Zimbabwe’s government has taken a bold step to improve the quality of telecommunications services in the country.
In a recent announcement, Zimbabwe’s ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera revealed that hefty fines would be imposed on telecom companies and internet providers who fail to deliver reliable service to their customers.
These fines range from $200 (KES 25,800) to $5,000 (KES 645,000) per infringement, signaling a serious commitment to enhancing the nation’s digital infrastructure.
Expert Insights on Zimbabwe’s Telecom Fines
Willard Shoko, an independent high-speed internet consultant, has weighed in on the potential impact of these new fines.
According to Shoko, this move could lead to the development of a robust telecom industry capable of competing throughout the southern African region.
He emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “The motive behind that is to improve internet for the end user. But I think they should also consider improving the infrastructure sharing and also collaboration to improve internet, not only for the region but also for Zimbabwe, because this is the foundation of the digital economy.”
Also Read: Safaricom’s concerns over satellite ISPs validated by Communications Authority of Kenya
Shoko further suggested that the government should focus on enhancing internet infrastructure and fostering partnerships to boost internet quality.
He noted, “I think they should also think about how the internet can be improved and the partnership that can help improve the internet.” This approach aligns with the broader goal of strengthening Zimbabwe’s position in the digital economy and ensuring that citizens have access to reliable, high-quality internet services.
Kenya’s Similar Approach to Telecom Regulation
Zimbabwe’s decision mirrors a similar move made by the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) in 2020. The CA board set a penalty of 0.2 percent of the annual gross turnover for telecommunication firms offering substandard services.
This marked a significant increase from the previous flat rate fine of KES 500,000, which was deemed too lenient by Mr. Wangusi, the then CA director-general.
Mr. Wangusi explained the rationale behind the increased penalties, saying, “We have made the penalties on the breach of QoS stiffer as a way of motivating the operators decide either to pay 0.2 percent of their annual gross turnover to the authority or to plough back the money and improve their network quality.”
This approach aims to incentivize telecom companies to invest in their infrastructure and enhance service quality rather than simply paying fines.
Other African Nations Taking Action
Zimbabwe and Kenya are not alone in their efforts to improve telecom services through financial penalties. Other African nations have also implemented similar measures in the past.
For instance, Nigeria fined four telecom companies a combined $7.4 million (KES 636.4 million) in 2012 for failing to meet minimum service standards.
Similarly, Rwanda took drastic action in 2011 by revoking the license of Rwandatel due to poor service and imposing a daily fine of $4,000 (KES 347,000) on MTN Group for substandard services and network failures.
A Continent-Wide Push for Better Telecom Services
The introduction of hefty fines for poor telecom service in Zimbabwe is part of a broader trend across Africa to improve digital infrastructure and ensure quality services for citizens.
The success of these initiatives will depend on the willingness of telecom operators to invest in their networks and the ability of regulators to enforce standards effectively.
