Authority Drafts Telecom Licensing Directive

Authorities at the Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA) have completed a draft communications licensing directive that enables them to issue licenses for telecom operators and service providers. The 19-page draft directive that was availed for stakeholder consultation today proposes that the Authority issue unified licenses for full operators and class licenses for service providers.

Unified licenses, aka full-service, will be issued for only three operators, including the state-owned Ethio telecom. It will enable companies to combine mobile, internet and fixed call services. In contrast, class license holders can engage with telecommunications infrastructure, internet services, value-added, virtual internet and hosting services.

The three full-service operators will be licensed for 15 years, and their license is subject to renewal, according to the directive, which is open for comment until May 11, 2020. The Authority also availed two more draft directives prepared to handle dispute resolution and consumer rights and protections.

Planning to issue the two new operator licenses this coming September, the Authority will produce 12 directives, six of which are designed to regulate service operators.

Seven of the draft directives are expected to be tabled for public consultation before the end of this week, according to Balcha Reba, director-general of the Authority. For the issuance of the two licenses for the full-service operators, the Authority is working on a document to announce an expression of interest for bidders. It will then announce a tender for the companies that are shortlisted.

Ethio telecom is also required to re-register and follow the new procedures to re-obtain a license alongside the two new operators.

Put your comments here