A Telecommunications Contractor Licence, issued by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), authorises a company or individual to install, maintain, or repair telecommunications terminal equipment and infrastructure on a commercial basis in Kenya.
CA Fee Schedule for Telecommunications Contractors
| Charge | Amount (KES) |
|---|---|
| Licence Application Fee | 1,000 |
| Initial Operating Licence Fee | 7,500 |
| Annual Operating Fee | 3,000 |
| Licence Period | 10 years |
This is among the most affordable licence categories under the Unified Licensing Framework, reflecting its role as a technical services authorisation rather than a network or spectrum licence.
Related: Telecommunications Technical Personnel Licence
Individual technicians (as opposed to contracting companies) are licensed separately as Telecommunications Technical Personnel, with even lower fees: KES 500 application, KES 1,000 initial operating fee, and KES 500 annual operating fee, also valid for 10 years.
Who Needs This Licence?
- Companies installing customer-premises telecom equipment (PABX systems, structured cabling, etc.)
- Contractors maintaining telecommunications terminal equipment for businesses
- Technicians performing telecom equipment repairs and installations professionally
Application Process
- Submit the Application for Telecommunications Contractors Licence (Form TL-2.5) to CA
- Pay the KES 1,000 application fee
- CA reviews technical competence and business registration
- Pay the KES 7,500 initial operating fee upon approval
- Remit the KES 3,000 annual operating fee every year thereafter
At roughly KES 8,500 to get started and just KES 3,000 a year to maintain, the Telecommunications Contractor Licence is one of the lowest-cost commercial telecom licences in Kenya, making formal licensing accessible even for small installation and maintenance businesses.
