TCRA suspends Six Telecoms services

ALVAR MWAKYUSA

THE communications industry regulator has suspended all services provided by a local firm, Six Telecoms Tanzania Limited, for allegedly occasioning a loss of 7.7 million US dollars (about 15bn/-) to the government.

This follows an impromptu inspection by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) at Six Telecoms’ offices and facilities in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

The company, among others, is accused of charging lower tariffs on international calls than those indicated by the industry watchdog. By charging the lower tariffs of US 16 cents as opposed to US 25 cents, the government has been denied its requisite share of revenues, according to TCRA officials.

On its website, the company describes itself as a provider of an extensive range of products and services for the wholesale, enterprise and retail markets.

It goes on to boast as the pioneer of international gateway business through investments and focus on network architecture and infrastructure.

“Through strategic relationships with SEACOM, TEAMS and EASSy, the undersea fibre-optic cables straddling the East African coast, we have been able to establish connectivity with Western Europe, Asia and the Middle East, furthering our ability to provide quality access,” the company says on its website.

A senior TCRA legal officer, Mr Johannes Kalungura, accused the company of failing to adhere to directives issued by the communications authority.

“Our statistics show that the company has occasioned a loss of 7.7 million US dollars on international calls and other communication services offered by the firm,” the official charged.

He added: “We have thus switched off the operating systems and confiscated some gadgets for further investigations. Customers of Six Telecoms will remain without services until further notice.”

Shortly thereafter, police officers who were accompanying the TCRA officials apprehended the Managing Director of Six Telecoms, Mr Rashid Shamte, to record a statement awaiting further actions.

Mr Shamte claimed that he had earlier discussed the matter with the management of TCRA and made payments on arrears that the company owed the communications watchdog. He admitted however that his firm had been charging US 16 cents per minute on international calls as opposed to US 25 cents set by TCRA.