#DataMustFall protesters have accused local mobile operator, TNM, of deception after reducing Pay As You Go (PAYG) internet cost without touching prepaid data charges.
The telecommunications company announced last night that it has reduced its PAYG internet cost by 70%, driving the country into a frenzy of celebration which turned into rage against the company.
Unlike in other countries where PAYG come with pre-set data allowances, PAYG internet in Malawi occurs when a customer buys airtime and uses it for internet without buying an internet bundle.
For a majority of Malawians this occurs in two fold. Firstly, when they buy airtime when the data option is on. Immediately after, the airtime ‘disappears’ at light speed as it is used before a person can buy a bundle for data.
It is now a norm for most customers in Malawi to first switch off data/internet option when buying airtime to avoid losing airtime – especially when their data bundle had been depleted.
The second PAYG internet occurs when a person uses all ‘their’ data bundle that airtime is instead used when they browse the internet. This often occurs without the knowledge of the person.
PAYG rates for internet are astronomical. Prior to the change, TNM was charging K25/MB or K25,600 per GB. The 70% reduction implies that TNM is now charging K6.25/MB or K6,400 per GB.
On PAYG rates, Airtel was offering relatively cheaper albeit exorbitantly expensive at K15 per MB or K15,360 per GB.
With the same amount in the UK, Vodafone offers 30GB of data, 250 minutes and unlimited text. No special internet data required. With K27,000 under 02, you would get 100GB and unlimited text and minutes on PAYG.
Before
PAYG @alwayswithyoumw K25/MB or K25600 per GB.
PAYG @AirtelMlw K15/MB or K15,360 per GB.
Now @TNM_MALAWI M6.25/MB or K6400 per GB.
In Summary;
You will still be spending the same amount of money on Internet as before after this 70% scam reduction.#DataBUNDLESMustFall— Nkhuku 🇲🇼 (@Ashlology) July 24, 2020
Malawians took to social media branding the reduction as a “scam” as Malawi still tops the list of countries with brutally expensive rates for internet on PAYG or pre-paid data, justifying the protests.
One of the #DataMustFall activists wrote: “What TNM has done is like MERA reducing the price of jet fuel with 70% when we don’t have planes and expecting Malawians to rejoice when they demanded #FuelMustFall”
In an interview with Malawi24, Social Justice Network acting director, Thandeka Lizi, said it is unfortunate TNM opted to use the Rumpel approach to trick its customers.
She called on companies to #ReduceDataCost as a matter of urgency because “access to internet is a key means by which people can enjoy and exercise their human rights” rather than “an exploitable luxury that companies like TNM and Airtel charge with obscene rates”.
#DataMustFall An Era of Profit First is Over
We join the UN in acknowledging that the internet is a key means by which people can enjoy and exercise their human rights. pic.twitter.com/ZP9tCcpn3N
— Social Justice Network (@SocialJusticeMW) July 25, 2020
Likewise, one of the #DataMustFall activists with a handle C dot (@clingao) described as unfortunate that the TNM decided to mock Malawians with PR stunts.
“This is not only a battle on pricing, this is a war of equity and fairness. We will not relent!” ‘they’ tweeted.
My fellow brothers and sisters of the land, the #ReduceDataCost struggle has just began.
We are being mocked by PR stunts from @alwayswithyoumw and @AirtelMlw
This is not only a battle on pricing, this is a war of equity and fairness. We will not relent!
Cc:@GospelKazako— C dot (@clingao) July 25, 2020
Another person tweeted that the data rates by TNM and Airtel “are chocking Malawians”
@MTNza, @GwambaOfficial wrote you concerning telecommunication services in MALAWI. The points raised are true and we really need competition and affordable services. @AirtelMlw and @alwayswithyoumw are chocking us. We can't breathe.
Please consider extending services to MALAWI.— Moff D (@Mutiphelanji) July 25, 2020
University of Malawi communications lecturer, Jimmy Kainja, noted that even with the reduction, TNM’s PAYG remains the most expensive in Malawi.
They tweeted: “After the decrease it appears TNM PAYG rate is still more expensive than Airtel. TNM will now cost about K17.50 per MB while Airtel is at K15 per MB. If anything it shows that TNM is cracking. MACRA has called a meeting of all services providers on 28th July.
“TNM’s reduction is to reducing jet fuel when Malawians are demanding for petrol to fall”
It’s nothing. After the decrease it appears TNM PAYG rate is still more expensive than Airtel. TNM will now cost about K17.50 per MB while Airtel is at K15 per MB.
If anything it shows that TNM is cracking. MACRA has called a meeting of all services providers on 28th July.
— Jimmy Kainja 🇲🇼 (@JKainja) July 24, 2020
Correction: At 70% reduction it should be 25600×0.3=7680 for 1GB. Still ridiculously high. #BundleCostMustFall
— Pemphero W Mphande (@PempheroMphande) July 24, 2020
osati tili pa kabaza koma atsitsa mtengo wa bullet train which is not even necessary kwathu kuno 🤣🤣
— Mwayiwanga (@we_llo_) July 25, 2020
https://twitter.com/Chimpololo/status/1286923631537397760
@alwayswithyoumw hey most people don't use PAYG, when we said #DataMustFall we meant the bundles too, unless it's going to be 50 to 100 kwacha for 1gb when we use PAYG
— CobraHONCHÖ (@Dziko_N) July 25, 2020
Tell @alwayswithyoumw that PR stunt won't work! 🚮🚮🚮#ReduceDataBundlePrices
nobody uses #PayAsYouGo anymore.#DataMustFall— C.H.R.I.M The Alchemist (@CHRIM_YGS) July 24, 2020
