Habtamu Hailemeskel

COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE LICENSE

AND REGULATORY FEES DIRECTIVE
NO. 1024/2024

SEPTEMBER 2024
 Habtamu Hailemeskel

DIRECTIVE TO PROVIDE FOR THE DETERMINATION OF COMMUNICATIONS

SERVICE LICENSE AND REGULATORY FEES

WHEREAS, it has become necessary to expand the services provided by the Authority, to
improve the quality of the services with new technologies and operations, and to establish a
system to cover the costs of providing the services;

WHEREAS, it has become necessary to ensure that the fees for licensing and the use of radio
frequency spectrum have a measure of the economic value of the radio frequency spectrum
resources for the benefit of the People of Ethiopia, and shall compensate the Authority for the
cost of administering, licensing and regulation of radio frequency spectrum resources;

WHEREAS, it has become necessary to ensure that the fees for licensing and the use of
numbering resources have a measure of the economic value of the numbering resources for the
benefit of the People of Ethiopia;

WHEREAS, it has become necessary to appropriately determine the fees that will be collected
from communications service licenses, radio frequency spectrum, and telecommunications
number assignment and management, and radiocommunications and telecommunications
equipment type approval services;

WHEREAS, it has become crucial to establish an effective and efficient system that the
Authority uses to collect communications service license and regulatory fees;

WHEREAS, it has become essential that the fees which will be collected by the Authority
shall be transparent and accessible to the public;

WHEREAS, to achieve these objectives, it has become necessary to revise the existing
licensing service and regulatory fees Directives;

NOW, THERFORE, the Authority hereby issues this Communications Service and License
Fees Directive in accordance with Communications Service Proclamation No.1148/2019
Article 26(1), 29(1) and 54(2).

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 PART ONE
GENERAL

1. Short Title

This Directive may be cited as the “Communications Service License and Regulatory
Fees Directive No. 1024/2024”

2. Definitions

In this Directive unless the context otherwise requires፡

1/ “Administrative Incentive Pricing (AIP)” means a price setting mechanism

employed by the Authority to encourage the proper use of radio frequency spectrum.
2/ “Authority” means the Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA) established
under Article 3 of the Proclamation.
3/ “Band” means a contiguous part of the radio frequency spectrum.
4/ “Bandwidth” means the amount of spectrum contained in a frequency band or channel.
5/ “Channel” means a part of the radio frequency spectrum used to transmit and/or
receive information.
6/ “Congestion” means a condition that occurs when a large number of radio frequency
users use adjacent radio frequency spectrum at the same time;
7/ “Domestic Express Mail (courier) Service" means a delivery service aimed at
sending or delivering a mail from an express mail sender in Ethiopia to an express mail
recipient in Ethiopia.
8/ “Duplex channel” means a channel with separate parts of radio frequency used for
sending and receiving information.
9/ "International Express Mail (Courier) Service" means a mail delivery service
aimed at sending or delivering an Express mail from a sender in Ethiopia to a recipient
outside Ethiopia and/or receiving an express mail from a sender outside Ethiopia and
delivering to a recipient in Ethiopia.
10/ “Proclamation” means the Communications Service Proclamation No. 1148/2019.
11/ “Point-to-Point (P2P) Communications” means communications between two fixed
geographic locations.
12/ “Point-to-Multipoint (PMP) Communications” means communications from a fixed
geographic location to multiple fixed or mobile stations.

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 13/ “Spectrum” means radio frequencies between 30 kHz and 300 GHz;

14/ “Radio Frequency Usage Fee” means a fee charged annually for use of certain parts
of the radio frequency spectrum.
15/ “Working day” means a business working day and shall not include Saturday, Sunday
and any day that has been declared to be a public holiday by the Federal Democratic
Republic of Ethiopia.
16/ The definitions provided by the proclamation and Telecommunications Licensing
Directive No. 792/2021 shall be applicable to this Directive.

3. Objectives

The main objectives of this directive are to determine:

1/ communications service license and renewal fees;

2/ radio communications and telecommunications equipment type approval fees;
3/ telecommunication number assignment and usage fees;
4/ radio frequency spectrum assignment and usage fees and through which create
effective and economical usage of radio frequency spectrum.

