Online Reporter
Own Correspondent
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has launched new ‘Smart-Suite’Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) data packages consisting of six plans tailored to address
the data needs of different customers – from the ‘SmartLite’ plan, offering50GB of data (best for light users) to ‘SmartPro’, offering 800GB of data (ideal
for established SMEs).
In between are ‘SmartPlus’, offering 75GB (targeting
families); ‘SmartMax’, offering 100GB (ideal for bigger homes and freelancers);‘SmartFlex’, offering 200GB (tailored for flexible scaling and small offices)
and ‘SmartUltra’, offering 400GB (suitable for heavy, multi-users and SMEs).
The launch of the new SmartSuite packages follows a
notice to customers of the former SmartBiz packages from Econet a month ago, notifyingthem that it would soon launch new data packages offering more choice and
flexibility, and tailored to different customer needs which they can switchonto.
Customers registered to the old SmartBiz service andwho already have a CPE (customer premises equipment), can simply dial *143,
choose a package of their choice and credit their new SmartSuite package.
Introducing the new SmartSuite packages on multiple
media channels, Econet said the new data packages will be easy to upgrade andwill offer flexible plans “that grow with your needs”.
To ensure optimised and stable performance within acustomer’s premise and network coverage area, the new packages will be
geo-locked to a customer’s location and accessible using a 4G or 5G CPE router.
Geo-locking – a term used to describe the restrictionof access to a product or service to a specific geographical location – ensures
customers get the best possible usage experience while enabling service providerslike telcos and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to ringfence critical
resources such as bandwidth, making certain they are utilised by the intended users.
Econet said the SmartSuite packages will be available throughits Econet Shops across the country where the company enjoys the largest
network coverage, adding that CPE routers will also be available for sale inits shops. The company noted though that customers will be free to use their
existing CPEs, or to purchase CPEs anywhere elsewhere, as long as they werecompatible with Econet’s SmartSuite product specifications.
Econet, which is the largest mobile network operatorin Zimbabwe, enjoys the widest 4G (LTE) network coverage in the country. With 300
5G base stations deployed in the country’s major cities and towns, it is arguablythe market leader in 5G technology in Zimbabwe.
New subscribers to the SmartSuite packages will,however, need to buy a new SmartSuite SIM from an Econet Shop, as well as a
CPE, for them to be able to connect to the new packages. If they own a CPE thatmeets Econet’s specifications, they will be able to use it for their SmartSuite
package.
Along with the new SmartSuite data packages, Econet
continues to offer its all its customers the choice of a wide range of mobiledata products, accessible ‘on the go’ throughout the country via the customer’s
mobile device or smartphone.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter