Zimbabweans got a shock of their lives during the weekend on Saturday morning when many found out that call tariffs had gone up to levels beyond the reach of many.

 

 

Mobile service providers were charging around $40 000 per minute for a call, but now a call costs not less than $300 000 per minute.

 

The Strive Masiyiwa owned mobile operator, Econet Wireless Holdings indicates call charges have increased from around $40 000 per minute to between $300 000 and
$350 000 per minute, for local calls.

 

“International calls will now cost between $822, 776 and $1,376,000 per minute,” said the firm in a statement.

 

It is strongly believed the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) approved the new tariffs.

 

One will have to part ways with $21, 4 million to purchase, replace or connect a sim card or line.

 

“A local sms costs 97, 000, $364 000 for an international sms, $746 000 for entertainment and promotions sms and $600 000 for news on demand,” adds Econet.

 

Telecoms operators have been pressing for tariff hikes, which they said were very low and threatened their businesses. Econet has been reportedly selling Buddie sim cards in South Africa citing low returns in Zimbabwe.

 

A player in the Telecoms industry hinted since all operators have effected new charges at the same period of time, POTRAZ should definitely have played its role.

 

“The charges might seem exorbitant to customers, but they are convenient to service providers as they boost business,” he said.

 

However, a survey reveal that a call from an Econet line costs around $500 000. Subscribers hint the official charges are `fake' since reports indicated by their phones show charges of more than $300 000 per minute.

 

One Econet customer said it seems the service provider is reaping or rather cheating on us- customers.

 

“In actual fact, an sms doesn't cost $97 000 as indicated by Econet. It now costs more than $250 000.”

 

“Service providers should play a fair game here,” he fumed.

 

TelOne has also effected new tariffs but The Zimbabwe Gazette could not get hold of the new figures.

 

Many average Zimbabweans cannot afford to purchase sim cards or lines which now costs around $450 million on the parallel market, as they are not in stock at the 3 service provides.

 

Cellphones have also shot up shot up to not less than $200 000 for a standard phone whilst the latest models fetch for even billions.

 

NetOne customer, Robson Mutede says a call now costs around $500 000 per minute and this is way too much.

 

“The increase is sudden and very steep. Moreover, it has been effected mid-month, when we have already budgeted and exhausted our monies.”

 

“It has now become so very expensive to make a call and this me and this means I will just have to resort to sending sms',” he said.

 

Telecel subscribers have also hinted a call per minute now costs more than $500 000 whilst an sms costs around $300 000.

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