Private Mobile Radio (PMR) – was developed for business users who need to keep in contact over certain distances with a central base station which communicates wirelessly with portable receivers. Private Mobile Radios are widely used by companies offering emergency services, taxi operators, and security companies.

PMR networks consist of one or more base stations and a number of mobile terminals. Such systems generally provide facilities for closed user groups, group call and push-to-talk, and have call set-up times which are generally short compared with cellular systems. Many PMR systems allow Direct Mode Operation in which terminals can communicate with one another directly when they are out of the coverage area of a network.

PMR systems may also be developed to allow public access (by subscription), and they are then known as Public Access Mobile Radio (PAMR). The users of PAMR systems are usually not the same as the system’s owner and operator. In Zimbabwe, PMR systems are usually based on European standards (ETSI) for the equipment, but operated under licence and subject to the Zimbabwe National frequency Allocation Plans (ZNFAP). For more information on ZNFAP, refer to the section on ZNFAP’.

PMRs mainly operate within three frequency ranges; namely HF (High Frequency), VHF (Very High Frequency) and UHF (Ultra High Frequency) ranges.

HF Range – Covers the longest distances that go up to several hundreds of kilometres. Examples are those used by cross border truckers.

VHF– This covers average distances of up to about 70 to 100 kms Typical uses are urban taxi services, security alarms and emergency services.

UHF– This covers shortest distances of up to a few kms. Typical uses are communication within mines, airports and farms.

For one to operate a PMR in Zimbabwe, one has to ensure that the particular PMR model is type approved first and then a PMR licence has to be obtained from POTRAZ. For more information on the type approval processes and PMR licensing, refer to the respective sections on type approval and licensing.

Licensing Fees

VHF Fees

  • Application fee USD34.50 after VAT once off payment
  • USD 11.50 after VAT per radio /base/repeater per annum
  • USD 57.50 after VAT per frequency per annum

HF Fees

  • Application fee USD34.50 after VAT once off payment
  • USD 57.50 after VAT per radio /base/repeater per annum
  • USD 57.50 after VAT per frequency per annum

Amateur

  • Application fee USD5.00 after VAT once off payment
  • USD 11.50 after VAT per annum /flat fee

Farmers Association

  • Application fee USD34.50 after VAT once off payment
  • USD 11.50 after VAT per radio /base/repeater per annum
  • USD 57.50 after VAT per frequency per annum

Ship

  • Application fee USD34.50 after VAT once off payment
  • USD 103.50 after VAT per ship/call sign per annum

Aircraft

  • Application fee USD34.50 after VAT once off payment
  • USD 184.00 after VAT per Aircraft/call sign per annum

Dealer

  • Application fee USD34.50 after VAT once off payment
  • USD 138.00 after VAT per annum –dealer initial fee for new applicant
  • USD 115.00 after VAT per annum – renewal fee

Wifi Hotspot

  • Application fee USD34.50 after VAT once off payment
  • USD 11.50 after VAT per hotspot once off (NB IF ADDING MORE HOTSPOTS THE LICENSE NEEDS TO BE MODIFIED BY INFORMING THE REGULATOR AND PAYING FOR THE ADDITIONS SO A NEW CERTIFICATE WITH THE ADDITIONS IS ISSUED)

License Replacement fee is USD20.00

Modification of existing license:
Addition,subtraction of radios,change of address,serial numbers ,model of radios etc – USD17.25 after VAT

Download Application Forms

General Conditions

  1. No interference shall be caused to any other radio communications service.
  2. Equipment shall be liable to inspection at the discretion of the Authority.
  3. A licence is not transferable.
  4. A licence may be withdrawn at any time, if the Authority considers this necessary without refund of any part of the fee paid.
  5. The station shall use only the class of emission, frequencies, and a maximum power specified in Schedule A.
  6. Subject to the provisions of Section 36 of the Act, no person shall work the said station if he is not a citizen of Zimbabwe, unless authority has been given in writing by the Minister for such person to work that station.
  7. The station shall be established and worked for the sole purpose of transmitting and receiving messages relating to the business of the Licensee.
  8. No station may be altered in respect of its location, power, class or characteristics of its emission or its method of frequency control without the prior approval of the Authority.
  9. The licensee shall not sell, give, supply, exchange or transfer in any manner whatsoever ownership or possession of any radio transmitting station or radio apparatus to another person WITHOUT THE AUTHORITY IN WRITING OF THE AUTHORITY.
  10. The licensee shall notify the Authority of any change in his or her postal address within fourteen days of such change.
  11. The Licensee and any persons authorised to work the station shall comply with the relevant provisions of the Postal and Telecommunications Act Chapter 1205 , the Postal and Telecommunications (Licencing , Registration and Certification) Regulations 2001 and the International Radio Regulations.
  12. Subject to the payment of the annual fee on or before the the anniversary of the date of issue , this licence shall remain in force until cancelled.
  13. No user shall transmit insulting, indecent, obscene, blasphemous or threatening language, or music or entertainment of any kind, or sound effects for entertainment or solely for the purpose of attracting attention, or transmit the MAYDAY without good reason, or transmit false or deceptive communication.
  14. The Licence shall be kept at site and shall be available for inspection, when required, by a Police Officer or by an Inspector of the Authority.
  15. No person may effect any modification or adjustment to a radio station without the approval of the Authority. All repairs and approved or required modifications or adjustments shall be undertaken in such a manner that the performance characteristics of the equipment do not depart from the prescribed specifications. Such modifications and adjustments shall normally be undertaken by a registered dealer or repairer or by a person adequately qualified to do so.

