The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) has disconnected the network of Ucom Mobile Namibia after confiscating its radio equipment, saying the operator continued to use radio spectrum illegally despite repeated directives to cease operations.
Cran says it cancelled all spectrum licences issued to Ucom , formerly MTN Business Solutions Namibia, on 16 February and 8 December 2023 due to unpaid licence fees and inefficient use of the allocated spectrum, which the regulator describes as “hoarding” and a breach of licence conditions.
To limit disruption for Ucom’s approximately 1 000 customers, Cran granted the company six months until June 2024 to migrate its users and orderly wind up operations. The regulator says all services were expected to terminate after this period.
However, Cran says spectrum audits conducted in July, September and October found that Ucom was still providing services in contravention of section 101(1) of the Communications Act of 2009.
The regulator says it had issued an instruction on 3 October ordering Ucom to immediately cease using any radio frequency spectrum and to submit written confirmation within 24 hours. According to Cran, the company failed to comply.
Cran states that Ucom’s continued illegal transmission is now interfering with the networks of licensed operators and affecting service quality for consumers.
The regulator says radio equipment was confiscated during an operation conducted with the assistance of the Namibian police, in line with section 102 of the Communications Act. Cran says this action effectively shuts down Ucom’s network and prohibits further operations.
“This decision was not taken lightly but is necessary to protect the proper use of radio spectrum and to ensure better service for customers,” says Cran executive for communication and consumer relations Mufaro Nesongano.
He says Ucom had been given sufficient time since December 2023 to address its compliance issues but failed to do so.
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