Staff Reporter

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has successfully launched 20 new 5G sites across the country in the third quarter of 2024, further enhancing its digital network infrastructure. The operator assured that the commissioning of these sites nationwide demonstrates a commitment to providing a network of international quality.

“These developments have led to better service quality and faster speeds,” said Ngowe in the company’s trade update. During the period, ending November 30, 2024, base station modernization efforts continued with 16 new sites and the upgrading of 33 radio access sites and 270 microwave access links. “This has resulted in improved quality of service and speed,” Ngowe added.

The successful completion of the core network upgrade marks a major milestone in Econet's journey as a Digital Service Provider (DSP). The network modernization has incorporated several systems, including charging, billing, and application servers, while also enabling advanced features such as digital services and artificial intelligence (AI).

“The modernized network enables advanced digital use cases, such as high-quality voice calls over the 4G/LTE network (VoLTE),” Ngowe noted.

To cater to growing data demands, Econet is also targeting high-volume data users with its new fixed wireless service, Smart4Home.

Ngowe reiterated that Econet remains committed to its stakeholders, continuing to invest in digital transformation, AI, and pursuing strategic opportunities to enhance its product and service offerings.

“There are significant growth opportunities in digital payments, driven by the increasing adoption of mobile wallets,” Ngowe said.

Econet continues to lead Zimbabwe's telecommunications sector with a market share of over 71 percent, representing 10.6 million subscribers. In comparison, NetOne and Telecel Zimbabwe rank second and third in market share, respectively.