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ZAMBIANS Speak Out: AIRTEL Zambia Is Pathetic, Thieves
ZAMBIANS across the country have described mobile telecommunications company AIRTEL’s operations and services as pathetic and expensive for nothing.
This revelation follows a Tumfweko survey conducted across the country on the company’s operations and its general assessment both on the ground and through its facebook official page.
The Zambian people are not happy with the way AIRTEL Zambia is operating especially with its service provision with regards to network congestion, no network every after 5 minutes overcharging i.e being expensive, poor customer Service care at their call center and lack of confidentiality as among other things.
AIRTEL is the only Network provider which charges for a service on missed calls. K100 for one to receive missed call notification message, a situation Zambians have described as ‘Day Time Robbing’. Zambians have called for an end to what they have described as pathetic services.
The Customer Call center has been and still blocking customer numbers who have queried positive complaints and criticism to never call the service customer center.
The main culprits at the call center have been identified as ladies who the Zambian people said and described as cheeky and fond of hanging up on subscribers who question their operations positively.
Airtel has on a number of occasion failed to apologize to it’s customers on alleged pathetic and poor services.
The Zambia Information and Communications Authority [ZICTA] have also been blamed for failure to harmonize poor operations at AIRTEL with its continued dissatisfied services
The company AIRTEL Zambia has seen its owners and names changed from CELTEL, ZAIN. The company was used by the former embattled ruling party MMD when in was in power to campaign for embattled Former President Rupiah Bwezani Banda through the sending of messages and making of ‘ROBO CALLS’ in which most of the Zambians expressed annoyance with lack of confidentiality in its operations.
The company is owned owned by Indian Investors called Bhati Airtel.
AIRTEL Zambia leaked the Zambian Mobile Phone Numbers database to the MMD against the wishes of the majority Zambian Airtel subscribers with view to be used for campaigning for RB.
Visit our facebook official page https://www.facebook.com/Tumfweko
Posted by Editor
on November 2, 2011. Filed under HEADLINES, Statements.
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Better days are coming
November 2, 2011 at 3:24 pm
I wonder why pipo are complaining when they have a choice of other two mobile service providers, MTN & ZAMTEL. If u aint happy with them just switch now, thats what civilised pipo do, simple!
Bamwine
November 2, 2011 at 3:28 pm
I agree with almost all the comments posted on this subject.
My fellow countrymen and women, what about launching a campaign against this company so we force them out of our land.I think its time to correct the situation in our country, remember the power to change is in the hands of the people.
It is true that this company has stollen a lot of money from us through their activities as most of you have put it.
Let us all unit and campaign against Airtel. We need to remind the gov’t that there is a form of injustice which has been left unchecked though in private hands.
NATUCULA PAFULA BA SATA ALA LOLESHENIPO APAPENA PALI UBWAFYA. BA MUKUKULU BALEIBA ENDALAMA SHABANTU UBUTEKO BULELOLESHAFYE. NINSHI CILISHANI.
kutemwa
November 2, 2011 at 3:29 pm
another reason to move to mtn, roaming is cheaper. you only get charged for calls and smses u make.airtel charges for the ones u receive aswell as the ones u make
Chansa
November 2, 2011 at 3:29 pm
I also called for internet settings 575which apparently expire ever 30 days…..whaat nonsense and i was blocked by some rude ***** called Mateyo. Put your house in order pliz.
Priory du Scion
November 2, 2011 at 3:31 pm
DON’T FORGET THE FAKE MOBILE GAMBLING MSGS, Which shameless thieves like this mobile service provider sends to its customers where no one wins. k2000/msg, if 1000, 000 people enter the amount is two billion kwacha stolen from poor Zambians. CAN SOMEBODY STOP THIS DAY LIGHT ROBBERY.
messenger
November 2, 2011 at 3:31 pm
why complain when alternatives are just within reach. change camps men!!!!. the problem that we blacks have is that we always want to hang on to something forever even when there’s no more benefit from it – cant make it in life like that.move on and make progress.
mafupa yokoyoko
November 2, 2011 at 3:33 pm
They are all useless,with mtn u cant even talk to the customer care.Zamtel worse,plz grab it and resale it to serious investors.
pathetich service indeed
November 2, 2011 at 3:35 pm
everything said above about Airtel is true, I am a victim of bad service. I opted to have another number from MTN in times of shitty Airtel service.
