Econet Wireless to be disconnected

Econet Wireless is set to be disconnected by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz).

Potraz is targeting value-added services (VAS) due to auto registrations, multiple billing, VAS spamming and disappearing balances.

According to NewsDay, Econet Wireless, in a letter addressed to VAS customers, said the auto registrations, multiple billing, VAS spamming and disappearing balances had reached public and alarming levels.

"In light of the above and the official confirmed threat from the regulator to disconnect all VAS services, Econet has made a pro-active decision to create a separate Dedicated Account where customers will deposit money for all VAS they are subscribed," Econet said in a letter to VAS partners on June 19.

A value-added service (VAS) is a popular telecommunications industry term for non-core services, or in short, all services beyond standard voice calls and fax transmissions.

Econet said the logic was to ensure that customers controlled their spending and made a conscious decision on which VAS to purchase at any particular time.

"In terms of the modus operandi, nothing changes except that the money will no longer be deducted from the main account with effect from 20th of June 2015," the company said.

Econet corporate communications manager Rangarirai Mberi said the company had not received any directive to suspend services.

Potraz acting director general Nicholas Muzhuzha last night denied sending any communiqué to cancel operator services. "We have not sent any communication to cancel any service to any operator," he said, through public affairs manager Sibonginkosi Muteyiwa.