4. Scope of Application

This directive shall apply to communications service licenses, radio frequency licenses,
telecommunications number assignment, radiocommunications and telecommunications
equipment type approval and other related regulatory services provided by the Authority.

5. General Principles

The Authority shall:-

1/ collect communications service license fees and other regulatory services fees in a
non-discriminatory manner;
2/ makes communications service license and other regulatory services fees transparent
and accessible to the public;
3/ ensure that communications service license and other regulatory service fees it sets
are reasonably aligned with other comparable markets or countries and take into
account the existing conditions of Ethiopia.

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 Habtamu Hailemeskel

PART TWO
RADIO FREQUENCY PRICING METHODOLOGY AND FEES
SUB-SECTION ONE
RADIO FREQUENCY PRICING METHODOLOGY
6. Approach to Radio Frequency Pricing

1/ The Authority shall use the following procedures, or a combination thereof to

determine radio frequency license fees and suitable reserve prices for auctions፡-

a) Fees for existing spectrum assignments which are either congested or are likely
to face excess demand when they are to be re-assigned through auction, shall be
based on Administrative Incentive Pricing.
b) When new radio frequency assignments are made in high-demanded or congested
bands, auctions or other market-based mechanisms shall be used to assign
spectrum, as necessary, and the recurring radio frequency usage fee shall be
determined based on Administrative Incentive Pricing;
c) When there is no congested radio frequency or does not face excess demand, the
fee shall be subject to annual radio frequency usage fee only, based on
Administered Incentive Pricing and/or the Authority’s spectrum management
costs.

2/ Without prejudice to sub-article one (1) of this article, the Authority shall use the
following models to determine radio frequency license fees and suitable reserve prices
for auctions:-

a) comparisons of radio frequency fees charged in other markets or countries and

applying adjustment factors to reflect differences in market conditions;
b) estimating income and cost structures of radio frequency license holders;

7. Data Collection

1) The Authority shall collect the following appropriate data from radio frequency users
as required for the determination of radio frequency fees:

a) number of transmitters or terminals;

b) location of transmitter sites or terminals;
c) frequencies or channels used at each transmitter site or by each terminal;

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 d) bandwidth used by each transmitter or terminal; and
e) other relevant information.

2) Radio frequency user shall submit the information referred to in sub-article one (1) of
this article within thirty (30) working days of the respective request made by the
Authority.

SUB SECTION TWO

RADIO FREQUENCY FEES

8. Types of Radio Frequency Fees

Radio Frequency fees may consist of the following components, or a combination thereof:

1/ Recurring radio frequency usage fees, payable annually, to cover the Authority’s costs
of managing the radio frequency.
2/ A fee to use certain parts of the radio frequency spectrum for a specified license term,
payable upfront at the beginning of the license term or in installments to be specified
by the Authority.

9. Mobile Frequency Bands Fees

1) The annual usage fees for each frequency band allocated for mobile services shall be
calculated and paid according to the formula, Bandwidth and Base values of each
Frequency Band indicated below:

Annual Frequency Usage fee = Base Value (BV) X Bandwidth (BW)

Table 1: Mobile Frequency Bands Base Value

Frequency Band Base Value (BIRR/MHz/Year)

450 MHz 967,200.00

600MHz 3,528,027.00
700 MHz 3,337,785.00
800 MHz 3,030,968.00
900 MHz 2,780,934.00
1800 MHz 1,636,351.00

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 Frequency Band Base Value (BIRR/MHz/Year)

2100 MHz 1,338,833.00

2300 MHz 980,714.00
2600 MHz 288,221.00
3500 MHz 158,057.00

2) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sub-Article 1 of this Article, the annual frequency

usage fee to be paid by the licensed telecommunications operators for the frequency
bands assigned for mobile services shall be subject to the following conditions:

a) in the first year from the effective date of the fees Directive, only 25% of the total
fees shall be paid.

b) in the second year from the effective date of the fees Directive, only 50% of the
total fees shall be paid.

c) in the third year from the effective date of the fees Directive, only 75% of the total
fees shall be paid.

d) in the fourth year and subsequent license periods from the effective date of the fees
Directive, 100% of the total fees shall be paid.

