A person using her phone. [Photo/nation.co.ke]

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Member states of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) have reached an agreement to abolish telephone roaming charges.

The move raises hope for cheaper services for users in the region. 

“Although pricing of voice services in many African countries was becoming competitive and comparable with the rest of the world, the cost of broadband continued to be out of reach of most people,” ministers from the bloc stated in a final report that resolved to adopt uniform call rates.

Users in Africa paid on average 25 per cent of monthly gross national income (GNI) per capita mobile calls compared to 11 per cent in other developing nations.

Ministers agreed to draft regulations to support investment in the Virtual Mobile Network Operator (MVNOs) as a way of enhancing competition and access to services.

In Africa, MVNO permits have been issued in Morocco, Kenya and South Africa.

 Comesa countries represent over 37 per cent of Internet users in Africa.

The East Africa Community (EAC) has already implemented the concept of uniform telephone charges. 

Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda have implemented harmonised voice and SMS charges in Northern Corridor Integration Projects.