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Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, the country’s largest mobile network operator, recently launched its new SmartSuite Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) data packages, silently killing the mobile Smartbiz bundle, in a manner that literally throws off its valued subscribers with a huge shock, and complete disregard.
Econet’s six-tier offering ranging from 50GB for $30 to 800GB for $170. Marketed as flexible and scalable solutions for homes and businesses, Is a notable downgrade from its predecessor, the SmartBiz bundles at $45 for a managed 500Gb , both in terms of flexibility and value, a shift that may be influenced by changing competitive dynamics, including the stalled rollout of Starlink in Zimbabwe.
By Gamuchirai Mapako
Since the popular smart biz was launched under the pedestals of “unlimited data”, while of course Terms and Conditions were bound to applied and Fair Usage Policy (FUP) kicked in at around 500GB to avoid abuse, this was still a good product in the market, imitating the international and regional standards, but a huge failed promise from the mobile network operator, subsequently.
If at all the Smart suite bundle was responding to the purported data abuse by unscrupulous known subscribers, there is no rational to make 90% of the subscribers suffer drastic change while completely renovating the whole suite with a geolocked, fixed solution against a flexible and affordable mobile service.
Around 100 000 subscribers had already jumped into the service, that was clear demand for data and need for almost infinite data, even with FUP and capped data, but the SmartSuite launch package that replaced the Smart biz bundle is a far cry, tantamount to giving the subscribers a finger.
The SmartBiz bundle was launched around the time Starlink was getting traction in Zimbabwe, In fact, it was a direct response to Starlink $30 unlimited product, but Econet had an advantage, no need to buy extra kit and continuity on the go, hence Starlink was not going to be a shock product, although predominantly fixed, the Starlink mobile kits were also being prepared for.
The greatest tragedy however, has been that of sold out areas and Harare being the capital city with millions of subscribers have not been able to get the Starlink service, forcing millions to be stuck up on mobile networks. Effectively creating zero competition as Starlink has parked its extension program in Harare.
The old SmartBiz packages, introduced around the time Starlink entered the African market, offered uncapped data (at least initially) and were accessible via smartphones, providing users with mobility and high-speed 5G connectivity. The entry-level plan started at $45, offering significant data freedom compared to the new SmartLite plan, which provides only 50GB for $30. For heavy users and SMEs, the new top-tier SmartPro offering of 800GB at $170 also pales in comparison to the uncapped or high-threshold offerings that many business customers had grown accustomed to. And to further put this into perspective, Econet’s biggest private wifi bundle goes for $38 and gives users 25GB peak and 5GB off peak.
In this context, Econet’s pivot to the SmartSuite packages begins to make strategic sense. With Starlink neutralized as an immediate threat, the telco may be recalibrating its offerings to maximize revenue and manage network resources more efficiently. The geo-locking feature attached to the new packages which restricts usage to a specific location further supports this view. By tethering users to a fixed address, Econet can better control bandwidth allocation and reduce network congestion, ultimately protecting its infrastructure investment.
But for consumers, the new structure feels like a step backward. The requirement for a CPE router and a new SIM for new subscribers adds to the cost of entry. Existing SmartBiz users with compatible CPEs can migrate easily, but those without will face additional expenses. The loss of mobility since the packages are no longer usable on smartphones is another significant reduction in flexibility.
Econet continues to offer mobile data products for on-the-go usage, but these are separate offerings and not part of the SmartSuite. This delineation suggests a strategic decoupling: fixed wireless for homes and businesses, and mobile data for individual use. While this may streamline service delivery, it also narrows the options for users who valued the hybrid use case of SmartBiz.
The company’s extensive network coverage with the widest 4G reach in Zimbabwe and 300 5G base stations in major urban areas remains a strong selling point. Yet, the downgrade in data allowances and the introduction of usage caps indicate a shift toward a more controlled, profit-driven model rather than customer-centric innovation.
While Econet presents the SmartSuite packages as an upgrade in choice and flexibility, the reality for many users is a reduction in both value and utility. The move appears to be a strategic rollback in response to a less-than-expected threat from Starlink, allowing Econet to consolidate its market position without the pressure of competing with an uncapped, high-speed alternative.
Of course Starlink is still deploying ,more satellites, sooner or later, Harare will be open again, and certainly yours truly will be writing again on how they will respond with a truly unlimited data package, or reasonable FUP that kicks in at a later stage.
This was clearly the initial thinking of someone smart at Smartbiz, until someone hungry in a suite brought Smart Suite bundle.
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