Wanu Ngwee
November 2, 2011 at 3:38 pm
I was listening to one American motivational speaker, Les Brown, who says there is a type of people who just mourn and groan all the time and never do anything about their circumstances – and that in fact, they actually believe that merely complaining about something is equivalent to doing something about it – NO FOLKS! NO! That’s not going to get you anywhere, you have MTN & CELL-Z just two shops away, so why suffer? Let’s show these Airtel the power of consumers!!
MMC Chilebabes
November 2, 2011 at 3:40 pm
Simple guys, switch to MTN Evry where you go!!!
citizen
November 2, 2011 at 3:41 pm
let just swit to another netwok. airtel guys are idiots
not so easy to switch
November 2, 2011 at 3:50 pm
@ Wanu moving to another network is not as easy as you make it look like. there is an issue of how many contacts in your phonebook are also on the same network so calling is not so expensive.
Free mason
November 2, 2011 at 3:56 pm
Okey seriously guys yes mtn is better than airtel.now lets also talk about mtn customer care.how long does it take for them to answer our calls? Mtn should work on its customer care line it should not take us almost an hour to be talked to
Uwalubana
November 2, 2011 at 3:59 pm
MTN customer care line is so pathetic,it takes almost an hour for them to attend to u.thy should also improve
Free mason
November 2, 2011 at 4:00 pm
Yes mtn customer care line need to be improved,its so pathetic
lawyer!
November 2, 2011 at 4:04 pm
just moved to MTN.Bought airtime and i have been failing to load it for the past 48 hours. They are even charging when you call their customer care line. If you are doubting call 111 right now
Yashani
November 2, 2011 at 4:15 pm
MTN is also rubbish.I went to replace my sim only to be told by heavily powerdered girl that I need to get a police report
Concerned Parent
November 2, 2011 at 4:36 pm
CEASE FIRE GUYS, Albert Einstein said; “There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.” and “Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.”
Some of these blog messages are being sent by disgruntled airtel members of staff or people who left the company out of frustration or MTN or Zamtel connected persons. Heed the words of Einstein and rise above board Zambians. We must appreciate that when other Operators have network cracks, Airtel doesn’t spend time insulting others through social media but learns from industry and positive criticism and challenges. I believe airtel has many points of presence anyone can visit.
“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” Albert Einstein said.
Proud Zambian
One Gee
November 2, 2011 at 4:42 pm
That is why I rarely use the Airtel Simcard. They are expensive for nothing inspite of the poor service to the subscribers. Am content with my MTN and Cell Z Sims.
Time 4Everything!!!!
November 2, 2011 at 5:14 pm
All these so called investors will have an answer 4all questions and our cry will be attended to,MTN & Cell Z never compromised to the run up 20/09/11 elections but why Airtel,who own the majority shares in it here in Zambia,what authority do they have to leak or reveal our phone numbers and send us useless txt msgs,if pipo in govt have access to tumfweko let the commission of inquiry on zamtel sale also probe airtel on giving our phone numbers to mmd!!!
raul
November 2, 2011 at 5:16 pm
Advise for those of you who travel often,within zambia,better have MTN and Airtel sim cards if you dont want to be stranded when met with no network coverage situation.
Africans or should I say humans. We complain about everything,even when you ironed you suit yourself,you blame the iron for not doing a good job.
You DONT live in a perfect world.Wake up!
Wanu Ngwee
November 2, 2011 at 5:19 pm
@NOT SO EASY TO SWITCH: The reason we own mobile phones (whatever your network or that of your contacts) is so that we can be reached anywhere anytime & to also reach others anywhere anytime. Of what use is a cell phone if you either can’t be reached, can’t load airtime or sustain conversations with others?