10. Point-to-Point (P2P) Fixed Link Frequencies Fees

1) The annual usage fees for each frequency band allocated for communications between
two fixed stations shall be calculated and paid according to the formula, Base values of
each Frequency Band, Bandwidth, Sharing Factor, Location Factor, Link Factor, and
Number of Links indicated below:

Annual Frequency Usage Fee = Base Value (BV) X Bandwidth (BW) X Sharing Factor
(SF) X Location Factor (LF) X Link Factor (LF) X
Number of Links (NL)

Where: Sharing Factor (SF) = 0.5

Location Factor (LF) = 0.5

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 Habtamu Hailemeskel

Table 2: P2P Fixed Link Frequency Bands Base Values

Base Value Birr

Frequency Band
(2x1 MHz link)
Up to 1 GHz 3,698.00
Above 1 GHz and up to 3 GHz 3,698.00
Above 3 GHz and up to 5 GHz 2,284.00
Above 5 GHz and up to 10 GHz 1,903.00
Above 10 GHz and up to 17 GHz 1,370.00
Above 17 GHz and up to 24 GHz 1,370.00
Above 24 GHz and up to 30 GHz 812.00
Above 30 GHz 812.00

Table 3: Number of Links and Link Factor

Number of Links Link Factor

Up to 100 1.0
From 101 up to 300 0.8
Above 300 0.6

2) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sub-Article 1 of this Article, the annual frequency

usage fee to be paid by the licensed telecommunications operators for the frequency
assigned for Point-to-Point Fixed Link shall be subject to the following conditions:

a) in the first year from the effective date of the fees Directive, only 25% of the total
fees shall be paid.

b) in the second year from the effective date of the fees Directive, only 50% of the
total fees shall be paid.

c) in the third year from the effective date of the fees Directive, only 75% of the total
fees shall be paid.

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 d) in the fourth year and subsequent license periods from the effective date of the fees
Directive, 100% of the total fees shall be paid.
11. Point-to-Multipoint (PMP) Fixed Links Fees

1) The annual usage fees for each frequency band allocated for communications between
point and multipoint fixed stations shall be calculated and paid according to the formula,
Base values of each Frequency Band, Bandwidth, Area Coverage Factor, and Geographic
Factor indicated below:

Annual Frequency Usage Fee per Network = Base Value (BV) X Bandwidth (BW) X
Area Coverage Factor (ACF) X Geographic
Factor (GF)

Table 4: PMP Frequency Bands Base values and Geographic Factor

Frequency Band Base Value Birr (2x1 Geographic

MHz Link) Factor (GF)
Up to 1 GHz 3,698.00 0.5
Above 1 GHz and up to 3 GHz 3,698.00 0.5
Above 3 GHz and up to 5 GHz 2,284.00 0.5
Above 5 GHz and up to 10 GHz 1,903.00 0.5
Above 10 GHz and up to 17 GHz 1,370.00 0.5
Above 17 GHz and up to 24 GHz 1,370.00 0.5
Above 24 GHz and up to 30 GHz 812.00 0.5
Above 30 GHz 812.00 0.5

Table 5: Network Coverage Area and Area Coverage Factor

Network Coverage Area Area Coverage Factor (ACF)

Small Network Area, ≤ 5 km2 1

Large Network Area, > 5 km2 and ≤ 600 km2 2
Wide Network Area, > 600 km2 and ≤ 500,000 km2 3
National Network Area, > 500,000 km2 30

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 2) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sub-Article 1 of this Article, the annual frequency
usage fee to be paid by the licensed telecommunications operators for the frequency
assigned for Point-to-Multipoint Fixed Links shall be subject to the following
conditions:

a) in the first year from the effective date of the fees Directive, only 25% of the total
fees shall be paid.

b) in the second year from the effective date of the fees Directive, only 50% of the
total fees shall be paid.

c) in the third year from the effective date of the fees Directive, only 75% of the total
fees shall be paid.

d) in the fourth year and subsequent license periods from the effective date of the fees
Directive, 100% of the total fees shall be paid.

