The number of people using mobile internet in Zambia has seen a major decrease despite the huge growth in mobile phone subscription, reports Lusaka Times.
Zambia has experienced a drop of over 1 million internet users as statistics by the government show a reduction from 6.1 million to 5.2 million internet users in a span of one year.
On the other the country has a 74.9 percent mobile penetration; there was a record of 12 million phone subscribers as of last year December compared to 11.6 million subscribers in 2015 according to Zambia’s Communications and Transport Minister Brian Mushimba.
Although Zambia has increased internet access as it experiences the demand for data services due to the rapid use of smartphones and other mobile devices, the mobile internet subscribers are at 32.15 percent penetration according to Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA).
High cost of data services is one of the reasons for the drop in the number of mobile internet users, 2GB data bundles cost as much as K190 while 1GB cost about K134. On the other hand many locals are using basic handsets instead of data-enabled phones.
“The high cost of data services offered by various players on the Zambian market is mainly to blame. This is why we have come up with a new policy framework that will open doors for more players in the market so that we bring down the cost of data services. Zambians are paying too much for services that have remained poor most of the time,” said Mr. Mushimba.
Zambia communications regulator (ZICTA) Acting Executive Director Patrick Mutimunshi, said that the regulator has noted various complaints including complaints by customers about the missing bundles from their gadgets and the poor quality of services by operators.
“We have now strengthened our compliance unit and they are going to see to it that some of these things are going to reduce to levels which everyone will be happy about,” Mr. Mutimunshi said.
