New Twist in Airtel 4G probe as UCC pulls down statement from its website

By Francis Otucu

On Monday evening, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) confirmed writing to Airtel Uganda Limited directing the telecommunications company to furnish the Commission with technical evidence on the capacity of its 4G network across the country.

This, UCC claimed, was prompted by complaints received from ‘some members of the public’ regarding the quality and internet speeds on the Airtel 4G network.

“The complaints allege that Airtel Uganda Ltd is misrepresenting to the public that it is providing a 4G network service across the country, whereas not,” part of the statement published on UCCs official website (UCCINFO.BLOG) reads.

Following preliminary investigations conducted in the sampled towns of Kampala, Mukono, Entebbe and Jinja to establish the level of coverage and download throughput of Airtel’s 4G network, UCC revealed that the Commission found that whereas Airtel’s LTE signal was available in over 90% of the areas sampled, the network speeds were much lower than what is internationally expected for a 4G network service.

Consequently, the UCC, in accordance with sections 45 and 48 of the Uganda Communications Act 2013 and Regulation 28 of the Communications (Practice and Procedure) Regulations 2005, Airtel Uganda Limited was asked to:

• Furnish the Commission with technical evidence to prove that it provides the claimed 100% 4G network service across Uganda in terms of performance and geographical coverage.
• Show cause why regulatory sanction(s) should not be instituted against Airtel Uganda Limited for misrepresenting to its customers and the general public about its network quality and speeds.

“Airtel Uganda Limited is required to submit the requisite evidence and representations within fourteen (14) days,” the statement adds.

Airtel Uganda is yet to comment on the matter, hours later.

NEW TWIST

Hours later, the commission has pulled down the statement.

The reason for pulling down the statement remains unknown.

UCC spokesperson, Ibrahim Bbosa did not pick up our repeated phone calls.