MTN Uganda increases call rates

Jul 12, 2009

STARTING today, MTN Uganda customers will have to pay 9% more for making calls. The new mobile prepaid tariffs inclusive of tax, a top executive said, were necessary because of the increasing operating cost pressures.

By Isaac Omoding
and Raymond Baguma


STARTING today, MTN Uganda customers will have to pay 9% more for making calls. The new mobile prepaid tariffs inclusive of tax, a top executive said, were necessary because of the increasing operating cost pressures.

They affect callers on PayGo Standard, YelloMax, YelloGo, Yellopersecond, MTN Latechat and MTNZone.

For instance, an MTN to MTN phone call under the PayGo Standard which was formerly at sh320 will now cost sh340 at peak hours. The MTN to MTN off-peak call rate rises from sh270 to sh285.

Calling other mobile networks under PayGo Standard now costs sh500 at peak hours, up from sh480. At off-peak hours, it will cost a caller sh440 up from sh400.

The tariff plan for PayGO Standard also indicates that call rates to other east African countries will cost sh550 up from sh500, while international calls remain at sh600.

The call rates come at a time of globally increasing costs which have impacted all industries as well as the economy.

Chief executive officer Themba Khumalo said: “A relief from excise duty in the 2009/2010 budget could have eased cost pressures.”

Sheila Kangwagye spokeperson for the company that last increased tariffs in 2003, said the increment was far below the 45% rise in cost inflation.

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