The year 2024 proved to be a turbulent one when it came to broadband in Zimbabwe. At the start of the year, we were accustomed to paying in the region of US$300 for a 100Mbps internet connection. Liquid Home was demanding a hefty US$180 for a 15Mbps fixed uncapped LTE connection, and that was widely considered a decent offer at the time. By the end of the year, however, thanks largely to the impact of Starlink’s entry into the market, we witnessed 1Gbps connections priced as low as US$170. It was certainly a dramatic shift. One of the more positive developments was the move by Econet to dramatically reduce the price of their SmartBiz uncapped internet service.

SmartBiz made its debut in February of 2024, marking a significant change in Econet’s strategy. The company opted to phase out their rather expensive capped 5G bundles, some of which previously cost an eye-watering US$1,000. The most affordable SmartBiz option at the time was priced at US$70, providing users with 5Mbps of uncapped internet and a soft, behind-the-scenes fair usage policy capped at 1TB. While this may seem modest by today’s standards, it was a welcome improvement. It was, notably, the first time Econet had introduced an uncapped bundle in over a decade, since the days of GPRS when they offered an ‘all you can eat’ service for around US$20.

The game changed significantly when it became increasingly apparent that the government could no longer effectively block Starlink from entering the market. This led to a scramble amongst local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to reduce prices. Econet and Liquid Home, formerly known as ZOL, aggressively slashed their prices in August, just before Starlink officially launched in September. Initially, acquiring a SmartBiz connection was a somewhat cumbersome process. Customers had to purchase the line at an Econet shop and then return each month to make payments in person. This caused inconvenience to many. However, Econet listened to customer feedback. Towards the end of last year, they introduced the option to purchase SmartBiz bundles using mobile airtime, but customers had to dial a specific USSD code. Then in December, this changed further. Now, buying SmartBiz bundles is as simple as purchasing any other bundle. Simply dial *143#, select option 3 for ‘SmartBiz Bundles,’ and then choose the bundle you wish to purchase. Due to price considerations, many customers now opt for the cheapest US$45 bundle.

Our Quest for a Better Deal: Securing the US$45 SmartBiz Bundle for Just US$39

At Zimpricecheck, we pride ourselves on our ability to find value for money. We understand the satisfaction of securing a bargain, even when the savings are modest. Recently, we managed to purchase the SmartBiz US$45 bundle for just US$39, and we want to show you how you can do the same. The method is straightforward: you can now pay for SmartBiz bundles using your airtime balance, by dialling *143# and selecting the SmartBiz option. It is worth noting, though, that SmartBiz bundles are only applicable to SmartBiz lines and not standard Econet lines. You can purchase a SmartBiz line at most Econet outlets for a nominal US$1. However, our experience suggests that the smaller Econet outlets in Harare do not always have these lines in stock. You are better off going to an official Econet shop, rather than an agent.

To enjoy the discount we’ve outlined, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you have a SmartBiz line: As mentioned, SmartBiz bundles cannot be purchased using normal Econet lines, so you will need to visit an Econet shop and obtain a SmartBiz line. It is likely that you will have to pay for the first month’s subscription upfront, before you are given the new SIM, meaning you will not be able to enjoy the discount during the first month. This method is designed for subsequent purchases.
2. Purchase discounted airtime: Locate an Econet bulk wholesale airtime reseller. These are common at most urban shopping centres. For example, in Mbare, these resellers offer discounts on airtime if you are buying in bulk (US$10 or more). You might pay US$15 in cash, but receive US$17 worth of airtime, meaning if you wish to have US$45 worth of airtime you would need to purchase airtime with about US$39.
3. Recharge your SmartBiz line: Use the airtime to recharge your SmartBiz number, and then check your balance using *125#. Using the USSD menu to recharge can be cumbersome, so we would recommend using either the Econet app from the Play Store or the Yomix app. Both of these applications are ‘zero-rated,’ meaning they can be used even if you have no data balance. Exercise caution though; be sure that you have out-of-bundle browsing disabled to prevent your phone from inadvertently connecting to the internet and using your airtime balance before you are ready.
4. Purchase your SmartBiz bundle: Once your SmartBiz line has a US$45 airtime balance, dial *143#, select ‘SmartBiz Bundles,’ then choose your desired bundle. When prompted, enter your SmartBiz number and select the option to pay using airtime.
5. Confirmation: You should receive a confirmation message indicating the successful purchase of your bundle.

Congratulations, you have just saved yourself US$6.

This method works due to the availability of discounted bulk airtime, a fact that is not widely known to many subscribers. It is a small saving but, we believe it is worth it. While the US$45 bundle provides the most value, this method can be applied to any SmartBiz bundle, allowing you to make a small saving every time.

More articles on SmartBiz

• Paying for SmartBiz Just Got Easier: Econet Introduces USSD Payment Option
• Econet Reduces SmartBiz Data Bundle Speeds to Match Advertised Prices
• Forget Starlink: Econet’s SmartBiz Is the Best Deal in Town