Anani Koffi
November 2, 2011 at 5:29 pm
You also know that MTN is not really a better option. Anyway just like an old adadge “I yapelelwa ilya nechani”
Child of the Sky
November 2, 2011 at 5:40 pm
I wonder why many stick with the poor service offered by AIRTEL.
nono
November 2, 2011 at 5:51 pm
Airtel u are rubbish I so can’t wait for this subscription to end sothat I move to mtn blackberry Indianz ve just failed us they should stick to selling clothes atase rubbish..
nckbnd
November 2, 2011 at 5:56 pm
its a pity dat phones there in zambia ar stik expensive, here in mozambique we ar enjoyin wit vodacom and mcel iam telin you,u cn enjoy da service here 24/7 those guys ar crooks mtn and airtel bt da govt shud find da solution coz comnication is vry important.
sex lover
November 2, 2011 at 6:09 pm
Maybe wil consider zamtel not this mtn which is equally pathetic,it takes 1 hour for the call centre to attend 2u and wen dat happens the line is so bad and breaking…I have an mtn sim since sept 2007 n stil don’t knw how I can switch between tarrifs.just yesterday wen I failed to top up with airfail I bot a 10pin mtn scratch card n only spok for 3mins and it all gone!atase.the only thing I get enjoy on mtn is da free wkend calin kwasila,their network is completly pathetic.
Wanted to get internet bundle ati come to our shop….ru sure? Even simple things dat can b handled frm their offices while m enjoyin da comforts of my hom ati go 2yo nearest mtn shop.rubbish!
Bobo
November 2, 2011 at 6:39 pm
lack of effective legislation on the operations of these companies particularly their obligations to customers is the cause for the widespread exploitation of customer’s rights.
observing from London
November 2, 2011 at 6:44 pm
suprisingly am not in the country and my mtn line stil works even for my mobile enternet……but wen i tried roamin once just in s.a airtel would cost me 100, 000 kwacha to talk for less than 10 minutes what bullshit!….virgin should come tek over airtel!
Mini Me
November 2, 2011 at 6:46 pm
The reason it’s difficult for us to move to other networks is that we have been with them for too long. I have had the same sim card since 2003 and I have never experienced major problems until the company changed it’s name to Airtel. Yes everything has gone sour now with Airtel and i agree with others calling for a demonstration against Airtel. LET’S DO THIS…
musonda
November 2, 2011 at 7:12 pm
Wow as soon as I come home I know what network not to go onto, thanx people
Stanley
November 2, 2011 at 7:43 pm
Stop crying u destitutes in yo own country. You just give them those monies. If you know that they are stealin from u y do u stil subscribe wit them? I hate u zambians coz u always complain en die complainants. Rise up to the occasion en come up wit yo own mobil service providing company. Badness u cant afford to ran but u can only sell it at the day end. Shame on u.
Chulula Chakopo
November 2, 2011 at 8:08 pm
About seven years ago I moved from Kabulonga to Chunga. I had to change from Telecel to Celtel. This was so that I could catch the network. Then along came a gangster called Airtel. In most areas of Chunga and Barlaston you have a fluctuating network and after six in the evening you have to change to Zamtel. Why Why Why. Do you realise that the modern life is such that you can receive your e-mails at night. Dont you do that in India
Frankie
November 2, 2011 at 8:23 pm
Airtel is no longer reliable. Too expensive for nothing. Please the government should also constitute a commission of Inquiry for campaignig for RB by Airtel. When my talktime gets finished I am divorcing Airtel and marrying MTN. Baby cry and other related cries must come to an end by going for other alternatives.
Ba President Sata please bring back our Cell-Z and we are ready to support it fully
davy kapotwe
November 2, 2011 at 8:28 pm
Its true Airtel are shameless thieves who even steal from poor pipo.Muchinje yo services especially charges.In other countries u charge accordingly but in zambia its different.mwalitudelela sana bafikala pamo no tuchende or amaule mubika as call attendants.panyo panu….
Stanley
November 2, 2011 at 8:41 pm
Stop crying u destitutes in yo own country. You just give them those monies. If you know that they are stealin from u y do u stil subscribe wit them? I hate u zambians coz u always complain en die complainants. Rise up to the occasion en come up wit yo own mobil service providing company. Badness u cant afford to ran but u can only sell it at the day end. Shame on u. Airtel, get mo money from them coz they doo ve brains.
davy kapotwe
November 2, 2011 at 8:44 pm
dear readers i wish to apologize for the comment i posted earlier.i have realized its not good to send insults but messeges that are helpful.IAM SO SORRY.
quizzer
November 3, 2011 at 12:24 am
Thank you. Trully Zambian. Sleep well.
