Business / Companies
Econet licence to expire next year
23 Aug 2012 at 08:12hrs | Views
ECONET Wireless, Zimbabwe's largest mobile telephone operator's licence will expire next year, a move that quickly rekindles memories of the bruising battle the company fought with the Government more than 15 years ago in order to be granted a licence. Telecel and NetOne licences are also set for renewal next year, however, Econet's case is the most interesting one following the recent developments where Econet terminated all services with government controlled NetOne.
An official with the company told IT News Zimbabwe that the company will re-apply for a license to continue operating in the country next year.
Communications Manager, Rangarirai Mberi could not respond to questions sent at the time of going to press by IT News Zimbabwe, but the close source insisted that the licence would end.
"We will apply for a renewal of the licence next year," said the official who refused to be named because he is not authorised to speak to the press.
He said with a market share of more than 70 percent in the country, the company was not expecting to face problems in re-registering as what happened in the past.
Econet's founder and executive chairman, Strive Masiyiwa fought a protracted battle with the Government for five years since 1998 seeking to end the monopoly of the then Post and Telecommunication Corporation (PTC) in the telecommunications industry.
Masiyiwa was only granted the licence after the intervention of the late vice president Dr. Joshua Nkomo.
The coming in of Econet Wireless paved way for two more operators - NetOne and Telecel Zimbabwe to come kick-starting a process that has seen more than half of the population being connected to mobile telephone services.
Apart from being connected to mobile network, millions of Zimbabweans can now access internet in their rural homes as well as doing transactions through mobile banking.
The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe recently said it has completed crafting a new licensing regime for mobile phone operators to encourage co-operation between players as well as keep the country in line with emerging technologies.
The country's mobile phone operators - Econet, Net One and Telecel - are due to renew their operating licences next year and will be required to comply with the new laws.
Potraz director-general Engineer Charles Sibanda said the new laws would come into force soon.
An official with the company told IT News Zimbabwe that the company will re-apply for a license to continue operating in the country next year.
Communications Manager, Rangarirai Mberi could not respond to questions sent at the time of going to press by IT News Zimbabwe, but the close source insisted that the licence would end.
"We will apply for a renewal of the licence next year," said the official who refused to be named because he is not authorised to speak to the press.
He said with a market share of more than 70 percent in the country, the company was not expecting to face problems in re-registering as what happened in the past.
Econet's founder and executive chairman, Strive Masiyiwa fought a protracted battle with the Government for five years since 1998 seeking to end the monopoly of the then Post and Telecommunication Corporation (PTC) in the telecommunications industry.
Masiyiwa was only granted the licence after the intervention of the late vice president Dr. Joshua Nkomo.
The coming in of Econet Wireless paved way for two more operators - NetOne and Telecel Zimbabwe to come kick-starting a process that has seen more than half of the population being connected to mobile telephone services.
Apart from being connected to mobile network, millions of Zimbabweans can now access internet in their rural homes as well as doing transactions through mobile banking.
The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe recently said it has completed crafting a new licensing regime for mobile phone operators to encourage co-operation between players as well as keep the country in line with emerging technologies.
The country's mobile phone operators - Econet, Net One and Telecel - are due to renew their operating licences next year and will be required to comply with the new laws.
Potraz director-general Engineer Charles Sibanda said the new laws would come into force soon.
Source - cajnewsagency.com
