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| John Nkoma |
National
watchdog the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has postponed
a series of public discussions it intends to hold on cost-based interconnection
rates for telecoms network operators in the country, to give those involved
more time to consider the implications of such a move. The Daily News quotes TCRA
director Prof John Nkoma as announcing the postponement, noting that the talks
will now begin in February 2013, not this month as originally intended.
Earlier, the TCRA
announced its intention to carry out a study into the cost-based
interconnection rates levied by domestic telecoms network operators and asked
them to submit their view by the middle of January 2013. However, Prof Nkoma
now concedes that more time is needed to allow some of them – Airtel Tanzania,
Benson Informatics Limited (BOL), Dovetel, MIC Tanzania and Six Telecoms
Company – to comply with this request. The other two companies concerned are
Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL) and Zanzibar Telecom Limited
(Zantel).
Under
the TCRA’s proposals, the glide path for interconnection rate ceilings
(effective 1 March 2013 – 31 December 2017) will be:
~ TZS34.92
(USD0.022) voice call termination rate (1 March – 31 December 2013)
~ TZS32.40
voice call termination rate (effective 1 January 2014)
~ TZS30.58
voice call termination rate (effective 1 January 2015)
~ TZS28.57
voice call termination rate (effective 1 January 2016)
~ TZS26.96
voice call termination rate (effective 1 January 2017)
According to
TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, the Tanzania Communications
(Interconnection) Regulations are applicable to all network service providers
wishing to terminate traffic onto operators’ networks. Under local rules,
interconnect agreements are required to be transparent and non-discriminatory;
must be formulated on cost-based interconnection charges; and must provide an
adequate level of quality of service. In December 2007 the TCRA published its
determination on the Review of Telecommunications Network Interconnection
Rates, to establish cost-based interconnection rates among the network
operators active in the Republic.
The study used the Forward Looking Long Run
Incremental Cost study methodology (FL-LRIC) and submitted its determination
(known as Determination No.2, 2007) on new cost based interconnection rates for
voice call termination, effective from 1 January 2008. The edict replaces
Determination No. 1 of 2004, as reviewed in March 2006 on cost based
interconnection rates for fixed and mobile telecommunication networks. The glide
path for cost-based interconnection rates, effective 1 January 2008 to 31
December 2012, set the interconnection rate at TZS97.00 for the first year. All
operators were required to enter into new interconnection agreements and submit
the same to the TCRA by 31 January 2008.
TeleGeography.com