Zambia begins offering unified telecoms licences

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Zambia has reportedly started offering unified’ telecoms licences in order to attract international service providers. The country joins Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and South Africa in offering a single concession for an array of services including internet and mobile telephony.

Earlier, Zambian Minister of Communication and Transport Geoffrey Lungwangwa said that the country’s new telecoms bill, which provides for the unified licence, will attract foreign investment in the sector and will protect the rights and interests of service providers and consumers. The new bill gives power to Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA), to regulate tariffs and agreements on interconnection fees. The bill further gives ZICTA power to determine a system for promoting the widespread availability and usage of electronic communication networks throughout Zambia by encouraging the installation of communication networks in rural and underserved areas.