Your Internet Could Soon Be Billed Based on How Much You Use, Just Like Electricity and Water

Insights at a Glance:

• Metered Billing is Coming: Your internet could soon be billed based on how much you use, like electricity and water.
• Unique Meter ID: You’ll get a personal internet meter number.
• Clearer, Verifiable Bills: You should be able to see and confirm your usage.
• Consumer Protection Goal: The aim is fairer pricing and to prevent you from being exploited.
• Potential Cost Changes: Light users might save, but heavy users could pay more.
• Stay Informed: This is still a proposal, so watch how it develops through Parliament.

Imagine your internet usage being tracked like your KPLC electricity or Nairobi Water meter. Every video you stream, every WhatsApp message you send, every website you browse, every megabyte you consume is counted and billed — no more unlimited streaming, endless TikTok scrolling, or long Zoom calls without thinking twice. This might soon be our reality in Kenya, thanks to a new proposed law called The Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

The Bill, received by the National Assembly on May 22, 2025, aims to fundamentally change how internet services are billed in Kenya. And it’s not just about the big tech companies — this one hits home for everyone who uses the internet. So let’s break it down in simple terms: what is this Bill, why does it matter, and how could it affect your daily life?

What Is This Bill About?

In short, the Bill seeks to amend the current law (Cap 411A) to introduce metered billing for internet services. That means you’ll be charged based on how much internet you use — just like you’re billed for the electricity units you consume or the amount of water that flows through your tap. This is different from how many internet plans currently work, especially for home or office Wi-Fi setups that offer “unlimited” packages at a fixed monthly fee.

The government’s reasoning? Consumer protection. According to the drafters, the new system will ensure you’re paying only for what you use, giving you more transparency and control over your bills. It’s also meant to align with Article 46 of the Constitution, which safeguards the rights of consumers.

Key Changes You Should Know About

Here’s what the Bill proposes in plain language:

1. Metered Internet Billing Becomes Mandatory

If passed, all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) – the companies that sell you internet bundles like Safaricom, Airtel, Faiba, etc. – will be required to implement a “meter billing system.” Your internet bill would then reflect exactly how much data you consumed in a month.

2. You Get a Unique Meter Number

Just like how your electricity account has a unique meter number, every internet user will receive their own meter ID tied to their usage. This will help with tracking, billing, and customer support.

3. Detailed Bills and Transparency

ISPs must monitor your usage, translate that into understandable data (like how many GBs you used), and provide clear, itemized invoices. You should be able to check if your bill is accurate and understand what you’re paying for.

4. Annual Reporting by ISPs

Internet providers will be required to submit detailed information about their billing systems — including your meter numbers — to the Communications Authority of Kenya every financial year.

5. Consumer Protection Front and Center

The Bill emphasizes fairness. ISPs will need to show that what they charge reflects the actual value and quality of the internet services they provide. This, ideally, should prevent customers from being overcharged.

How Will This Affect You, the Everyday Internet User?

Let’s bring it closer to home:

For Mobile Users:

You’re probably already used to metered billing on your phone. You buy data bundles — say 1GB for KES 250 a month — and once you use them up even before the month ends, that’s it. This Bill may not change much for you if you’re a mobile-only user, but it could improve how clearly you’re told about your consumption and charges.

For Home Wi-Fi Users:

This is where the biggest change will hit. Today, many people pay a fixed monthly fee for unlimited home internet. Under the new system, that could change. You might start seeing monthly invoices based on how much data your household consumes — like how you monitor units for electricity on a token meter.

Think about that:

• Binge-watching Netflix? That’s a few extra GBs.
• Streaming football or formula 1? More data.
• Zoom calls, YouTube, downloads, TikTok? Yep, it all adds up.

Suddenly, your Wi-Fi usage becomes something to track and manage — just like airtime.

For Small Businesses and Freelancers:

Many Kenyans rely on stable, unlimited internet for work — online shops, social media managers, digital marketers, software developers, remote workers, the list goes on. If metered billing becomes the norm, managing internet usage will become critical. Costs could fluctuate depending on workload, and budgeting will need to be more precise.

So, Is This a Good or Bad Thing?

That depends on how it’s implemented and how prepared both ISPs and consumers are.

Potential Benefits:

• Transparency: You’ll see exactly what you’re paying for.
• Fairness: You won’t be charged more than you use.
• Informed usage: You might use your internet more intentionally and avoid wastage.

Possible Challenges:

• Privacy concerns: Monitoring internet usage raises questions — what exactly are they tracking, and how is your data being protected?
• Higher bills for some: If you’re a heavy internet user, your monthly cost might rise.
• Complexity: Not everyone is tech-savvy. Understanding metered billing could confuse many, especially older or less-educated consumers.
• Infrastructure costs: ISPs will need to install systems to track, bill, and manage usage. These costs could be passed on to consumers.

Kenya’s proposed law is one of the few in the world to make metered billing mandatory for all ISPs, including assigning each user a unique meter number and requiring government reporting. However, the Bill is still under consideration, and it will go through several readings and possibly public participation before becoming law. This is your time to pay attention, speak up, and ask questions.

Do you support the idea of paying for exactly what you use? Or are you worried this might lead to higher costs, confusion, unfair treatment, or even privacy concerns?