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Macra for phone tariff regulation

The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) says it will propose to Parliament to amend the Communications Act to include a provision on tariff regulation.

Speaking during the commemoration of the World Consumer Rights Day at Blantyre Youth Centre on Friday, Macra deputy director for corporate affairs Thokozani Chimbe said the new provision will, among other things, make it mandatory to justify tariff increases.

Mobile phone operators came under fire for tariff hike
Mobile phone operators came under fire for tariff hike

“We are seeking to review the Act so that it includes a clause on tariff regulation. Every time mobile companies raise their tariffs, they have to convince us they are doing it in good faith,” said Chimbe.

She said the authority is still in talks with mobile service provider TNM which announced and later withdrew phone rates.

“When the law is amended, companies shall not only notify us on hikes. They will also be obliged to tell consumers why they are raising rates,” said Chimbe.

Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama) executive director John Kapito said it was time Malawians stood up as consumers to fight for their rights.

“Laxity is killing consumerism in Malawi. Instead of being kings, consumers are slaves in Malawi. When mobile companies raise rates, no one speaks, waiting for Cama to speak out. We are just an organisation assisting Malawians to fight for their rights,” said Kapito.

Coming under the theme Speak Out, the day was observed with floats in several Blantyre townships.

Later in the evening, a debate took place where consumers, led by Kapito, took to task Macra and service providers on varied issues that included poor services and high rates.

The operators, who defended high phone rates they attributed to an environment not conducive to business, were accused of ripping off Malawians and making supernormal profits.

Airtel, TNM, Access and MTL representatives who made part of a panel said their infrastructures are expensive to put up and they are faced with high taxes, but Kapito argued the operators have always priotised on making profits than expanding and bring in more subscribers. n

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One Comment

  1. Telephone companies are sucking Malawians dry. It’s unbelievable that the government would let these companies get away with that kind of thievery, these are the causes Malawi is said to be one of the poorest countries in the world. REGULATE PLEASE!

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