High cost of internet devices and skills gap widen ICT access gap

Smartphone penetration is at 67 per cent in the country and penetration in the rural and remote parts of the country is lower. [iStockphoto]

Many Kenyans are struggling with the high cost of internet and mobile devices in the country, limiting the impact that the high internet coverage could have on many.

This is especially the case for those in rural areas, where despite the government setting up infrastructure using money from the Universal Service Fund (USF) and extending mobile telephony coverage, the services including voice telephony and internet access are out of reach for many due to the high cost of services and mobile phones.