LUSAKA, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Zambia's communication and technology regulator said on Friday that it has fined five foreign firms and the country's power utility for illegally offering electronic communication services.
The Zambia Information and Communications Technology (ZICTA) said the five firms, international data transit operators, have been fined after investigations revealed that they were illegally offering electronic communication services to Internet Service Providers (IPSs) within the country using the power utility's infrastructure.
Among the firms include PCCWL Global, Telecom Namibia Limited, Wananchi Telecom Limited (WTL), West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC) and Gilat Satcom Global Communications, according to a statement released by the regulator.
According to the regulator, it was an offense for any firm or individual to operate an electronic communications network or provide an electronic communications service without obtaining a license.
The power utility has since been directed to cut access to the same unlicensed international data transit operators.
"It is important to note that companies engaging in such conducts deprive government of the much needed revenue as they do not pay tax since they are not registered entities in Zambia," the regulator said.
The firms have since been advised to legalize and normalize their operations and follow laid down procedures.
