South Africans Face Higher Telkom Bills Amid Economic Struggles

Telkom South Africa has announced that it will be raising prices for its fixed broadband and voice services, effective from 1 April 2025. The company attributes the price hike to mounting economic pressures, including rising inflation, escalating energy costs, and a weakened exchange rate. These challenges have significantly impacted various sectors, pushing Telkom to make adjustments to sustain its services.

In a statement, Telkom explained, “South Africa continues to face economic challenges, including rising inflation, increasing energy costs, and a weakened exchange rate, all of which put pressure on businesses across various sectors.”

Telkom’s Consumer Business CEO, Lunga Siyo, acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, stressing that the price increases were essential for maintaining quality services. While acknowledging the financial strain this could cause consumers, he stated the company had tried to keep the increases minimal while still delivering value-driven offerings.

The tariff adjustments will affect a range of services, including consumer fixed voice, small and medium business (SMB) fixed voice, DSL, and fibre services. According to the company, legacy consumer fixed voice tariffs will see an average increase of 12%, while current products will rise by 6%. Similar increases will be applied to SMB fixed voice services, with legacy products increasing by 12%, current products by 6%, and PABX products by 6%.

Additionally, consumer and SMB DSL services will experience a 12% price hike, while fibre tariffs will rise by an average of 6%. Telkom has emphasised its commitment to remaining a reliable connectivity partner by continually investing in infrastructure and improving customer experience.

Despite the rising costs, Telkom intends to maintain its competitive edge in the South African market. Siyo assured customers that the adjustments were aimed at ensuring the company’s continued ability to provide high-quality services. Full details of the new pricing can be found on Telkom’s official website.