Ever since its introduction – or, more accurately, its trial period – Econet’s Smart4U data bundle has been a source of both fascination and frustration for many Zimbabwean internet users. At Zimpricecheck.com, we have observed a significant level of confusion and discontent among our readers regarding this bundle. The root of the issue? A distinct lack of readily available and transparent information. Econet simply does not provide much information about the bundle and sadly that is by design.

Recent complaints from Smart4U subscribers highlight a recurring theme: dramatically reduced internet speeds, often hovering around a sluggish 1 Mbps. This throttling, as it is known in the industry, tends to occur after a user has consumed approximately 50GB of data. At Zimpricecheck, we value the insights shared by our extensive network of readers. By collating and analysing these experiences, we have been able to piece together a clearer picture of the enigmatic Smart4U bundle. Our aim today is to share these insights, enabling you to better understand the bundle and assess whether it truly meets your needs.

Understanding Econet’s “Unlimited” Landscape

Most Econet subscribers are familiar with the SmartBiz “unlimited” bundles. These packages start at US$45 and offer what is advertised as unlimited data, although a soft cap of 1TB applies to all SmartBiz bundles. The cheapest of these bundles promises speeds of around 5 Mbps. While some users have reported issues, our own experience at Zimpricecheck.com, where we use SmartBiz as a backup internet solution, is generally positive. More often than not, we achieve the advertised speeds, and occasionally even exceed them.

However, SmartBiz is not the only “unlimited” offering from Econet. There is also the lesser-known Smart4U bundle, which, frankly, is a source of considerable confusion for many subscribers. We first became aware of this bundle in September 2024, when Econet sent out invitation SMS messages. According to our sources, this was actually the second wave of invitations. Before this, a select few individuals had been invited to participate in the Smart4U trial.

This exclusivity is the primary reason why the Smart4U bundle remains relatively obscure. It is not publicly available for purchase. This point is crucial because we have seen instances of unsuspecting users receiving the invitation SMS and subsequently claiming that Econet has launched a new bundle, unaware that it is, in fact, an exclusive offer. So, to reiterate: the bundle is not new, and you can only access it if you have received a direct invitation. The criteria for these invitations remain unclear, but, as we will demonstrate, it is arguably not that important in the grand scheme of things. You are free to ignore the offer without any penalty.

Decoding the “Unlimited” Claim: The Truth About Data Allocation

The second essential thing to understand about the Smart4U bundle is that, despite the wording of the invitation SMS, you will not receive genuinely unlimited data. Various tech enthusiasts have attempted to determine the exact data allowance, but our research suggests that the amount of data you receive is dependent on two key factors:

1. The Offer Price: Generally, the higher the price quoted in your invitation SMS, the more data you are likely to receive.
2. Data Allocation Fluctuation: While some analysts have claimed to establish a direct correlation between the price you pay and the data allowance, our observations indicate that the data allocation is not constant. Over time, the amount of data included in the Smart4U bundle has generally decreased.

As of today, our intelligence suggests that you can expect to consume between 20-50 GB of data before your internet connection is significantly throttled, with speeds plummeting to below 1 Mbps. This indicates the existence of a fair usage policy (FUP), where you are permitted to use a certain amount of data before being relegated to a “best effort” pool, where speeds are no longer guaranteed. While some tables have been published, purporting to show data allowances for different price ranges, we advise you to anticipate that whatever you are charged, you will likely receive around 50GB of data, in addition to any call minutes promised in the invitation SMS.

The Price Variance: Why Does It Cost So Much?

Which brings us to the issue of pricing. The prices for Smart4U bundles vary considerably, ranging from US$5 to over US$100. As with the invitations themselves, there appears to be no transparent methodology behind how Econet determines the offer price. However, our research suggests that your recharge history may be a factor. Customers who regularly recharge higher amounts and consume substantial airtime and data may be offered higher prices. The rationale here is that higher-value clients generally receive more data as part of the bundle, making the price more proportionate.

Speed and Network Capabilities: 5G Compatibility

We have previously observed speeds of approximately 5 Mbps for Smart4U users during the early stages of the trial, but even then, there was considerable variability. Speeds could be as low as 2 Mbps. This, like data allocation, appears to have changed. The highest speed we have observed to date is 300 Mbps, achieved over Econet’s 5G network. This revelation has allowed us to deduce two crucial points:

1. 5G Compatibility: The Smart4U data bundle allows you to connect to Econet’s 5G network. This was not explicitly stated initially, but it confirms that the bundle can be used on 3G, 4G, and 5G networks, just like a standard Econet data bundle. Naturally, your device must support the relevant network technology.
2. Speed Limits: It appears that your speed is no longer capped before you reach your data limits. It is the fair usage data allowance that is now capped. However, it is important to exercise caution when conducting speed tests, as each test can consume up to 500MB of data, particularly on faster connections. This usage will count towards your data allowance.

The Grand Experiment: What is Econet’s End Goal?

One question that has consistently intrigued us is the purpose behind Econet’s Smart4U trial. Why is the company investing in this experiment? What are they hoping to achieve? Econet has remained silent on the matter.

Initially, we speculated that Econet might be exploring uncapped data bundles for all subscribers. While this remains a possibility, the Smart4U bundle has evolved so significantly that it is now, for all intents and purposes, a bespoke offering that varies from user to user. It is plausible that Econet is simply conducting experiments to optimise its existing bundles, leveraging the data gleaned from the Smart4U trial.

However, we still suspect that Econet is testing a bundle similar to the “unlimited” packages offered by telecommunications companies like T-Mobile in developed countries. It is worth noting that “unlimited” in this context has a soft cap or fair usage policy that stipulates that users speeds could be throttled after a certain point.

Should You Accept the Smart4U Invitation?

In all honesty, we are not overly impressed with the Smart4U bundle. At Zimpricecheck.com, we champion transparency. Investing in a bundle shrouded in mystery is, in our opinion, not a prudent decision. It appears that Econet is deliberately obscuring information, as evidenced by the now-defunct “bug” that allowed users to check their remaining data allowance via the My Econet App. Instead of fixing it to make it a feature, this ability was swiftly removed.

Ultimately, you can likely achieve similar benefits by purchasing a SmartBiz line for US$1 and subscribing to a SmartBiz package for US$45. You can also obtain 78 call minutes using the Yomix app, making the other perks of the Smart4U bundle less compelling.

As a general rule, unless the price of the Smart4U bundle is less than US$45, we would advise against accepting the offer – unless, of course, you have a particular fondness for enigmas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

I do not see the Smart4U option when I dial *143# – why is this?

As of today, Smart4U is not available to all Econet subscribers. Econet is only offering it to a select group of customers. Unfortunately, there is no way to request access. You will need to check periodically to see if the option becomes available.

Is the data truly unlimited?

The answer is both yes and no.

Yes, it is “unlimited” in the sense that you will maintain a connection as long as your bundle is active for the month.

However, no, it is not truly unlimited. There is always a fair usage policy (FUP) cap. While Econet acknowledges the existence of an FUP, the specific data allowances for different Smart4U offers remain undisclosed.

What internet speeds can I expect?

Our research shows you can expect to get speeds as high as 300Mbps as long as you have not exceeded your data allocation. You may experience faster speeds during off-peak hours. However, there are no guarantees, as this is still dependent on Econet’s network conditions.