce ‘meter billing systems’ that assign all subscribers unique identifiers to monitor their usage.

The Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2025 sponsored by Aldai Member of Parliament Marianne Kitany wants ISPs such as Safaricom, Starlink, Zuku, Jamii Telkom, and Faiba to assign each of their customers a unique and identifiable meter number.

Through these identifiers, the proposed law wants these companies to monitor customers’ usage, and convert it into “readable details.”

“Create invoices based on consumption; and allow for user verification of invoices,” the bill states.

It then wants telcos and ISPs to submit details of the billing system to the Communications Authority (CA) at least once every fiscal year.

“An internet service provider licensed under this Act shall submit to the Authority, at least once in every financial year, information on the billing system including internet meter numbers issued to subscribers," the bill adds.

Further, the proposed law wants the interpretation of the Kenya Information and Communications Act amended to explicitly refer to ISPs alongside 'telecommunication operators'.

Per the bill, all licenses and registrations currently held by ISPs shall remain valid until the expiry but subsequent licensing and registration of the internet providers shall be issued under the stipulations of the proposed law.

The bill dated February 21 was received by the National Assembly on March 7.

Kitany, a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party legislator, argues that if passed, the proposed law will help mitigate consumer exploitation and “secure the economic interests of internet users” in line with Article 46 of the Constitution.

“The enactment of this Bill may occasion additional expenditure of public funds,” the MP submits.

Electricity meters, water meters, and now... Internet meters?

A new bill compels telecom companies and internet service providers to introduce ‘meter billing systems’ to track customer use

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