Zamtel
 | |
| State-owned enterprise | |
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Headquarters | Lusaka |
Key people | Dr. Mupanga Mwanakatwe,CEO |
| Products |
Telecommuncations services Internet and GSM mobile(CELL Z)services |
| Revenue | ~ Approximately K 400 Billion Annually |
Number of employees | ~ Approximately 750 |
| Slogan | Live Life Today! |
| Website | http://www.zamtel.zm/ |
Zamtel is a government-owned telecommunication service provider in Zambia. The head office of the company is located in the Zambian capital city of Lusaka. Zamtel is one of three mobile phone networks in the country; the others are Airtel and MTN.
History
The company began in 1975 as the Zambian Post and Telecommunication Corporation (PTC) which was formed from the General Post Office (GPO).
In July 1994 the government of Zambia passed a Telecommunications Act that led to the splitting up of the Post and Telecommunications Corporation into two separate companies: the Zambia Postal Services Corporation (Zampost), and the Zambia Telecommunications Company (Zamtel). The Company falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications of Zambia.
In 2010, the Zambian government, under the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) President, Rupiah Banda, sold 75% of the Zamtel to the Libyan company, LAP Green Networks. The government claimed it had done so in order to keep Zamtel from shutting down after plans to recapitalize it had failed. This was a contentious move however, as some critics claimed the company was still economically viable.[1] The 2011 Zambian national election saw the incumbent MMD party replaced by the opposition Patriotic Front (PF). The newly elected government, under President Michael Sata, set out an inquiry into the sale of Zamtel because they believed it was sold fraudulently by the previous government. The inquiry produced a report that showed irregularities in the manner in which Zamtel was sold, alleging that LAP Green and RP Capitals, which was appointed as financial advisor, bribed senior Zambian government officials; an allegation that both LAP Green and RP Capitals denied.[2]
As a result of the findings, President Michael Sata ordered a reversal of the $257m deal and the government of Zambia seized control of Zamtel.[3] In 2013, LAP Green sued the government of Zambia in a British court in order to reclaim ownership of Zamtel. The Zambian government agreed that it would compensate LAP Green for its investments, but it would not let ownership of the company be transferred back to the Libyan operator.[4]
Services
Zamtel Land-line Services
- Zamtel is the sole fixed-line service provider with approximately 80,000 lines country-wide
Zamtel Prepaid
- Prepaid mobile phone service that allows users to top-up minutes using scratch cards
Zamtel Mobile Internet
- Internet access for mobile devices or computers. Zamtel provides long-distance services, through a microwave backbone and a single satellite earth station at Mwembeshi.[5]
Zamtel International Roaming service
- International roaming service that allows users to stay connected wherever they are in the world. This is accomplished through partnerships with over 277 international roaming partners in 133 countries
Corporate governance
Dr. Mupanga Mwanakatwe - Zamtel CEO
Nchimunya Hachandi - Chief Financial Officer
Albert Salima - Chief Information Services Officer
Leya Mtonga Ngoma - Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer
Sydney Mupeta - Chief Technical Officer
Mooka Akapelwa Silumbu - Chief Human Resources & Administration Officer
Lho-zindaaba Sakala - Chief Sales and Distribution Officer
Evans Muhanga - Chief Marketing Officer