Econet plans to introduce new data packages
It seems the telecoms industry is still suffering the consequences of StarLinks’ entry into the ISP sector, so much so that Zimbabwes’ biggest telecoms players are making changes after changes to try and keep up with the changing market. Having previously launched the SmartBiz data plan to try and counter StarLink, Econet is set to launch new data packages. The new data packages will be an improvement to the current SmartBiz, with this change coming based on feedback from customers which means some of your concerns were heard and taken into consideration. Well the devil is in the details, let’s delve deep into the upcoming changes.
In a statement on Friday, the company said it heard concerns from users about the Fair Usage Policy (FUP) on SmartBiz data plans, which are popular with small businesses, churches, schools, and home users. The statement reads:
“At Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, your connectivity experience is our top priority.“We listen to your feedback, monitor market trends, and embrace new technology to ensure our services meet your needs.“Our commitment has always been to provide fast and reliable digital connectivity that empowers individuals and businesses across Zimbabwe.”
“To better serve you, we are introducing new, broader data packages that offer more choice, allowing you to select the option that best suits your needs—whether personal, educational, or business.“
These packages are designed to deliver a consistent digital experience for all our customers, while safeguarding the long-term sustainability of our services.“We believe these new packages will give you, our customers, greater flexibility and keep our offerings aligned with your needs.”
SmartBiz was widely embraced by small businesses, schools, churches, and freelancers for its affordability and promise of “unlimited” data.
Some users reported excellent speeds and reliability, particularly during the initial rollout.
However, recently, customers have accused Econet of quietly changing its policy after the SmartBiz 5 plan, originally offering 1TB at 5Mbps, was reportedly throttled after just 200GB, without prior warning. Users complained that speeds dropped below 1Mbps, making even basic tasks nearly impossible.
Some even found that regular Econet bundles were faster than SmartBiz once throttling took effect. Econet maintains that its Fair Usage Policy is in line with international standards, where “unlimited” seldom means truly infinite.
While these packages haven’t gone down to the more affordable ranges, early signs point that it will become cheaper and cheaper. Just the introduction of StarLink caused this much price drop what if other competitors similar to StarLink were to enter the market, it would be a different story.
Other tech billionaires like Jeff Bezos have also introduced their own satellite based ISPs to rival StarLink and China also entering this space is going to be a game changer for all of us users. Data should be one of the most affordable things as everything is now powered by technology and Internet Of Things (IOT).
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