• This agreement will become effective in August this year.
• This step is taking the four nations closer to being a single digital market.
• Cross border travelers from Zambia have been incurring high internet and mobile roaming tariffs.
Minister of Technology and Science has disclosed that Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Botswana have agreed to scrap off mobile roaming charges.
Felix Mutati said this step is taking the four nations closer to being a single digital market.
Mr. Mutati revealed that this agreement will become effective in August this year as part of initiatives as the four countries to create a One Network Area (ONA).
He said this means that mobile users in Zambia will no longer incur extra charges on calls whenever they cross borders in a few neighboring countries.
“This is because Zambia together with Malawi, Zimbabwe and Botswana have agreed to scrap off mobile roaming charges which takes us a lot closer to being a single digital market.”
“Overtime, cross border travelers from Zambia have been incurring high internet and mobile roaming tariffs which we hope to address through this decision,” Mr. Mutati said.
He added that besides looking forward to having Nonstop Border posts, citizens will cut on trade barriers through the scrapping of roaming charges in the SADC region, making the four countries among the very first to take this progressive route.
“You may wish to know that an initiative for a single digital market is already in place in the East African Community,” he added.
