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The Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Zimbabwe has challenged mobile ne cantworks operators and the government over high data cost while stating that the prices do not match economic realities of the majority.
MISA state that Zimbabwean mobile network operators (MNOs), should learn from interventions by MNOs and internet service providers in other jurisdictions such as MTN, Google and Microsoft, that strike a balance between business and (the enjoyment of) human rights.
The media rights lobby in a statement said, ” Parliament should conduct an inquiry with the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, and the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), on what is being done to address the crisis of internet affordability in Zimbabwe.”
Over the past months MNO have been increasing data costs at the backdrop of stagnant salaries while stating an increase in operational costs.
MISA Zimbabwe in partnership with the International Centre for Not for Profit Law, convened a multi-stakeholder engagement meeting on internet access and affordability.
The Deputy Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Honourable Ability Gandawa, who gave the keynote address, said, ” there is general consensus that internet access is a challenge in Zimbabwe due to affordability issues and limited infrastructure.”
“It was noted that this is also due to the lack of competition in the telecommunications industry as the requirements are prohibitive for startup companies, of which such competition would promote competitiveness and better pricing.”
MISA highlighte that there’s is lack of competition in the Telecoms industry.
” It was noted that this is also due to the lack of competition in the telecommunications industry as the requirements are prohibitive for start-up companies, of which such competition would promote competitiveness and better pricing.”
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