The leading mobile companies, Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM) and Airtel Malawi have favourably responded to President Lazarus Chakwera’s appeal to reduce volume bundles and Pay As You Go (PayGo) rates.
President Chakwera, who came into power through the voice of the majority, promised to end an era of secrecy in government, and in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last month revealed that his administration successfully negotiated for a 75 percent reduction of internet bundles in an effort to boost access to information and creating an informed citizenry.
“Another initiative to increase access to information for Malawians is the provision of affordable internet services. To accomplish that, my administration successfully negotiated for the 75% reduction on the lower volume bundles and the Pay As You Go (PayGo) rates by Airtel Malawi Plc. And TNM Plc.
“In the coming year, we will be implementing Phase II of the National Fibre Backbone Project, which will further reduce data landing costs,” said Chakwera in an apparent response to consumers’ concern in regards to high internet prices in the country.
Responding, Airtel and TNM have introduced Pamtsetse and PaNetMoFaya products respectively which will see Malawians browsing at a very lower cost in the Southern Africa.
Airtel, for instance, customers will be getting 50 GB for a moth with just K9, 999. Previously customers were buying 6 GB at a price of K10, 500 for the same period.
While Airtel’s PaNetMoFaya is limited TNM’s Pamtsetse is unlimited and with just K3000 Malawians will be in the global village for seven days.
Meanwhile, some facebook users have applauded social activist Idriss Ali Nassah for championing “Data Must Fall” campaign.
“Idriss Ali Nassah deserves a statue at Bwandilo for his selfless, gallant and unwavering fight for Data to fall in Malawi. You are the unsung hero Sir. Respect!” wrote Tao Bin Botolo on his facebook page.
Students in different colleges and universities have also applauded the Chakwera administration for the consideration.
“We are now in a digital world. Everything has gone digital including education. Now we can access education materials with relative easy. I am really thankful for this,” said Francis Phiri, a second year student at the University of Malawi.
Mid last year University of Malawi students staged a protest to force school authorities to suspend Online Learning citing Internet challenges.
