License fees for mobile telecommunications operators have been hiked to US$137,5 million for a 20 year tenure up from US$100 million for a 15 year tenure. Minister of transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development Nicholas Goche announced today, further revealing that Econet was the first to apply for the renewal of its license and it (application) was successful.
“Comparative studies were also done, both at regional and international level to enable the Government to come up with an informed decision which meets Government’s expectations but also allows for the industry to flourish. In addition, operators will pay an annual license fee (2 percent of revenue), and contribute to the Universal Services Fund (0.5 percent of revenue). They will also pay frequency spectrum fees in accordance with their different requirements of that limited national resource,”
he said.
Minister Goche also revealed that
“the scope of the licenses willremain substantially the same as the current licence. This means the licences will cover the range of services that are commonly referred to as 2G through to 3G. Services beyond that will require formal license adjustments.”
Responding to a question whether the license fees will be used for elections, Minister Goche said Treasury would do what it deemed fit with the money.
Source: The Herlad
