Prices for Africell SIM cards surged sharply at multiple retail points across Luanda after a cyberattack knocked rival operator Unitel offline, with vendors charging up to 1,000 kwanzas for a chip that normally retails at 200 kwanzas.
In the Viana district, reporters from O País found SIM cards being sold at between 300, 500 and, in the worst cases, 1,000 kwanzas — representing markups of between 50% and 400% above the standard price.
Attempts to speak with vendors at the site were unsuccessful. However, two customers interviewed at the location expressed frustration at the price speculation, while acknowledging they had no alternative but to purchase SIM cards at the inflated prices in order to maintain their communications.
Consumers said the need to stay connected for professional, family and personal reasons ultimately outweighed the additional cost, compelling them to accept the higher prices.
Unitel, Angola’s largest mobile operator, has been offline since 02:00 on Tuesday, 28 January, following the cyberattack that disrupted its services.
Source: O País / Original article: https://www.opais.ao/sociedade/chip-da-africell-dispara-para-ate-1000-kwanzas-em-luanda-apos-ataque-cibernetico-a-unitel/
