Telecommunications firm Safaricom is set to be probed over its data bundles that come with expiry dates and throttling internet.
Throttling internet refers to an internet provider’s deliberate act of limiting users’ connectivity. This comes barely days after Safaricom announced that it will slap users with bonga points expiry dates.
The push to have Safaricom probed has been triggered by Kamukunji member of parliament Yufus Hassan. According to Hassan, Safaricom has been exploiting users with data bundle expiry and widespread internet throttling by the firm and other internet service providers.
“There is a need to protect Kenyan Internet consumers who find themselves exploited by the expiry of data bundles before they can deplete it, and deliberately reduced Internet speeds,” said Hassan. “The high cost of data bundles coupled with these imposed expiry periods, has largely disadvantaged millions of Kenyans who are arbitrarily deprived of their unused data bundles, already paid for in full.”
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Hassan’s push has been backed by Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga described the expiry of data bundles as ‘robbery without violence’.
Chepkonga demanded that the ICT committee summon the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), the ICT Cabinet Secretary and telecommunications firms Safaricom, Airtel, Telkom Kenya and ISPs.