On 1st May,  2021, Zamtel increased its 3mbps Velocity package from ZMW 349 to ZMW 450 which accumulates to 29% increment. The increment was not only sudden but unexpected by the package users who happen to be mostly youths. This comes at a time when the usage of internet is at its peak in Zambia's history due to the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 This has created a huge challenge for young people, especially students, scholars and researchers. On the other hand, entrepreneurs and people working from home have also been affected by the increase in tariffs. This is against the backdrop of massive loss of employment in different sectors, high unemployment rates, reduced and unpaid salaries by employers and an unprecedent high cost of living. 

What Zamtel has done is unacceptable and a hindrance to sustained development. Over the recent years, the government has created a conducive environment that has enabled the significant expansion of broadband access. We therefore wonder what has prompted Zamtel to make a ZMW 101 increment. If it was 50 ngwee being increased, it still would have been too much considering the high cost of living and other factors already mentioned in this petition.

We therefore reject the 29% increment imposed on the end users of the Zamtel 3mbps Velocity package which is mostly used by students who sacrifice a lot to complete their education. We instead ask Zamtel to revert to the ZMW 349 for the package.