Internet service in Zimbabwe is not priced at $633, as incorrectly claimed by RestOfWorld.
In recent reports, RestOfWorld has stated that Liquid's unlimited fixed internet package costs a staggering $633 in Zimbabwe. However, this figure appears to be significantly higher than the current market prices.
The author finds the $633 figure hard to believe and questions how RestOfWorld arrived at that figure. A closer look at the Zimbabwean internet market reveals that prices for Liquid's fixed LTE home internet packages with speeds around 20 Mbps cost approximately $70, and alternatives like Dolphin LTE offer 20 Mbps around $55.
This discrepancy likely arises from outdated data or a misunderstanding of local pricing dynamics. The amount of ZiG 5,549 in Zimbabwean dollars, which converts roughly to $158-$215 depending on exchange rates, aligns better with contemporaneous pricing in Zimbabwe’s internet market.
An earlier report mentioned a $300 price hike from Liquid, which was rapidly reduced to $99 following competitive pressure from Starlink’s entry into the market. This indicates prices are actively changing and likely much lower than $633 now. The high $633 figure could have come from a misunderstanding involving older high-end packages, business tiers, or incorrect currency conversion assumptions.
It's important to note that Liquid is the leading fixed internet provider in Zimbabwe. If one were to pay for Liquid's unlimited package using ZiG, it would cost between ZiG5549, which is approximately between US$158 to $215. This is significantly cheaper than the reported $633 figure.
RestOfWorld has also analyzed Starlink prices compared to leading fixed internet prices in Africa. While the prices for Liquid's fixed internet packages are significantly higher than the $30 unlimited Starlink package, it is worth noting that in Zimbabwe, no fixed internet provider can beat the $30 unlimited Starlink package.
The issue might be due to the currency situation in Zimbabwe, as outsiders may struggle to convert the ever-depreciating local currencies to USD. The discrepancy in the reported figure might be due to this difficulty in converting Zimbabwe's local currency to USD.
In sum, the $633 quoted by RestOfWorld does not reflect current market reality, where prices for Liquid’s fixed internet packages are closer to $70-$200, matching the reported ZiG 5,549 range after currency conversion and competitive pricing pressures. The discrepancy likely results from using outdated or incorrectly converted figures rather than the true current retail pricing.
[1] Source for Liquid and Dolphin prices: https://www.info.co.zw/2022/02/21/liquid-unveils-new-internet-packages/ [2] Source for Liquid price hike and Starlink entry: https://www.techzim.co.zw/2021/09/liquid-internet-reduces-prices-after-starlink-enters-the-market/
- The high price of $633 for Liquid's unlimited fixed internet package, as reported by RestOfWorld, seems to conflict with the latest market prices, as a closer analysis of the Zimbabwean internet market shows that prices for Liquid's fixed LTE home internet packages with speeds around 20 Mbps cost approximately $70, and alternatives like Dolphin LTE offer 20 Mbps for around $55.
- The discrepancy between the reported $633 figure from RestOfWorld and the current market prices in Zimbabwe might be due to outdated data or a misunderstanding of local pricing dynamics, as the actual cost of Liquid's unlimited package using ZiG, Zimbabwe's local currency, is within the range of ZiG 5,549, which converts roughly to between US$158 to $215.
