– Bypassing restrictions –
Internet operators remain powerless in the face of complaints from customers and have yet to communicate the extent of their losses caused by the restrictions.
French operator Orange apologised for the inconveniences via radio, blaming circumstances beyond its control. South African operator Vodacom also issued a similar message.
People, however, have found various ways of bypassing the restrictions although it has meant shelling out more.
Nina Mandiangu, who runs a catering business, has changed plans and switched operators which has meant paying $170 instead of $30.
“Normally, we send our menu to more than 100 customers a day and at least 50 of them order from us. We are unable to send our menu via SMS or email. That has meant an 80 percent drop in our earnings,” she said.
Vital Kamerhe, head of the third opposition party UNC, is a former Kabila ally who is currently one of his most vocal critics.
He has been able to access social networks by setting up “Internet access via satellite like the big embassies”, a luxury which costs $700 instead of the regular $200.
To the east of the country, in Goma for example, Internet access is easier using signals from neighbouring Rwanda or Uganda.
In Kinshasa, Gael, a student, says that it is possible to download “applications to unblock Facebook” and access a simplified version of the social network.
Government spokesman Lambert Mende has since announced that the restrictions would be lifted in “a matter of hours or days” with things returning to normal before the start of next week.