12. Broadcasting Frequency Fees

The annual usage fee for the frequency bands assigned for broadcasting shall be as
indicated in the following table: -

Annual Frequency Usage fee= Base Value (BV)× Number of Transmiters (NT)

Table 6: Broadcasting Frequency Fees

Base Valu Urban Base Value Rural

Transmission Type (Birr Per each (Birr Per each
Transmitter) Transmitter)
Short Wave Private/Commercial 20,225.00
and Medium Public 14,160.00
Wave Radio
Station Community 2,000.00

FM Radio Private/Commercial 20,225.00 10,200.00

Station Public 14,160.00 7,100.00
(output
Power < = Community 2,000.00 1,000.00
1Kw)
FM Radio Private/Commercial 28,300.00 14,160.00

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 Habtamu Hailemeskel

Base Valu Urban Base Value Rural

Transmission Type (Birr Per each (Birr Per each
Transmitter) Transmitter)
Station(output
Public 20,225.00 10,200.00
Power >
1Kw) Community 3,000.00 2,000.00
Television Private/Commercial 38,500.00 30,500.00
(TV) Station (
Public 32,500.00 20,225.00
(output Power
< = 1Kw) Community 4,045.00 3,000.00
Television Private/Commercial 60,675.00 52,585.00
(TV) Station
Public 40,450.00 32,500.00
(output Power
> 1Kw) Community 6,068.00 4,045.00

13. Land Mobile Radio (LMR) Communication Frequency Fees

1/ The annual Frequency usage fee for regular radio communications frequency shall be
calculated and paid based on the formula below: -

Annual Frequency Usage Fee = Base Value (BV) X Coverage Factor (CF)
X Bandwidth Factor (BWF) X Number of Radios Factor (NRF)

Where፡ Base Value, BV = 810 Birr

2/ Private and Public Trunk Network annual radio frequency usage fee shall be determined
and paid based on the following formula:-

Annual Frequency Usage Fee = Base Value (BV) X Bandwidth Factor (BF) X Number
of Radios Factor (NRF) X Type of Use (TU)

Where: Base Value (BV) = 400 Birr

Type of Use, TU፡ 1 for private, and 0.5 for public

3/ The calculation of the annual frequency usage fees for the regular communication radio
and for the private or public trunk network described in Sub-Articles 1 and 2 of this
Article shall be based on Coverage Factor, Bandwidth Factor and the Number of Radios
Factor as described in the table below:

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 Table 7: Coverage Factor (CF)

Coverage Description Coverage Factor (CF)

For Coverage up to 15 km radius 1
For Coverage up to 30 km radius 2.5
For Coverage up to 60 km radius 5
National Coverage 15

Table 8: Bandwidth Factor (BWF)

Bandwidth Assigned BWF

3 KHz or 6.25 kHz or 12.5 kHz or 20 KHz 1
Simplex Channel
3 KHz or 6.25 kHz or 12.5 kHz or 20 KHz 2
Duplex Channel
25 KHz Simplex Channel 1.25
25 KHz Duplex Channel 2.5

Table 9: Number of Radios Factor (NRF)

Number of Radios NRF

1 -10 Radio terminals 1

11-35 Radio terminal 2
Above 35 Radio terminal 3
Exclusive Radio frequency assignment
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for National Coverage

14. Aeronautical and Maritime Frequency Fees

Aeronautical and Maritime annual radio frequency usage fee shall be determined and paid
based on the following formula፡

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 Annual Frequency Usage fee= Base Value (BV)× Bandwidth Factor (BWF)

Where: Base Value, BV = 810 Birr

Table 10: Band Width Factor (BWF)

Bandwidth assigned BWF

3 KHz 1.5
6.25 kHz or 12.5 kHz 2
25 kHz 2.5

15. Satellite Earth Station Frequency Fees

1) The annual frequency usage fee for the frequency used for satellite earth station service
shall be determined based on the following formula:-

Annual Frequency Usage fee= Base Value (BV)× Bandwidth (BW)

Where: Base Value ( BV) = 365 Birr per MHz

PART THREE
TYPE APPROVAL FEES

16. Equipment Type Approval Fees

1/ The Authority shall charge an appropriate fee for the radiocommunications and
telecommunications equipment type approval service it provides in accordance with
Article 6 Sub-Article (8) of the proclamation.
2/ If the number of radiocommunications and telecommunications equipment imported
into the country or manufactured or assembled in the country is more than one, and
are of the same model, the type approval fee shall be the same as the fee for one
device.
3/ If the models of radiocommunications and telecommunications equipment imported
into the country, or manufactured or assembled in the country are different, the fee
for the type approval shall be the fee for one equipment for each of the different
models.