Useless
November 2, 2011 at 10:54 pm
First thing 2morrow am going to an mtn outlet
Ndombolo
November 3, 2011 at 12:54 am
Matole ba Airtel. How can one company develop by changing names? Bakala bay sana. Change to MTN and Zamtel Siliya Matako.
Jim gondola
November 3, 2011 at 1:31 am
Faggies, why complain abt shitty airtel service when u could have switched ages ago? 97 comments over this useless article? Get a Zamtel or MTN sim
BBC
November 3, 2011 at 4:25 am
THE BEST THING ZAMBIANS TO DO IS THRU THE CARD AND BUY MTN OR ZAMTEL CARDS. I DID THAT A LONG TIME AND THEY WILL SEE WHAT IT MEANS A CHANGE
yoyo
November 3, 2011 at 7:38 am
pliz zambians lets all shift to mtn or zamtel,other wise, we will keep on crying and those pipo wil not change.i moved two years ago
Babes
November 3, 2011 at 8:34 am
Yes, yes, yes Airtel has been such a disappointment in so many ways as already elaborated by earlier comments. I would have ditched them a long time ago but I just fear losing all my old contacts, but enough is enough let us make the change now and reject substandard services. Why are we suffering when we have other Networks to move to? Lets do this…
Hidden Object
November 3, 2011 at 9:03 am
Yessssssss……thats a point Babes. These guys are just thieves who wanted to make money for RB not serving people of Zambia. From the 31st October,2011 todate their cards are failing to be entred and when you ring their call centre they are saying their technicians are working on the problem. How do people survive on such a network. The better its closed in Zambia so that we use other networks. Moreover they are just too expensive than any other network used. Rubbish ba Mwenye!
shiro
November 3, 2011 at 9:52 am
Somehow, I think all this over charging is because of the charges imposed by ZICTA and they are off setting it on to the customers. What is ZICTA collecting all that money for. If anything, the population of Zambia is just to high for the charges we pay for mobile services, why don’t economies of scale apply in this industry in Zambia? Pathetic, offer funny competitions like win a marcopolo, win a car, now win K1bn to empower a few after collecting more from many, all bcz u can.
Bemba Wisdom
November 3, 2011 at 10:09 am
I am dumping this Airshit for MTN. Enough is enough, why charge 100K for missed calls.
WTF z wrong airtel
November 3, 2011 at 11:16 am
i dont know y these guys dont understand that it is us the customers taht make airtel to be what is is; if they dont want to take care of us and our needs, the **** it…we have had enaf of this nonsense..Airtel can hung!
i wonder y they are even still paying their public relations manager..
airtel wazigong’a
jay
November 3, 2011 at 11:28 am
Lets dump the *******!!!!!!!
PIKE
November 3, 2011 at 11:30 am
in the first place, the names of the copmpany has been changed several times. the first time it was registered , it was zamcell
next celtel,
followed zain
finally Airtel
why changing names everytime? in my opinion, they may be ivading tax which is a serious offence.look at MTN, it was incorporated as telecell and it was taken over by MTN up to today there are no changing of names like pants(Airtel).in my opinion ZICTA is not doing anything because that is the main purpose of it’s existance. please government through ZICTA come in and investigate this expensive and pathetive mobil operator.it is not just a matter of joining other networks but is to safe guard zambian in rural areas who cannot switch to other networks and the economy at large. mind you this is the company that gave confidential customer information to corrupt MMD and RB
freddie
November 3, 2011 at 12:51 pm
Grass is always green on the other side. MTN sucks as well. I am charged for tariff migration with MTN where it was free with AIRTEL.
I still use the AIRTEL Line for their magic no. it is the cheapest calling… I pay 13K for my regular calls from MTN but to my 2 magic nos. i pay 3 times cheaper…
And today onwards they have made SMS @ 5K/sms against mtn who’se charging 200K/sms … I’m sure these guys gonna bring affordability if ZICTA drives them in right direction