You may remember Dolphin Telecom, we talked about them when they were close to launching as an MVNO. That was back in 2022 and the company has evolved since we first talked about it.
Just so we are on the same page:
An MVNO, or Mobile Virtual Network Operator, is a company that provides mobile phone services without owning the wireless network infrastructure. Instead, it buys network access at wholesale prices from larger carriers like Econet or NetOne and then sells mobile plans to customers under its own brand. This allows MVNOs to offer competitive pricing and unique plans while relying on the established networks for coverage and quality.
Dolphin Telecom is more than just an MVNO and today we talk about some of their work as an internet aggregator and managed service provider (MSP). This simply means they combine multiple internet services from different providers into one platform, offering a single bill and centralised control.
Internet aggregation
As an internet aggregator, Dolphin collects internet services from various providers into one platform, simplifying management for users. An internet aggregator could combine the services of mobile operators like Econet with the fixed service of TelOne for example.
As Zimbabweans, we don’t need telling how unreliable ISPs can be and many of us have multiple lines and services just so we have a backup. This illustrates just how valuable an internet aggregator would be.
Managed Services
Here, Dolphin remotely monitors and manages the IT infrastructure and end-user systems of other businesses.
This involves stuff like network monitoring and maintenance to help desk support and cybersecurity. MSPs offer a cost-effective and efficient way for businesses, particularly small and medium-sized ones, to access expert IT services without the need for an in-house IT team.
Optimised internet performance
Dolphin utilises smart routers to optimise internet performance for customers. In simple terms, they help prioritise important business traffic during work hours and reduce unnecessary data usage, making internet connections more efficient and cost-effective.
The smart routers they use have SD-WAN, which we have talked about before. For the benefit of those who don’t know,
SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) is like a smart traffic manager for a company’s internet. It helps you use different types of internet connections (like cable, fibre, or cellular) to send information between offices or to the cloud. This helps prioritise important activities, such as business tasks, during busy times, ensuring they get the best possible performance. SD-WAN also reduces the need for expensive hardware, lowers internet costs, and makes networks more secure and reliable.
Why you should care
As you might have been able to tell, there are some benefits to what Dolphin is doing that only accrue to businesses. However, there’s stuff that individuals could use.
For individuals
Dolphin says home users can expect data savings of up to 60%. Which should lead to real dollars saved. It appears Dolphin is confident in their internet performance optimisation.
They say you can enjoy services like Netflix with optimised quality without using excessive data. I know most of us are on capped packages and would greatly benefit from this reduced data usage.
For businesses
They can expect to save money too. Dolphin promises lower priced packages with reduced costs and waste. Again, they say savings of up to 60% when it comes to data usage are to be expected.
Then there is the whole prioritisation of business traffic during working hours advantage.
I think we all know that in the real world, some people will be streaming YouTube tutorials in 4K, right as some are trying to hold a video call. While the tutorials could be critical for that employee’s job, they still could affect other business operations.
The other benefits to talk about are those that are accrue to smaller businesses that cannot afford to have in-house IT departments i.e. better security, enhanced troubleshooting and support etc.
Good to see
The above sounds all rosy, however, we have to see what actually obtains on the ground. That 60% reduction in data usage would be great if it actually happened. There’s no reason to be sceptical of the claim but there is equally no reason to run with it as gospel.
The solution is to try it out and see just how good it is. Dolphin seems confident you will stay. With those savings I would stay, no doubt about that.
I think it’s small businesses that have the most to consider here. Here’s Dolphin’s pitch in summary:
I can’t tell you if this is the way to go but I sure am glad you have the option to get managed services now.
Which is my overall sentiment, I am glad Dolphin got the licence to operate in Zimbabwe. I wasn’t particularly aware of any internet aggregators in the market and I think there is value there. So, let’s hope Dolphin succeeds because their success means businesses and individuals saving a little money on their internet bills, at the very least.
If the above sounds good to you, find out more about these services on their website here, or WhatsApp +263717848204 or call +2638677210754
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39 comments
I was expecting to hear about the packages they have but nothing of the sort has been said. Also I’m yet to come across their products on the market
I was also expecting straight to the point packages or bundles, Coverage area etc. Ndangonzwa kuti internet aggregator chete zvimwe zvese hapana
Virtual operator andoziva use equipment of other networks and have own simcards iyo hameno u virtual wayo ndeupi.
The most I’ve seen is $60 for 20Mbps unlimited for the first 50 customers, whatever that means.
