Amid ongoing complaints of poor network services, the Zambian government has ordered the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) and law enforcement authorities to collaborate and enhance the law governing digital services.

Acting Minister of Commerce Trade and Industry Christopher Yaluma called on ZICTA, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS), among others, to protect the rights and interest of local consumers.

Mobile service providers have also been accused of failing to respect the privacy and confidentiality of consumers.

The country's second largest telecom operator Airtel Zambia has been challenged in court over issues of privacy and confidentiality.

Yaluma said the country is currently reviewing its legal and regulatory framework and this will enable authorities to effectively address issues like data protection, privacy and confidentiality by service providers.

According to ZICTA it has tried in vain to force the operators to improve their services and end issues such as dropped calls, congested networks and insufficient network coverage.

The telecom sector regulator says it continues to receive complaints of poor services, despite repeated warnings to service providers.

Yaluma said the government believes it is time to develop appropriate legislation to protect consumer interest and support innovations in the country.

"Formulating pro-active policies and effective regulations is essential in protecting the rights of consumers in a digital environment," he said.

The Consumer Unity Trust Society (CUTS) international centre coordinator Chenai Mukumba said the government should ensure access to affordable mobile phone services.

In January this year, all operators adjusted their tariffs upwards blaming the government's decision to increase exercise duty on airtime from 15% to 17.5% through the 2017 national budget.

CUTS believes that with an increase in tariffs, operators have made the cost of communication services in Zambia too expensive, especially for users in rural areas.