KAMPALA, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has set new conditions for telecommunications operators in the country in a move aimed at improving services, a top government official said on Tuesday.
Frank Tumwebaze, minister of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT), told reporters that the new conditions were contained in the new National Broadband Policy that was approved by Cabinet on Monday.
"Every operator that seeks a national operator license must be able to cover the entire geographical place of Uganda so as to enable universal access, promote effective competition and quality of service," Tumwebaze said.
Other conditions include being able to provide roaming services to all telecommunications users despite being connected by other providers.
"Currently within the country customers of one service provider cannot access the ICT services of the other service provider. The policy aims to enable customers to have a seamless access and coverage for the customers irrespective of their network," the minister said.
He said all telecommunications companies will have to list shares.
"Local listing for all telecom operators as a licensing condition will help mitigate capital flight," he said.
He said companies would not have an automatic renewal of their operators license until their services have been vetted.
Tumwebaze warned that companies that do not comply risk losing their licenses. Uganda currently has five major telecommunications operators. Enditem
