MTN and Zain refuse to share infrastructure

MTN and Zain Zambia have refused pressure from the Communications Authority of Zambia (CAZ) to share network infrastructure, with both operators claiming it would be difficult to maintain quality assurance. The CAZ has been urging the companies to share infrastructure in order to boost the expansion of services in rural regions but MTN and Zain have both stated that they will proceed with individual expansion plans and are not prepared to consider a shared solution. CAZ has no power to force the cellcos to link up on rural expansion programs, but it can lobby the government to provide incentives to the operators; Zain has been pushing for tax incentives for its rural expansion projects. The Zambian government, through CAZ, has set aside almost USD4 million for ICT development aimed at connecting all remote areas to mobile communication.