The Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) has purchased quality service monitoring equipment worth over $200, 000, in a bid to ensure that mobile phone companies provide improved services to their customers.

ZICTA, the country’s telecom sector regulator, has said with the quality service monitoring equipment in place, consumers could ‘no longer get raw deals from mobile service providers’.

The regulator said it is in the process of discussing with mobile phone service providers on quality service provision following many complaints from mobile phone users in the country about poor services from all the country’s three operators.

The authority said it has continued receiving complaints of poor service from Airtel Zambia, MTN Zambia and Zamtel.

ZICTA public relations manager Ngabo Nankonde said with the quality of service monitoring equipment, customers could now be assured of quality service provision from operators as the authority plans penalising errant providers.

“A quality service monitoring equipment has been purchased at over $200, 000. ZICTA is in the process of discussing with mobile providers on quality service provision following many complaints from mobile phone users in the country,” Nankonde told the local Times of Zambia newspaper.

Nankonde said the ZICTA team was on a fact-finding mission in eastern part of the country to ascertain why mobile service providers continue giving poor services to their subscribers.

She said communication, be it mobile phone or internet, must be of high quality so that the public can easily access information using cell phones or computers without difficulties.

Nankonde said the three operators should immediately address the various concerns raised by their respective subscribers because Zambia wants quality mobile services.

Nankonde said investment in ICTs is vital and that ZICTA wants every Zambian to get connected to reliable mobile and internet facilities hence the procurement of the quality of service monitoring equipment that will force service providers to provide reliable services.