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Econet Wireless Zambia introduced ‘Smart US Dollar Bundles’ yesterday, allowing consumers to purchase airtime, broadband, and SMS goods in US dollars. This move is greatly welcome by website design and other data-intensive companies.
According to the firm, the initiative, which was approved by appropriate regulatory bodies, would provide ease for its consumers while also allowing Econet to generate much-needed foreign cash to reinvest in its network and improve the customer experience.
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Using US Dollars to buy Econet Smart USD Bundles
Millions of consumers with US dollar free funds are likely to benefit from the shift, as they may now use them to purchase airtime, data, and other telecom products without first converting their money into local currency.
“We are thrilled to be able to provide our consumers with the convenience and flexibility of purchasing our items in whichever currency they have available,” said Fungai Mandiveyi, the company’s Media and Corporate Communications Executive.
Customers will now be able to purchase the Econet smart bundles in amounts ranging from K0.50 to K10.
Where to buy Econet USD Recharge Cards
“Customers will be able to purchase the bundles using their EcoCash FCA wallet, by purchasing physical recharge cards from airtime vendors and chosen merchants, or by purchasing recharge till slips (vouchers) from Econet stores, OK and TM Pick n Pay supermarkets across the nation,” he added.
Mandiveyi stated that the firm was launching a big marketing effort today (Thursday 07 April 2022) to assist boost knowledge of the new airtime purchasing option among its customers and the broader public.
Econet Wireless, Zambia’s largest mobile network operator, was the first to offer 5G in the nation.
Econet Shops in Zambia by region and shop name
Region |
Shop Name |
Region |
Shop Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lusaka | Econet Msasa, Econet House,Econet Joina City, Econet Livingstone, Econet Borrowdale, Econet Graniteside Lusaka Airport, Econet Avondale, Econet Chisipite Econet Hebert Chitepo |
Bulawayo and Matabeleland | Beitbridge Main shop, Bulawayo Main shop, Beitbridge Mini Shop, Joshua Nkomo Airport Shop, Bambanani shop, Victoria Falls Airport Shop |
| Midlands | Econet Gweru Main, Econet Megawatt Shop Gweru, Econet Zvishavane, Econet Kwekwe, Econet Gokwe |
Mashonaland East and Chitungwiza | Econet Makoni Main Chitungwiza, Makoni Mini Shop Chitungwiza, St Marys Chitungwiza, Chitungwiza Town Centre, Zengeza 2 Chitungwiza, Zengeza 3 Chitungwiza, Econet Ruwa, Marondera Main, Kotwa, Murewa Center, Mutoko Center, Chivhu Shop |
| Manicaland | Econet Norton, Econet Kadoma Chinhoyi Town, Econet Karoi, Chinhoyi Gadzema Mini Shop, Econet Bindura, Econet Mt Darwin |
Mashonaland West and Central | Masvingo Main, Chiredzi Shop |
How to recharge the Econet USD airtime
He went on to say that recharging the USD airtime was simple. “To replenish USD airtime, users enter *121#, the recharge key, and call.” Customers may convert their airtime to Smart USD Bundles by dialling *143# and being offered the option to convert their airtime to Smart USD bundles.”
Smart USD Bundles comparison table
Bundle |
Validity |
Cost(USD) |
Voice 30 Mins |
30 Mins |
$0.5 |
Voice 60 Mins |
60 Mins |
$1 |
Voice 320 Mins |
320 Mins |
$5 |
WhatsApp 300MB |
Weekly |
$1 |
WhatsApp 900MB |
Monthly |
$3 |
WhatsApp 1650MB |
Monthly |
$5 |
Private Wifi 10GB |
Monthly |
$10 |
Combo (150MB data, 15 mins voice,15 SMS) |
Daily |
$1 |
Price comparison of regional (SADC) data bundles
Econet’s ‘Smart USD Bundles’
Econet’s bundles are reasonably priced, starting at $10 for 10GB. Both MTN and Vodacom in South Africa will charge R469 (K32) for a one-time purchase of 10GB.
That is completely ludicrous. Using the RBZ’s auction rate, MTN and Vodacom’s 10GB bundle is priced similarly to Econet’s Zimdollar bundle.
Mascom, which was created by Masiyiwa and is based in Botswana, charges P149 (K13) for 8.5GB. As a result, less GB for more money, implying that the data bundle is less expensive.
In Zambia, on the other hand, Airtel isn’t fooling around. ZMW100 ($US5.68) is the pricing of 10GB. That is an absurdly low price. Who wouldn’t be interested in paying 57 cents for a megabyte? Econet’s package is nearly twice as much.
This is perplexing. Despite the fact that South Africa, with its vast coastline, has a number of subsea cables landing, Zambia, a landlocked country, has had cheaper internet for at least the last few years. It makes you question how much being stranded increases internet costs.