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 Habtamu Hailemeskel

17. Equipment Type Approval Fees Amount

1/ The Authority shall charge the following fees for type-approval of

radiocommunications and telecommunications equipment;-

Type Type Approval

Approval Fee (for
No. Type of Equipment Fee (For Organizations
Individual and Business
Use) (Birr) Companies)
(Birr)
1 Terminal Equipment (Customer Premises Equipment)

• Basic Telephone set 100.00 500.00

(Corded/Cordless)
• Mobile phone handset
• Fax machines (Facsimile
Transceivers)
• CDMA Wireless Telephone handset
• IP Phones
• iPad/Tablet with SIM Card Module
• A laptop with SIM Card, Bluetooth
and WLAN Modules
• Mobile WiFi Routers
• 3G/4G/5G LTE USB Dongle
• POS Machine
• Satellite Mobile Phones and
• Other similar devices

2 Low Power Devices (Short Range Devices)

• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Modules 100.00 500.00

• Radio Frequency Identifiers (RFID)
devices

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 Type Type Approval
Approval Fee (for
No. Type of Equipment Fee (For Organizations
Individual and Business
Use) (Birr) Companies)
(Birr)
• Telemetry & Command Modules
• Wireless Microphones
• Remote keyless Entries & Access
Control devices
• Vehicle immobilizer
• Tracking Device
• Wireless Alarms Systems
• WLAN Access Point
• WLAN Module/ Cards
• Active Medical Implants, and
• Other Similar Devices

3 Call Routing Devices/Office Communications Systems (PABX)

Up to 16 Extensions The 500.00
Equipment
is not
allowed for
import by
individuals

From 16 up to 32 Extensions The 550.00

Equipment
is not
allowed for
import by
individuals

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 Type Type Approval
Approval Fee (for
No. Type of Equipment Fee (For Organizations
Individual and Business
Use) (Birr) Companies)
(Birr)
From 32 up to 64 Extensions The 600.00
Equipment
is not
allowed for
import by
individuals

From 64 up to 128 Extensions The 650.00

Equipment
is not
allowed for
import by
individuals

From 128 up to 256 Extensions and The 700.00

Equipment
is not
allowed for
import by
individuals

Above 256 Extensions The 750.00

Equipment
is not
allowed for
import by
individuals

4 IT Networking Devices
Modem, Switch, Router, Server etc. 200.00 500.00

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 Type Type Approval
Approval Fee (for
No. Type of Equipment Fee (For Organizations
Individual and Business
Use) (Birr) Companies)
(Birr)
5 Mobile Radio and Core Network Equipment

BSCs, MSCs, BTS, Node B, The 3,000.00

eNodeB, gNodeB (gNB), Equipment
Microwave Radio, Core Switches, is not
Gateways etc. allowed for
import by
individuals

6 Radio Communications Equipment

6.1 • HF, VHF, UHF radio The 500.00
Equipment
• Point to Multi-point Radio
is not
• Point to Point Radio and allowed for
import by
individuals

6.2 • Amateur Radio/Citizen Band Radio 100.00 250.00

and
• Other Similar Devices

7 Satellite Earth Terminal

• VSAT The 750.00

Equipment
• Satellite Modem
is not
• Satellite Router, and allowed for
• Other similar devices import by
individuals

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 Habtamu Hailemeskel

PART FOUR
COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE LICENSE FEES

18. Communications Service License Fees

1/ The Authority shall charge the appropriate license and renewal fees for the license
granted in accordance with the Proclamation and Telecommunication Licensing
Directive No.792/2021.
2/ A person, whose license has been lost, damaged, or who requests to have his license
replaced for any other reason may obtain a replacement license by submitting the
request to the Authority with sufficient evidence and paying the application fee set for
that license, or Birr five hundred (500.00) if the license does not have an application
fee.
3/ If the licensee requested for a replacement of the license due to the Authority’s fault,
the licensee shall not be required to make a payment to make corrections or to issue a
replacement license.

