Zimbabwe’s largest mobile Network Operator Econet has finally done right by YoMix. The custom bundle making app is now zero-rated on Econet. This means you can use the app even if you have no data. Prior to this weekend if you wanted to use the YoMix app on your phone to create a bundle you needed either data or WiFi. Alternatively you could use YoMix via USSD by dialing *142#. The USSD option was rather limited though.

It’s easy to forget it but among all the data buffets from Econet, Telecel and NetOne there is the unique offer that is Econet’s Yomix. The service allows you to create (“mix”) your own data, voice and text bundle and pay for it using either Ecocash or airtime. This contrasts with the usual practice of Mobile Network Operators where they offer premade bundles such as OneFusion with a preset amount of minutes, data, WhatsApp data and voice minutes.

YoMix was initially aimed at young adults who were not content with Econet’s premade voice and data bundles. Those between the ages of 16 and 34 could use the app to create a unique bundle by moving sliders and then paying. The unieque bundle can then be used on the beneficiary’s phone. You can also gift custom bundles. These days however YoMix is open to everyone who has an Econet line.

You can use the app to do the following:

Borrow airtime– Yomix offers more custom options to borrow airtime compared to the traditional USSD method of dialing *179#
Recharge using an over scratched card-when you buy a physical airtime card it is easy to scratch out some of the numbers forming the recharge code. When this happens you can still recharge using YoMix. These days nobody is really buying airtime physically though
Share airtime- you can share airtime with other Econet users from within the app.
You can also Gift bundles as explained above.