Aircraft Stations Conditions

  1. Communications shall be established only with the nearest appropriate Aerädio station.
  2. The station shall be worked only by an operator who possesses the appropriate certificate of competency.
  3. While the aircraft is in flight or manoeuvering on the ground under the control of the Aerodrome Controller, the Aircraft station shall not cease to keep watch on the appropriate Air Traffic Control frequency without obtaining the prior permission of the appropriate Air Traffic Controller. Communication with Air Traffic Control shall at all times take precedence over the licensee’s Private Enterprise/ Operational Control facility, except when, in unusual circumstances, specific authority to the contrary is given by the Duty Air Traffic Controller.
  4. The licence shall be carried on board the aircraft and shall be available for inspection, when required. by an inspector of the Authority or the Civil Aviation Authority or by the competent authority of any country where the aircraft calls.
  5. The Licensee shall not permit any unauthorised person to work the licensed station or to have access to the apparatus comprising such station; provided that an inspector of the Authority or of the Civil Aviation Authority shall have access to the said station at all reasonable times for the purpose of inspecting and test the apparatus comprising such station.
  6. The Radio Regulations annexed to the International Telecommunication Constitution and Convention now in force, shall be strictly observed.
  7. The licence is not transferable and may be suspended or cancelled by the Authority in the event of any contravention of the terms of the Act, the Regulations or the conditions of this licence
  8. All radio stations shall not be used for advertising, in support of any article or service, for any political or public campaign and shall be operated in a responsible manner.

Citizen Band Conditions

  1. Only channels between 19 and 40 (inclusive) shall be used.
  2. Channel 21 shall not be used for any purpose other than EMERGENCY communications; priority must be given to emergency communications and assistance to travellers at all times.
  3. No one, except the following persons, may be allowed by a licensee to use a CB radio station:
    1. A member of the licensee’s household who resides with him; provided that, if the member is under the age of 1 6 years he/she shall only use the set under the supervision of the licensee.
    2. any of the licensee’s employees; provided that the licensee has given his authorization to use the set.
      1. any member or employee of an association that is a licensee.
      2. anyone else, provided the specific permission of the Authority  has been
  4. Communication shall be made only with other licensed Citizen Band Radio Service stations; communication with foreign stations is prohibited.
  5. The call sign allocated shall be used in all transmissions. A “Nick-name” or “handle” may be used in addition to the official call sign but not in its stead. The call sign shall be displayed prominently on the apparatus.
  6. The carrier power on Amplitude Modulated (AM) transmissions shall not exceed.
  7. 4 Watts, and the peak envelope power on Single Side Band (SSB) transmissions shall not exceed 12 Watts p.e.p. The antenna shall have zero-gain and omni-directional characteristics.
  8. A linear or additional radio-frequency amplifier shall not be used in conjunction with or attached to a Citizens Band station. The Director General will presume that a linear or additional radio-frequency amplifier has been used if it is in the possession of the user or on his premises; and, or, there is evidence that the Citizens Band station has been operated with more than the permissible power.

Ship Conditions

  1. The ship station shall communicate only with coast stations, radiolocation stations, special service stations and other ship stations; provided that, in the case of distress or emergency involving danger to life or to navigation, messages may be transmitted to and received from any other radio station with which it is desirable that the station should communicate.
  2. The station shall be operated only by the Licensee or any person authorised by the Authority in that behalf and possessing an appropriate certificate of competence.
  3. The Licensee shall ensure that persons authorised to work the station observe the terms and conditions of this licence.
  4. While the ship is in motion or during halts at unspecified points, the station shall not cease to keep watch on the Lake Distress Frequency during each period of radio silence without obtaining the prior permission of the appropriate coast station.

Model Control

  1. The possession and operation of model control transmitting apparatus for the control of models by radio is subject to the issue of a licence by the Authority.
  2. The frequency/ies of operation shall be allocated from within the band 26,965 to 27,28 MHz and shall be specified in the licence. SPOT frequencies are also allocated in the 35 and 40 MHz as specified below.
  3. The power. input to the stage supplying energy to the aerial shall not exceed I watt.
  4. Amplitude, frequency, interrupted carrier or tone modulation are permissible on all transmissions.
  5. The following spot frequencies are specially reserved for model control operations:
    26,965, 26,995, 27,025, 27,045, 27,095, 27,145, 34,400, 34,700, 35,010, 35,050, 35,100, 35,150, 35,200, 35,300, 35,600, 40,665, 40,675, 40,685 and 40,695 MHz.

HF Cross-Border Conditions

According to the agreement of the Telecommunications Authorities of the;

  • People’s Republic of Angola
  • Republic of Botswana
  • Kingdom of Lesotho
  • Republic of Malawi
  • People’s Republic of Mozambique
  • Kingdom of Swaziland
  • United Republic of Tanzania
  • Republic of Zambia
  • Republic of Zimbabwe

at the SADCC Conference held in Maputo in July , 1988.

  • The mobile station is authorised to transmit in any of the above mentioned countries.
  • The operator must comply with the conditions of the licence.
  • This licence has to be kept in the station , and must be produced on request to officials of customs , police and those other officers appointed by the Authority.