The convergence of the telecommunications, Media and information technology, sectors and the Implications for regulations in Kenya

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the convergence of three sector; telecommunications, IT and Media and the implication of such on regulation, The study was facilitated by a sample study of 15 institutions, which were perceived to be indulging in some form of cross sector investment. The respondents offered information on computer usage, networking of available computers, production and transmission of such, private and public "property" and desirable regulatory structures. The results showed that most of these organizations had in more ways than one, facilitated an environment conducive for convergence, and as a result specific challenges to existing regulation were clear these were: • The challenge to the consistency of regulation • The challenge of globalization • .The challenge of abundance to regulation based on scarcity • The challenge to distinctions between public and private activities • The challenge to regulatory structures The stakeholder also gave some views on what kind of considerations they thought should be taken into consideration in the future to achieve a more balance all-round regulatory structure, namely; • Build on current structures -. • Developing a separate regulatory model for new activities, to co-exist with telecommunications and broadcasting regulation • Progressively introducing a new regulatory model to cover the whole range of existing and new services. This study though, should be interpreted in consideration of the limitations, specifically as regards the novelty of this phenomenon.