<p>Just over 50 percent of Zimbabweans are unhappy with the mobile internet performance offered by the country’s mobile network operators (MNOs).</p>
<p>A recent survey by <a href="https://www.techzim.co.zw/2023/05/telecel-might-be-struggling-but-its-few-remaining-subscribers-are-the-happiest-results-of-the-mobile-internet-survey-we-ran/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">TECHZIM</span></a> in which a total of 939 responses were recorded shows that 50.1% of mobile internet users were “very unhappy” with the performance. Part of the TECHZIM report reads:</p>
<h2 id="h-internet-speed">Internet Speed</h2>
<h3>Overall</h3>
<ul>
<li>MNO distribution of respondents is: 68.3% Econet, 30% NetOne, and 1.7% Telecel</li>
<li>50.1% of respondents are very unhappy with their internet speed</li>
<li>2.4% of respondents are very happy with their internet speed</li>
<li>The average download speed tested by respondents is 7.94Mbps</li>
<li>The average upload speed tested by respondents is 4.91Mbps</li>
<li>The highest-tested download speed is 202Mbps (Econet)</li>
<li>The highest-tested upload speed is 36Mbps (Econet)</li>
<li>9.8% of respondents recorded a speed of 0Mbps after running a speed test/speed test failed to run because of a poor internet connection.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Econet Internet speed feedback</h3>
<ul>
<li>Average download speed on Econet is 9.57Mbps</li>
<li>Highest recorded download speed on Econet is 202Mbps</li>
<li>80.6% of Econet respondents are either unhappy or very unhappy with their internet speed</li>
<li>6.8% of Econet respondents are either happy or very happy with their internet speed</li>
</ul>
<h3>NetOne Internet speed feedback</h3>
<ul>
<li>Average download speed on NetOne is 4.5Mbps</li>
<li>Highest recorded download speed on NetOne is 50.04Mbps</li>
<li>82.6% of NetOne respondents are either unhappy or very unhappy with their internet speed</li>
<li>7.5% of NetOne respondents are either happy or very happy with their internet speed</li>
</ul>
<h3>Telecel Internet speed feedback</h3>
<ul>
<li>Average download speed on Telecel is 8.04Mbps</li>
<li>Highest recorded download speed on Telecel is 39.33Mbps</li>
<li>31.3% of Telecel respondents are either unhappy or very unhappy with their internet speed</li>
<li>50.1% of Telecel respondents are either happy or very happy with their internet speed</li>
</ul>
<h2>Internet Stability and Performance</h2>
<h3>Overall</h3>
<ul>
<li>49.2% of respondents report a very unstable internet connection</li>
<li>1.8% of respondents report a very stable internet connection</li>
<li>Internet stability is very bad in the afternoon and very good in the evening</li>
</ul>
<h3>Econet Internet stability feedback</h3>
<ul>
<li>87.7% of Econet respondents are either unhappy or very unhappy with their internet stability</li>
<li>2.9% of Econet respondents are either happy or very happy with their internet stability</li>
</ul>
<h3>NetOne Internet stability feedback</h3>
<ul>
<li>86.9% of NetOne respondents are either unhappy or very unhappy with their internet stability</li>
<li>4.6% of NetOne respondents are either happy or very happy with their internet stability</li>
</ul>
<h3>Telecel Internet stability feedback</h3>
<ul>
<li>56.3% of Telecel respondents are either unhappy or very unhappy with their internet stability</li>
<li>31.3% of Telecel respondents are either happy or very happy with their internet stability</li>
</ul>
<p>Zimbabwe’s telcos have not been spared by the country’s economic challenges and this has negatively impacted on their revenues and their ability to invest in infrastructure and network upgrades.</p>
<p><strong>More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></strong></p>


