Zimbabwe’s telecommunications sector is set for another shake-up as NetOne and Liquid Home announce impending price adjustments. These changes come in response to currency fluctuations, Starlink’s entry into the market, and the introduction of the gold-backed Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency.
NetOne, the country’s second-largest mobile network operator, has revealed a comprehensive review of its bundle prices for data and SMS services. Effective October 17, 2024, the new tariffs will be:
– Voice: ZWG 0.0177 per second
– Data: ZWG 0.1660 per MB
– SMS: ZWG 0.2161 per unit
While these figures provide a glimpse into the scale of increases, the full impact on popular bundles remains to be seen. The move comes as a surprise to some, who hoped NetOne would maintain competitive pricing in light of Starlink’s recent entry into the market.
Starlink’s arrival has disrupted the local ISP landscape with its attractive offerings: US$30 per month for speeds up to 100 Mbps (Residential Lite) and US$50 per month for uncapped internet with speeds up to 200 Mbps. NetOne’s response to this challenge has been notably passive compared to its main competitor, Econet, which has been more proactive in adjusting its strategies.
Meanwhile, Liquid Home, a subsidiary of Liquid Intelligent Technologies, has also announced price adjustments effective October 17 for bundle purchases and November 1 for unlimited package customers. However, the company has not disclosed specific details of the new pricing structure, leading to speculation and uncertainty among consumers.
These price adjustments reflect the ongoing challenges faced by Zimbabwe’s telecom sector as it navigates economic pressures and increased competition. As the market continues to evolve, consumers and industry observers alike will be watching closely to see how these changes impact service quality and affordability in the coming months.
