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Bénin suspends WiFi, WiMAX and WLL authorizations in crackdown on "telecom anarchy"

From "Télécoms béninois: anarchie totale, mesures draconiennes annoncées," (Beninese Telecoms: total anarchy, draconian measures announced), Ouestaf News, 20 January 2007. English translation follows excerpts from the French original:

"Une étude commanditée par l'Etat du Bénin dans le secteur des télécommunications dans le pays a fait 'l'amer constat' de la grande anarchie qui y prévaut, incitant le gouvernement à annoncer une série de mesures drastiques, a appris Ouestafnews de source officielle...

"L'accélération de l'audit de Bénin Télécoms SA, la mise en place d'une autorité de régulation, la suppression immédiate 'de tous les accès à l'international effectués hors des installations de Bénin télécoms SA' figurent au nombre des mesures annoncées.

"L'Etat, selon le communiqué va également suspendre tous les 'arrêtés portant autorisation de prestation de services de télécommunications telles que la Voix sur IP, la boucle locale radio, le wifi, le wimax, l'adsl, les cartes prépayées à l'exception des fournisseurs d'accès internet et des opérateurs de cybercafé qui exploitent légalement leurs activités'.

"Les conditions de la récente 'mutation des Telecel vers Moov' (opérateurs privés) seront également examinées, promet le gouvernement béninois qui annonce plusieurs autres mesures dont notamment le démantèlement 'sans délai' d'installations techniques opérées sans autorisation, le relèvement des prix de licences accordées de 'manière fantaisiste'."
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A study of the telecom sector in the country commissioned by the State of Benin produced a 'landmark report' on the great anarchy which prevails, inciting the government to announce a series of drastic measures, Ouestaf News has learned from an official source...

Accelerating the audit of Benin Telecoms SA, the installation of a regulatory authority, [and] the immediate removal 'of all international accesses made through Benin Telecoms SA's installations' figure in the measures announced.

According to the official statement, the state will also suspend all 'decrees conveying authorization for the provision of telecommunication services such as Voice-over-IP, Wireless Local Loop, WiFi, WiMAX, ADSL [and] prepaid cards, with the exception of suppliers of Internet access and the operators of cybercafés that conduct their activities legally.'

The conditions of the recent 'change of Telecel towards Moov' (private operators) will be also examined, promises the Beninese government, which announces several other measures, notably the dismantling 'without delay' of technical installations operated without authorization, [and] price increases for licences granted in a 'fantasistic manner.'
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NOTE: The anarchy in the telecom sector should not surprise Benin's government, which suspended the telecom regulatory agency last May and cancelled the telecom law adopted in 2002. According to Balancing Act Africa, the suspended agency "was put in place hastily by the outgoing government a couple of weeks prior to the presidential election..." See our Bénin page for background.

[Regulation - 31 January 2007]