It’s all about the good and bad things that happen, being real and honest about life’s ups and downs.
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Ma dolphin aya ndeapi atisingazive
Was waiting for this post 😂
I always wanted to do telco aggregation and its a brilliant strategy. In South Africa, prominent ISPs like Octatel have successfully adopted this model. I’m curious about their pricing structure. Operating an MVNO with your own SIM card in Zimbabwe isn’t feasible due to high data costs and expensive core network solutions. If aggregation offers similar margins, it’s questionable to maintain your own SIM card in Zimbabwe, especially since premium clients with 0772 numbers are predominantly with Econet. Historically, MVNOs have struggled, but this aggregation model is a safer approach, although it may be replicable by others.
Im sure Econet yakaramba ne infrastructure yavo for the MVNO typical of Zimbabwean operators. zvakatondinetsa kuti Econet ingape anyone infrastructure.
All the best ma Dolphins ! focus on your niche just like Frampol munokwara nemari
smart idea. You run a managed service provide on starlink infrastructure. Managed Service is a dead space in Zimbabwe. and the customer service in Zim is terrible due to highly tech skilled people have left Zimbabwe.
As Joseph has said, focus on your niche
MVNOs FAIL DISMALLY worldwide.
mvno model mu zim nema shark like Exonet or Netone hazvibude
Dolphin rinobhura ma-sharks
Not a bad idea especially with starlink and other operators. They can use that as part of their service offering.
managed service is a bigger business to MVNO in Zimbabwe. potraz needs to allow portability of phone numbers (moving your phone number to another operator) . good customers will never jump to your network abandoning their phone numbers tied to mobile money. Mvno model wont work in Zimbabwe
You can always get a second sim. Since most phone are dual sims and esim compatible. I see this working if they work with dying service providers like powertel and africom and even telecel. Then when players like Starlink get in they use the sim hardware to get access to a tethered access point like Starlink. Making it portable/mobile. But I believe that would mean extra cost and POTRAZ sticking its nose in.
So what I understood is if you are on a 100Mbps link lets say $1000 per month.
They will give you a router that will block torrents social media during the day etc so which means your bandwidth is “freeid” . You can then downgrade to maybe a $500. Ivo they charge you $750 and pocket $250?
😂😂😂😂 thats smart though, Ma operators Ari munhamo ne innovation, kobba kwati kune Starlink futi to further disrupt🤦♂️😂😂😂
aaaaah 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 saka pa starlink vanogona kutozotipa ne half price zve? $15 unlimited
Their services are good and cheap. I am using their product and no challenges so far.
How much are you paying for their service
L still can’t grasp what this dolphin company offers to us the general public who just want cheap and affordable data
Lol, not every product is for the masses, muzukuru! Those who understand it will buy. iwewe just continue doing zvema bundles zvaunonzwisisa
Interesting model.
Good to have more options on the market
Mukaita ka mari please i go is a infrastructure yenyu. i hate NETONE AND ECONET with a passion. Handitode kudziona mbavha idzi
more players better service ..go go ma doluphins🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬
I think you are on the right path. And if you focus on the customer more, especially when Starlink comes, you can do amazing things. Did you know that Managed Service Providers can supercharge their offerings by combining Starlink’s satellite internet with SD-WAN technology? This powerful combo provides faster, more reliable, and secure network connections, cost savings and increased flexibility. You might have jealous Operators like Econet trying to cokblock but don’t worry, your SD – WAN is going to be excellent on Starlink and you can connect ten branches on one link ! Imagine liquid charges a useless MPLS link $300 per month. If you push that SD wan product very well on Starlink I guarantee you will take every customer on MPLS. Push starlink please so that you don’t have to worry about Econet, NetOne or Liquid who will work overnight to fight small players like you but cant face Starlink !!!
Such a beautiful comment.
Vox in South Africa does this. It is a telecom aggregator in South Africa, vox.co.za
work with starlink as soon as possible ! I wonder how you can improve customer service on these terrible operators infrastructure. If you have proper managed services of network and IT infrastructure move fast and use starlink and provide the best service.
Where does one find this provider..no tel numbers address..email..
I just hope they do not get overwhelmed with demand and reduce speeds. We have seen that before. You start at good speeds and Boom 1 minute to open google
Contact details please
Contact details please
Contact details are at the bottom of the article
zim internet speed faster than developed world makamure
Techzim should write an article to investigate that claim
Your posts are always so well-written. Great job on this one! Solar
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Great explanation…I just wish you out some prices up.