Zambia’s state-run regulator, Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA), has taken the country’s mobile operators to task again over poor network services.
ZICTA has issued a 21-day ultimatum to telecommunications and tower companies, demanding immediate and drastic improvements in the quality and resilience of electronic communication services.
Announced by Collins Mbulo, CEO, ZICTA, the ultimatum is effective from yesterday (4 November).
The Southern African country is enduring widespread poor network services, which have been exacerbated by power outages.
“The people of Zambia are no longer pleading, they are demanding better service,” he said.
Mbulo said citizens’ daily lives were impacted because of poor quality of service.
ZICTA has issued mandatory and binding directives focusing on infrastructure investment and energy resilience to tackle causes of poor connectivity and frequent network outages.
Thus, operators must make immediate investments to increase network capacity and coverage, specifically targeting underserved and rural areas.
All hub sites must be equipped with tower backup systems to ensure uninterrupted service during power outages and licensees must deploy sustainable energy solutions, including solar and other renewable sources, to reduce downtime.
“By obligation, these directives affect the mobile network operators, because their networks rely on IHS and Infratel. Failure to comply will attract regulatory consequences,” Mbulo said.
Zambia’s mobile operators are Airtel, MTN, state-owned Zamtel and new entrant Zed Mobile, while IHS and Infratel provide tower services.
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