ZICTA CANCELS Z-MOBILE LICENCES OVER REGULATORY BREACHES

The Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) has taken decisive regulatory action by cancelling the network and service licences of Beeline Telecoms Limited, which traded under the name Zed Mobile. According to announcements by the regulatory body, the cancellation stems from the operator's systemic failure to satisfy crucial rollout obligations, maintain required quality of service standards, and fulfill statutory payments despite being granted multiple extensions over the years. Beeline Telecoms originally secured its operating licence as Zambia's anticipated fourth mobile network operator with high hopes of stimulating market competition and providing consumers with a viable alternative to the entrenched oligopoly of MTN, Airtel, and Zamtel. However, prolonged delays in setting up vital telecommunication infrastructure, coupled with financial constraints and unmet milestones, severely hampered the company's ability to commence meaningful commercial operations. ZICTA Board Chairperson Prof. Mundia Muya noted that the authority was left with no regulatory alternative but to revoke the permits to protect the integrity of the country's information and communications technology sector. In the wake of the licence revocation, ZICTA has initiated formal procedures to withdraw all assigned numbering blocks and radio frequency spectrum previously allocated to the operator. Furthermore, the regulator has emphasized that strict consumer protection measures will be enforced to oversee the winding down process, ensuring that affected customers who purchased unutilized airtime, data bundles, or registration products are appropriately safeguarded or refunded. Industry experts have pointed out that this development mirrors the earlier failure of UZI Zambia, which similarly lost its fourth-operator licence after failing to meet launch deadlines. The collapse of Zed Mobile highlights the steep capital expenditure, logistical hurdles, and regulatory hurd