A network upgrade resulted in a technical error that caused 28,000 Airtel Zambia customers to lose airtime balances worth $178,000.

This is according to the company, which claims it has embarked on upgrading its network system to ensure that customers enjoy high quality internet and voice mobile services.

It said the nationwide network expansion programme is expected see improved coverage and quality by the end of 2014.

Last week, the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) alleged that Airtel’s system erroneously marked pre-paid subscriber numbers as roaming.

This in turn resulted in prepaid customers losing their airtime balances.