NCA Revokes Licenses Of 34 Companies In The ICT Sector

The National Communications Authority (NCA) has revoked the licenses of thirty-four companies who had earlier been granted licenses to operate as Internet Service Providers (ISP), Fiber Optic, Public Data and Paging, as well as FM Radio Services.

A release from the NCA available to Citi Business News indicates that ten of the companies had been licensed to operate as internet service providers, whilst seventeen other companies, besides being licensed as ISP's, were to provide VSAT, Public Data, Paging, Fiber Optic and Spread Spectrum services.

Six of the revoked licenses belonged to the FM Radio Broadcasting category. Three of the licenses of Mountain FM at Ho, Positive Network Limited, Konongo, and Soul FM Tarkwa, were revoked in 2004, whilst the other three, SMS FM Station in Koforidua, Always FM Limited also in Koforidua and Zabzugu Tatale Community Radio Project, were revoked between April and June this year.

Explaining the reasons for the revocation of the licenses, the NCA said the licenses and authorizations were revoked due to inefficiencies and the company's inability to meet the standards set by the Authority in providing communication services to the public. This action of the NCA falls in line with its regulatory philosophy, which defines its actions of ensuring that licensed operators perform their functions according to the dictates of the Authority.