In a surprising move, Econet, Zimbabwe’s largest mobile network operator, has begun trialling a new “Unlimited Bundle” offer. This development comes at a time when the country’s internet landscape is experiencing significant shifts, particularly with the recent launch of Starlink and the enforcement of speed caps on existing bundles.

The Mysterious Invitation

Over the past few days, a select group of Econet subscribers have received invitations to test this new bundle. The message, sent from the short code 289, reads:

“Dear Customer. You have been selected to test our new bundle. Look out for a special offer notification from 289. Your participation means a lot to us.”

This is not the first instance of such invitations. Approximately eight weeks ago, just before news broke about Starlink’s impending September 2024 launch in Zimbabwe, a similar trial was conducted. At that time, the “Unlimited Bundle” paradoxically displayed a data cap of around 108 GB, suggesting Econet might have been experimenting with different data thresholds.

Variable Pricing Strategy

Intriguingly, the current trial appears to employ a variable pricing strategy. Recipients report being offered the bundle at vastly different rates, ranging from as low as US$15 to as high as US$63. The criteria for selection and pricing remain unclear, although there seems to be a correlation with users who regularly purchase Private WiFi bundles and actual data (as opposed to WhatsApp or social media bundles) at least once a month.

Strategic Response to Market Changes

This move by Econet can be seen as a strategic response to the changing competitive landscape. As we reported in our article “The Starlink Effect: How Zimbabwe’s Newest Internet Service is Spawning a Thriving Business Ecosystem”, the entry of Starlink has significantly disrupted the market. However, recent developments may have given traditional ISPs like Econet some breathing room.

According to our report “Starlink Halts Orders in Harare CBD and Affluent Neighbourhoods: What You Need to Know”, Starlink has reached capacity in some urban areas, potentially slowing its rapid expansion. This situation, coupled with Starlink’s recent package revamps as detailed in “Starlink Revamps Internet Packages in Zimbabwe: New Options and Pricing”, may have provided an opportunity for Econet to reassess its offerings.

Understanding “Unlimited” in Internet Packages

It’s worth noting that the term “unlimited” in the context of internet packages often comes with caveats. Many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) implement a “soft cap” or “fair usage policy”. For instance, TelOne, another major player in Zimbabwe’s internet market, has a 1 TB cap on some of its supposedly unlimited packages. When users exceed this threshold, they are typically placed in a “best efforts” pool, where their speeds may be reduced.

Econet’s Recent Policy Changes

Econet’s approach to this “Unlimited Bundle” remains to be seen. Will they implement a similar soft cap system, or are they truly offering unrestricted data usage? This question becomes particularly pertinent in light of recent developments in Econet’s data policies.

As reported by TechZim in their article “Relooking at SmartBiz Now That Speed Caps Are Being Enforced: It’s an Even Tougher Sell”, Econet has begun enforcing speed caps on its existing bundles. This move has been met with mixed reactions from consumers, with many questioning the value proposition of packages that now offer both limited data and restricted speeds.

Potential Implications

The introduction of an “Unlimited Bundle” could be seen as Econet’s attempt to address these concerns and retain its most loyal customer base. By offering potentially unrestricted data at various price points, Econet may be trying to cater to different user segments and prevent customer churn to new entrants like Starlink.

However, the variable pricing strategy and seemingly random selection process for the trial have raised eyebrows. Some users may feel unfairly treated if they discover they’re being charged significantly more than others for the same service. Econet will need to carefully manage this aspect to avoid potential backlash.

Looking Ahead

As the trial progresses, it will be interesting to see how Econet refines this offering. Will they standardise the pricing? Will they introduce different tiers of “unlimited” packages? And crucially, how will this new bundle perform in terms of speed and reliability compared to their existing offerings and those of competitors?

For consumers, this development presents both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, the prospect of truly unlimited data at competitive prices is enticing. On the other, the lack of transparency around selection criteria and pricing may cause frustration.

As we continue to monitor this situation, we encourage Econet subscribers to keep an eye out for these invitations. If you receive one, consider your usage patterns and compare the offered price with your current spending on data before making a decision.

For those interested in exploring alternative options, our article “Starlink Mini Still Available: How to Order Despite Urban Restrictions” provides information on accessing Starlink services even in areas where new orders have been halted.

As Zimbabwe’s internet landscape continues to evolve, we at Zimpricecheck will keep you updated on all significant developments. Stay tuned for more insights and analysis on this and other tech-related topics.