Econet Wireless Zimbabwe today launched a Wi-Fi Zone broadband solution for the public transport sector in Harare. The telecom operator will have WiFi hotspot devices installed inside kombis for customers that are commuting in and out of the cities.
Responding to the 263Chat team during the launch, Econet Chief Commercial Officer, Nadveed Kupur said “Eventually the Wi-Fi Zone service will be available in long distance commuters such as inter-city buses and cross-border buses. But first, we will focus on the inner city markets and develop the solution through using consumer responses”
Also speaking during the launch of the service, Econet Head of Broadband Services, Mathew Masiyazi said the plan is to roll out the service to the rest of the country by August this year. “We are targeting 250 routes to be covered by August” he said.
Matthew Masiyazi – The Econet Head of Broadband Services
Econet customers will be able to buy WiFi Zone bundles to use in Kombis via the usual *143# USSD code. Customers will however also be able to access the WiFi zones using the Double Up Bundles if the purchase the regular data bundles.
Speaking at the launch ceremony held today at the company’s head office in Msasa, Harare, Chief Operating
Officer Fayaz King said he was excited to unveil the new product, which will complement the company’s popular
Data Double Up offering.
“I am excited and happy for our customers, most of whom use public transport on a daily basis. Now they don’t
have to wait until they get off the Kombi to check their mails, browse their favourite sites or to stream video
content,” said Mr King.
He added that what was even more exciting was the fact that customers could now use the 100 percent free
Wifi data they get for any data bundle purchase on the Kombis anytime and anywhere, on the go.
“For every purchase of a data bundle, customers get extra 100% FREE Wifi data that they can use when riding
in a Kombi,” said Mr King.
Referring to the company’s culture of innovation, Mr King said Wifi in Kombis was a logical progression from
the company’s Data Double Up campaign, in which millions of the mobile operator’s customers enjoy 100
percent free Wifi data for every data bundle they purchase on the Econet network.
“We will soon be rolling out the service to all major cities and towns across the country, taking advantage of
our Smart Data Network”, said Mr King.
Econet’s mobile money unit EcoCash also unveiled its ‘Chaka-Chaya’ promotion through which its customers stand to win over 100 000 prices for using its multiple transacting touch-points.
