Nearly twelve years after the East African Community introduced the One Network Area initiative, harmonised call rates remain out of reach for millions of users across the region. Launched in 2014, ONA aimed to simplify mobile roaming by treating calls as domestic when users cross borders. Incoming calls were supposed to be free, while outgoing calls would cost the same as local rates. However, high and inconsistent charges persist, undermining the goal of affordable cross-border communication.
The EAC acknowledges that differences in rules, market practices, and network readiness create ongoing inconsistencies. “Differences in rules, market practices and network readiness mean that roaming services still vary from one Partner State to another,” the community stated. These variations continue to frustrate users who expect seamless and predictable pricing.
Policy and Regulatory Barriers
Policy misalignment stands as a major obstacle to harmonised call rates. National frameworks differ significantly in pricing structures and enforcement. As a result, predictability and service quality suffer for roamers. Some countries still route traffic through government-controlled international gateways, which increases costs. Variations in tax regimes on voice, SMS, and data further complicate tariff alignment.
In addition, failure to fully harmonise pricing creates imbalances. Home users calling roaming subscribers often pay full international rates. Meanwhile, roamers enjoy free incoming calls. This disparity discourages cross-border communication and reduces overall adoption.
Market Dynamics and Commercial Challenges
Private sector competition also hinders progress toward harmonised call rates. Operators pursue individual strategies to gain market advantage. Consequently, pricing models, traffic flows, and competitive positioning vary widely. These differences create imbalances that discourage fair participation in regional roaming.
Permanent roaming misuse presents another issue. Some users exploit lower roaming tariffs for long-term foreign SIM usage. This practice undermines the intended temporary nature of roaming benefits. Cost imbalances between operators further distort the playing field. As a result, some providers hesitate to fully engage in ONA.
Consumer awareness remains low, according to regulators. Many users do not fully understand available benefits. Therefore, underutilisation persists despite potential savings.
Ongoing Efforts and Future Framework
The EAC, with World Bank support, launched the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP) to address these gaps. The initiative aims to strengthen ONA through a comprehensive regional roaming framework. At the policy level, it seeks to harmonise rules on interconnection, tariffs, quality of service, and enforcement. This creates a fair and predictable environment for operators and consumers.
Operationally, EARDIP promotes efficient cross-border call routing and interoperable billing systems. These improvements reduce inter-operator disputes and enhance service reliability. The framework also incorporates modern elements such as data roaming caps of approximately USD 0.005 (about UGX 18) per MB.
Telecom providers have introduced their own bundles for roaming users. These special packages offer some relief. However, they fall short of true regional harmonisation.
Julianne Mweheire, Director of Economic Regulation at the Uganda Communications Commission, emphasises the broader vision. “The message is simple, ONA must work for everyone—the trader crossing a border, the student studying abroad, and the operator investing in networks,” she said. “Closing the gaps in ONA will unlock vast opportunities.”
Path Forward for Harmonised Call Rates
Harmonised call rates require sustained collaboration among regulators, governments, and operators. Addressing policy misalignments, market imbalances, and awareness gaps remains essential. EARDIP provides a structured approach to overcome longstanding barriers.
Until full harmonisation arrives, users continue to face varying costs and limited benefits. Progress depends on political will, technical alignment, and regional cooperation. When achieved, harmonised call rates could significantly boost trade, education, and social connections across East Africa. For now, the promise of ONA remains only partially realised.
