Govt Cracks Down on Poor Mobile Services
The Zambian government has pledged swift and decisive action to address deteriorating mobile network services, particularly those provided by Airtel, following rising complaints from citizens.
This came to light during a ministerial statement delivered to Parliament by the Minister of Technology and Science, Hon. Felix Mutati, MP, in response to an urgent matter raised by Hon. Fred Chaatila, MP for Moomba Constituency.
In his address, Hon. Mutati issued a heartfelt apology on behalf of the government, expressing deep regret over the persistent connectivity issues affecting citizens. He emphasized that mobile services are not a luxury but a lifeline, especially in rural areas where communication infrastructure is often limited.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to providing every Zambian with reliable and high-quality mobile services, highlighting the critical role of connectivity in sectors such as public safety, digital trade, education, and financial services.
The minister acknowledged that the most pressing concerns include frequent call drops, unstable voice connections, and poor mobile internet performance, especially during peak hours. These challenges, he noted, not only infringe upon consumer protection rights but also threaten the success of Zambia’s digital transformation agenda.
Hon. Mutati announced that the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) will take decisive regulatory action against Airtel for failing to meet quality service standards during recent network outages. Potential penalties could include financial fines, mandated compensation for affected customers, and a thorough review of the operator’s license obligations.
Specifically in Moomba Constituency, where most services run on outdated 2G technology, the government is actively working to upgrade to 4G. Both Airtel and Zamtel currently operate in the area, and plans are underway to implement local roaming services to boost connectivity and reliability.
To strengthen national infrastructure, the government is spearheading several initiatives, including the construction of 82 new 4G towers—57 of which are already operational—and the upgrade of 24 existing towers. An additional 80 towers are slated for upgrade by the end of the year.
The private sector has also committed to expanding the country’s telecommunications footprint. Airtel will construct 352 new towers and upgrade 173 existing sites to 4G. MTN is planning 110 new towers and backup power improvements at 835 locations. Meanwhile, Zamtel will upgrade 1,200 towers from 2G to 4G in a phased rollout.
In closing, Hon. Mutati emphasized the government’s view that telecommunications are as vital to the population as electricity and water. He assured Parliament that the state will continue holding service providers accountable while improving regulatory frameworks and infrastructure to ensure that no Zambian is left behind in the digital age.
