… As Eswatini Competitions Commission gives out licenses
BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA
MBABANE- EmaSwati will now have a variety of choice where internet provision is concerned.
The Eswatini Competitions Commission (ESCCOM) has issued three new licenses to technology companies which also provide internet.
ESCCOM is the regulatory body responsible for regulating the communications sector in Eswatini, constituting of telecommunication services and networks, broadcasting services, postal services and the use and allocation of radio spectrum.
The three technology companies that were given the electronic communications services general licenses are Rodge and Ziks Investments, Worldwide Communications Corporation and Glimmertech Investments.
The ESCCOM Chief Executive (CE) Mvilawemphi Dlamini said the licensees would be aware that prior to granting the licences, the Commission, in accordance with Section 32 of the ESCCOM Act, undertook a public consultation exercise calling for written comments from interested stakeholders and the general public on its intention to grant the said licences, saying they were pleased to note that no objection was received hence the grant of the licences.
“The scope of these kinds of licences is the provision of internet services; value added services and any other service that the commission may authorise from time to time. This kind of licence category is relatively competitive as we already have 11 operational and duly licenced Internet Service providers. The licencing of these three will take the number to a total of 18 ISPs.
“This is quite a sizable number and we trust the introduction of these new will continue to stimulate growth of the sector and afford emaSwati the best services especially in this era where COVID-19 has made us realise the crucial role of internet services,” said the Chief Executive.
Dlamini continued saying most people were working from home, learning is conducted on line, meetings are held online and everyday life has suddenly became dependent on the availability of internet services.
“Despite the surge in COVID-19 and associated lockdowns experienced, most people have resorted to continue relying on digital services in their socio-economic life. This calls for internet services to be available, efficient, reliable and mostly affordable.
“We urge licences to provide the best connection and strive to reach or better the minimum broadband speed of 5mbs. We expect all licences to compete fairly and uphold the competition principles enshrined in the Competition Act 2007 and the recently issued Eswatini Communications Commission Fair Competition Guidelines 2019. Those Guidelines spell out how the Commission expect all licensees to behave in the market.”
The CE urged the new licensees to take their services to the remote and/or underserved areas for all emaSwati to enjoy the services.
“The services you provide are not the purview of urban dwellers but should be enjoyed by all. We challenge you to be innovative and create services tailor made for the different sectors of society including women, children and people living with disabilities,” he said.
Worth noting is that in the country, the known internet providers are Eswatini Mobile, MTN Eswatini, Eswatini Post and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC), Jenny, Real Image and others.
The three companies will be the new players in providing internet in the country.
“WE ARE AIMING AT PROVIDING INTERNET IN THE OUTSKIRTS”- GLIMMERTECH DIRECTOR
MBABANE- Glimmertech Investments is not going mainstream!
An interview by the Eswatini Positive News (EPN) News Desk with Glimmertech Investments Director James Dollman revealed that the company’s aim was to provide internet in the outskirts of the country.
“Many companies are known to provide their services within the Mbabane-Manzini corridor. We will work differently as we will concentrate on providing internet in remote places and schools. There are places where cars cannot even reach and we will provide internet there,” said Dollman.
The Director went on to say they we excited to be finally licensed as they put a lot of work in to it.
“We have a lot of work to do now,” he said.
Worldwide Communications Director, Siphiwo Dlamini, spoke on behalf of the companies and thanked ESCCOM for granting them the opportunity to contribute positively to Eswatini’s economy. He expressed their commitment to ensuring that services are of high quality and at affordable.
