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The Network Service Providers Association of Zambia (NSPAZ) have announced that effective January 1, 2024, the cost of fixed internet services will increase by 17.5 percent.
The association in a statement issued on Thursday, on behalf of its members, explained that this had been triggered by the amendment of the Customs and Excise Duty Act by government which came into effect on January 1, 2023.
“All efforts by the association and the ISPs themselves to get the relevant authorities to review this excise duty update have failed, therefore from January 1, 2024, you will be required to pay your ISP the additional 17.5 percent excise duty on the full cost of internet services.
“Tax shall be passed to the tax authority. You will receive direct correspondence from your service provider in due course proving further details,” the association stated.
Read more: Report ranks Zambia fourth country in Africa with most expensive data prices
Recently, Zambia Monitor published that a report had established that Zambia was ranked fourth country with the most expensive data prices in Africa between June and September, 2023.
On average Zambia’s data was priced at US$8.01 for one gigabyte, with the cheapest pegged at US$0.45, while the most expensive one was at US$45.33.
The cable.co.uk, a leading broadband, television and phone comparison site on Saturday released a report for the average price of one gigabyte (1GB) derived from an extensive analysis of over 5,600 mobile data packages offered across the globe.
Zambia was among the top 10 countries with the most expensive data prices in Africa between June and September, 2023.
The report named Zambia as the fourth country in Africa with the most expensive data prices and ranked it 227 in the world for period between June and September, 2023.
Zimbabwe was on the top of the table for African countries with an average data pricing of US$43.75.
The report ranked Zimbabwe 237 in the world with the most expensive data prices between June and September, 2023.
“Several factors are responsible for elevated data costs in select African nations. Among the challenges are a lack of competition among telecommunications providers, infrastructure deficiencies, and certain government policies,” according to the report.
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