The Zambia Consumer Association – ZACA has expressed concern over the continued delay and soft stance by state ICT regulator ZICTA to give Zambian consumers a 4th mobile phone operator which has now by passed the expected timelines.
The Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority – ZICTA – had in 2021 indicated that it had granted a local firm Beeline Telecom Limited a license to commence mobile phone operations in the country within the period of 6 months. This timeline was extended and a new deadline was given to Beeline to commence operations by 30th June 2022, and this has also not materialized.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times –ZBT, ZACA General Secretary Juba Sakala said the association was concerned that these continued delays is denying Zambian consumers alternative services and that this is not the first time such is happening were commencement of operations extensions are being given on earlier extensions.
He explained that some time back another Company was awarded a licence but could not start operation adding that the current one has taken a year plus and has not yet started operation. A check by ZBT indeed confirmed that Unitel’s UZZI had indeed gone through several extensions until the license awarded was eventually cancelled, while Zambian consumers remain being unserved from benefits that may arise from having a 4th mobile phone and Mobile Internet operator
Sakala has since challenged the Directors of Beeline and the ZICTA board and management to come out in the open and explain their position to the nation before people are left with no options but to speculate and make their own conclusions.
“We would like ZICTA which is under the Ministry of Technology to state their position on Beeline and tell the nation what the way forward is” He said. An investigation by ZBT also drew a blank as the company – Beeline does not seem to have available contact persons who can be engaged to give the status quo.
“They should tell the nation what is the delay and when are they starting because justice delayed is justice denied, so we don’t know whether that this company will start operations or not”, ZACA told ZBT. ZACA is of the view that if Beeline Telecom is unable to source funds to start operations, they should state so and that ZICTA should be proactive and immediately re-advertise the license.
