Harare — FIXED telephone provider TelOne has been disconnected from Intelsat link owing to non-payment of US$710 000 that has affected Internet services in the country.

Some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) said the disconnection had slowed down services to their customers.

The providers licensed to offer connection services include TelOne, Ecoweb and Telconet.

TelOne managing director Mr Wellington Makamure confirmed on Tuesday that their service had been disconnected owing to non-payment.

"We have applied through our banks and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe for assistance with the foreign currency component. RBZ has promised to look positively at our plea," he said.

He said the company owed Intelsat US$710 000 for both Internet and voice link for the period April to end of June this year.

"We are re-routing our Internet communication through other means, as a result Internet service has become slower," he said. Some ISPs were now taking huge

risks using unlicensed providers and putting their customers at risk in case they were suddenly shut down, one source said.

Telecommunications regulator Potraz has been accused of creating an uneven playing field resulting in only three players being licensed to provide such service.

Meanwhile, some ISPs were trying to source equipment to increase their capacity and move away from TelOne though they said this would have a negative impact on costs.

"Unfortunately, this will mean a large price increase, but it has to be done in order to continue serving quality Internet," said one service provider. Early this month the country was threatened with total communication disconnection from the rest of the world until the Reserve Bank intervened with foreign exchange to help the parastatal settle some of its foreign debt. -- Business Reporter/New Ziana.