The Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) has bemoaned the recent proliferation of various advertisements in the media purporting to introduce new mobile tariffs by mobile operators in the country.
ZICTA acting director general Richard Mwanza has since advised the general public that it is illegal for any licensed operator to alter or vary tariffs without prior written approval by the authority.
This is according to in a press statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka.
Mr. Mwanza explained that section 59 of the ICT Act requires all licensed operators to seek approval of the authority prior to imposing or revising any tariff for provision of communication services.
He further disclosed that the authority shall within 14 days of receipt of the tariffs proposed by a licensee, approve or reject the tariffs.
He however said though the authority welcomed the development which has afforded a chance to subscribers to enjoy cheaper tariffs, the adjustments have no legal backing from the authority.
Mr Mwanza observed that failure by any operator to adhere to the requirements render any introduced tariff null and void.
ZANIS
Maybe you are now stifling competition…
Actually Zain is changing peoples tarrif plans illegally. They are telling people to change to OT by SMS but then they change it without prior approval. What is this? What if am confortable with my current plan?
by the way,OT tarrif has an expensive sms tarrif..
What i know is that MTN didnt seek approval and hence the apology. Desperado. I think i prefer my family tarrif for early offpeak