All telecom companies in Uganda are regulated by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) which recently reviewed, launched, and reminded all telecom companies to submit their applications based on the new licensing regime. Liquid Telecom this week applied for two new licenses from the regulator.
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The new licensing framework structure from UCC standardizes and reclassifies the existing and new telecoms into 5 licensing categories viz:
- National Telecom Operator (NTO)
- National Public Service Provider (NPSP)
- Regional Public Service Provider (RPSP)
- National Public Infrastructure Provider (NPIP)
- Regional Public Infrastructure Provider (RPIP) License.
Liquid Telecom already has a PIP and PSP license but now is applying for a National Public Infrastructure License (NPIP) and a Regional Public Service Provider (RPSP) License for the Central and Eastern Region of Uganda.
With the National Public Infrastructure Provider (NPIP) License, Liquid telecom will be allowed to establish and provide infrastructure services to licensed National Operators, Public Infrastructure providers, Public Service Providers, and Private Networks in Uganda. However, it will not be allowed to provide services to final consumers, except where it a PSP license. According to the November 2017 Gazette by UCC, the NPIP costs $ 100,000 (One-off) and an annual fee of $30,000.
To fill this gap, Liquid telecom has further applied for a Regional Public Service Provider (RPSP) license which will allow it to provide either Voice and Data services or Capacity Resale Services in a specific region. The licensee will not be allowed to provide service outside the central and Eastern region of Uganda. This license costs $3,000 initially and a recurring annual $3,000 fee.
As part of the application process, the communication regulator has to seek opinions and comments from the public which is expected within a period of two weeks. UCC will only grant the license to liquid telecom if after expiry of the stated time they receive no comments or opinions.
