Fourth mobile network provider coming – Govt

Government is inviting bidders for a fourth mobile network provider following approval of the new licensing regime by Cabinet.

Minister of Transport and Communications Brian Mushimba says telecommunications regulator, Zambia Information Communications and Technology Authority (ZICTA), has been given the go-ahead to start the process.

Mushimba says ZICTA is at liberty to start the process of selecting a fourth or fifth mobile-network provider and do it transparently.

He says Government wants to see the Information Communication Technology (ICT) and telecommunication industry grow from its current levels.

The new carrier could be in place over the next six to 12 months and the country may even have capacity for a fifth operator.

“The market analysis that we have done supports the fact that we can have a fourth licensee and possibly a fifth and still the market will be profitable,” Mushimba told international media.