19. Communications Service License Fees Amount

1/ The Authority shall charge the following fees for communications service licenses it
issues:-

a) Fees for communications service licenses with a license term of more than one (1)
year;

License License Fee Annual License

Applica (Birr) Operating Fee Duration
No. Type of License tion Fee (Birr) (Year)
(Birr)
1 Internet Service 2,500.00 5,000,000.00 1% of annual 10
Provider License gross revenue
2 Data Center Service 2,500.00 500,000.00 0.5% of annual 10
Provider License gross revenue
3 Public Postal Service 5,000.00 250,000.00 100,000.00 15
Operator License
responsible for
Universal Service
Obligation (USO)

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b) Fees for communications service licenses whose license period is one (1) year and
licenses are subject to annual renewal;

License License Fee License Renewal License

Applica (Birr) Fee (Birr) Duration
No. Type of License tion Fee (Year)
(Birr)
1 Hosting Service 300.00 35,000.00 20,000.00 1
Provider License
2 Call Center Service 300.00 35,000.00 20,000.00 1
License

3 Telecommunications 300.00 35,000.00 20,000.00 1

Value Added Service
License
4 Virtual Internet 300.00 35,000.00 20,000.00 1
Service Providers
(VISP) License
5 Global Mobile $500.00 $5,000 (in $5,000 (in USD) 1
Personal (in USD)
Communications by USD)
Satellite (GMPCS)
Landing Right
Authorization
6 Private Networks and $500.00 $5,000 (in $5,000 (in USD) 1
Closed User Group (in USD)
(CUG) Authorization USD)
7 Indoor 300.00 1,500.00 1,000.00 1
Telecommunications
Facilities Installation
and Maintenance
Works License

8 Outdoor 300.00 50,000.00 35,000.00 1

Telecommunications
Facilities Installation
and Maintenance
Works License
9 International Express 300.00 50,000.00 35,000.00 1
Mail (Courier)
Service License

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 License License Fee License Renewal License
Applica (Birr) Fee (Birr) Duration
No. Type of License tion Fee (Year)
(Birr)
10 Domestic Express 300.00 10,000.00 5,000.00 1
Mail (Courier)
Service License
11 Communications 300.00 600.00 Not Applicable Not Applicable
Service Investment
License

2/ Notwithstanding the provisions of Sub-Article 1 (a) and (b) of this Article, the specified
Communications Service Licenses and payment rates shall not apply to an Operator with a
Unified Telecommunications Service License.

3/ Notwithstanding the provisions of Sub-Article 1 (a) and (b) of this Article, a general license
that holds together the types of license that can be licensed individually may be issued as
described below:-

a) A Licensee who has obtained an Internet Service Provider License may engage in
providing Data Center Service, Hosting Service, Call Center Service,
Telecommunications Vale Added Service, Indoor Telecommunications Facilities
Installation and Maintenance Works, and Outdoor Telecommunications Facilities
Installation and Maintenance Works.

b) A Licensee who has obtained a Data Center Service License may engage in providing
Hosting Service, Call Center Service, and Telecommunications Value Added
Service.

c) A Licensee who has obtained a Public Postal Service Operator License with an obligation
to provide Universal Service may engage in providing International Express Mail
(Courier) Service, and Domestic Express Mail (Courier) service.

20. VSAT and Land Mobile Radio Equipment License

The Authority shall charge the following fees for VSAT and Land Mobile Radio
Equipment Licenses it grants:-

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 No. Name of Unit License Fee Annual
Communications License
Equipment renewal Fee
1 Private VSAT Equipment Per $20,000.00 (in $20,000.00 (in
License (for International Equipment USD) USD)
or Continental or
Embassy or Foreign
Company)
2 Private VSAT Equipment Per 600,000.00 (in 600,000.00 (in
License (for Local Equipment Birr) Birr)
Government and Non-
Government Company)
3 Land Mobile Radio Per 500.00 (in 500.00 (in
(LMR) Equipment Submitted Birr) Birr)
License Application

PART FIVE
TELECOMMUNICATIONS NUMBERS FEES

21. Types of Telecommunications Number Fees and Amount

1/ The Authority shall charge assignment and annual usage fees for telecommunications
numbers it assigns.
2/ The Authority shall charge assignment and annual telecommunications number usage
fees as per the table indicated below:-

No. Type of Numbering Assignment Fee/ Annual Fee/ Per-Active or

Resource Per-Assigned in Service Numbers/ (in
numbers/ (in Birr)
Birr)

1. Numbers used for mobile,

machine to machine (M2M)/,
Internet of things (IOT) and 0.30 0.30
Voice-over-Internet Protocol
(VoIP) services.

