Macra warns against illegal Internet service
Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) has warned the public against providing Internet services to clients without obtaining a licence from the regulator.
Macra issued a statement on Saturday after establishing that an entity in Karonga District is providing Internet services without a licence.
Reads the statement in part: “Macra on February 17 2022 established that an entity in Karonga District is providing Internet services without a licence issued by Macra.
“According to Section 31 (3) of the Act, any person who provides electronic communications service without a licence commits an offence and is liable to a fine of K5 million and to imprisonment for five years.”
In an interview, Macra communications manager Zadziko Mankhambo justified the warning, saying besides the legality of the matter, there are several issues such as consumer protection, competition and quality of services that have to be looked into.
He said: “Licenced operators are prescribed with standards which must be adhered to. These standards include handling of consumer complaints because unlicenced operators don’t abide by the set standards.”
Mankhambo has since urged people interested to venture into communications services as an Internet service provider to acquire a licence from Macra.
Karonga Police Station officer-in-charge Ousman Gondwe asked for more time before commenting on the matter
