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CRAN confiscates UCOM’s radio equipment after licence revocation

Staff Reporter THE Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has confiscated radio equipment from UCOM (formerly Mobile Telephone Networks Business Solutions Namibia, trading as MTN), following the cancellation of all UCOM’s spectrum licences. The announcement was made by CRAN’s Executive for Communication and Consumer Relations, Mufaro Nesongano, who confirmed that, with assistance from the Namibian Police (NamPol), CRAN confiscated radio equipment from UCOM Mobile Namibia in accordance with Section 102 of the Communications Act, No. 8 of 2009. He emphasised that this action effectively shut down UCOM Mobile’s network and prohibited any further operations. He revealed that, on 16 February 2023 and 8 December 2023 respectively, CRAN had already revoked all spectrum licences previously granted to UCOM. He explained that this decision followed UCOM’s failure to settle outstanding licence fees and its inefficient use of allocated spectrum, resulting in spectrum hoarding and thus constituting a material breach of UCOM’s licence conditions. “In consideration of the impact of this decision on consumers and UCOM, CRAN granted UCOM a period of six months, until June 2024, to facilitate the migration of their approximately 1,000 customers and to conduct an orderly wind-up of their operations. After this stipulated period, all services were to be terminated,” Nesongano said. He explained that during spectrum audits conducted in July, September and October 2025, CRAN found that UCOM Mobile Namibia was still providing services, which is in contravention of Section 101(1) of the Communications Act, No. 8 of 2009. “On 3 October 2025, UCOM was again instructed to immediately cease and desist from utilising any radio frequency spectrum and to provide written confirmation to the Authority within 24 hours, but it failed to do so. Despite this interaction, UCOM refused and/or failed to obey the instruction. The continued illegal transmission by UCOM is now causing interference with the networks of other duly licensed operators and affecting the quality of consumer experience,” Nesongano said. He emphasised that the decision was necessary to protect the proper use of radio spectrum and to ensure better service for consumers. “UCOM was given sufficient time, since December 2023, to address its compliance issues but did not do so. Customers affected by this interruption are encouraged to move their services to licensed operators to continue enjoying reliable products and services in the Namibian market,” Nesongano added.

admin November 16, 2025 2 min read

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Staff Reporter

THE Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has confiscated radio equipment from UCOM (formerly Mobile Telephone Networks Business Solutions Namibia, trading as MTN), following the cancellation of all UCOM’s spectrum licences.

The announcement was made by CRAN’s Executive for Communication and Consumer Relations, Mufaro Nesongano, who confirmed that, with assistance from the Namibian Police (NamPol), CRAN confiscated radio equipment from UCOM Mobile Namibia in accordance with Section 102 of the Communications Act, No. 8 of 2009. He emphasised that this action effectively shut down UCOM Mobile’s network and prohibited any further operations.

He revealed that, on 16 February 2023 and 8 December 2023 respectively, CRAN had already revoked all spectrum licences previously granted to UCOM. He explained that this decision followed UCOM’s failure to settle outstanding licence fees and its inefficient use of allocated spectrum, resulting in spectrum hoarding and thus constituting a material breach of UCOM’s licence conditions.

“In consideration of the impact of this decision on consumers and UCOM, CRAN granted UCOM a period of six months, until June 2024, to facilitate the migration of their approximately 1,000 customers and to conduct an orderly wind-up of their operations. After this stipulated period, all services were to be terminated,” Nesongano said.

He explained that during spectrum audits conducted in July, September and October 2025, CRAN found that UCOM Mobile Namibia was still providing services, which is in contravention of Section 101(1) of the Communications Act, No. 8 of 2009.

“On 3 October 2025, UCOM was again instructed to immediately cease and desist from utilising any radio frequency spectrum and to provide written confirmation to the Authority within 24 hours, but it failed to do so. Despite this interaction, UCOM refused and/or failed to obey the instruction. The continued illegal transmission by UCOM is now causing interference with the networks of other duly licensed operators and affecting the quality of consumer experience,” Nesongano said.

He emphasised that the decision was necessary to protect the proper use of radio spectrum and to ensure better service for consumers.

“UCOM was given sufficient time, since December 2023, to address its compliance issues but did not do so. Customers affected by this interruption are encouraged to move their services to licensed operators to continue enjoying reliable products and services in the Namibian market,” Nesongano added.