ZICTA SHUTS DOWN FOUR RADIO STATIONS OVER AIRCRAFT INTERFERENCE

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Posted by admin on March 25, 2026 at 7:18 AM

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The Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) has shut down four radio stations in Copperbelt Province after technical assessments confirmed they were causing frequency interference to aircraft communication and navigation systems.

Joint inspections conducted with the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority (ZCAA) revealed that the stations were emitting out-of-band signals, harmonics, and intermodulation products beyond their assigned FM frequencies. These emissions interfered with critical aviation frequencies, posing risks to air navigation and passenger safety.

ZICTA stated that the affected stations will only be permitted to resume operations upon full compliance with regulations and verification through regulatory inspection.

The Authority emphasized that aviation systems require clean, interference-free signals to maintain safe contact with air traffic control and ensure accurate navigation. Any interference constitutes a violation of Section 79 of the ICT Act No. 15 of 2009 and breaches license conditions.

In a statement, ZICTA’s Manager Corporate Communications Hanford Chaaba, warned that non-compliance with technical, operational, or administrative license conditions will attract enforcement action.

“The integrity of the national spectrum and the safety of critical services such as civil aviation will not be compromised under any circumstances,” he said.

ZICTA reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the public, protecting national airspace, and ensuring efficient spectrum management in line with international best practice. All operators have been urged to cooperate with ongoing monitoring and undertake prompt corrective action where required.