Zamtel, whose official name is Zambia Telecommunications Company Limited, is a government-owned telecommunication service provider in Zambia. Zamtel is one of three mobile phone networks in the country; the others are Airtel and MTN.[1]
 | |
| Company type | State-owned enterprise |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Headquarters | Lusaka 15°24′57″S 28°17′44″E / 15.41583°S 28.29556°E |
Key people | Jason Mwanza (CEO) |
| Products | Telecommunications services Internet services Landline services Cellularphone services |
| Revenue | approx. K400 billion annually |
Number of employees | approx. 750 |
Company overview
editZambia Telecommunications Company Limited is a Company incorporated in Zambia under the Companies Act Chapter 388 of the Laws of Zambia. The sole shareholder of the Company is the Government of the Republic of Zambia. The Company falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications pursuant to Gazette Notice No. 183 of 2012 and the Statutory Functions Act Chapter 4 of the Laws of Zambia.[2]
History
editThe first telephone exchange was installed in Livingstone, as part of the General Post Office (GPO).[3] In 1975, the GPO transformed into the Zambian Post and Telecommunication Corporation (PTC).[4]
In July 1994 the government of Zambia passed a Telecommunications Act that led to the splitting up of the Post and Telecommunications Corporation into two separate companies: the Zambia Postal Services Corporation (Zampost), and the Zambia Telecommunications Company (Zamtel). The Company falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications of Zambia.[4]
In 2010, the Zambian government, under the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) President, Rupiah Banda, sold 75% of the Zamtel to the Libyan company LAP Green Networks. The government claimed it had done so in order to keep Zamtel from shutting down after plans to recapitalize it had failed. This was a contentious move however, as some critics claimed the company was still economically viable.[5] The 2011 Zambian national election saw the incumbent MMD party replaced by the opposition Patriotic Front (PF). The newly elected government, under President Michael Sata, set out an inquiry into the sale of Zamtel because they believed it was sold fraudulently by the previous government. The inquiry produced a report that showed irregularities in the manner in which Zamtel was sold, alleging that LAP Green and RP Capitals, which was appointed as financial advisor, bribed senior Zambian government officials; an allegation that both LAP Green and RP Capitals denied.[6] As a result of the findings, President Michael Sata ordered a reversal of the $257 million deal and the government of Zambia seized control of Zamtel.[7]
In 2013, LAP Green sued the government of Zambia in a British court in order to reclaim ownership of Zamtel. The Zambian government agreed that it would compensate LAP Green for its investments, but it would not let ownership of the company be transferred back to the Libyan operator.[8][9]
Location
editThe head office of the company is located in Zamtel House, at the corner of Chilubi Road and Church Road, in the Zambian capital city of Lusaka.[10] The coordinates of Zamtel House are 15°24′57″S 28°17′44″E / 15.41583°S 28.29556°E.[11]
Services
editServices offered by the company include the following:[12]
- Zamtel Land-line Services: Zamtel is the sole fixed-line service provider with approximately 80,000 lines country-wide
- Zamtel Prepaid: Prepaid mobile phone service that allows users to top-up minutes using scratch cards
- Zamtel Mobile Internet: Internet access for mobile devices or computers.
- Zamtel International Roaming service: International roaming service that allows users to stay connected wherever they are in the world.
Zamtel Velocity
editIn October 2019 Zamtel launched a new unlimited data bundle packages.[13] The service is available on Routers and MiFis.[14]
Corporate governance
editThe Industrial Development Corporation in August 2017 appointed a new board of directors for Zamtel. [15]
References
edit- ^ TechTrends Staff (14 January 2014). "Data Bundle Comparisons of Airtel, MTN and Zamtel". Lusaka: Techtrends.co.zm. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
- ^ "zamtel". zamtel. 2020-05-28. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
- ^ Ebizguides.com (2006). "The History of Zambia Telecommunications Company Limited (ZAMTEL)". Ebizguides.com. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
- ^ a b Zamtel (9 September 2016). "The History of Zamtel". Lusaka: Zamtel. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
- ^ Malakata, Michael (12 January 2012). "Zambian government reverses sale of Zamtel to Libya's Lap Green". London: Pcadvisor.co.uk. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
- ^ Malakata, Michael (4 December 2014). "Zambia pays loan for Libya's Lap Green, but Zamtel case continues". San Francisco, California, USA: Pcworld.com. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
- ^ "Zambia: President Sata reverses Libyan Zamtel sale". BBC News. 24 January 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
- ^ BAAC News (5 April 2013). "Zambia: UK to host Lap Green Networks' Zambia lawsuit". London: Balancingact-Africa.com (BAAC): Issue Number 649. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
- ^ Business News (30 July 2015). "Zamtel, Lap Green Networks saga deepens". Lusaka: Lusaka Voice. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ^ Zamtel (9 September 2016). "Zamtel: Get In Touch With Our Company". Lusaka: Zambia Telecommunications Company Limited (Zamtel). Retrieved 9 September 2016.
- ^ "Location of the Headquarters of Zambia Telecommunications Company Limited (Zamtel)" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
- ^ Zamtel (9 September 2016). "Services Offered by Zamtel". Lusaka: Zambia Telecommunications Company Limited (Zamtel). Retrieved 9 September 2016.
- ^ Sandi. "Zamtel launches new unlimited WiFi bundles". Retrieved 27 November 2020.
- ^ "Zamtel Velocity Unlimited Internet launched". www.lensesview.com. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
- ^ Zamtel. "Zamtel Management: Meet The Team". Lusaka: Zambia Telecommunications Company Limited (Zamtel). Retrieved 9 September 2016.