"The path to a solution is always dialogue (...) I do not believe that there are no solutions to problems, even the most difficult ones, as long as there is space for us to talk", Mateus Magala told the media on the sidelines of the national communications conference, in Maputo.

At issue is the change in telecommunications services in the country, namely the end of unlimited packages, as a result of the setting of minimum tariffs by the National Institute of Communications of Mozambique (INCM), the regulatory body, which is motivating customer complaints, according to the executive director of the consumer protection association ProConsumer.

Without specifying numbers, Alexandre Bacião said, in an interview with Lusa, that the consumer protection institution has received complaints, since May 4, about the alleged price increase of packages, especially mobile data, causing "a great constraint to the consumer".

According to the Minister of Transport and Communications, it is necessary to find a space where one can talk with "listening ears" and open minds, to identify fair solutions" for the telecommunications regulator and for customers.

"We invite the parties to present their arguments, their reasons, and call to reason", said the Mozambican government official, referring to the fact that it is an "open discussion for "academia, civil society, government and the private sector".

The president of INCM, Tuaha Mote, said last week that he instructed telecommunications operators to withdraw unlimited data and voice packages to avoid "market collapse" and "unfair competition", also aiming to allow greater market openness to attract investment in the sector.

Mozambican activists have called for a national march on Saturday against the new tariffs applied by telecommunications operators, asking for the revocation of the resolution that sets minimum tariffs. 

"Regardless of the results of May 18 [day of the announced march], if this decision is not revoked, we will continue to march and act. The campaign will continue until the day of the revocation and we are ready to call and mobilize every citizen who is feeling the pain in their skin", said Quitéria Guirengane, representative of the activist group, after another meeting, in Maputo, with leaders of the National Institute of Communications of Mozambique (INCM), the regulatory entity.

The Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Misa Mozambique also asked for the revocation of the new tariffs, claiming that they "violate" the rights of Mozambicans, through a request submitted on Wednesday to the telecommunications regulator.

The National Union of Students (UNE) and the Association of Finalist University Students of Mozambique (AEFUM) also considered the new tariffs "unadjusted", stating that they mainly affect students and young people.

INCM had announced that, as of May 4, telecommunications services would become cheaper, on average, with the entry into force of the tariffs in which operators adjust the minimum values.

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