Mauritian mobile operators puzzled by cut

Information and Communication Technology Minister Tassarajen Chedumbrum Pillay has announced a minimum 25% cut in mobile phone charges.

But mobile operators in the country say they are not aware that any such rate has been finalised, adding that the expected decrease in charges might well extend beyond the timeframe set by the minister.

Mr Pillay told Reuters news agency on Monday that the current 90 cents per minute interconnection and user fees were too high and there will be a 25% cut, probably by the end of this month.

According to sources from local mobile operators, there is already a committee which comprises all stakeholders in the industry to see how mobile charges can be decreased.

“We still have to decide on the rate,” says a representative from one of the mobile operators. In his statement to Reuters, Minister Pillay said that he has already asked the Information and Communication Technology Authority to review the tariff by at least 25%.