Ketraco expects to construct about 7,000 kilometres of high voltage lines across the country and for regional interconnection in the next five years.
In 2014, the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) granted Ketraco a network facility provider tier 2 (NFPT2) licence.
Ketraco said the operator will be required to deploy network equipment, operate and maintain the network and also manage it.
Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco) is seeking telecom companies interested in partnering to operate its planned nationwide fiber-optic infrastructure.
The company said it is looking for private sector players to express interest in the prospective co-ownership of the network to provide a robust infrastructure for telecom services in the country.
“In order to meet its objective Ketraco requires an operator to design, supply, install, operate, manage and commercialise its fibre network on a revenue sharing agreement,” said Ketraco in a notice.
Ketraco has been implementing a broadband strategy that involves leasing extra fibre optic capacity, in a move meant to generate additional revenue for the state company.
The strategy to leverage on its current fibre infrastructure will rope in third parties with vast experience in the telecommunication sector to design, deploy, operate, manage and sell active networks.
Ketraco expects to construct about 7,000 kilometres of high voltage lines across the country and for regional interconnection in the next five years.
All electricity transmission lines are fitted with fibre optic to aid communication between generators and control centres. However, this does not consume the entire capacity.
In 2014, the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) granted Ketraco a network facility provider tier 2 (NFPT2) licence. This allowed the power transmission company to lease out fibre to licensed application and content service providers as a way of diversifying its revenue base.
Ketraco said the operator will be required to deploy network equipment, operate and maintain the network and also manage it.
Electricity distributor Kenya Power has also announced plans to venture into Internet service provision to homes a preserve of telcos in the past.
