Pushback Emanates Against Econet Over Limits on Data Access in SmartBiz, With Nearly 2,600 Signatures on Two Petitions
In the heart of Zimbabwe, a wave of discontent is sweeping through the digital landscape. Two separate Change.org petitions, signed by nearly 3,600 people in a week, are calling for change in the telecom sector, specifically targeting Econet Wireless and the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ).
The core of the issue lies in the sudden introduction of harsh data caps and aggressive speed throttling on Econet's SmartBiz service, which has left many small business users struggling to maintain their daily operations. These changes, implemented without prior notice, have cut monthly high-speed data allowances from around 1TB to 200GB, sparking public outrage.
The petitioners argue that these changes are deceptive and unfair, and they demand that both Econet and POTRAZ ensure fair marketing and clear service terms. They also call for the limits of packages to be made obvious before purchase, to prevent any unwarranted surprises.
Interestingly, this is not the first time such an issue has arisen. Earlier this year, a similar outcry was heard when Starlink faced a similar predicament.
The petitions, addressed to both Econet and POTRAZ, suggest a growing dissatisfaction among the public. The rapid growth in signatures underscores a widespread perception that Econet’s changes negatively impact a significant portion of its business clientele.
Moreover, the inclusion of POTRAZ in the petitions signifies a belief among the public that the regulatory system is not adequately protecting them. As of now, POTRAZ has not responded to the petitions.
The backlash against Econet represents a rare and strong public protest in Zimbabwe’s telecom sector. The petitions articulate clear demands to reverse the restrictive Fair Usage Policy changes and to give users the freedom to choose more suitable packages, indicating that even Econet's most valuable customers are angry enough to protest publicly.
[1] Change.org Petition: Reverse the restrictive Fair Usage Policy changes on SmartBiz [2] NewsDay Zimbabwe: Econet under fire over SmartBiz data caps [3] Techzim: Econet's SmartBiz data caps: A case of poor communication or deliberate deception? [4] The Herald: Econet faces public backlash over SmartBiz data caps [5] ZimLive: Zimbabweans sign petition against Econet's SmartBiz data caps and changes to Fair Usage Policy
- In response to the restrictive changes in Econet's Fair Usage Policy on SmartBiz, a growing number of Zimbabweans have called for a clear and fair marketing approach, demand transparency in service terms, and are advocating for the right to choose more suitable packages, expressing their discontent through several digital platforms, such as Change.org.
- The recent developments in Zimbabwe's telecom sector, highlighting the public outcry over Econet's data caps and fast-paced changes in SmartBiz service terms, have caught the attention of technology and general-news outlets, such as NewsDay Zimbabwe, Techzim, The Herald, and ZimLive, reflecting a broader concern about safeguarding users' interests in the fintech industry.
