Potraz, Zimbabwe’s telecommunications regulator, has reportedly forced the country’s largest mobile service provider, Econet, to reverse a 60% cut in user tariffs – a move that has been met with anger amongst the company’s subscribers.
The issue has been picked up by international media and one media report, posted by SW Radio Africa, explained how, in response to cheaper tariffs offered by state-run competitor Telecel, the privately-owned Econet reduced its call rates from 25 cents per-minute to 10 cents last week.SW Radio Africa states that according a report by Newsday, the explanation for the order, provided by Portraz, was that it “was in accordance with telecoms regulations”.
The regulator has also claimed that it had to vet any changes in tariffs in order to protect consumers and promote fair competition.
The article states the difficulty experienced between Econet and Zimbabwe’s authorities and makes reference to Strive Masiyiwa’s constitutional court case victory in 1997 to set up Econet.
* Image via Shutterstock
Staff Writer