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 Habtamu Hailemeskel

No. Type of Numbering Assignment Fee/ Annual Fee/ Per-Active or

Resource Per-Assigned in Service Numbers/ (in
numbers/ (in Birr)
Birr)

2. Number used for fixed line 0.10 0.10

services.

3. National Signaling Point 10,000.00 10,000.00

Codes (SPC)

4. International Signaling Point 30,000.00 30,000.00

Codes (ISPC)

5. Mobile Network Code (MNC) 30,000.00 30,000.00

6. Network Colour Codes (NCC) 1,000.00 1,000.00

7. Issuer Identification Numbers 7,500.00 7,500.00

(IIN)/SIM Header

8. Data Network Identification 1,000.00 1,000.00

Codes (DNIC)

9. Carrier Selection/Pre-selection 1,000.00 1,000.00

Codes

10. USSD Codes

10.1. 3 digits USSD (eg. *123#) 3,000.00 3,000.00

10.2. 4 digits USSD (eg. *123*4#) 1,500.00 1,500.00

10.3. 5 digits USSD and longer (eg. 750.00 750.00

*123*45#)

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 No. Type of Numbering Assignment Fee/ Annual Fee/ Per-Active or
Resource Per-Assigned in Service Numbers/ (in
numbers/ (in Birr)
Birr)

11. Short-Codes Used for Different Services

11.1. Platinum 500.00 3,000.00

• 5 digits Numbers with 5

repetitive digits (e.g
44444)
• 5 digits Number with 5
consecutive digits (e.g
23456)
• 4 digits Numbers with 4
repetitive digits (e.g 4444)
• 4 digits Number with 4
consecutive digits (e.g
2345)
• 3 digits Numbers with 3
repetitive digits (e.g 444)
• 3 digits Number with 3
consecutive digits (e.g
234)

11.2. Gold 500.00 2,500.00

• 5 digits Numbers with 4

repetitive digits (e.g 1
4444)
• 5 digits Number with 4
consecutive digits (e.g 7
1234)
• 5 digits Numbers with 2
pairs of repetitive digits
(e.g 11 444)

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 No. Type of Numbering Assignment Fee/ Annual Fee/ Per-Active or
Resource Per-Assigned in Service Numbers/ (in
numbers/ (in Birr)
Birr)

• 5 digits Numbers with 2

pairs (e.g 1 34 34, 1 22 55)
• 4 digits Numbers with 2
pairs (e.g 34 34)
• 4 digits Number pairs with
repetitive digits (e.g 22 55)
• 4 digits Numbers with any
3 consecutive digits (2
456)
• 3 digits Numbers with 2
repetitive digits (e.g 3 44)

11.3. Silver 500.00 2,000.00

• 5 digits Numbers with 3

repetitive digits (e.g 13
444)
• 4 digits Numbers with 3
repetitive digits (e.g 3444)
• 4 digits Numbers starting
and ending with the same
digit and a pair of
repetitive digits (e.g 3443 ,
5005)
• 3 digits Numbers starting
and ending with the same
digit (e.g 343 , 505)

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 Habtamu Hailemeskel

No. Type of Numbering Assignment Fee/ Annual Fee/ Per-Active or

Resource Per-Assigned in Service Numbers/ (in
numbers/ (in Birr)
Birr)

11.4. Bronze 500.00 1,500.00

• 3, 4 or 5 digits Numbers
not falling in any of the
above category

12. Numbers for Emergency and Exempted Exempted

Safety Services (police, fire
and emergency medical
services, Child Helpline)

13. 3-Digit Common network Exempted Exempted

codes for customer service
and billing related enquiries

14. Number portability prefix Exempted Exempted

codes/Number Portability
Routing Codes (NPRC)

15. Numbers assigned for use by Exempted Exempted

Government for promotion
of social, humanitarian and
public services

PART SIX
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
22. License Renewal

1/ A Communications Service License shall be renewed in six (6) months period within
the fiscal year from Hamle 01 until Tahsas 30 (from July 8 to January 8) or in licensee’s
registered Budget year.

