Communications

The mandate of the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESSCOM) is to regulate and oversee the communications sector in the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Telecommunications

Under the Communications Commissions Act 2013, ESCCOM has complete authority – to license all operators. The telecommunications industry continues to experience significant growth in terms of the total number of consumers of telecommunications services especially the mobile technology. The Telecommunications/ITC industry has underwent numerous reforms since the introduction of mobile technology in Eswatini. Currently, we have two operators providing Mobile and fixed telecommunications services respectively. The Act liberalised the licencing for provision of telecommunications services which is an indication that more telecommunications providers may apply for licences to compete in the industry. The processes for licence applications and requirements shall be published by ESCCOM shortly.

Licensed Telecommunications Operators in Eswatini

MTN Eswatini

Email: feedback.sz@mtn.com
Website: www.mtn.co.sz
Postal Address: P. O. Box 5050 Mbabane, H100
Physical Address: Mahlalekhukhwini House, Portion 14 of Farm 50, Cnr MR103 & Nshakabili Road, Ezulwini.

Eswatini Mobile

Tel: 3401 1000 / Mobile: 7901 1000
Email: info@swazimobile.com
Website: www.swazimobile.com
Postal Address: P. O. Box 2150 Mbabane, H100
Physical Address: PSPF Office Park, 2nd Floor, Sibekelo Bld, Mhlambanyatsi Rd, Mbabane.

Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC)

Tel: (+268) 2405 2000
Email: info@sptc.co.sz
Website: www.sptc.co.sz
Postal Address: P. O. Box 125 Mbabane, H100
Physical Address: Mahlokohla St, Mbabane.

Internet Service Providers

The converged regulator will be responsible for regulatory oversight of internet services.

Licensed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Eswatini
Afrimetro Investments (PTY) LTD
Website: www.afrimetro.com Postal Address: P. O. Box 6889 Mbabane Physical Address: Unit 6, Lilanga Complex, Litsemba Street, Sidwashini.
Chakaza Holdings (PTY) Ltd
Website: www.chakaza.co.sz Physical Address: 334 Inyoni Park, Coates Valley, Eswatini.
COMMIT (PTY) Ltd
Website: www.commitconsult.com Tel: (+268) 2411 1680 Postal Address: P. O. Box 5817 Mbabane, H100 Physical Address: Cnr Somhlolo & Madlenya St, Muir Towers, Mbabane.
Computronics Systems (PTY) Ltd
Website: www.computronics.sz Tel: (+268) 2404 5504 Postal Address: P. O. Box 1919 Mbabane, H100 Physical Address: Computronics House, Queensgate, Mbabane.

Type Approval

A process by which communications equipment or device or system is authorised by the Commission to be used in Eswatini or imported into Eswatini and involves verification of the equipment, device or system’s compliance with the applicable standards and other regulatory requirements.

Licensed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Eswatini
Type Approval Objectives
1. To protect public telecommunications networks from damage from customer-owned terminal equipment connected to it, and vice versa.
2. To ensure coherent communications over the public telecommunications networks.
3. To ensure safety of public from dangerous equipment.
4. To promote the efficient utilisation of the radio frequency spectrum.
5. To protect the general public as well as network operators from poor quality terminal equipment which do not meet public telecommunications network interface requirements.
6. To protect the general public by ensuring that telecommunications equipment vendors are able to offer adequate technical support and after sales maintenance backup.
7. To ensure safety of telecommunication operator’s line plant staff from high voltages that may be fed on line by substandard equipment arising from inadequate isolation.
Who Should Seek Type Approval
1. Local and International Manufacturers of equipment proposing to sell their equipment in Eswatini.
2. Registered/Licensed vendors of equipment proposing to sell equipment on behalf of their principals.
3. Individual users or organizations who procure non-type approved equipment for their own use (i.e. not for marketing/commercial purposes).
4. Licensed Network operators and service providers.
Equipment Subject to Type approval
All Communications equipment (radio equipment, telecommunications terminal equipment or broadcasting terminal equipment and apparatus) prior to importation and use is subject to type approval or type acceptance by the Eswatini Communications Commission, unless explicitly exempted by the Commission.
Examples of the said terminal equipment include but are not limited to
1. Telephones (ordinary, executive, secretarial sets).
2. Cordless telephones
3. Telephone answering and recording systems
4. Cellular telephones (GSM, ETACS etc.)
5. Payphones (coin and card operated)
6. Call monitoring and logging systems
7. Subscriber private meters (SPMs), Facsimile transceivers
8. Call routing apparatus, Public Branch Exchanges (PBXs)
9. Key Telephone System (KTS)
10. Small Business System (SBS)
11. Multi line systems
12. Voice messaging systems,Data modems and fax modems
13. Multiplexers, packet assembler’s disassemblers (PADs)
14. Radio communication equipment
15. Citizen band,Amateur band HF,VHF,UHF
17. Microwave
18. Radio paging terminals and transmitters
19. Alarm transmitters
20. Satellite
21. Telemetry and command modules etc.