adminThe mobile network operator claims it is the first company in the world to offer such a service.
Dubbed the Solar Powered Charging Station (SPCS), Econet Wireless Zimbabwe chief executive Mr Douglas Mboweni said any customer could get one hour free power charge for their cell phones whenever they bought airtime from a vendor.
He said extensive research by his company had shown that many subscribers were finding it difficult to get power to charge their cell phones, particularly in rural areas.
He said Econet Wireless Zimbabwe had worked with a specialist solar energy company within the Econet Wireless Group to develop the technology that enables customers to get their mobile phones charged when buying airtime from vendors.
Econet plans to roll out more than 10 000 SPCS throughout the country over the next 18 months to enable any of its customers to get one hour free power charge when buying airtime from a vendor or supermarket.
Meanwhile, Econet Wireless has launched a “Green Kiosk” tuck shop to support small-scale entrepreneurs.
Mr Mboweni said the Green Kiosk tuck shop was a franchise service for small-scale businesses in high-density as well as rural areas.
“The kiosk is supplied by Econet free of charge to vendors who have an existing site. It also offers services such as airtime sales, an EcoCash agency and the SPCS units,” he said.
Mr Mboweni said the franchise business model was deliberately designed to help small business owners generate more income using Econet products and services.
“The franchise business model was designed to help small business operators and this will also see more than 5 000 new jobs being created over the next 12 months, particularly for young people and entrepreneurs,” said Mr Mboweni.
Online Reporter