Zimbabwe cracks down on Starlink users

The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), Zimbabwe’s telecom regulator, has warned that individuals and businesses discovered distributing and advertising equipment to access Starlink Internet services may face arrest. According to local website H-Metro, which is government-owned, POTRAZ is conducting nationwide raids to arrest those utilising Elon Musk’s Starlink. Starlink has yet to...

Econet bemoans Zimbabwe’s high inflationary pressures

Due to severe inflationary pressures, Zimbabwe’s largest telecom provider, Econet Wireless, has called for balanced regulation, a crucial step given the rising operational expenses caused by inflation and the shift to using the US dollar. “It’s essential to find a middle ground where tariffs remain practical for the business without becoming unaffordable for consumers,” saidTatenda...

EcoCash increased six-fold in Zimbabwe’s turbulent economy

Transaction volumes for Zimbabwe’s popular mobile money, EcoCash, increased six-fold in the third quarter ending November, 2023, as wallet funding increased. EcoCash Holdings Group said in a trade update yesterday that it has consolidated its gains over the quarter. According to EcoCash, Zimbabwe’s most popular mobile money has continued to develop, navigating numerous macroeconomic upheavals...

Zimbabwe: Powertel entrusts the modernization of its network to the Ghanaian company Vobiss for $100 million

Powertel wants to support the Zimbabwean government’s digital transformation ambitions. The company plans to invest 570 million in its telecoms network over the next seven years. Powertel Communications, a subsidiary of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA Holdings Group) specializing in the provision of fiber optic internet, on Thursday, November 23, signed a memorandum of understanding...

Zimbabwe: regulator authorizes further increase in telecoms tariffs

Since 2019, Zimbabwean telecoms operators have been authorized to increase their prices several times in order to face the challenges of the local operational context. The last price adjustments date back to February and April 2023. The Posts and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has approved a further increase in tariffs for services provided by...

Econet booths improve Zimbabwe’s financial inclusion

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has set up banking booths in rural areas to allow people to conduct financial transactions. Pensioners can now access their funds through the programme, thanks to a collaboration between the country’s largest operator and the government’s National Social Security Authority (NSSA). The company says the initiative will reduce the need for underserved...

Zimbabwe: regulator relocates 11 telecom towers to expand coverage of mobile services

The penetration rate of mobile telephone services in Zimbabwe is 91.9%, according to the latest official statistics. However, the actual figures are expected to be lower as some people have multiple SIM cards registered in  their name. The Posts and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) says it has funded the relocation of 11 telecoms network towers...

Zimbabwe: Econet Wireless strengthens its mobile roaming offer

Econet Wireless dominates the Zimbabwean telecoms market with nearly 70% of the shares according to the regulator’s statistics. Its competitors are Telecel, TelOne and NetOne. Telecommunications operator Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has announced that it is strengthening its mobile roaming services for both its subscribers traveling outside Zimbabwe and subscribers of other networks visiting the country. The company...

Zimbabwe is set to get Starlink before South Africa

An apparent standoff over licensing rules in South Africa means the country’s impoverished northern neighbour is set to get Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet first. It has emerged that Zimbabwe’s Postal & Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, also known as Potraz, is likely to approve an application by SpaceX to launch Starlink services in the Southern African country....

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