Kudos to Mandiwanzira for halting data tariff hikes
EDITOR — We are grateful that Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Supa Mandiwanzira quickly intervened in the data prices saga.
The tariffs which were introduced by one leading mobile network operator had the potential to dampen business.
The unreasonable data prices, especially in a high literacy country like ours, undermined our huge investment in human capital, broadband infrastructure and the ability to attract further investment.
I also did not hear of any public engagement; the changes were tantamount to an ambush.
Not sure of the logic behind the price floor but the truth is higher data and mobile tariffs do not mean increased revenue for Potraz. It may even worsen things for them as people scale down on using data and airtime.
While Internet connectivity is important, using it is not a matter of life and death for some.
This means they can live without it and the price floor could have a negative effect on the country’s internet penetration rate.
We are in the 21st Century and internet is now a key driver of economic growth, innovation and entrepreneurship, thus it should be easily accessible because it is at the centre of development.
It has caused a global revolution in the exchange of ideas and information.
I do not understand why Potraz had to invoke these tariff increases, because earlier in December President Mugabe spoke about bringing marginalised communities, especially in rural areas, on to the information superhighway.
Internet communication has compressed the speed and distance involved in communication.
That element needs to be harnessed and with the world going digital, we cannot be seen pulling in the opposite direction.
Thank you Minister Mandiwanzira for bringing back sanity; these mobile operators are only after profits. Someone needs to listen to the people.