The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has introduced rules that will change the kind of phones sold in the country.
The new guidelines state that all mobile phones must now use USB Type-C chargers. This means manufacturers bringing phones into Kenya will have to follow the new standard.
CA Director General David Mugonyi stated that the new requirements will see Kenyan consumers using better and safer phones than they have been using in the past.
He explained that the rules are not just about the charger, but also involve the way phones are manufactured, their performance, and the level of safety in using the phones.
For example, the CA announced that phones should not be manufactured using harmful substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium.
The authority also wants phones to be safer when charging. Under the new rules, devices should not overheat, shock users, or risk exploding.
On battery life, phones will be expected to last at least eight hours when talking and up to 24 hours on standby.
There are also clear rules on charging plugs. If a phone comes with a plug, it must match Kenya’s standard three-pin plug. If not, sellers must include an adapter.
The CA has also set limits on radiation levels and wants devices to work well with Kenya’s current and future networks, including 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G.
Another major focus of the new rules is accessibility. The regulator noted that phones should be able to support people with disabilities. This includes the use of screen readers, voice commands, captions, and the ability to vibrate and adjust text size.
The new rules are set to enhance the performance of phones in the way they receive signals.
In all these aspects, the CA has noted that the new rules are intended to make sure that phones in the country are safe, efficient, and accessible to all.
