The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has softened its earlier hardline stance against unlicensed public Wi-Fi hotspot operators and announced plans to register them while exploring a lawful framework under which eligible operators can continue doing business.In a meeting with members of the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) on 20 October, UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo announced the formation of a multi-stakeholder committee to examine possible licensing arrangements for Wi-Fi hotspot resellers. He also announced a registration exercise to establish the number, locations, equipment types and other operational details of the operators.The move follows last week’s ultimatum that gave approximately 4,000 unlicensed operators seven days to switch off and dismantle their equipment or face a nationwide crackdown involving seizure and destruction of routers. UCC had argued that the operators were causing an estimated UGX 148 billion annual loss in tax revenue and undermining licensed service providers.KACITA Chairperson Issa Ssekito, speaking on behalf of the hotspot providers, requested a suspension of the enforcement deadline to allow time for consultations and appealed to UCC to guide them on the appropriate licence or regulatory arrangement.UCC said the registration exercise will help the Commission better understand the nature and scale of the businesses and inform further regulatory engagement. The Commission continues to insist that providing public telecommunications services without a licence remains illegal under the Uganda Communications Act, but is now exploring pathways that could allow compliant operators to formalise their activities.