Pindula News

Survey: Most Zimbabweans Unhappy About Their Internet Speed

<p>The Telecommunications Operators Association of Zimbabwe (TOAZ) has petitioned Parliament to pass laws that allow companies in the telecommunications (telcos) sector to peg their tariffs in US dollars to hedge against inflation.</p>
<p>TOAZ chairperson Lawrence Nkala told Parliament that if they are allowed to peg tariffs in USD, it will ensure the stability of pricing in the telcos sector. Said Nkala:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>We request that legislators urgently consider a review of the pricing model of the sector so that the prices are determined in US$ and converted to Zimbabwe dollars using the prevailing interbank rate.</p>
<p>This will introduce stability in the pricing of our products and better transparency in our communication with our customers.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Telecoms regulator Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) last month increased tariffs by 50%.</p>
<p>Zimbabwe’s telecoms sector is currently grappling with foreign currency shortages, low tariffs, and prolonged power outages which have negatively impacted coverage, access, and service quality.</p>
<p><strong>More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></strong></p>


Local Telcos Petition Parliament, They Want To Peg Tariffs In US Dollars

<p>Econet Wireless Zimbabwe (EWZ) says recurrent power cuts have negatively affected the quality of services that the company offers.</p>
<p>The mobile network operator (MNO) says it will increase investment in alternative energy, such as solar batteries and diesel-powered generators though this requires significant amounts of foreign currency.</p>
<p>In a statement accompanying the firm’s trading update for the third quarter to November 2022, EWZ company secretary, Charles Banda said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Due to the unreliable national power grid, the business continues to invest in alternative power solutions in a bid to ensure network availability.</p>
<p>As green energy solutions such as solar and battery storage require significant foreign currency investment, the pace of investment has remained below desired levels, thereby impacting service quality.</p>
<p>The business has also had to continue investing in diesel engine generators in the face of sharp declines in available grid power.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Most base stations (boosters) run on electricity but of late, MNOs have been forced to rely on diesel generators due to load-shedding and this has increased the cost of doing business.</p>


Load Shedding Affecting Network Availability - Econet

<p>The latest voice, data and SMS tariff hike by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and fixed network operators was approved by the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Postal_and_Telecommunications_Regulatory_Authority_of_Zimbabwe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ)</strong></a>.</p>
<p>In a circular to operators, POTRAZ wrote that previous tariffs that were set in August 2019 have been rendered “unsustainable” due to the hyperinflationary environment obtaining in the economy. The circular reads:</p>
<blockquote><p>Accordingly, the authority has found it necessary to review tariff thresholds for telecommunication services by 95,39 per cent based on the Telecommunication Price Index (TPI) that was computed in consultation with all operators.</p>
<p>In view of the foregoing, and guided by the Act, all public switched and mobile operators may adjust their tariffs in line with the above thresholds for approval by the Authority.</p></blockquote>
<p>Earlier this week, the country’s three leading MNOs, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Econet_Wireless_Zimbabwe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Econet</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/NetOne_Zimbabwe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>NetOne</strong></a> and <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Telecel_Zimbabwe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Telecel</strong></a> increased voice, data and SMS tariffs by nearly 100 per cent.</p>
<p>Year-on-year inflation reached 175,66 per cent in June 2019 before the government discontinued its publication.</p>
<h4><strong>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/potraz-approves-mobile-tariffs-hike/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></strong></h4>


Govt Okays Mobile Tariff Hike

<p>The Postal and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (POTRAZ) says it has started consulting Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) on tariff increases.</p>
<p>This comes after the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe floated the exchange rate last month.</p>
<p>Addressing journalists on the sidelines of POTRAZ’s outreach programme at Chinotimba Shopping Centre in Victoria Falls on Saturday, the customer service’s manager Phibion Chaibva confirmed that consultations were underway. He said:</p>
<blockquote><p>What I know is Potraz’s approval of tariffs is cost based. Our regulations say it should be supported by documents of what it costs providers to provide their service and their mark up.</p></blockquote>
<p>Cellular service providers have been left behind as the cost of goods and services has continued to grow up.</p>
<p>While some businesses can hike prices at the drop of a hat, MNOs are obliged to get approval from the authorities before any adjustment can be made.</p>
<h4><strong>Related:</strong></h4>
<ul>
<li class="entry-title">
<h4><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/03/01/mobile-network-operators-apply-for-tariff-hike/" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Mobile Network Operators Apply For Tariff Hike</strong></a></h4>
</li>
</ul>
<h4><strong>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/just-in-cellular-services-charges-to-go-up/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Herald.</a></strong></h4>


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