Potraz forced to organize workshop for MPs over tariffs

By Staff reporter | 11 Jun 2019 at 17:36hrs
Potraz
The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (POTRAZ) has been forced to create more time with Parliamentarians as they continuously quiz the Regulator over tariffs and billing systems amidst outcry that data tariffs have sharply risen beyond the reach of the ordinary Zimbabwean.

Potraz Director-General Dr Gift Machengete said that there is a need to break down all issues in detail in the interest of their constituencies so that the correct message is disseminated.

"We are organizing a two-day workshop for Parliamentarians so that we get on the same wavelength on how data tariffs are derived, and we desire that after the workshop they become ambassadors out there by telling people in the constituencies of what would have happened," he said.

Potraz has already appeared more than thrice this year before the same portfolio and it seems there is no basic cohesion over the matter and hence the DG resolved to create more time to engage them.

"The engagement will avert any discord between the Parliamentarians and what Potraz is doing," he added.

The workshop will also help members of parliament in understanding the legality of data price hikes and how shortages of foreign currency has affected and continue to have effects on the sector.

Costs of data have proven to be an impediment to access information as enshrined in the constitution since now most people rely on the internet as the source of information. Having previously been wrapped ICT Committee on tariffs, Potraz must fully engage parliament on the pricing system and prevailing rates regionally.

The issue of data pricing is starting to sound like a broken record and this is due to the fact that consumers, parliamentarians included have no in-depth understanding of how tariffs are derived, and this opportunity will help shed more light on the issue.

The workshop is set to happen in the next two weeks.

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