By 
By Ross Moyo
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe is launching a crackdown on fake smartphones as it prepares to switch off 3G in December 2027.
The company says “grey handsets” — phones sold as 4G smartphones but that do not meet technical standards — are clogging the network and giving users a poor experience.
As part of its migration plan, Econet has built a system to detect these devices the moment they try to connect. Customers will receive an alert, and details will be sent to relevant authorities to help curb the trade.
“We are urging independent handset suppliers to stop selling new devices limited to 2G and 3G only, and instead focus on 4G and 5G-compatible models,” said CEO Dr Douglas Mboweni.
The warning comes as Econet announces a December 2027 deadline to sunset 3G. The company says the old technology is no longer fit for purpose. It cannot support video streaming, cloud apps, or AI tools, and it wastes spectrum that could be used for 4G and 5G.
“Only a small proportion of our customers remain on 3G, as most are now using 4G and 5G. We are encouraging those still on the older technology to migrate to the higher-speed technologies,” Dr Mboweni said.
The network modernisation also includes new equipment orders and an independent power system to improve uptime. The company said the programme will cost hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
For regulators and consumers, the grey handset issue is critical. These devices often advertise 4G but drop to 3G or 2G, causing congestion and complaints. By blocking them, Econet says it can protect network quality for genuine 4G and 5G users.
The company will also keep 2G running longer than 3G to support rural users on feature phones. Dr Mboweni said rural customers will be supported with affordable handsets and flexible payment terms.
Globally, the move is standard. Rwanda shuts 3G in June 2027, South Africa in December 2027. Europe moved earlier, with Germany and Czech Republic in 2021 and the UK in 2025.
Econet’s message to the market is clear: clean up the device ecosystem now, or risk being locked out when 3G goes dark.
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