Lusaka ~ Fri, 19 Feb 2021
By Brightwell Chabusha
Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) has awarded Zambian owned Beeline Telecoms Limited the International Network and National Service licences to become the fourth Mobile operator with Associated Resources.
The licenses include but are not limited to frequency spectrum and numbers.
Beeline Telecoms Limited, a wholly Zambian owned company will, following issuance of the licence and associated conditions, will be required to commence operations within six months failure to which, unless determined otherwise by the Authority, the licence will be revoked.
The decision by the Authority to introduce a fourth mobile operator was arrived at, after conducting an analysis of the ICT Sector Market from the perspective of, among others, the quality of services being provided by the incumbent licensees as well as the need, or otherwise, to raise the levels of competition.
“This was in line with its regulatory mandate under the ICT ACT No. 15 of 2009, which includes the promotion of competition in the ICT sector. In September, 2020, the Authority invited, through the Request for Proposals, applications for a Network Licence under the International Market Segment and a Service Licence under the National Market Segment with associated resources,” ZICTA Director General Patrick Mutimushi has stated.
“Following a thorough evaluation process and Beeline, having met the minimum criteria, the Authority resolved to award the licences in question to Beeline Telecoms Limited. On September 4, 2018, ZICTA, under the guidance of the parent ministry – Ministry of Transport and Communications, issued a Network Licence under the International Market Segment and a Service Licence under the National Market Segment with associated resources to UZI Zambia. Unfortunately, UZI Zambia failed to commence operations by March 3, 2019, the final deadline issued by the Authority. This was notwithstanding two (2) earlier deadline extensions – the first being November 30, 2019 and the second May 30, 2020. The above scenario left the Authority with no choice but to cancel the licences issued to UZ! Zambia.”
Since UZI Zambia’s licence was cancelled and considering the fact that the challenges hounding the sector have continued, the Authority, re-embarked on seeking to licence a fourth mobile operator, he stated.
”It is this process that culminated into issuance of the licences to Beeline Telecom Limited,” Mr Mutimushi stated.
40 Comments
Choolwe Haantuba
This is a welcome move. it is time Zambian companies rise to the occassion. South Africa has developed largely because they favoured their own home grown companies. They also have a deliberate move to support their own people except for areas that are very complex. To Beeline telecoms, please don’t disappoint otherwise your own clientel the Zambians will not support you.
TKMD
We need Vanda com not this others which loses Internet and network .
the brand
Bee Line GSM is a telecommunications brand by company PJSC VimpelCom, founded in Russia.
PJSC VimpelCom is Russia’s third-largest wireless and second-largest telecommunications operator.
What a coincidence
Chansa Daniel
It’s a great move actually and it will also help to boost the economy of country Zambia, just try by all means to impower us youths with something to do as I a ready to be your agent
Japhet musebela
So when is this new sim coming out?I really need to have it soon and try it.And hope the beeline provide good service to us so that we support them as the go ahead of time.Thanks for bringing this Fourth network
Airforce
Congratulations to Beeline, we need Zambian owned companies to come on board and I personally will definitely support you. Congratulations once again and wishing you all the best
King J
This is long over due. It’s the only way to go as a country. Hope Beeline will not start giving excuses just like UZI Zambia. We are behind this move by ZICTA. Please insure the license was given on merit and not based on who you know syndrome. This kills the viability of Zambian companies because they end up failures. Good luck Beeline.
Brandon Ren
How is beeline a Zambian company though. I thought it was Russian
Simeon
it could be a franchise?
Givenchy
It could the case
Givenchy
It could be the case
Farooq Chang
Why does there have to be a “Bee” in the name..? Hope it’s not related to Honey Bee. Just saying…Napita mkwai….
Chansa Daniel
It’s a great move actually and it will also help to boost the economy of country Zambia, just try by all means to impower us youths with something to do as I am ready to be your agent
Mwansa Goodson
Its a good move from Beeline but make sure u give us a good services we are tired of this M.T.N loosing money each n Everytime on the mobile money without any proper protection from them, come on Zambia show them that we are also capable to do things.