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2/ The VSAT license remains valid for one year from the date of issuance and shall be
renewed every year within the last month before the date of expiry.
3/ Land Mobile Radio Equipment License shall be renewed in six (6) months period
within the fiscal year from Hamle 01 until Tahsas 30 (from July 8 to January 8).
4/ Radio Frequency License shall be renewed in six (6) months period within the fiscal
year from Hamle 01 until Tahsas 30 (from July 8 to January 8).

23. Payment Period and Conditions of Payment

1/ Telecommunications Operators shall pay the annual radio frequency spectrum usage
fees in three (3) months period within the fiscal year from Hamle 01 until Meskerem 30
(from July 8 to October 10).
2/ Telecommunications Operators shall pay the annual telecommunications number usage
fees in three (3) months period within the fiscal year from Hamle 01 until Tahsas 30
(from July 8 to October 10).
3/ Annual Operating Fees shall be paid in a three (3) months period within the fiscal year
from Hamle 01 until Tahsas 30 (from July 8 to October 10).
4/ When issuing a new radio frequency license or assigning telecommunications numbers
to telecommunications operators, if six (6) months or less than six (6) months remain
before the end of the fiscal year, the amount to be paid for the license and assignment
shall be half of the fees determined for the radio frequency license or
telecommunications numbers assignment.
5/ The license application fee will be paid when a new license application is submitted,
and if the applicant does not meet or fulfill the license requirements and the requested
license is not granted, the license application fee shall not be refunded.
6/ Fees for Communication Service Licenses and Regulatory Services provided by the
Authority shall be paid in Ethiopian Birr.
7/ Notwithstanding with provisions of Sub-Article 6 of this Article, if the applicant or
licensee is an international or continental or embassy or foreign company, for VSAT,
Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite ( GMPCS), and Private Networks and
closed User Group (CUG) Licenses, licensing and renewal fees shall be paid in United
States Dollar (USD).

24. Fine

1/ The holder of a Communications Service License who has failed to have it renewed
within the time specified in Article 22 Sub-Article 1 of this directive shall have it
renewed within the time from Tir 1 to Sene 30 (January 09 to July 07) by paying, in

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 addition to renewal fee, Birr 2,500 (Two Thousand Five Hundred) for the month of Tir
and Birr 1,500 (One Thousand Five Hundred) for each subsequent month of delay.
2/ Where a Communications Service License holder has not renewed its license within the
period of renewal under penalty it can renew the license within one year after the end of
the period of renewal under penalty upon payment of, in addition to renewal fee, Birr
20,000.00 (Twenty Thousand).
3/ A Communications Service License not renewed in accordance with Sub-Article 2 of
this Article shall be deemed revoked. The license under review can be issued without
any other penalty as new, provided the application is submitted a year after the end of
the period for the renewal of licenses.
4/ The following fine shall be imposed on any person who fails to pay fees for the renewal
of VSAT equipment license, Land Mobile Radio Equipment License, Radio Frequency
License, or annual Radio Frequency Spectrum Usage, Annual Telecommunications
Numbers Usage as well as any annual operating fees, if any, in accordance with the
schedule specified in sub-articles 2, 3 and 4 of Article 22, and sub-articles 1, 2 and 3 of
Article 23 of this Directive.
a. 1% of the total payment for the first month;
b. 2% of the total payment for the second month;
c. 5% of the total payment for the third month;
d. if the licensee has not renewed the license or has failed to pay the radio frequency
spectrum usage fees, Telecommunications numbers usage fees and any required
annual operating fees for more than three (3) months, the Authority may suspend
or revoke the license, depending on the circumstances.

25. Repealed Directives

1/ Telecommunications License Fee Directive No. 1/2004 is repealed by this Directive.

2/ Article 6 of Private VSAT License Directive No. 2/2010 is repealed by this Directive.
3/ Article 6 of Value Added Services License Directive No. 3/2011 is repealed by this
Directive.

26. Amendment

The Authority, upon consultation with respective stakeholders and in accordance with the
Proclamation, may at any time it deems it necessary, review and amend this Directive.

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27. Effective Date

This directive shall be effective as of the date registered by the Ministry of Justice and uploaded
on the official website of the Authority.

DONE AT ADDIS ABABA, SEPTEMBER 2024

BALCHA REBA (ENGINEER)

DIRECTOR GENERAL
ETHIOPIAN COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY

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