Zambia clears way for new telco
GOVERNMENT
By BiztechAfrica – Nov. 16, 2012, 10:03 a.m.
By Edith Mwale, Lusaka, Zambia
The Zambian government has embarked on a process of repealing the Statutory Instrument (bylaw) of 2010 which restricts the entry of a fourth mobile network operator into the country before it can license a new licence.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Minister Christopher Yaluma said a team of technocrats is currently working on modalities that would ascertain the coming of the fourth mobile operator in the country.
The minister said that there was still paperwork the Zambian government was working on before it would give a licence to the fourth mobile operator and that it was just a policy pronouncement which needs to be implemented.
“There is still paper work that is being worked on before we go ahead and give a licence to the fourth mobile operator, once all the paper work is done, we can allow a fourth operator to come and boost the communication sector,” Yaluma said.
From the time the market was opened for new operators, the Zambian government has not yet received any application from any mobile operator, according to Yaluma.
He said that licence would not be given now as the regulator is first required to look at issues to do with the frequency where the operator would be operating from.
“But most importantly we need to over ride the Statutory Instrument (SI) that stops the coming of the fourth mobile operator in the country,” he said.
Yaluma said the Zambian government would ensure that it attracts more investment to the communication sector as it plays a vital role towards development.
