Brace for 61% more expensive internet. Again

In a letter sent to Telco subscribers, a data price increase of up to 61% was approved by POTRAZ for November 2022 for all Telecommunication operators. This price increase is affecting ZW$ pricing which is not really moving with the official rate.

The letter also says that these 61% increments have been in effect since August this year. A big reason for why these tariffs are not following the rate is that tariffs were frozen for longer than the bank rate was and so they are trying to catch up to it.

Essentially we were enjoying cheap internet which did not show the true value of providing the service. As much as POTRAZ did schedule these 61% steps in July, it may not be able to get tariffs matching inflation but still for Telcos this can be a welcome lifeline to stay afloat and for the customer, it’s yet another big data bill. Below is the full letter from Telco.

Circular from Telco

14 October 2022

Dear Valued Customer,

Thank you for the continued opportunity given us to serve you . We remain sensitive to our
responsibility to make our services available and affordable to you, our valued partners.

As communicated in July 2022 the regulator, POTRAZ , has granted all operators in the
telecommunications sector a blanket 61% tariff increase for August, 61 % for September
and another 61% for November 2022 for broadband and related services.

This letter serves as a reminder that the November 2022 invoice for ZWL services will have
a 61% price adjustment in order to maintain the quality of service you deserve and to remain
viable as an operator. While the economic environment has stabilised somewhat in the last
few months, the telecoms sector had fallen behind in effecting increases. Given that it is a
highly capital intensive sector which needs to upgrade infrastructure regularly using foreign
currency, the increases are essential.

Should you wish to switch to USD billing, kindly contact our Billing Department on
billing2@telco.co.zw

We appreciate your continued support in enabling us to deliver quality service to you always.

We do continue to request that payment be made promptly each month to allow value to be
preserved and thank you very much for your patronage.

Telco circular to customers

Also Read:

• Voice, SMS and data prices set to increase two more times in 2022
• Operating costs rising faster than revenues, voice increases lead over data & more from Potraz Q2 report