COALITION OF THE WILLING HANDS CITIZENS CHEAPER ROAMING TARIFFS
(Posted 18th September 2014)
The mobile phone companies in Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya have finally agreed on new tariffs for citizens of the three countries, when they travel across the borders and use their phones on roaming arrangements. Hitherto perceived as often outrageously expensive, apart from Airtel’s Africa tariff, will travelers now be given a break come October 01st when the new charges come into effect. Cross region travel is a key part of the three countries’ trade and tourism links and lessening the out of pocket expenses for Ugandans, Rwandans and Kenyan’s when visiting the neighbours will very likely help to boost further increases in visits among the three.
Previously did roaming calls, when using one’s own phone, often cost more than calls to Europe, the US or India with consumer organisations hammering away at the phone companies of profiteering through extortionate tariffs, while travelers evaded the charges by purchasing a local SIM card, denying the phone companies the joy of mega profits by tech savvy visitors.
Sadly will citizens of Burundi and Tanzania once again be left out of this arrangement which was prompted by recent directive after top level meetings between the leaders of the three coalition countries to bring down the cost of doing business within the three. While Burundi has of late made overtures to become first a regular observer when the three meet, has Tanzania made no such moves at this time.
The purchase of SIM cards has of late been regulated by the three countries and photo ID is now required to buy and activate a new SIM card, but the investment of a bit of time gives visitors access to local call tariffs and affordable data bundles, which under roaming arrangements have been a major cash cow for local phone operators.
