Fee structure by tier
Fees are reviewed periodically by CAK. Confirm current figures on the Communications Authority of Kenya's licensing page or application form TL-3.7 before budgeting.
| Tier | Coverage | Application fee | Initial licence fee | Annual operating fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 3 | Single county | KES 5,000 | KES 200,000 | 0.4% of turnover or KES 160,000, whichever is higher |
| Tier 2 | Regional, multi-county | KES 5,000 | KES 15,000,000 | 0.4% of turnover or KES 800,000, whichever is higher |
| Tier 1 | National | KES 5,000 | KES 15,000,000 | 0.4% of turnover or KES 4,000,000, whichever is higher |
Why the jump from Tier 3 to Tier 2 is so steep
The initial licence fee jumps 75 times between Tier 3 and Tier 2. There is no middle ground. This is the single biggest reason a new WISP should start at Tier 3, prove the model in one county, and only move up once revenue justifies it, rather than licensing for regional coverage speculatively.
What CAK asks for, across all tiers
- A cover letter on company letterhead
- The completed CAK application form
- A sworn affidavit
- Certificate of Incorporation and CR12
- Director and shareholder ID documents
- Tax compliance evidence
- A business and rollout plan
- Premises details
How long approval takes
Applications are processed first-come-first-served and typically take up to roughly 135 days once your documentation is complete. Plan your launch date around that, not around an optimistic best case.
Source: Communications Authority of Kenya — figures are set by third parties and reviewed periodically; confirm current numbers before relying on them.