Vodacom’s DRC operation will lose the right to provide 2G services this week unless it renews a disputed licence. A government directive threatens to disconnect some of Vodacom Congo’s 11.8m customers who are yet to switch to 3G and 4G, or live in remote areas not yet covered by the faster data services. A report on the Fin24 site notes that SA-based Vodacom owns 51% of that country’s biggest mobile operator which generated about 6% of total revenue of R86.bn last year. The government wants Vodacom to reapply for a 20-year 2G licence originally given to the company in 1998 because an ‘irregular extension’ was granted in 2015, Telecommunications Minister Emery Okundji noted. Company spokesperson Byron Kennedy said Vodacom was engaging with the authorities ‘in an attempt to resolve this unfortunate situation' and it ‘vigorously refutes all allegations of fraud’ in obtaining its licence extension.