Econet SmartBiz To Stop Working In Phones, Routers Now Required

Smartbiz to stop working in mobile phones, will only work in routers: Econet

Econet has announced that its SmartBiz data lines will cease to function in mobile phones from 10 September 2025 and will only operate through Wi-Fi routers.

On Friday, subscribers received an SMS from the operator which stated:

“Dear Customer. Please note that your data line will only be able to access services through a Wi-Fi router from 10 Sept. To stay connected, visit an Econet shop to buy a router.”

The decision has left many customers scrambling for answers and planning for additional costs.

Sudden change for SmartBiz users

SmartBiz was launched in June 2024 as an unlimited internet solution, at a time when Zimbabweans were seeking more affordable and reliable data. The entry-level package costs US$45 (R840) per month and allows users to access speeds of up to 5Mbps, with a fair usage cap of 1TB.

When the writer of this article signed up for SmartBiz in August 2024, Econet was selling indoor routers for US$50 (R933). These routers were not mobile and needed a constant power supply. At the same time, the company offered outdoor routers at a promotional price of US$200 (approximately R3,732), although the ordinary retail price was US$400 (approximately R7,464). That higher figure made the outdoor router almost as expensive as Starlink hardware, raising questions about its competitiveness.

One small business owner based in Harare described the new development as disruptive:

“I joined SmartBiz because it allowed me to use the SIM in my phone and hotspot other devices. Now they’re saying we must buy routers. That means more money out of my pocket.”

Uncertainty around Mi-Fi devices

Econet has not clarified whether SmartBiz data lines will continue to work in Mi-Fi devices. These pocket-sized gadgets have been popular with many Zimbabweans because they are portable, cheaper than routers, and can run for hours on rechargeable batteries — making them particularly useful during power cuts.

A college student in Avondale explained the appeal:

“For us, Mi-Fi was the only practical option. It’s easy to charge and share with friends. If Econet blocks SmartBiz on Mi-Fi too, a lot of us will be forced to look for alternatives.”

The lack of clear guidance has created confusion. Some subscribers say they are holding off on purchasing routers until Econet gives official word. Others worry that Mi-Fi, long seen as a cost-effective solution, may also be phased out under the new rules.

SmartBiz under pressure

The announcement comes at a difficult time for Econet. In July 2025, reports emerged that the company had quietly reduced the SmartBiz fair usage cap from 1TB to 200GB — an 80% cut. Customers only discovered the change after complaining of slow speeds.

Competition in the market is heating up. Starlink, which officially entered Zimbabwe in 2024, offers hardware starting at US$200 (approximately R3,732) and packages starting from US$30 (approximately R560). While Econet initially had the advantage on equipment costs, its outdoor routers priced at US$400 (R7,464) were almost identical to Starlink kits, raising doubts about value for money.

With the new router-only policy set to take effect on September 10, businesses and individuals will now have to weigh whether to invest in Econet’s routers, explore Mi-Fi if still permitted, or switch to competitors.