Online Reporter
NET neutrality is the principle that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) should treat all internet data equally, without discrimination based on user, content, platform, or application. While this concept is widely debated globally, its application — or lack thereof — in Southern Africa, including in our very own Zimbabwe, carries significant implications for users and the region’s digital development.
Unlike regions such as the European Union, Southern Africa generally lacks explicit legislation protecting net neutrality. Regulatory bodies aim to promote fair competition and consumer rights, but have not adopted a strict “common carrier” model. This absence of clear rules gives ISPs broad discretion in managing and prioritising internet traffic, often without transparency or accountability.
In Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries, ISPs employ various strategies to manage data. Zero-rating is one of the most common, where users access platforms like Facebook or WhatsApp without using their data allowance. While this appears beneficial, it creates a two-tiered internet, favouring popular services and sidelining smaller providers. Differentiated data bundles are also widespread, offering packages for specific apps or times — such as “WhatsApp bundles” or “night bundles” — which prioritise certain traffic types and make others more costly.
ISPs also use traffic shaping and throttling to manage congestion, slowing down specific activities like peer-to-peer sharing or video streaming during peak hours. These practices are rarely disclosed, leaving users unaware of how their data is being handled. Additionally, ISPs often partner with major content providers to host data locally, improving speed and reducing costs. While beneficial, this can lead to preferential treatment for partners, disadvantaging competitors.
These practices have notable consequences. Zero-rating may extend access to those who cannot afford general data, but it limits users to a narrow set of applications, reinforcing a “walled garden” internet and deepening the digital divide. Prioritising certain services also stifles innovation, making it harder for new entrants to compete if they are excluded from bundles or zero-rated deals. This reduces diversity in the online ecosystem and limits user choice.
Market competition can be distorted when ISPs favour certain platforms, making it difficult for local businesses to gain visibility. The lack of net neutrality rules also results in a transparency deficit, with users unaware of throttling or prioritisation practices. This undermines trust and prevents informed decision-making. Moreover, users often face a trade-off between affordability and openness, opting for cheaper, limited bundles at the expense of full internet access.
Looking forward, the net neutrality debate in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa must balance the goal of an open internet with economic and infrastructural realities. While immediate legislation may be difficult, steps such as strengthening regulatory oversight, promoting transparency, and developing regional guidelines could help. Enhancing the role of bodies like Potraz and encouraging ISPs to disclose traffic management policies are vital. Though the term “net neutrality” may not be widely used, its principles are central to shaping digital access, fairness, and innovation in the region.
Jacqueline Ntaka is the CEO of Mviyo Technologies, a local tech company that provides custom software development, mobile applications and data analytics solutions. She can be contacted on [email protected]