Davimas
Will make no difference unless their rates will be half of the competitors. It’s like you were being flogged by three cruel chaps, and then a fourth one joins in the flogging. We love Trade Kings.
Chanda
So who are the owners or shareholders of this same Beeline Telecoms. It’s not enough just saying its a Zambian company, we need to know the people behind it as well as how much of the company they hold in terms of shareholding.
Mk Monga
You are right the shareholders of such an important communications company in any country should be made public. Especially in countries like Zambia do pron to money rondering . Good point you have raised.
Jimmy Sinkala
If you need to know the shareholders go to pacra since it is a Zambian company.
Ruth
We all flock to Lusaka…PACRA to check instead of listing them down here. Ma secret or confidedential ?
Chanda
So who are the owners or shareholders of this same Beeline Telecoms? It’s not enough just saying its a Zambian company, we need to know the people behind it as well as how much of the company they hold in terms of shareholding.
hajanika Chilala
Mmmm it is not wholely Zambian owned because from my google facts its Russian founded.
Mk Monga
You are right the shareholders of such an important communications company in any country should be made public. Especially in countries like Zambia do pron to money rondering . Good point you have raised.
Calvin
There is need to know sharing holdings for the interest of all Zambians. This is not only exciting but a great movement for fundamental and stiff competition.
I’m ready to do mobile offices for beeline.
Harrison Banda
Eish….wonders shall never end in Zambia,why to start with vodacom was barred because they came earlier.in other ways it’s a good move promoting local investment.we watching from the terraces
Hk
Beeline be ahead of others in technology,be innovative, be efficient and avoid corruption which has become cancerous in this nation.We may witness some energy company falling due to institutionalised corruption.Pay your workers decent salaries when you make good profits otherwise they will help you fall.
Ellings
The warmth it brings to my heart when I hear & see Zambian owned franchise prospering. Great move, the support from Zambians is already yours. May this encourage many other Zambian upcoming & already recognised firms to push forward in making Zambia fir Zambians
Jimmy Sinkala
If you need to know the shareholders go to pacra since it is a Zambian company.
Martin Ndhlovu
A good start I pray it will take off.
Dee
Something is fishy here “Beeline” “honeybee”
I rest my case
Gift kaambo
Congratulations to beeline
Jay
May the spying on zambian citizens commence
Sylvester Chewe
We don’t want to be reminded of the Aero Zambia or Zambian Airways saga!
Jonathan Ngosa
I conquer with you bro, there must be something fishy. How come? VODACOM came, they failed to issue a license, why? In as much as we appreciate that it’s a Zambian owned company, we’re not going to tolerate showed provision of services. This has been happening in the past where Zambian owned companies had been awarded contracts, only to run away with money without honouring their contracts as well as paying their workers. It’s high time for Zambians to be above board. Otherwise VODACOM would’ve been the best choice. May God bless Zambia.
Charles Misozi
Congulatulations hope it’s not connected to this honey bee you know these bee anyway am just saying.
Joel Sinkala
I am not even excited. They will jump on to the band wagon just like the other providers, moving from one level of mediocrity to the next; yes, they will make money but keep your fingers crossed if they will make their colleagues move because of competition. Zambians owning big busines is welcome but the devil appears to be in the details.
Changwe mathews
100 percent support.welcome beeline
Chimpinde
This is long overdue, otherwise we have been waiting for not just 4th mobile operator but more than five, six, seven, to eight. The current two mobile operators have abused us for too long (not counting Zamtel). Its bring competition to this industry.
Lastly, I just hope that Beeline is not a sister company to honeybee those bees that make hone
Job
Great!! Now there’s a network operator am looking forward too. Maybe this is better than Zamtel of course. But I wonder why Vodacom was not authorized mmm maybe it was better who knows 😂😂😊
Tendai moyo
Congratulations
Esau Chisulo
Congratulations