Towards An Evaluation Framework For The Influence Of Access Regulations On The Performance Of The 5G Markets In Kenya

Abstract

The 5G network constitutes a fundamental part which is the future gigabit communication network and infrastructure which enables a wide part of innovations that are critical for modern digital societies. Notwithstanding clear evidence that 5G innovations in Kenya may have the possibility to release an opportunity for smart cities to take full advantage of what’s being called the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the details regarding access regulations and how they impact on 5G network markets performance in Kenya are virtually non-existent. The aim of this subject study intended to examine the consequence of access regulations of 5G network performance in Kenya. The specific objective includes: to evaluate the 5G markets performance in Kenya; to evaluate the effects and impacts of strict network neutrality on the performance of 5G network markets in Kenya; to determine the effect of mobile virtual networks operator’s obligations on 5G markets performance in Kenya and to control the effect of unbundling requirements on the performance of 5G network markets in Kenya. A cross-sectional descriptive research was adopted. The study targeted firms in the following six market segments: International gateway operators; Submarine cable landing rights operators; network facilities providers Tier 1; Network facilities providers Tier 2; Network facilities providers Tier 3; and telecommunications contractors. The target firms included the major telecom service providers in terms of user’s subscription such as mobile operators, mobile money providers, and fixed data and internet providers registered in Communications Authority. The targeted study respondents constituted of either project management office heads; project managers; solution architects; operations and support teams; procurement or contract managers in each of the target firms. During the study a sample size of 375 companies were randomly selected to participate. The respondents were asked to evaluate the scales operationalizing the variables under study from semi-structured questionnaire which were both open and closed ended questionnaires to audience. Descriptive statistics was used as a tool to summarize the background characteristics of respondents and frequency distributions. In summary the 5G technology will ensure competitive and improved opportunities in technological innovations which will improve drastically the areas of investment like education sector, manufacturing industries, health sector, transport sector, economic and social value across industry sectors.