Free calls drain $22 million

CATHERINE MUMBA, Lusaka
GOVERNMENT and telecommunication companies have been losing about US$22 million annually as a result of internet phone calls while enriching Facebook and WhatsApp giants, hence the introduction of a 30 ngwee-a-day tariff.Some stakeholders had questioned Cabinet’s approval of the issuance of a statutory instrument (SI) to facilitate the introduction of a 30-ngwee-a-day tariff on internet calls.
But Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya said internet calls have created unfair competition in the telecommunication industry despite not contributing taxes.
Ms Siliya said conventional call providers, on the other hand, pay tax and invest in infrastructure development in Zambia, thereby contributing to job creation.http://epaper.daily-mail.co.zm/