By Nyaradzai Chikuse
The Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama) has expressed concern over high internet charges by one of the country’s telecommunication service providers Airtel Malawi Pic (Airtel).
In a press statement, Cama Executive Director John Kapito has said it is surprising to note that the company has decided to hike data bundle tariffs despite government’s assurance that internet bundles would be reduced.
He pinpointed: “The increase of Data Bundle Tariff by Airtel has come at a wrong time when Malawians were expecting these Data Bundle Tariffs to be reduced as was promised by the State President and his Minister of Information.
“Recently, both the State President and Minister of information promised Malawians that Data Bundle Tariffs would drastically be reduced, and we are shocked with this High Bundle Tariff increase of 20 percent.”
Kapito says Malawians are demanding an explanation from both the State president and his information minister to explain why people in the country are witnessing high bundle tariffs increases.
The outspoken Cama boss added that the association is aware that interest of Airtel is driven by greedy even when the quality of their services is poor.
In addition, Kapito observes that the tariffs increases are coming at a time when Airtel had recently unjustified tariff increases but with no proper improvement on the services.
Cama observes that Malawi happens to have the lowest usage of mobile phones and in the SADC region with the highest internet charges.
The consumer rights body has since asked both President Lazarus Chakwera and Cabinet ministers to stop the tendency of making unfulfilled promises and lies to poor Malawians.
“We are no longer interested in your lies why should you find comfort in lying about everything and especially those things that matter to Malawians who are struggling for the very basics in life where is your credibility and integrity in what you say?” questioned Kapito.
According to a statement issued last week Friday, Airtel reported that the revision of its internet bundles comes largely on the back of soaring cost of doing business following the 25% devaluation of Malawi Kwacha in May 2022, rising energy costs and their domino effects.
The telecommunication company added that as can be noted the effective price change is below 25%, while Airtel has absorbed the ensuing pressure from the headwinds for more than 5 months, the value dilution has become unsustainable
“It is prudent to revise accordingly to protect Airtel’s broad stake holder base interests as well as guard its capability to continue to deliver quality of services to customers,” the statement reads.
