The local regulator has issued an open invitation to "all telecommunication equipment suppliers or distributors" for a half-day discussion today (Thursday) "aimed at controlling the importation and distribution of cellular phones in the country"."The workshop shall make presentations on areas such as type approval requirements and procedures in place, the customs requirements or practices on import products and consumer experiences on use of sub-standard cellular phones," BTA officials said in a notice yesterday.
While the BTA did not provide further details, the workshop echoes heated debates around the globe on the issue of so-called counterfeit phones, which are cheap copies of popular brands.The Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) defines fake handsets as "copies of popular brands and models made from sub-standard materials" that have not been licensed by the organisation. The east African country began switching off counterfeit mobile phones at the end of September last year "to protect consumers from hazardous materials and safeguard mobile payment systems".
