Africell Uganda could have its key licenses revoked by the Uganda Communications Commission(UCC) because of insubordination. This month, UCC lifted the two month ban on issuance of SIM cards after it ordered all Telecom Companies to immediately halt the sale of SIM cards through hawkers and street vendors, but word reaching the UCC indicates Africell’s refusal to abide by the set out regulations.
The regulator has in a notice dated 17th May, 2018 threatened to suspend Africell Uganda’s Public Infrastructure Provider (PIP) and Public Service Provider (PSP) licenses for breach of the law and licensing agreements.
“The commission has received Information that in total disregard of the commission’s directives, Africell Uganda Limited is still selling SIM cards on the streets, using hawkers, street vendors and mobile agents. This action amounts to a serious and repeated breach of Africell Uganda Limited’s License agreement and the law,” the note reads.
Geoffrey Mutabazi, the Executive Director UCC, further added in the notice that “In light of the above stated serious and repeated breach and in accordance with Section 41 (3) of the Uganda Communications Act 2013, the Commission shall within 60 days from the date hereof suspend Africell Uganda Limited’s Public Infrastructure Provider (PIP) and Public Service Provider (PSP) licenses, unless Africell Uganda Limited can show cause why the suspension should not be effected.”
PIP and PSP licenses defined.
Public Infrastructure Provider (PIP) license is one that is granted to a telecom company seeking to install network enabling facilities associated with transmission, reception and switching of electronic signals.
Public Service Provider (PSP) is the license granted to telecom companies interested in providing voice telephony services using any technology such as satellite, cellular, Internet protocol or time division multiplexing.
Should the commission not receive sufficient representation to justify Africell Uganda Limited’s insubordinate actions within a 2 months period, “the Commission shall proceed to suspend Africell Uganda Limited’s PIP and PSP licenses in accordance with Section 41 (4) of the Uganda Communications Act 2013 without any further notice”
The #DontBeCheated network has some explaining to do as the Commission tries to fully patch all the loop holes in the telecommunications system. If you are seeking to buy an Africell Uganda SIM card, be advised to use its official shops which were furnished with electronic card reading machines where you can get free Africell SIM card replacement and new SIM cards.
