The Telecommunication services in Lesotho is placed under Ministry of Telecommunication Science and Technology. The Telecommunication Act of 2000 gave birth to privatization of the then monopoly operator known as Lesotho Telecommunication Cooperation. As a result, The Lesotho Telecommunications Authority (LTA) was established. The mandate of the authority is to create and enforce rules and procedures to facilitate efficient operations of the telecommunication sector in the Country.

Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) is a statutory body, established in June 2000, with the mandate of regulating the communications sector in Lesotho. This mandate entails: granting licences to operators; promoting fair competition; approving tariffs; managing the radio frequency spectrum; empowering and protecting consumers; type-approving terminal equipment and other related responsibilities.

For more information on telecoms contacts, please see the following link:  4.11 Additional Services Contact List.

Telecommunications Regulations

Though the is a private entity, that regulates all the Telecommunication activities, note that it they use the Government gazette to build or regulate the telecoms systems[1].  For Licensing note that the below requirements: Conditions for ISPs, Internet Service Providers (Form), Application form for Network Services - Internet Service Providers, Application form for Network Infrastructure, Application requirements for Network Infrastructure Licence, Application requirements for Network Services Licence. There are no government restrictions on access to the Internet or credible reports that the government monitors e-mail or Internet chat rooms without judicial oversight. The Internet is not widely available and almost nonexistent in rural areas due to the lack of communications infrastructure and high cost of access. [2]

Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems

With the increase of several types of transmitting information, note that there are several technologies that are being not used through the structures maybe in place, most of the NGOS are only moving towards fiber.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

Econet Telecom Lesotho, ILESOTHO, LEO and Vodacom Lesotho Pty are companies which provide internet connectivity in Lesotho. This companies provide offering broadband, fiber broadband, dial up internet, narrowband, Wi-Fi, 2G, 3G, 4G mobile internet, Wi-MAX, DTH services using cable, DSL, wireless, mobile and dial-up in Lesotho, Maseru and other nearest regions. Econet Telecom Lesotho and Vodacom provide reliable connections.

Average rates for broadband connection

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)

Lesotho has two MNO with the good coverage in all the districts, in the cases where there is no coverage, we observed that people are able to find sports where they are able to access the network.

For information on MNOs please visit the GSM Association website.

Spectrum Guidelines

Radio Spectrum Management guidelines form a basis for radio frequency licensing policies, requirements and procedures in the management of the national radio spectrum resource. This among others includes radio spectrum frequency monitoring, allocation and planning.

• Radio Spectrum Management Guidelines and Procedures 
• Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy
• 70_80 GHz Band Guidelines
• ISM Band Guidelines

Band plans for frequency allocations:

• 9 kHz - 100GHz
• Bands for Fixed Wireless Access and Broadband Access

Categories of Licenses

• Land Mobile Services
• Satellite Services
• Radiodetermination/Aeronautical Services
• Fixed Links
• Access Spectrum
• Fixed Links for Broadband Access
• Telemetry/Telecommand
• Broadcasting Services
• Amateur Radio
• Numbering Resources
• Private Network

[1] Lesotho Government Gazette, Friday 23^rd March 2018 No. 22

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommunications_in_Lesotho