Telecel to keep interconnection with other networks

Telecel has assured its customers and those of other networks that it will keep its interconnection with other networks open, regardless of any disputes over payment there may be with other networks.

Telecel Zimbabwe chief executive officer Mr Francis Mawindi said Telecel believed it must always put its customers' interests first, regardless of any dispute with any of its partners concerning payment of interconnection fees.

However, he emphasised that there was need for all telecommunication partners to honour their financial commitments to avoid inconveniencing customers across all networks unnecessarily.

He expressed confidence that the Posts and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority would soon facilitate finalisation of the issues that had stalled the signing of interconnection agreements.

Telecel's assurance to customers follows a public dispute over payment between Econet Wireless and NetOne that saw Econet unilaterally terminating the interconnection between NetOne. "Telecel Zimbabwe would like to take this opportunity to reassure its valued subscribers and all other network users that Telecel will remain open for interconnection with other network service providers in order to provide an affordable and reliable mobile network communication platform for the entire nation," Mr Mawindi said. "Our position is that we provide an invaluable communication service to our customers and at all times we must put our customers' interests first.

"In line with this long-held customer-centred approach, Telecel will not be disconnecting subscribers due to disputes relating to interconnection agreements with other network service providers.

"Telecel's strongly held position is that customers must not be inconvenienced due to disputes at an institutional or corporate level," he said, adding that Telecel's commitment to providing quality service and connectivity remained one of its strongest points.

"Even during the hyperinflationary period, before the introduction of a multi-currency system, Telecel did not disconnect its post-paid subscribers and in essence covered some of the costs while keeping subscribers connected.

"Telecel also continued to provide international mobile telephone services even at the height of the hyperinflationary period.

"The ability to communicate and remain connected is a very important value for the Telecel team and its partners and our goal remains simply to ensure that the nation can communicate in an affordable and convenient way.

"Telecel has been at the forefront in making mobile communication services affordable after taking the lead in the reduction of prices for lines, airtime, dongles and internet services.

"This very deliberate and conscious decision to help democratise mobile communication services has helped increase nationwide mobile penetration statistics, while at the same time helping people everywhere meet the very basic natural instinct to express themselves and communicate. We will continue to be driven by this vision.

"However, Telecel takes this opportunity to reiterate the need for all telecommunication partners to honour their financial commitments and avoid inconveniencing customers across all networks unnecessarily. "We anticipate that the industry regulator, Potraz, will imminently facilitate the finalisation of the issues which have stalled the signing of the Interconnection Agreements.

"We would like to thank our valued subscribers for their continued support and encourage even more subscribers to come on board and join the fastest growing network," he said.