Lusaka — THE Communications Authority of Zambia (CAZ) has directed Cell Z to interconnect directly with the other mobile networks.

CAZ deputy controller Richard Mwanza yesterday said that this set-up would improve the interconnection capacity and quality.

"We are working with the operators to ensure all networks are interconnected in the most efficient way utilising advanced technologies in order to provide good quality seamless services among networks," he said.

Mwanza also said the Communications Authority has also directed all other operators including Cell Z to migrate their point of interconnection with the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) to the new toll switch.

Mwanza said the main reasons for the problems in interconnectivity between Zamtel and Celtel arose out of the parties' disagreements on the commercial arrangements of the Interconnection Agreement of 1998 entered into by the parties.

"Essentially, the parties have failed to agree on what the true cost of terminating traffic on either party's network is," Mwanza explained.

"This has further been compounded by the asymmetric flow of traffic such that the fixed network originates much more traffic for termination on mobile networks."

Mwanza also said physical inspections of Zamtel and Celtel interconnection arrangements were carried out by the ZCC and the Communications Authority.

"The outcome of the inspections revealed that Zamtel had completed the work to ease congestion between the two companies and were waiting for Celtel to route their cabling to the radio equipment," he said.

It is currently difficult for callers to make calls from a Zamtel landline to a Celtel number, apparently due to the same commercial disputes.

Mwanza added that the Communications Authority has since written to Celtel to expedite the work and that a deadline has been given to that effect.

On how the Communications Authority was ensuring that cartels and anti-competitive tendencies did not occur, Mwanza said the chief executive officers from both the authority and the Zambia Competition Commission have met to discuss such concerns.

And ZCC executive director George Lipimile has said the current interconnectivity problems from a Zamtel landline to Celtel would be one of the items to be discussed at a consultative meeting tomorrow.

Lipimile noted that it was the responsibility of all players in the industry to open their communications networks so as not to inconvenience consumers.

Lipimile said there were licensing provisions that are supposed to be followed by all players as determined by the Communications Authority, which is the sector regulator.

He said the issue could also be looked at in a concurrent manner such that if the question of competition came in, the ZCC could intervene.

"We normally have general discussions with stakeholders and the last meeting was on Friday. I will bring the issue at the next meeting," he said.