For countless small businesses, freelancers, and remote workers in Zimbabwe, a stable internet connection isn’t a luxury—it’s mission-critical. At techunzipped, where our operations often involve on-the-ground research and real-time data updates, mobile connectivity powers everything we do. That’s why Econet’s SmartBiz data package initially seemed like the perfect solution.
For US$45 per month, the package promised mobile speeds of up to 5 Mbps, a generous 1TB fair usage policy, and the flexibility of a non-geo-locked line—essential for staying connected nationwide. For a while, it delivered on this promise, enabling smooth fieldwork and efficient remote communication.
But earlier this month, that reliability evaporated.
When Connectivity Becomes Instability
Two weeks ago, our SmartBiz connection began to deteriorate sharply. What was once a stable 5 Mbps experience dwindled to under 1 Mbps—at times crashing to speeds as low as 100 Kbps. The performance hit rendered simple tasks—like syncing price data or loading basic web pages—nearly impossible.
Suspecting a technical fault, we conducted a diagnostic using an ordinary hourly Econet data bundle on the same device. The result? Blazing speeds of up to 70 Mbps. That single test eliminated key variables:
- It wasn’t an Econet-wide issue.
- The network infrastructure was functioning well.
- The problem was exclusive to SmartBiz.
What emerged was a troubling picture: Econet’s SmartBiz product had changed—and not for the better.
The Hidden Policy Shift
Despite initial assumptions of a technical glitch, an anonymous tip on social media revealed the truth: Econet had quietly implemented a significant policy shift at the beginning of July.
The US$45 SmartBiz plan—once proudly offering 5 Mbps up to 1TB—was now throttled after just 200GB of usage. After this threshold, connections were “deprioritised,” a euphemism for being pushed to the back of the network queue. Econet later confirmed this when contacted directly, stating:
“As part of our Fair Usage Policy, after certain usage [now known to be 200GB], your connection may be deprioritised. This results in slower speeds compared to normal.”
While such changes are within Econet’s rights under its terms and conditions, the lack of upfront communication is both troubling and damaging to trust.
Deprioritisation in Practice: A Usability Crisis
Traffic management, or network “shaping,” is a common tool used by ISPs to balance load. However, Econet’s implementation is unusually severe:
- No Notice: Customers were not informed. Many continued to pay for a service that no longer matched its original offering.
- Excessive Throttling: Post-200GB speeds dropped so significantly that the service became practically unusable—even at night when network demand is low.
- No Off-Peak Grace: Unlike many ISPs who relax throttling during off-peak hours, Econet enforces restrictions 24/7.
The reality is stark: the effective cap for SmartBiz is now 200GB, not the advertised 1TB. Beyond that, the connection slows to such a crawl that businesses are forced offline. What was marketed as a reliable “unlimited” plan is, in practice, a capped service with minimal post-threshold utility.
A Misguided Upsell Strategy
It appears Econet is steering users toward its higher-tier SmartBiz plans:
- SmartBiz 10 (10 Mbps): US$87
- SmartBiz 20 (20 Mbps): US$167
- SmartBiz 50 (50 Mbps): US$417
Econet claims these tiers come with larger, undisclosed fair usage limits before deprioritisation. But this pricing strategy is out of step with market realities.
In today’s competitive Zimbabwean telecom landscape:
- Liquid Home LTE offers 20 Mbps for US$70
- Dolphin LTE packages go up to 20 Mbps for just US$55
- TelOne LTE remains a strong local player
And then there’s Starlink—a game-changer offering 20–100 Mbps for US$30 to US$50/month, especially effective in rural and underserved areas. In comparison, paying US$417 for Econet’s 50 Mbps mobile package feels entirely disconnected from consumer expectations.
Strategic Misalignment in a Competitive Market
This isn’t the first downgrade for SmartBiz. Earlier, Econet reduced data speeds for users exceeding thresholds, enforcing previously unregulated speed caps. But this latest adjustment marks a deeper erosion of value.
Rather than enhancing transparency or improving customer experience, Econet’s silent policy change reduces trust and pushes price-conscious users into the arms of more affordable, open providers.
In a market where connectivity options are growing and consumer awareness is increasing, this move looks less like a strategic upsell and more like a defensive retreat.
Conclusion: Rethinking SmartBiz in the Age of Starlink
Econet’s decision to effectively cap its SmartBiz-5 plan at 200GB without notifying users risks alienating its core business clientele. In a data-driven economy, especially one increasingly served by cost-effective competitors like Liquid Home, Dolphin LTE, TelOne, and Starlink, value and transparency are no longer optional—they are expected.
As consumers grow more informed and less tolerant of vague fair usage policies, Econet must reconsider whether its current approach aligns with the realities of Zimbabwe’s evolving internet economy.
Because in 2025, offering less for more is no longer a viable strategy.
