ZICTA kicks out Zedmobile from Zambia’s telecom market over regulatory non-compliance

Zambia’s telecoms regulator has revoked Beeline Telecoms Limited’s network and service licences over what it said were persistent failures to meet regulatory, operational and financial obligations.

The Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) said the cancellation of Beeline’s Network Licence Number ZICTA/ICT/ECN/0156 and Service Licence Number ZICTA/ICT/ECS/0156 took effect on Monday, ending the operator’s rights to provide telecommunications services under the licences.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka on Tuesday, ZICTA Board Chairperson, Mundia Muya, said the decision followed a legal and regulatory assessment of representations submitted by Beeline after the company was given an opportunity to show cause why its licences should not be cancelled.

“Following a rigorous legal and regulatory assessment of Beeline Telecom’s representations submitted on September 10, 2026, together with a technical review of its current operational status, the Authority found that the representations were not satisfactory,” Muya said.

ZICTA said Beeline had persistently failed to comply with licence conditions, including network rollout requirements, minimum quality-of-service standards and payment of statutory fees.

Beeline was awarded the licences in February 2021, becoming Zambia’s fourth mobile network operator, and launched its Zedmobile brand in 2024.

Muya said ZICTA would also withdraw the numbering blocks and radio frequency spectrum assigned to Beeline following the licence cancellation.

The regulator said it would work to protect affected customers, including facilitating refunds for unused airtime, bundles and other outstanding financial liabilities.

“This will include facilitating refunds for unused airtime, bundles, or any other financial liabilities,” Muya said.

He said ZICTA would work with other regulators, including the Bank of Zambia, to ensure that consumer obligations were properly addressed.

ZICTA said consumer complaint channels would remain available for a period to be communicated to the public.

The authority said the cancellation of the licences did not extinguish any outstanding statutory or regulatory fees owed by Beeline and that it would pursue the obligations through appropriate legal and administrative measures.

The cancellation removes Beeline from Zambia’s mobile telecommunications market after five years as the country’s fourth licensed mobile network operator.

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