The EAC One Network Area
The EAC One Network Area (ONA) is a regional initiative aimed at enhancing telecommunications connectivity and reducing roaming charges across the EAC Partner States. The ONA was established to promote regional integration by enabling seamless communication across the Partner States with a focus on reducing or eliminating roaming charges for mobile phone users, thereby facilitating free movement of people within the region and intra-regional trade.
The initiative was first conceptualized in 2014, with Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda piloting the framework before expanding to other EAC Partner States. The ONA Framework imposes price caps on roaming charges and calls for the removal of surcharges on cross-border telecommunications traffic originating and terminating within the East African Community. The motivation behind ONA was to eliminate exorbitant roaming charges that hindered cross-border communication and trade. Historically, high telecom tariffs were a significant barrier to economic integration, leading to the decision by EAC leaders to harmonise regulations and implement a shared network policy.
The ONA framework therefore operates on the principles of reducing call termination charges, eliminating roaming surcharges, and standardizing mobile communication rates across borders. Implementation across the region has been gradual, with Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan leading the way in enforcing the policy, and Tanzania and Burundi joining later. The newest countries in the bloc – the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Federal Republic of Somalia are yet to join the ONA.
Despite regulatory and infrastructural challenges, the ONA has significantly contributed to improved cross-border communication, fostering trade, investment, and regional cooperation. The initiative remains a key pillar in the EAC’s broader agenda for economic integration and digital integration.
Key Features of EAC One Network Area (ONA)
- Reduced Roaming Charges: The initiative aims to reduce or eliminate roaming charges for voice calls, text messages, and data usage within the EAC Partner States. This allows citizens and businesses to communicate across borders at affordable rates, encouraging increased communication and cooperation.
- Increased Integration: By aligning the telecommunications infrastructure and services, the ONA aims to create a more integrated East African region. This includes streamlining telecommunications regulations, promoting fair competition, and improving service quality.
- Encouragement of Trade and Investment: With reduced communication costs, businesses are more likely to expand operations across East Africa, leading to more significant economic cooperation and investment opportunities. The initiative also encourages tourism by making communication easier for travelers within the region.
- Simplification of Telecommunications: The ONA ensures that mobile phone users in East Africa can use their devices without facing issues related to network compatibility or excessive charges when traveling between the EAC countries.
Full Implementation of the ONA Framework
The successful implementation of the ONA requires a comprehensive, well-coordinated regulatory and operational framework to guarantee seamless, efficient, and cost-effective cross-border communication. This framework must ensure harmonised policies, streamlined governance, and proactive enforcement mechanisms that facilitate smooth interoperability among telecom operators while protecting consumer interests and promoting regional integration.
In order to fully implement the ONA Framework the following issues need to be addressed:
Key issues that require to ensure full implementation of the ONA Framework include:
- Improved Compliance in ONA Implementation: Ensuring all EAC Partner States align their telecom regulations prevents disparities in service charges and promotes a stable, unified network.
- Inter-Operator Settlements: Clear financial agreements between telecom providers ensure seamless service delivery, prevent revenue losses, and maintain affordability for consumers.
- Dispute Resolution Framework: A standardized framework helps resolve conflicts over fees, service quality, and policy adherence, fostering trust and regulatory consistency.
- Traffic Monitoring systems: Real-time monitoring prevents fraud, tracks cross-border calls, and ensures fair revenue distribution among operators, enhancing network security.
- Quality Standards: Uniform service benchmarks guarantee reliable connectivity and fair competition, improving customer experience and fostering regional integration.
The EAC is actively working to address these aspects to ensure the sustainability and success of ONA, strengthening economic ties and digital integration across the region.