Zimbos scoff at Econet for unfair pricing as they celebrate Starlink Internet
By Staff Reporter
ZIMBABWEANS have grilled Mobile Network Operator (MNO) Econet Wireless Zimbabwe (EWZ) for unfair pricing structures endured over the years on the back of celebrating the coming on board of Starlink.
Below are some of the X posts against Econet.
@mcauthur_lokie
Econet is being stupid. Who will spend USD195 for data and calls per month? Add $5 and I get my Starlink Mini, then pay $30 subs per month. Calls toitira pa WA
Unenge uchi delayer ku order Starlink hoping @econet_support come to their senses. Wotoona kuti you are shooting yourself in the foot. I have made a decision. I ordered a Starlink kit. Hatichada kujairirwa nemasaskam
I hope Econet will work on restoring back the 100mbs plus speeds for Smartbiz . If they don’t, this would go down as one of the biggest strategic blunders. This will be like giving Starlink a freekick because it won’t make any sense to pay USD45 for 5mb when same can get 100mb
SmartBiz is probably the biggest scam of the century. ECONET actually hates us and they want us to suffer by any means possible.
It’s not fake news—Econet is now offering an “Unlimited Bundle” to select customers. The pricing for the bundle varies, and it’s unclear how Econet determines the cost for each individual. Additionally, speeds seem inconsistent, which may be attributed to network issues. We’re planning to conduct our own testing if one of the numbers we have is invited. Recently, another batch of users received invitations and were instructed to wait for a message from 289. Have you received this message too? Check out more details here:
A lot of people are excited at the thought of Econet facing tough times with Starlink entering the scene, especially considering Econet’s notorious track record for predatory pricing. But honestly, I think it’s a stretch to say that Econet will take a major hit. Why? Because they’re not really in direct competition. Econet primarily deals with mobile calls and data services, whereas Starlink, at least for now, is focused on providing internet tied to a fixed location. Sure, with Starlink Mini, you can carry the equipment around, but that’s not nearly as convenient as having internet on your phone wherever you go. Now, when Starlink eventually rolls out direct-to-cellphone internet access – which is slated to happen in the next year or so – then yeah, Econet and other mobile network operators (MNOs) might find themselves in hot water. The real loser in this scenario, in my opinion, is Econet’s sister company, Liquid. Liquid is the one offering similar services to Starlink, and they have a long-standing reputation for unfair pricing. Any subscriber on Liquid’s mid- to high-tier packages could easily afford to switch to Starlink. The savings would be significant. For me, it’s a no-brainer: I’m currently paying around $200 for home and another $200 for office internet, but with Starlink Mini, I’d only have to make a one-time $200 purchase for the equipment per location, and the monthly fee would drop to just $30 per location. That’s a huge $170 saving per location each month! While there are be several exceptions that will allow Liquid to limp along in the presence of Starlink, the ones who are clearly doomed are the traditional high/medium orbit satellite internet services, like the ones Telone has been offering for farms and small mines. Not only are they absurdly expensive, but they’re also unreliable. With Starlink in town, those services will become relics of the past
