Last week, the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority penalised Airtel Zambia an unknown sum for noncompliance with service guidelines.

Airtel Zambia has denied claims that it plans to suspend operations in the Southern African country.

Rumours were linked with the cell operator once again falling foul of regulators due to its frequent network disruptions.

Last Friday, the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) fined Airtel Zambia an undisclosed sum of money for problems that constitute a failure to comply with service rules.

ZICTA determined that the company violated parts of the Information and Communications Technologies Act and Quality of Service requirements.

“Airtel has been directed to immediately implement an action plan aimed at resolving the recurring network outages and to strictly adhere to the implementation timelines,” Hanford Chaaba ZICTA manager corporate communications stated to the media.

In December, the regulator requested Airtel to reimburse all subscribers in accordance with the authorised compensation programme following network and service failures.

Clients have recently complained about being unable to access certain services, although stories of the operator leaving Zambia have outweighed such complaints.

There is also conjecture that Airtel was in problems due to various tax issues.

Airtel has shot down the speculation as “fake” and "untrue” misinformation peddling.

“We urge our customers to be wary of content that may be created out of malice and encourage them to verify information received,” said Yuyo Nachali-Kambikambi, Airtel Zambia head of corporate communications.