Why Econet’s data caps are fair, necessary

STAFF WRITER
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has recently come under fire from a section of its customers for implementing a Fair Usage Policy (FUP) on its SmartBiz internet bundles.
The backlash, largely driven by confusion over what “unlimited” means, has sparked widespread debate on social media — but industry watchers say Econet’s move is both justified and necessary to protect the broader customer base and the integrity of the network.
Fair Usage Policies are not unique to Zimbabwe. They are standard practice across the global telecommunications industry — from the UK to Kenya and South Africa — especially for packages marketed as “unlimited.”
At their core, these policies are designed to ensure that no single user or group of users dominates bandwidth at the expense of others.
“Imagine a scenario where one customer downloads 200GB worth of movies in a single day, while another is trying to run a small online business or attend remote classes.
Without usage caps, the experience of the second customer is severely compromised,” said a Harare-based telecoms analyst. “That’s exactly the kind of imbalance Fair Usage Policies are meant to address.”
Launched to support Zimbabwe’s growing community of small businesses, schools, churches, and community organisations, Econet’s SmartBiz was envisioned as a productivity-driven data solution.
However, insiders say the service has been abused by some users who treat it as a source for nonstop entertainment streaming or even power entire neighbourhoods through illegal hotspots.
“SmartBiz was never intended to be a replacement for home entertainment or to support high-volume downloading,” said business expert MacDonald Ndovi.
“It’s a business-grade package, and when it is used responsibly, it transforms productivity for SMEs, schools and faith-based organisations.”
The company recently introduced a monthly fair usage cap, after internal network audits revealed that a small group of users were consuming disproportionately high amounts of bandwidth — to the detriment of thousands of others.
One of the biggest sources of misunderstanding lies in the word “unlimited.” In telecoms, unlimited doesn’t always mean unrestricted. Rather, it means that users aren’t locked into a fixed bundle (like 10GB or 50GB), but can access data freely within reason.
“Most telcos around the world reserve the right to implement a fair usage cap,” said the telecoms analyst. “It protects the network, and it ensures that everyone gets a fair share of the service.”
To understand the issue better, picture a community borehole. If one household pumps water day and night without restraint, everyone else suffers. The solution? Shared access rules — not as punishment, but to ensure sustainability. Econet’s FUP functions the same way: preserving connectivity for the many, rather than letting a few deplete it.
With Zimbabwe’s increasing dependence on internet connectivity for work, education, healthcare and commerce, network sustainability has become a national imperative.
However, while Econet’s policy may be technically sound and commercially justified, the company must also acknowledge a gap in communication. Many users were caught unaware — and this confusion sparked the outrage.
“Econet should take the lead in consumer education,” said a local tech blogger. “Use simple, plain language to explain Fair Usage, and be proactive about informing customers at the point of purchase.”
Going forward, clearer messaging — backed by responsible usage from customers — could preserve the delicate balance between network performance and consumer satisfaction.
Econet’s move to cap SmartBiz usage may be unpopular in some quarters, but it is necessary to ensure that the network remains fast, reliable and accessible to all who need it most. In the long run, Fair Usage isn’t just about limits — it’s about fairness.
As Zimbabwe accelerates its digital transformation journey, both service providers and users must play their part. Connectivity is no longer a luxury — it is the backbone of modern life. Let’s use it wisely.