adminOliver Kazunga Senior Business Reporter
THE Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) plans to review the current telecommunications licensing framework it adopted as part of an International Telecommunication Union.
Zimbabwe has a service-specific telecommunications licensing framework which it adopted as part of an International Telecommunication Union (ITU) migration path in 2009.
The licensing framework was later used in 2013 when mobile telecoms operators were compelled to pay fees of $137.5 million towards a 20-year operational licence.
“This notice of consultation informs all telecommunication service providers, users, concerned stakeholders and interested parties that the Potraz is conducting a consultation aimed at reviewing the current licensing framework.
“The proposed review is in keeping with the authority’s statutory mandate to promote the development of the postal and telecommunications sectors in Zimbabwe in line with technological advances and evolving consumer needs,” said the regulator.
It said the objectives of the review among others were to create a framework which is future proof (relevant for the next 20 years at least) and allows the sector to embrace the benefits offered by cutting edge technologies such as next generation networks.
The review, Potraz said, was also meant to ensure a strong sector growth anchored on innovation, fair competition, affordability and good quality of services as well as encouraging free growth of new applications and services leveraging on the technological developments in the Information and Communication Technology sector.
Potraz said submissions were invited from interested parties who would want to render assistance in shaping the future of telecommunications in Zimbabwe.
“A baseline consultation document has been developed and is downloadable from the Potraz website,” said the regulatory authority.
Sidumisile Mabena
Online Reporter