UCC moves to shut down unlicensed Wi-Fi vendors across Kampala

Lately, a walk through Kampala’s trading centres, hostels, arcades and busy neighborhoods has been enough to find someone selling unlimited Wi-Fi access for as little as shs800, shs1,000 or shs2,000 a day.

For students, small business owners and families trying to cut costs, these informal hotspots have become an affordable alternative to paying for expensive monthly internet packages.

But that convenience may soon come to an end. The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has announced a nationwide enforcement campaign targeting individuals and businesses operating illegal public Wi-Fi services without the required licence. According to the regulator, many operators have installed telecommunications equipment and are selling internet services without authorization, putting consumers at risk and violating Uganda’s communications laws.

The commission says licensed internet service providers are required to meet strict standards on customer protection, cybersecurity, service quality and data privacy.

The popularity of neighborhood Wi-Fi vendors has largely been driven by one thing, the cost.

A standard home internet subscription from many licensed providers can cost around Shs85,000 per month for entry-level packages.

For someone who only needs internet occasionally, paying Shs800 or Shs1,000 on the days they need it can appear far more economical.

Here’s the math,

* Monthly subscription: Shs35,000

* Using Shs1,000 daily Wi-Fi every day for 30 days: Shs30,000, saving about Shs5,000 compared to a Shs35,000 subscription

* Using Shs800 daily Wi-Fi every day: Shs24,000, saving Shs11,000

 
While the price may be attractive, UCC argues that these services often come with hidden risks. Because many operators are unlicensed, customers may have little protection if their personal information is compromised, if the network is used for cybercrime, or if the service suddenly disappears after payment.

 
Licensed providers are expected to comply with cybersecurity regulations, maintain service standards and offer customer support protections that unlicensed operators may not provide.

The regulator says it will work with licensed internet service providers and relevant government agencies to identify and shut down illegal public Wi-Fi operations across the country. Businesses and individuals currently offering unlicensed internet services have been urged to regularise their operations or stop providing the service altogether.

Consumers are also encouraged to verify whether an internet provider is licensed before subscribing and to report unauthorized public Wi-Fi services to UCC through its toll-free line.