Zimbabwe’s telecommunications operators have massively hiked tariffs on the back of galloping inflation which is constantly eroding consumers’ purchasing power, The Zimbabwe Gazette can reveal.

In the country, it has become very expensive to make a phone call whether from a cellphone or a fixed- landline.

One of the country’s leading mobile phone operator, Econet Wireless Holdings recently informed its subscribers that tariffs have been increased.

“A phone call now costs between $68 million and $89 million per minute on the network up from figures around $5 million per minute,” said the company in a statement.

According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the rate of inflation is at a record high of 1, 700 000 percent.

Zimbabwe’s telecoms firms are struggling to keep on their feet, to a larger extent as a result of the persistent hard currency shortage.

The other two mobile service providers- NetOne and Telecel have not hiked tariffs, as yet.

The ruling ZANU PF government has a stake in the two firms.

“For Econet’s Buddie, Business Partna, Consumer and Libertie Silver packages, tariffs are now in the range of $72 million during the peak period and $69 million per minute during the off peak period.”

“Libertie Gold is now $71 million during peak and $69 million per minute off peak. Libertie Diamond is $69, 8 million per minute during peak and $66, 3 million off peak”

“YourFone (wholesale) is now $69 million per minute during peak and $65 million off peak,” indicated Econet.

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