The Zimbabwean government is cracking down on telecommunications companies and internet service providers with new regulations designed to enhance service quality.
Companies including Econet, NetOne, Liquid Telecom, and TelOne are now subject to fines of up to US$5,000 for failing to meet service standards.
These new rules, announced by Information Communication Technology Minister Tatenda Mavetera and outlined in Statutory Instrument 154 of 2024, are part of the Postal and Telecommunications (Quality of Service) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No. 1). The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) will oversee the enforcement of these regulations.
Under the updated guidelines, telecom operators will be evaluated on various performance metrics over a three-month period. Key indicators include the quality of SMS delivery, fixed data, internet services, interconnection links, and overall network performance.
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Companies will face a US$200 fine for each violation related to high call drop rates, call setup failures, and poor data service success rates.
For SMS services, delays and failures in delivery will also incur US$200 penalties per breach. Internet service providers not meeting speed requirements will face substantial fines, reaching up to US$5,000 per infraction.
The announcement, made by government spokesperson Nick Mangwana on X (formerly Twitter), has sparked mixed reactions from the public. While some Zimbabweans have welcomed the stricter regulations, others question whether the fines will effectively drive meaningful improvements. There are also concerns that factors like electricity shortages may affect service delivery despite the new penalties.
