HARGEISA (KAAB TV) – Somaliland President Abdirahman Abdillahi Irro announced tonight the suspension of a recent decision by telecommunication companies to increase internet prices by 100 percent—a move that had sparked public outcry across Somaliland.
President Irro informed the people of Somaliland that the cost of internet and mobile phone calls will remain unchanged, urging citizens to take the news positively.
“As the President of the Republic of Somaliland, I wish to inform my people that the government and the country’s telecommunications service providers have agreed to suspend the recent decision to increase the prices of internet and mobile phone call services, a decision that the companies had previously announced,” said President Irro.
“Service prices will remain as they were until further notice, while the government will urgently hold discussions on this matter with the telecommunications companies operating in the Republic of Somaliland.”
The Somaliland Ministry of Communication and Technology, in a press conference held in Hargeisa, announced that it had held meetings with telecommunication companies and agreed to review the earlier decision.
The press briefing came after the people of Somaliland voiced strong concerns over the issue, with protests breaking out last night in Hargeisa.
This development follows a hardline decision by internet service providers to double internet charges, a move that triggered widespread anger across Somaliland.
The price hike announced by the private telecom companies had raised fears of further protests in Hargeisa, with Somaliland police earlier warning against demonstrations in the city.
Internet and Phone Price Hike
The unlimited 24-hour internet bundles, which previously cost $0.50, are now priced at $1.
Similarly, the weekly bundles that used to offer 2GB for $0.50 now only provide 1.3GB for the same price, according to the companies’ pricing system.
The price changes have not only affected internet packages but have also been applied to call bundles.
Previously, a customer could make unlimited calls for 24 hours at a cost of $0.30, but now it is no longer possible to make unlimited calls.