Telecoms news from Swaziland

Swaziland's SPTC Starts Shutting Down Wireless Services

The Swaziland landline operator, SPTC has started shutting down its fixed wireless services after losing a legal battle with the country's monopoly mobile network, MTN over the service. ...more.

South African Bank Offers Mobile Money Transfers to Neighbouring Countries

South Africa's First National Bank (FNB) is launching cross border payments to Swaziland and Lesotho via a cellphone using its Pay2Cell service. ...more.

Swazi MTN Seeking Compensation for Breach of Wireless Monopoly

MTN's Swaziland subsidiary is seeking US$100 million in compensation from the state-owned telco, SPTC stemming from a dispute over MTN's monopoly on mobile services. ...more.

Swazi MTN Says Not Opposed to SPTC Launching a Mobile Network

Although the two companies have been in a lengthy dispute, MTN has now said that it is not opposed to Swaziland Post and Telecommunication Corporation (SPTC) launching its own mobile service. ...more.

Swaziland's SPTC Shuts Down its Mobile Network

On the eve of international arbitration, Swaziland's state-owned telco, SPTC has shut-down its mobile network after seemingly accepting that the service breached an agreement signed with MTN to be the monopoly provider of mobile services. ...more.

Swaziland Prime Minister Seeks Competition in Local Mobile Market

Swaziland's Prime Minister, Sibusiso Dlamini has reiterated that the state-owned telco, SPTC should be allowed to operate its own mobile network - and break the monopoly held by Swazi MTN in the country. ...more.

Swaziland Government in Talks to Transfer Stake in MTN

The government of Swaziland is to hold talks with the local subsidiary of MTN regarding the transfer of the government's indirect stake in the company to the government's Ministry of Finance. ...more.

MTN Wants International License for Swaziland Subsidiary

MTN's Swaziland subsidiary has distanced itself from its joint-venture partner in the country, SPTC over its controversial decision to order internet backbone capacity from Seacom. ...more.

Phone Services Shut-Down in Swaziland Capital City During Protests

Mobile phone services have been shut-down in the capital of Swaziland, Mbabane at the start of five days of organised anti-government protests. ...more.

Swazi Government Sacks Entire Board at State-Owned Telco

The government of Swaziland has sacked the entire Board of Directors at the state-owned telco/regulator, the Swaziland Post and Telecommunications Corporation (SPTC). ...more.

MTN Wins Court Case to Block Launch of Mobile Service in Swaziland

Swaziland's state-controlled Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications (SPTC) has lost a long-running legal fight with MTN's local subsidiary over its plans to launch its own mobile phone service - branded as One Phones. ...more.

MTN Abolishes Roaming Charges Across Five Countries

South Africa based MTN has launched borderless roaming across five countries where it has subsidiaries - Botswana, Rwanda, Uganda, Swaziland and Zambia. ...more.

MTN Confident Of Getting 3G License in Swaziland

MTN's Swaziland subsidiary has confirmed that it will launch 3G services as soon as the telecoms regulator grants them permission. ...more.

MTN Denied 3G license in Swaziland

MTN has had its application for a 3G license in Swaziland rejected by the local telecoms network, the Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (SPTC), which also managed the regulatory regime in the country. ...more.

MTN Drops Attempt to Block Swazi Fixed-Wireless Service

MTN's Swaziland subsidiary has dropped its attempt to block the state-owned Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corp (SPTC) from launching a fixed-wireless service, ...more.

MTN Swaziland CEO Barred from Working in the Country

The mystery over whether the current CEO of MTN Swaziland, Tebogo Mogapi will be able to continue his role deepened when it was reported that he has left the country to return to South Africa. The government has failed to renew his work permit, necessary as he is a foreign national. ...more.

MTN Awaits Telecoms License Renewal in Swaziland

MTN is currently waiting for its operating license to be renewed in Swaziland after its old 10 year monopoly ended. MTN Swaziland CEO, Tebogo Mogapi said at a press briefing that negotiations with the telecoms regulator had concluded and an announcement is expected shortly. ...more.