Zimpapers Logo

Business Reporter—
THE Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe has embarked on consultations to gather input towards a planned review of the licensing framework. The input is being sought from telecoms service providers, users, stakeholders and other interested parties to input towards a framework that promotes development of the sector.

POTRAZ said it intends to review the current service-specific licensing framework with a view to develop and ultimately implement a converged 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,” the telecoms regulator said. The objectives of the review include, the creation of a framework which is future proof (relevant for the next 20 years at least) and which allows the sector to embrace the benefits offered by cutting edge technologies such as next generation networks.

The review is also expected to ensure stronger sector growth in the industry anchored on innovation, fair competition, affordability and good quality of services, encourage free growth of new applications and services leveraging on the technological developments in the Information and Communication Technology) area. Further, the revised licensing framework will simplify licensing and enforcement procedures in the telecommunications sector and ensure flexibility and efficient utilisation of limited spectrum and numbering resources taking into account the technological developments in the sector as well as the need to maintain a level playing field.

POTRAZ currently licences operators under the different categories namely public switched network, public cellular telecommunication network, internet service providers, general postal, commercial courier, private network and private mobile radio. The converged licensing framework comes as the telecommunications industry regulator has of late been working hard to improve most aspects of its regulatory processes.

POTRAZ recently completed drafting of new stringent rules setting service and customer care standards for both the fixed network and mobile network telecommunications industries. The rules also compel operators to ensure minimum call completion rate of 80 percent. The new legislation will compel telecommunications firms to observe minimum service quality. The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe also recently completed the

initial draft rules for compulsory sharing of infrastructure in the telecoms sector. According to the draft, POTRAZ intends to audit the infrastructure to determine the areas for sharing with telecom companies compelled to submit information as requested from time to time. All telecom operators shall submit existing infrastructure sharing arrangements for approval within a period of 6 months from the effective date of the rules.