The license of Kasapa Telecoms Limited, operators of 028 numbers under the Expresso telecom brand, has been revoked revealed the National Communications Authority (NCA). Kasapa Telecom Limited is not licensed to provide any telecommunication services in Ghana.
The NCA is advising holders of 028 numbers to port to other networks if they wish to keep their numbers. The company was first given notice of intention to terminate the Mobile Cellular Licence, and termination was subsequently carried out on March 15, 2018.
The regulator explained that the revocation was done pursuant to Section 13 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775), citing a number reasons for the revocation.
The reasons for the revocation include a default of payment of annual regulatory fees since 2014, inability to offer licensed services and coverage obligations since 2014, and engagement in anticompetitive practices by terminating/transiting international traffic as domestic traffic on other networks (SIMBOX fraud).
Another reason was failure to settle fees for usage of microwave frequencies, inability to meet financial obligations to other operators in respect of Interconnection payments and failure to meet financial obligations to Porting XS, the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) Service Provider
According to the NCA, Expresso also switched off its network without due notice to the regulator, adding that as far as the regulator is concerned, Expresso does not have any subscription since the network is no longer in operation.
“Due to the existence of MNP, Kasapa subscribers have the choice to port their 028 numbers to networks of their choice,” it said.
NCA disclosed that a portion of the spectrum of Kasapa, which is good for 4G LTE, will be re-allocated for use considering economic and broader social value.
Edited by Fundisiwe Maseko
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