Zimbabwe Cellular Regulator Cancels Contract of Third-Largest Operator Telecel
Monday, May 4, 2015
The Zimbabwean government has cancelled the operating licence for Telecel Zimbabwe, the country’s third largest mobile operator by subscriber base.
In a statement released this week, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) said the cancellation came into effect on April 28, 2015.
Government cancelled an agreement with the company two months ago, which allowed it to operate without paying the $137.5 million operating licence renewal fee.
Mobile network operators are expected to pay $137.5 million, with the licence valid for 20 years. It is different from the previous figure of $100 million for 15 years.
Zimbabwe has three mobile network companies – Econet Zimbabwe, Telecel Zimbabwe and state-owned NetOne.
Potraz said: “In order to facilitate the smooth switch of the Telecel Zimbabwe network, as well as ensuring that disruption is minimised, Potraz concurrently issued a special licence to Telecel to continue providing telecommunications services for a period of 30 days.”
The statement further read that during the period, Telecel Zimbabwe subscribers were expected to switch to alternative networks.
Source: The Citizen (link opens in a new window)
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