[kictanet] International telecommunications blackout looms

[Rebecca Wanjiku]

17 April 2007
 

International telecommunications blackout looms
 

  
 

In a move that threatens to cause a blackout in the telecommunications
sector, Zimbabwe’s mobile phone operators, Econet, Net*One and Telecel
have said they will start billing all outgoing international calls in foreign
currency. The move will also see Tel*One, the sole fixed telephone network
provider charging all outgoing calls in United States Dollars.
 

  
 

Mobile phone companies, which have been engaged in a rate wrangle
with the Posts and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe
(POTRAZ), maintain that they are unable to pay the termination rates charged in
 United
  States 
dollars, and have accumulated many debts. 
 

 
 

Chair of the Telecommunications Operators Association of Zimbabwe
Douglas Mboweni is quoted as having stated that currently it costs ten times
cheaper to make an international call from Zimbabwe 
than anywhere else in the world and as a result most international calls now
emanate from Zimbabwe .  Consequently,
these companies have to pay more termination rates than the corresponding
countries.  
 

 
 

POTRAZ has set the tariffs using the official exchange rate
of Z$250 against each US $
a rate which has become unsustainable for most exporters and service providers.
 

  
 

Zimbabwe 
is currently facing a foreign currency shortage, making it virtually impossible
for subscribers to pay their telephone bills in foreign currency.  
 

  
 






Nyasha Nyakunu

Research and Information Officer

Media Institute of Southern Africa -
 Zimbabwe

 84 McChlery Ave

Eastlea

P.O Box HR 8113

 Harare

 Zimbabwe
 






 
 






Tel: 263 4 776165 / 746838

misa at mweb.co.zw

www.misazim.co.zw
 










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