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Business Reporter

Mobile network operators in the country have adjusted promotional bundles in response to rising industry wide operating costs which grew by 15,8 percent to $8,9 billion in the second quarter of 2021, up from $7,6 billion in the first quarter.

Market watchers say the tariff increase — averaging 30 percent on data, voice and SMS bundles — comes at a time when fuel prices have gone up while the country is also experiencing high power outages, thus pushing operating costs.

The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) director general Dr Gift Machengete recently said the telecoms industry’s operating costs grew by 15,8 percent to $8,9 billion in the second quarter of 2021, up from $7,6 billion in the first quarter.

“Staff costs, depreciation and bandwidth costs continued to constitute the bulk of mobile network operating costs,” Dr Machengete said.

According to Potraz Econet’s operating costs increased by 16,2 percent, from $5,6 billion to $6,6 billion, while NetOne and Telecel operating costs surged by 10,2 percent and 42,1 percent respectively.

Dr Machengete added that it was important for the sector, which continues to be critical in keeping the economy running in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic by providing businesses with essential connectivity and resilience, to charge competitive tariffs and recoup their costs.

“The shift to the auction based foreign currency market system seemingly eased inflationary pressures, but did not eliminate them completely as prices for goods and services, including fuel and energy, continued to be adjusted in line with the dynamics of the new exchange rate regime,” he said.

“Notwithstanding the above, foreign currency shortages continued to bedevil the economy at large, with implications on network expansion, upgrade and maintenance, taking a toll on quality of service as demand for data surged for operators. Foreign currency constraints also affected universal service projects targeted for rural and under-served areas.”

Dr Machengete noted national lockdowns, introduced to combat the spread of the deadly coronavirus pandemic, resulted in an unparalleled surge in the use of the internet in providing e-services, among them e-learning, e-shopping, e-worshiping and e-health.

“Indeed, the pandemic has shone a light on the urgent need for accelerating digital transformation.

“The necessity for greater investment in digital technologies, skills, resilience and innovation can never be overemphasised,” he said.

NetOne was the first to review its data tariffs on Tuesday while Econet announced it will adjust its prices on tomorrow.

“Please be advised that we are reviewing our bundle tariffs with effect from October  19, 2021,” NetOne said in a statement.