Econet Smartbiz – the listed telecommunications and technology giant’s answer to Starlink – appears to be thriving in the face of the new competition as customers of the high-speed broadband package from Econet Wireless continue to applaud its user experience and commend it reliability and competitive pricing.Launched earlier this year, in the backdrop of a local and global digital landscape that is becoming more competitive and undergoing rapid change, Econet’s cost-effective broadband solution seems to have quickly become the most reliable high-speed internet product on the market.Designed for corporates, small-to-medium business enterprises, central and local government institutions and departments, non-governmental organizations, schools, colleges and universities, as well as church organizations, the product has been drawing strong reviews from real users of the service. In recent interviews, clients described Econet SmartBiz in words such as “transformative” and “a clear choice”, citing its reliability, affordability, as well as its unmatched local support — qualities they say make it the most convenient option compared to competition such as Starlink.George Mutika, a logistics manager at Care International in Harare, said Smartbiz was great because of it flexibility and consistent customer support.“Our work relies on stable, high-speed internet, and Smartbiz has been remarkably dependable. It’s a solution that truly delivers without buffering or downtime,” Mutika said. “We considered satellite-based options, but the high costs and limited local support ruled them out. With Smartbiz, we have confidence in the quality and the service, plus the peace of mind that comes from local support when we need it most.”SmartBiz is backed by Econet’s ubiquitous and nation-wide LTE network infrustructure, as well as its powerful 5G network in major cities. It offers tailored solutions for Zimbabwean enterprises of varying sizes, providing high-speed broadband connectivity at very competitive prices compared to competition such as Starlink, a recent entrant in the market.In Zimbabwe’s education sector, Smartbiz has allowed schools in both urban and rural areas to offer their students critical digital learning resources. Sacred Heart Junior School in Mashonaland Central, which recently signed up to Smartbiz, says the impact was immediate – with students now enjoying uninterrupted access to online learning resources.“Smartbiz has brought digital learning within our reach, something we only dreamt of before,” said Sacred Heart’s headmaster, Kudakwashe Matanda. “With fast, stable internet and responsive local support, our students are finally able to explore the world online. We considered Starlink, but its high prices and lack of immediate support made it impractical. We settled for Smartbiz as the partner we needed at our school.”Starlink, the low earth orbit satellite internet service provider, entered the Zimbabwe market earlier this year.It has however been beset by congestion and service quality issues leading to poor customer experience. Its relatively high set up costs of upwards of US$500 have put it beyond the reach for most local Zimbabweans, while its limited service support has not endeared it to others.But with set up costs ranging between US$60 and US$200, and monthly subscriptions of as low as $45 per month (allowing simultaneous connection of between 30 to 60 users) Econet SmartBiz has quickly become the option of choice for those who see internet access as an essential connectivity work tool. Tariro Mujuru, an agribusiness owner in the Midlands, said SmartBiz has transformed her business’ daily operations.“SmartBiz gives us the reliable, high-speed internet we need to stay connected with customers and suppliers,” she explained. “We’re now managing orders online, tracking inventory and holding virtual meetings seamlessly. For my business, Starlink was just too expensive. SmartBiz offers the quality we need at a price that works for us.”A senior professional at one of country’s leading financial publications said SmartBiz was the most effective high-speed broadband solution currently available on the local market.“SmartBiz represents the kind of solution we need for a truly connected Zimbabwe. It’s local, reliable, and responsive to the needs of real users. Starlink may have the allure of advanced satellite technology, but the quality, costs and lack of local support create barriers that SmartBiz has effectively eliminated.”An editor at a local tech website also commended Econet’s foresight in developing a solution that is so in tune with local challenges.“Econet’s SmartBiz addresses Zimbabwe’s digital needs and comes at a fraction of the cost of Starlink,” he said. “This isn’t just about connectivity; it’s about accessibility. When a solution aligns with local realities and budgets, that’s when true digital transformation happens.”
