UCC speaks out on pulling down Airtel probe statement, says probe still stands

By Francis Otucu

Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has in a Tuesday evening interview with this news site confirmed pulling down a statement on probe in to Airtel 4G strength.

The statement shared Monday evening, 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.

According to UCC, the probe 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.

However, by Tuesday evening, the statement had been withdrawn.

UCC Spokesperson, Ibrahim Bbosa explained that the commission realized there was potential for misuse adding, the probe still stands.

“We handle many investigations. However, the investigation process isn’t what we elaborate in the media,” Bbosa said.

On the Airtel one, Bbosa said, the matter was first shared given the public interest.

“There are those we handle and are of public interest. Those, we put out. However, this particular one, given the response it attracted, it would create reputation risk and we didn’t want to create a situation where their competitors would use this against them. That was the decision to pull the statement down. We promote interest of both service providers and consumers and so, the investigation isn’t yet conclusive. The process is still on-going but we didn’t want it (statement) misused and taken out of context,” he said.

UCC had in its investigation sampled in Kampala, Mukono, Entebbe and Jinja towns to establish the level of coverage and download throughout of Airtel’s 4G network established 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.

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