Regulator Potraz has defended its directive on new floor prices for voice and data saying that the mobile network operators (MNOs) actually wanted to charge more. Potraz has faced criticism from the public for allowing MNOs to increase tariffs. However, the regulator is insisting that it actually protected the public as MNOs wanted to charge more.
Potraz is also under fire for not consulting the consumers, but they have responded saying that consumers it was not necessary to consult the consumers. According to the Chronicle, Potraz director-general Dr. Gift Machengete said:
In the case of the floor prices, consultations were carried out with operators and did not involve subscribers.
This was on account of the fact that the scope of the consultations mainly focused on the cost of service provision, which in our view did not warrant the involvement of subscribers
Econet has fully embraced this new directive and introduced prohibitive data costs.
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