Metering System for Internet Providers: A Consumer Protection Proposal by MP Kitany

The access to affordable and reliable internet has become a fundamental necessity for individuals, businesses, and governments alike. However, the billing systems used by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Kenya have long been a source of frustration and confusion for consumers, who often feel overcharged and underserved. To address these concerns, Aldai MP Marianne Kitany has introduced a significant proposal that seeks to revolutionize how Kenyans pay for internet services. Through proposed amendments to the Kenya Information and Communications (KICA) Bill, Kitany advocates for the introduction of a metering system in internet service provision, designed to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability in the use of internet services.

The proposed system aims to introduce internet meters, which would track individual data usage and enable consumers to have a clear, accurate understanding of how much data they use and pay for. Kitany’s proposal is built on a growing concern that ISPs charge blanket rates for data packages, leading to inflated billing without any accountability for actual data consumption. The metering system, she argues, would ensure that consumers only pay for what they use, preventing exploitation and creating an internet billing system that is both fair and transparent.

The Current Internet Billing System in Kenya

Kenya’s current internet billing system is dominated by a prepaid model, where consumers purchase data bundles in advance. These bundles typically come with an expiration period, meaning that if a consumer fails to use the data within a certain time frame, it is forfeited. While this model has been widely adopted by many telecommunications companies, it has also become a source of contention for consumers, who feel that they are often left paying for more than they use. Additionally, the lack of clarity around data consumption and the cost of over-usage frequently leads to disputes between consumers and ISPs.

The prepaid model, although convenient for some, benefits ISPs disproportionately. ISPs set the terms for data packages and often offer consumers more data than they actually need. Consumers rarely use the full amount of data they purchase, which creates profit margins for the ISPs. In many cases, consumers are unaware of how much data they have used or how their internet consumption is being calculated, leading to a growing sentiment that ISPs are profiting at the expense of the consumer.

Kitany’s Call for Internet Meters

In response to this growing dissatisfaction, MP Kitany’s proposal for a metering system seeks to level the playing field between ISPs and consumers. Internet meters would operate similarly to electricity or water meters, tracking actual data usage in real-time and enabling consumers to only pay for the data they consume. This system would bring much-needed transparency to internet billing, allowing consumers to monitor their usage and ensuring that ISPs are held accountable for the services they provide.

Kitany presented her case to the Communication, Information, and Innovation (CII) Committee, chaired by Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie. During the session, Kitany explained that the metering system would address the pricing gaps that currently exist in internet services. “The gap is on the pricing of the internet, and we need consumer protection,” Kitany said. “The metering system will allow us to account for the value we get.”

The Bill also proposes that ISPs submit annual reports to the Communications Authority (CA) to further improve transparency. These reports would include detailed financial operations and data usage statistics, providing regulators with the tools necessary to monitor and prevent inflated billing practices. Kitany emphasized that the current system allows ISPs to charge blanket rates without any accountability, a practice that exploits consumers and undermines the principles of fairness and transparency.

Support from Parliamentarians

Kitany’s proposal received widespread support from several members of Parliament who echoed her concerns about the current internet billing system. Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabir highlighted the need for a consumer reporting system that would hold ISPs accountable for their billing practices. “We need a system to ensure that ISPs do not take advantage of consumers,” he stated, stressing that without such mechanisms in place, consumers would continue to be at the mercy of service providers.

Mbooni MP Erastus Kivasu also voiced his support for the amendments, raising concerns about the unused data that consumers often pay for. Kivasu questioned how the Communications Authority ensures that ISPs are not taking advantage of consumers who fail to use their full data packages. “ISPs know consumers don’t use the full data they subscribe for. How does the Communications Authority ensure they’re not taking advantage?” he asked.

These sentiments reflect a broader concern among lawmakers and consumers alike—that the current system unfairly favors ISPs at the expense of consumers, who are often left with little recourse when they feel they have been overcharged.

Learning from International Examples

In defending her proposal, Kitany pointed to international examples where similar metering systems have been successfully implemented. During the session, John Kiarie drew comparisons to South Africa, where metering systems have been used to track internet consumption and ensure that consumers are only charged for the data they actually use. Kiarie urged the committee to consider whether Kenya’s utility model—where services such as electricity and water do not expire—could be adapted for internet services. “Utilities don’t expire; services don’t expire. How do we ensure the data Safaricom shows is accurate?” Kiarie asked, drawing attention to the need for more transparent billing practices in Kenya’s internet sector.

By learning from other countries’ experiences, Kenya has the opportunity to implement a system that protects consumers from exploitation while also fostering a more competitive and transparent internet service market.

Consumer Protection and the Future of Internet Billing in Kenya

At the core of Kitany’s proposal is the belief that consumers deserve value for money and should not be subjected to exploitative billing practices. The current model, according to Kitany, benefits ISPs disproportionately, as they can sell data packages knowing that many consumers will not use the full amount. This, she argues, is for “pure profit,” and the introduction of internet meters would put an end to this practice. “My Bill proposes to put a stop to this, ensuring value for money as required under the Consumer Act,” Kitany said.

The introduction of internet meters would represent a significant shift in how internet services are billed in Kenya. By tracking data usage in real-time, consumers would have more control over their internet consumption and would only pay for what they use. This system would also provide a clear and accurate record of internet usage, helping to prevent disputes between consumers and ISPs.

Furthermore, the requirement for ISPs to submit annual reports to the Communications Authority would increase accountability and provide regulators with the tools necessary to monitor the financial operations of ISPs. This transparency would not only protect consumers but also foster a more competitive market, as ISPs would be required to provide accurate and fair billing practices.

Conclusion

MP Marianne Kitany’s proposal to introduce a metering system for internet providers marks a bold step towards consumer protection in Kenya’s internet sector. By ensuring that consumers are only charged for the data they actually use, the proposed amendments to the KICA Bill would bring much-needed transparency and fairness to the billing process. The support from fellow MPs and the comparisons to international examples indicate that there is a growing recognition of the need for reform in the internet service market.

As the digital landscape in Kenya continues to evolve, the introduction of internet meters could set a new standard for transparency and consumer rights, ensuring that all Kenyans have access to affordable and fair internet services. If adopted, Kitany’s proposal has the potential to revolutionize the way internet services are billed in Kenya, protecting consumers from exploitation and fostering a more competitive and transparent market.