Potraz rejects Afritell's licence application
by Deborah-Fay Ndlovu
The Postal Telecommucations Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe
(POTRAZ) has rejected an application by Afritell for a licence
to operate a fixed telephone network.
The move has sparked an out cry from players in the industry
who have called on the Government to quiken constitutional
reforms in the sector to accommodate new entrants.
The publice relations manager for Afritell, Miss Nobesutu
Nduku, confirmed that POTRAZ had refused to grant her organisation
a licence.
" POTRAZ replied indicating that applications for licences
could only be recieved in response to an invitation to apply,"
she said.
Nonetheless, Miss Nduku said that the company was still consulting
widely with POTRAZ to ensure that Afritell recieves a licence.
"Afritell remains in contact with potraz with a veiw
of fonding a way forward within the current policy framework,"
said Miss Nduku.
Afritell is a joint venture between, Africom and two public
sector companies, Powertel Communications and Transmedia.
It aims to bring telephone services to the rural and urban
areas.
A government official told the Business Chronicle that the
present constitutional do not allow for a new player other
than Telone to operate a fixed telephone network company.
"The issue here is that if the Government opens up the
marketto allow anybody to provide such a service (fixed telephone
network), it is tantamount to cutting off the life support
system from TelOne because it will not be able to compete
given the kind of problems that it is facing," he said.
Thw official said that a luncheon was held last week, which
was officiated by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry
of Science and Technology development, Dr Vincent Hungwe to
Discuss the issue.
"Players in the industry pointed out that it was pointless
for the Government to continue to protect TelOne. The Government
should open up the market and at least give licences to service
other areas," he said.
The Government is formulating an information Communications
technology Policy that would allow for the harmonisation of
the sector and new entrants in the fixed telephone network
sector.
Chronicle - 4 August 2004
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