Vodafone Ghana’s controversial capped fixed broadband packages begin today for all new customers, but would start on December 16, 2012 for existing customers. This means all new customers who sign on to Vodafone’s browser, streamer or downloader fixed broadband packages from today would have respective caps at the increased prices. Browsers would pay GHC65 for a maximum 15GB, Streamers would pay GHC100 for 25GB and Downloaders would pay GHC200 for 60GB for one month. Additionally, all categories of customers would pay GHC99 installation fee. The new rates would become applicable to existing customer from December 16, 2012. The company used to have numerous pacakges, including a browser package of GHC45 for an uncapped/unlimited access, but it said that is no more sustainable so it has gotten rid of that entry level package. Vodafone Ghana CEO, Kyle Whitehill told journalists: “We have gotten rid of the entry level package because I couldn’t afford to offer the service at GHC45 – I just can’t afford to do that - I can’t make any money from that – I can’t invest more into the network do give a better service and I need to invest more to give customers a better service,” he said. He said the cap was also to manage the service efficiently and prevent the one per cent of customers who consume huge data capacity for only GHC45 a month, from making the data experience bad for the 99% who consume less. The move has generated some debate, with some customers giving notice of their intention to petition the regulator and government to intervene, and possibly going to court. They have opened a dedicated Facebook page captioned "Stop Vodafone from Capping Broadband", and gotten over 2,280 members, with almost 400 signing to join the protest and the formal petition to the regulator and government.