(3 minutes read)
- Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) says that it is difficult for Beeline Telecom Limited to commence the operations in time because of the difficulties in procurement of equipment and installations of them
- In February this year, ZICTA issued a licence to Beeline. In 2018
- The regulator had issued the same licence to Uzi Mobile but it failed to fulfil its investment pledges.
Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) says that it is difficult for Beeline Telecom Limited to commence the operations in time because of the difficulties in procurement of equipment and installations of them. In February this year, ZICTA issued a licence to Beeline. In 2018. The regulator had issued the same licence to Uzi Mobile but it failed to fulfil its investment pledges.
The company pledged to invest US$400 million in mobile phone operations and create 450 direct jobs. Uzi, which is owned by Unitel International Holdings B.V of the Netherlands, had its licence cancelled last year after failing to commence operations.
Beeline was expected to hit the market in August this year. The other mobile firms operating in Zambia are MTN, Airtel and Zamtel. The regulator feels having a fourth mobile service provider will further heighten the competition and will result in helping the consumers due to high pitched competition. In the meantime, MTN Zambia says its mobile money transaction services currently stand at over K4.3 million annually with 60 percent of customers in the Northern region.
MTN Mobile Money managing director Komba Malukutila said recently during the launch of the Momo month in Kitwe that the amount of transactions carried out shows that customers rely on mobile money services. Mr Malukutila said MTN Zambia has continued to grow. It transacts US$1.3 billion annually worldwide, which has enhanced financial inclusion.
