Faiba warns Parliament: New internet billing rules could raise costs and threaten privacy
Jamii Telecommunications Limited (JTL), the operator of the Faiba brand, has asked Parliament to amend proposed changes to Kenya’s communications law, warning that mandatory consumption-based internet billing could raise costs for consumers, reduce choice and create new data privacy risks. The concerns were presented on Thursday, August 13, 2026, when JTL Chief Executive Officer Dr […]
Faiba, the telecommunications provider behind the Faiba brand, has cautioned Parliament against adopting proposed changes to Kenya’s communications law that could lead to higher consumer costs and jeopardize privacy. During a meeting with the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Communication, Information, and Innovation on August 13, 2026, Faiba’s CEO Dr. C.K.
Joshua expressed concerns over Section 27A(3C) of the Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which suggests mandatory consumption-based internet billing. The committee, chaired by John Kiarie, MP for Dagoretti South, is reviewing stakeholder proposals to enhance consumer protection in the digital sector. At the heart of the debate is the potential elimination of unlimited and speed-tiered packages, which are prevalent among households, businesses, schools, and other institutions.
Joshua emphasized the importance of preserving diverse, lawful billing models while allowing customers to monitor their internet usage. JTL currently operates using both unlimited and consumption-based billing systems, with Faiba Mobile customers opting for predefined data bundles and Faiba Fixed customers subscribing to unlimited speed packages.
The company claims that its network is capable of accurately measuring internet usage, providing customers with consumption information, and issuing verifiable billing records. According to Dr. Joshua, implementing a per-unit consumption billing system would necessitate costly investments in Deep Packet Inspection infrastructure and sophisticated billing systems.
He warned that these expenses might ultimately be passed onto consumers, making flat speed-tiered pricing more cost-effective for fixed internet services. Furthermore, Faiba objected to a proposal that mandates annual submission of subscriber-level usage data, arguing that such a requirement could expose consumers to significant cybersecurity and privacy risks.
The firm proposed that annual returns to regulators should exclude sensitive personal data and identifiable subscriber-level usage information, in line with the Data Protection Act, 2019 and Article 31 of the Constitution, which safeguards the right to privacy. Parliament acknowledged the concerns raised by JTL and noted that the committee has already taken steps towards addressing cybersecurity and data protection issues.
However, the committee chair urged lawmakers to amend the Bill to ensure consumers receive transparent and accurate usage information without being forced to abandon existing internet packages. JTL’s suggestions will be taken into account by the committee as it evaluates the proposed amendments to the Kenya Information and Communications Act, which will determine how Kenyans are billed for internet services and how their usage data is safeguarded as the nation’s digital economy expands.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
