8 August 2008
editorial
THE Communications Authority of Zambia (CAZ) like any regulatory body has a very onerous task in its area of responsibility.
In the modern times, communication is the life blood for the various social, economic functions of society.
In the business arena, poor or lack of effective communication is the difference between success or failure.
Colossal amounts of money are lost in business on a mere slip up of communication where vital data fails to be delivered to its destination.
Calamities like floods, fires and hurricanes have been effectively mitigated where a sound and effective communication system has been in place.
All this makes the maintenance of a top drawer communications system in Zambia of vital national interest.
This is where the job of the CAZ is cut out for them.
Even for the most ardent optimist, it cannot be denied that overall, the quality of service delivery in the communications sector in Zambia has been less than impressive.
For mobile phone users, network failure is a very familiar experience resulting in either failing to get through a call or premature termination of a call.
For computer and internet users, loss of servers and internet connections are again very common occurrences.
Apart from being an inconvenience, such glitches cost so much in terms of lost business for those affected.
The fact that providers of these services are themselves in business makes it unfair to the users.
It is against such a background that all stake holders would be elated by the Communications Authority of Zambia coming up with Quality of Service Standards (QoSS).
As stated by the CAZ, these would form the basis under which service providers in the telecommunications industry will commit to deliver improved services to their clients.
Experience shows how ever, that standards, like laws, even when thy are very good on paper are not worth anything if they are not enforced, this is cause for worry.
The CAZ would need to ensure that their standards and enforceable because this is the only way in which they would be able to realise their objectives.
It is not enough, for CAZ director of economics and research Susan Mulikita "urging" operators in the industry to adhere to the set standards.
Unless and until the severe penalties that the CAZ says are in store for defaulters are seen to be visited on erring firms, the whole exercise would have been futile.
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