KEY POINTS
- Zimbabwe introduces fines up to $5,000 for telecoms and internet providers delivering poor service under new regulations.
- POTRAZ will enforce penalties based on performance metrics like call drop rates, data access, and SMS success.
- Starlink launches in Zimbabwe, offering satellite internet with $350 hardware and $50 monthly subscription.
The Zimbabwean government has finally made new measures to regulate telecommunications and internet services and to enhance consumers’ protection against low-quality services.
Zimbabwe to levy fines against telecom service providers for poor services
ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera announced the regulations in a Government Gazette which was published on Friday regarding penalties for service providers who do not ensure proper service.
New rules that have been recently published in the gazette also state that telecommunication firms and Internet service providers are expected to post penalties of up to $5,000 for substandard services.The penalties are contained in Statutory Instrument 154 of 2024 known as Postal and Telecommunications (Quality of Service) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No. 1).
It should however be noted that the enforcement of these fines will be done by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ).
POTRAZ will measure performance in line with some factors for a period of three consecutive months for the sms, fixed data as well as internet service delivery as per provision of regulations. The other aspects that will be regulated include performance for interconnection links and the submission of the network performance data.
Services, like call drop rates that are above 10 percentage, low call setup success rate of below 90 percentage, inadequate number of cells, poor data service access and data service drop rates below or above the acceptable standard, will attract a $200 fine per violation.
For SMS services, the key KPIs include, End to end delivery of the SMS and the success rate of the delivery. Every violation will attract a penalty of $200. While data and Internet services are the most sensitive and whose service provision can be regulated through the; speed parameter, a carrier that infringes this provision can be fined up to $5000 for each violation.
SpaceX exploration company, Starlink enters Zimbabwe market as regulators adjust their policies
At the same time, Elon Musk’s Starlink has commenced operation in Zimbabwe after receiving its operating license three months ago. The company will be availing satellite internet services through a local agent who has been endorsed by the company.
On their Starlink website, it is stated that the necessary equipment will cost 350 USD, but contracting will be 50 USD per month. Mini Starlink versions will be provided for $200 while users will be required to pay $30 monthly subscription fee. While in other African countries there is local currency pricing, Zimbabwe customers will be selling at U. S. dollars.
Starlink’s operations in Zimbabwe are part of its growth across the African continent is despite most regulators’ crackdown on satellite internet companies. It was only in September 2023 that POTRAZ revealed that Starlink had submitted a license application. But the regulator also arrested those who were unauthorized and had brought in Starlink devices from other nearby countries such as Zambia.
