Outrage as NetOne hikes data costs

BY PRIVELEDGE GUMBODETE/HARRIET CHIKANDIWA
STATE-OWNED telecommunications firm, NetOne yesterday announced a sharp increase in data costs, triggering a public outcry as consumers pleaded for the intervention of the Postal and Telecommunications Authority (Potraz) to ensure the charges are reduced to affordable levels.

Telecommunications providers have in recent months been increasing data charges citing increasing operational costs and need to raise foreign currency to import spares.

Yesterday, Zimbabweans woke up to new staggering data charges by NetOne which saw the cost of 10 gigabites increasing from $4 500 to $16 250, with 80GB shooting up by 692% from $12 500 to $99 000.

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