An Applications Service Provider (ASP) Licence, issued by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), authorises a company to offer telecommunications services — including mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) services, vehicle tracking, and country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) services — without necessarily owning the underlying network infrastructure.
CA Fee Schedule for ASP Licence
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Licence Application Fee | KES 5,000 |
| Initial Operating Licence Fee | KES 100,000 |
| Annual Operating Fee | 0.4% of annual gross turnover or KES 80,000, whichever is higher |
| Licence Period | 15 years |
This is one of the more accessible licence categories under the Unified Licensing Framework, since ASP holders typically lease network capacity from NFP licensees rather than build their own infrastructure.
Who Typically Holds an ASP Licence?
- Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) reselling mobile services
- Vehicle and asset tracking service companies
- Internet service resellers operating over leased infrastructure
- ccTLD (.ke domain-related) service providers
Requirements
- Registered Kenyan entity with a valid KRA PIN and tax compliance evidence
- A clear service description and business plan
- Agreements with underlying NFP licensees for network access (where applicable)
- Compliance with consumer protection and data privacy obligations
Application Process
- Submit a completed Electronic Communications Services application form (Form 1-TL-3.7) to CA
- Pay the KES 5,000 application fee
- CA reviews the business plan and technical arrangements
- Pay the KES 100,000 initial operating fee upon approval
- Remit the annual operating fee (0.4% of turnover or KES 80,000, whichever is higher) every year thereafter
At a combined KES 105,000 to get started, the ASP Licence remains one of the most cost-accessible entry points into Kenya’s regulated telecommunications sector — well below the multi-million-shilling threshold required for infrastructure-owning NFP licences.
