The Fourth Mobile Operator Beeline has yet again for the third running year shifted the dates for the commencement of operations to 2024 after about 3 failed attempts to commence operations.
In February 2021, the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority – ZICTA announced that it had granted Beeline Telecom Limited a 4TH license to commence mobile phone operations in the country and it was required that the Company commence operation within the next six months failure to which, the license would be revoked.
Concerned stakeholders have however questioned the decision-making process after several failed attempts to commence operations suggesting that it may be an indicator of deeper issues within the organization.
Ministry of Science and Technology Permanent Secretary Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu confirmed that Zambia’s fourth mobile network operator Beeline which will be trading as Zedmobile will only be able to make its first call in January 2024 following an extension granted after they failed to commence operations in July 2023. This is however still debatable looking at several extensions given without action.
ZICTA extended Beeline’s deadline for launch from 30th June 2022, to 31st January 2023 and and latter on the dates where moved to July 2023 and now extended to 2024.
There have also been allegations indicating that the Company has failed to commence operations as they do not have the muscle to fund the project looking at several extensions that have been made so far without having the operator on Board. Others have also questioned why ZICTA has failed to cancel the license as it is clear that the Company has failed to bring the 4th Mobile Network.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times -ZBT, Dr. Habeenzu disclosed that Beeline anticipated that they would not meet the conditions earlier given to them in terms of the deadline for them to make the first call. He disclosed that they wrote to the board seeking for an extension of which when considered, the board was convinced that the reasons given were valid hence gave them an extension to make their first call in January 2024. “We are only looking at December, and when we get into January we should also begin to ask the very same questions if they will not have made their call at that time” said Habeenzu.
He explained that by January Beeline should have installed their equipment, and people should be able to make a phone call and the company should begin to grow through the coming on board of customers and expanding their network.
Habeenzu said many people are looking to Beeline coming on board because it will create employment. He said the coming of Beeline will also bring in healthy competition noting that citizens will benefit from competition in the market. “We also hope that they will be able to penetrate other markets especially the under saved and unsaved areas where other existing Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) may not have gone to” said Habeenzu. He said this will help expand and answer to one of the goals of the 8th National Development Plan which is to ensure that the country provides network coverage by population to the tune of 96 percent. “If they come and they begin to roll out, and get to other areas that have not been touched or reached, then they are helping us answer that call” said Habeenzu.
Habeenzu further mentioned that if Beeline fails to make their first call by January 2024, there are rules provided on how the regulator must handle the matter. He said part of the rules may include the cancellation of the whole license, or another extension which is dependent on what they have already done. He explained that if they have already invested quite a lot, the regulator will be able to see and determine also depending on how convincing other reasons may be. He said assuming that they do not make their first call in January, and the regulator who in this case is ZICTA goes to inspect their investment and realizes that it is too much to let them leave it on the way in addition to other issues that may be considered, another extension may probably be given. “But from where I seat as government, I want them to make the first call so that citizens can begin to enjoy” said Habeenzu.
He said Beeline must be able to give the Zambian market a first call in January 2024 according to the conditions they have been given by the regulator. He said if they do not meet the conditions, the regulator is without any interference mandated to do what they have to and treat Beeline in accordance with the set guidelines. “If it means cancelling the license, they will do it, if it means giving another extension, they will do it.
He has therefore encouraged Beeline to ensure that the first call is made by January next year according to what they had agreed with the regulator. He said government wants Beeline to make a difference in the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) sector.
