EAC's New Plan Could Slash Costs for Calling Home While Abroad

The East African Community (EAC) is considering a proposal that could significantly reduce phone call costs for Kenyans travelling within neighbouring EAC countries.

The EAC Technical Committee on Communications has proposed capping data roaming charges at 65 cents per megabyte, which would result in substantial savings for Kenyans making calls back home while in countries such as Uganda and Tanzania. Roaming allows mobile phone users to access calls, texts, and internet services when outside their home network's coverage area, typically when travelling abroad. Currently, data roaming charges in the East African region can be quite high, ranging from 100 to 300 Kenyan shillings depending on the mobile network provider and location within East Africa.

This proposal aligns with the EAC One Network Area (ONA) Initiative, which aims to lower mobile roaming charges within the community. The ONA was conceived to foster economic integration and cooperation among EAC member states, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan. By addressing the issue of high data roaming costs, the technical committee seeks to establish a framework for realizing the ONA's vision. If successfully implemented, this proposal could set a precedent for similar initiatives in other regions, potentially transforming the telecommunications landscape across Africa.

It is likely to stimulate cross-border communications within East African member states, further promoting regional integration. In a related development, Burundi joined the EAC One Network Area in August 2024, expanding the initiative's reach. The Burundi Telecommunications Regulation and Control Agency (ACRT) announced new regional roaming tariffs in accordance with a decree issued in October 2023. These competitive tariffs are expected to significantly reduce cross-border communication costs within the EAC.