POTRAZ justifies increase of local data tariffs
Story by Farai Gwaze
CONSUMERS are up in arms with mobile telecommunication operators for poor service delivery characterised by poor internet connectivity.
The issue has been compounded by recent data tariff increases which many believe are unjustified.
After the recent increase of tariffs by 100% in the local currency, the public is not amused with the majority expressing concern over poor service delivery by mobile operators and data service providers.
“It is very expensive. Whatsapp data does not even last. The network itself is bad, where is it coming from? Japan ?” said one of the consumers.
Another added” We have a complaint about the network issue, we dont know what is going on. We sell airtime, people no longer buy airtime because the network doesn’t work. To those responsible we plead with you to help on this issue.”
“To me, it seems like a monopoly, they just hike up their prices and service is slow, i don’t know what the government can do to make it possible for us to buy data,” another reiterated.
Another consumer said, “Since the tariffs have gone up, the quality of their network should go up too. The network will be completely off sometimes and maybe you will be on online banking, you have deadlines.”
In a statement, POTRAZ Director General Dr Gift Machengete argues Zimbabwe has the cheapest mobile data in the region.
According to the regulator, the increase was justified to ensure the viability of the sector as the costs of providing telecommunication services in the country have gone up.
“Finally, we continue to come across posts purporting to draw evidence from a UK [United Kingdom] website, that Zimbabwe has the most expensive data tariff in the world at US$43,75 per gigabyte (GB).
We reiterate that this is not only false but misleading and malicious. As a matter of fact, and contrary to that report, Zimbabwe has the lowest data tariff in the SADC region, with an out-of-bundle tariff of ZWL$14 930, which translates to US$3,21 per GB at the September 2023 official exchange rate, while the SADC average is US$4,60,” read part of the statement.
However, the regulator implored internet service providers and mobile network operators to improve their operations.
