02 August 2024

Burundi's Telecommunications Regulatory and Control Agency (ARCT) has announced that the regional roaming framework came into effect on 1 August. New rates will now apply for regional roaming phone calls and direct phone calls to the region.

Burundian telecom operators are required to clearly communicate the rates applicable for direct regional communications and regional roaming. The ARCT has also asked them to apply detailed billing to verify the communications made and the amounts billed.

This initiative follows Burundi's accession to the East African Community (EAC) Single Communication Network or One Network Area (ONA). According to the decree, the regional retail rate is capped at $0.10 per minute, including applicable taxes, compared to $0.07 per minute for the wholesale rate. Receiving roaming calls is free.

“Through this regional initiative, Burundian citizens and businesses will now benefit from advantageous rates when communicating with their counterparts in other EAC member states, namely Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and South Sudan,” said ARCT.