Cellphone Charges Do the Kilo Percent Thingy
Posted by zi.editor on August 20th, 2008 in News & Updates.
Mobile telecommunications companies have increased tariffs by over 1,000 percent in the latest round of increases.
The three mobile telecommunicatons firms, Econet Wireless, Telecel and NetOne announced the charges over the weekend. The tariffs were last renewed in July.
According to the new tariffs, subscribers will now pay between Z$12 (Z$120 billion before revaluation) and Z$18 per minute up from about Z$2.
International calls will cost between $30 and $40 per minute while local short text messages (sms) will cost between $5 and $7.
International messages have been pegged at between Z$12 and Z$20.
While sources in the industry said the charges were still low, a number of ordinary Zimbabweans can no longer afford communicating as the charges are now beyond their reach.
Most salaries are not reviewed in line with the hyperinflationary trends.
The inflation is officially put at 11,2 million percent up from 2,2 million in May.
- New Ziana
