The Uganda Communications Commission is reviewing enforcement against unauthorised hotspot and Wi-Fi providers following complaints from operators, with a public notice expected before the end of the week.
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) is reviewing its enforcement actions against unauthorised internet operators following complaints from hotspot and Wi-Fi providers, with a public notice expected before the end of this week.
UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo said the regulator had received letters and complaints raising concerns that required further examination following earlier discussions on enforcement and compliance with communications regulations.
Thembo chaired a meeting with Wi-Fi operators and the commission’s top management to discuss the concerns and assess them before determining the way forward.
“True to our ethos of professional honesty and fair regulation, the Commission has taken time to thoroughly examine these concerns,” he said.
The review comes amid tensions over regulatory enforcement and the operations of hotspot providers. Thembo did not disclose the specific complaints received or the number of operators affected.
However, over the last few days, there have been complaints stemming from UCC’s directive requiring individuals using public Wi-Fi connections for commercial purposes to cease the practice without the necessary authorisation.
The regulator’s action followed concerns that some individuals were purchasing internet subscriptions from telecom operators and reselling access to paying customers through shared Wi-Fi networks and hotspots, a practice that telecom companies argued was costing them business.
UCC subsequently sought to widen the regulatory requirements by pursuing a policy that would require individuals with Wi-Fi connections, including those installed in private homes, to register with the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), raising further concerns about the scope of the proposed regulation and its implications for ordinary internet users.
He said regulation must balance public interest with industry growth, warning that operators who bypass established regulatory frameworks could undermine the wider sector.
“Unchecked operations that bypass established public frameworks ultimately undermine the collective interest and harm the wider sector,” Thembo said.
He invoked the “tragedy of the commons” to explain how businesses pursuing individual interests without regard for shared obligations could ultimately damage the wider industry.
The UCC chief said the commission was committed to protecting public safety, supporting infrastructure development and safeguarding national revenue streams that finance essential public services.
He welcomed what he described as constructive dialogue with the operators and pledged continued engagement to address their concerns and refine regulatory frameworks.
“We will issue a public notice on the matter before the end of this week,” he said.
The notice is expected to provide further guidance, although Thembo did not indicate whether the commission would revise its enforcement measures, suspend any actions or introduce new compliance arrangements for hotspot and Wi-Fi operators.