Zimbabwe: Mobile Networks up tarrifs by 100%

Econet, TelOne and Telecel – yesterday hiked tariffs by slightly over 100 percent.

Econet Buddie intra-network now costs $143 million on average per minute during peak periods, while off-peak calls have been pegged at $136 million on average.

Calls on Liberty diamond, gold and silver now range between $137 million and $143 million per minute during peak period.

Charges for a call to other network subscribers was raised to $148 million and $140 million during peak and off-peak respectively.

International calls to fixed receivers in group one, which comprises European countries was raised to $256,7 million from $130 million previously.

SMS service, the cheapest and most popular mode of mobile communication is now going for $21 million up from $10,7 million locally while international messaging is at $82,521 million.

NetOne subscribers now have to part with $116 million every time they make a call to another NetOne subscriber, $120 million to Econet and $126 million to Telecel subscribers. A local SMS has been pegged at $50 million.

Calls between Telecel subscribers at $100 million per minute are now the cheapest. Regional calls made from a Telecel subscriber now range between $196 million and $250 million for both mobile and fixed calls.

A local Telecel SMS attracts $50 million intra-messaging and $60 million when messaging to other subscribers.

Subscribers using prepaid services are still struggling to get recharge cards with NetOne subscribers being the worst affected.

According to service providers, the problem was largely caused by the hike in the tariff structure and hence supplies outstripping demand.

Telecommunication providers say the current network congestion is the result of subscribers extending talk time because of the “low tariffs”.

On the other hand, Postal and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority still maintains that, “low tariffs are not the major cause of congestion”.

ITNewsAfrica.com