• The government says price reductions must be real, visible and applied to daily-use plans.
• Authorities denounce a system in which poorer households pay far more per gigabyte.
• Officials warn they may open the market to more competition if operators resist.

The Malagasy government is holding firm in its dispute with telecom operators over the cost of Internet service. In a Nov. 26 statement, officials insisted that price cuts must be real, simple, visible and applied to the data plans people use every day.

According to the statement, operators currently offer only three “small, conditional and temporary” packages: 1.1 gigabytes for 3,000 ariary ($0.67), 2.5 gigabytes for 5,000 ariary and 5.5 gigabytes for 10,000 ariary. The government added that one of the most sensitive issues is that low-income households end up paying more for Internet access than wealthier users. It noted, for example, that one gigabyte costs 5,000 ariary for someone who can spare only 500 ariary a day for Internet access, while it costs just 2,000 ariary for someone able to buy a 200,000-ariary plan.

“This situation is unjust and socially untenable. It penalizes young people, low-income families and rural communities—precisely those who should benefit most from digital access. The Government of the Refoundation cannot endorse a system in which the poorest pay more than twice what the richest pay for Internet access,” the statement said.

Regarding the conditions set by telecom operators, authorities in Antananarivo said no tax advantages will be offered in exchange for limited, short-term gestures. While the government projects a shortfall of around 215 billion ariary, operators claim there would be no loss. “These statements are based on their own calculations. The state cannot shape its fiscal policy around private interests,” officials responded.

On November 25, Madagascar’s telecom operators’ association said it remained open to dialogue. The government, for its part, said a compromise must be found but warned that if operators continue to resist public demand, the state will intervene—through greater competition, legislation and any measures necessary to protect consumers. Authorities also said they are preparing several decrees to regulate commercial practices, protect users and remove artificial barriers that limit access to digital services