PRESS RELEASE Listers 21st December 2011 RE: CCK EXTENDS DEADLINE FOR SWITCH OFF OF COUNTERFEIT HANDSETS The deadline for mobile operators to switch off subscribers using counterfeit phones in the country was today extended for a four-month period, effectively giving the affected subscribers reprieve to replace their handsets before they are disconnected. ICT sector regulator, the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), today announced the extension of the disconnection deadline from the end of this month to April 30 next year. Acting CCK Director-General Mr. Francis Wangusi said the extension was necessitated by the need to first undertake a consumer awareness campaign and also for the industry to establish a mechanism through which consumers could confirm the status of their mobile devices. The extension will also allow mobile operators to undertake the requisite technical preparations in readiness for disconnecting counterfeit handsets. The extension will provide the affected mobile subscribers with more time to replace their mobile handsets in view of the prevailing hard economic realities in the country. Mr. Wangusi said the industry was exploring the possibility of putting in place a system through which subscribers would be able to interrogate a central database via SMS to verify whether their devices are genuine or not. Regulatory concern over counterfeit handsets stems from the fact that counterfeit devices deny manufacturers of revenue through counterfeit production of their products. In addition, use of counterfeit handsets may expose consumers to safety and health risks as the phones may not meet the approved radiation standards. Further, counterfeit devices typically enter markets via unofficial channels thus denying the government of revenue. According to industry statistics, close to 2.4 million mobile phones in the market are counterfeit, representing 9.39 % of the active mobile devices in the country. The ongoing initiative to rid Kenya of counterfeit mobile phones is driven by CCK in conjunction with industry players, handset manufacturers, and other relevant government agencies including KeBS, Office of the President, Anti-Counterfeit Agency, and the Kenya Revenue Authority. Issued by: Francis W. Wangusi Ag. Director General
