Zimbabwe’s Mobile Network Operators namely Econet, NetOne and Telecel have petitioned the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) with proposals to adjust tariffs as a responsive measure to match the new inter-bank market exchanges rates.
The move by the telecom companies to seek tariff hikes comes after the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) presented the 2019 Monetary Policy Statement which ended the 1:1 rate for the Bond Note against the United States Dollar (USD).
Speaking at the Valued Added Services (VAS) workshop conducted by the regulator last week, POTRAZ Director Kennedy Dewera said Mobile Network Operators have approached the regulator with requests for tariffs adjustments.
“I can confirm that we have received applications from various operators and these are still being considered by the authority. You may be aware that there have been developments in the economy and those developments impact on the decisions to be made by the regulator,” said Dewera.
Dewera however, explained that he was not in a position to announce actual dates when the telecommunications regulator will have final decisions on the tariffs matter since wide industrial consultations have to take place first.
“We are still looking into several factors and time frames that the regulator can use to make due considerations. It is difficult to give the exact time when we can expect a final position as the process doesn’t entirely rest on the regulator only but we have to extensive consultations.” added Dewera.
