I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologise to all SmartBiz users. I just had to run my mouth and ruin a good thing for you.
Yesterday, I shared my review of the SmartBiz service. I mentioned that I was using SmartBiz 5, which was supposed to be capped at 5 Mbps. However, during my test period, I was getting speeds far above that.
The highest speed I recorded during the test period was 160 Mbps, and the lowest was 2.88 Mbps download. On average, I had 69 Mbps over a two-week period. That was incredible.
It wasn’t just me; several users reported on social media that they, too, were getting speeds higher than the caps on their accounts. However, not everyone was receiving this treatment. Many reported that they were getting a maximum of 5 Mbps on SmartBiz 5, as advertised.
It appears that the glitch or oversight that allowed some to get higher speeds has been fixed. We’ve seen reports from users who were enjoying those high speeds that they have now come back down to earth.
I am among those affected. Since yesterday, I have not gotten anything above 5 Mbps. So now, I have SmartBiz as marketed.
The 0.54 and 0.52Mbps speeds there were just after I plugged in after a 15-minute power cut. A quick restart restored me to the 4Mbps range.
The honeymoon looks to be finally over.
SmartBiz 5
Remember, SmartBiz 5 costs $45 a month and is capped at 5 Mbps. Historically, we haven’t had deals like this in Zimbabwe. I saw something I wrote back in June when Liquid launched its $99 package:
On prices, would I have wanted to see a $50 option? Of course. I would have loved it to be free but I think the above packages are a good step in the right direction. I think in time prices will only go down further….
Until we get there, my only hope is that Liquid brings the $89/20Mbps deal to Fibronix users too. Or if you’ll allow me to daydream here, how about a $50/10Mbps one too?
Such was the landscape just a few months ago that I considered a $50/10 Mbps package a daydream. Oh, how quickly things can change.
Today, I would scoff at a $50/10 Mbps package. It’s not a daydream anymore; I would consider it a rip-off.
With that in mind, SmartBiz 5 doesn’t sound so impressive. I would have killed for it before, but now, it’s just ‘meh.’
5Mbps
Perspective is important, though. 5 Mbps is usable. You can stream HD videos while others browse the web or scroll through social media on the same account. That’s about it, so don’t expect magic.
Yesterday, when I saw that 5 Mbps was the limit, I decided to redownload a game I never got to complete. An iTunes-caused problem forced me to reinstall Windows.
It took about 3 and a half hours to download Metro 2033 Redux, which is about 7 GB in size. I consistently got around 4.4 Mbps as reported by Steam. Of course, it dipped when I watched HD videos on YouTube, which requires 2.5 Mbps.
Not too bad, especially for someone who lives alone. I don’t know how that would work for a family. I remember using an ADSL service with multiple people, and we were almost always below 1 Mbps, but somehow, we managed.
What’s crazy about 5 Mbps is that if you set something to download on Day 1 and somehow got a consistent 5 Mbps, it would take you 19.42 days to use 1 TB. No one is going to do that.
Econet set the fair usage policy (FUP) at 1 TB for SmartBiz, and I asked how much they would throttle when you hit 1 TB. They said they wouldn’t throttle; they would just cut you off and advise you to recharge. So, it’s best not to think of it as an unlimited package but rather a 1 TB bundle.
However, if you’re using SmartBiz 5, you’re unlikely to reach 1 TB. A terabyte translates to approximately 33 GB per day in a 31-day month.
If you were downloading or otherwise consuming data at 5 Mbps non-stop, it would take you 15 hours to deplete your “daily quota” of 33 GB. You likely won’t get the maximum 5 Mbps, and it’s unlikely you’ll be using it for more than 15 hours a day.
So, Econet might as well remove the FUP on the SmartBiz package. It’s not feasible for a significant number of people to hit 1 TB.
The Starlink question
If SmartBiz had launched this time last year, we would all be gushing over it. Unfortunately, there are more enticing offers in the market now.
Here’s what’s in front of you if you can afford SmartBiz:
- You can buy a router for $50 and pay your monthly subscription of $45. That’s $95 in the first month.
- Then it’s $45 a month going forward.
- After six months, you would have paid $320 to Econet ($95 in the first month, plus $45 for the next five months).
That’s fine for unlimited internet and equipment for six months. However, if you can be patient, you could score an even better deal.
For $300, you could get a Starlink Mini kit, pay for shipping and taxes, and also cover the first month’s subscription on the Residential Lite package.
So, if you saved that $320 you would give to Econet, you could get Starlink instead in just six months, with some change to spare.
To add to that, you would save even more in the long term by choosing Starlink. While SmartBiz charges $45, Starlink charges $30 a month. That’s a $15 monthly saving.
Adding insult to injury, Starlink offers higher speeds. You can expect anywhere from 20-100 Mbps on the $30 Residential Lite package, a far cry from the 5 Mbps you get with SmartBiz. Six months is not too long a wait.
Another positive aspect of this waiting period is that you’ll get to hear from your fellow Zimbos about how Starlink performs in Zimbabwe, especially from those who choose the $30 package, which is deprioritized. You’ll hear from them how Starlink performs during the rainy season, particularly now that we expect more congestion with its licensing.
Tweaks are needed
There’s no sugarcoating it—Econet needs to tweak its SmartBiz packages to compete. They need to introduce a $30 package, at the very least, to match the Starlink Residential Lite package.
A $30 package capped at 10 Mbps would be a better proposition. While it wouldn’t match Starlink’s 20 Mbps at that price point, it would be competitive.
But why stop at matching Starlink? Econet could undercut them by offering SmartBiz 5 at $25 and SmartBiz 10 at $30 or something similar.
Econet can’t afford to be slower and more expensive. It’s a recipe for disruption.
Of course, there’s the question of capacity. Does Econet have the capacity to handle thousands or even hundreds of thousands of people on unlimited plans at 10 Mbps? If not, perhaps this pricing is meant to limit the number of users while network upgrades continue.
Whatever the case, Econet needs to respond.
68 comments
Vakatoverenga post yako Leo vakati hezvooooo zvoto broka nhai kkkkk tichabata iwe timhanyise😂
Sha, ndoinonzi shooting yourself in the foot 😂. Dai ndakangonyarara vanhu varikunakirwa so. Musandimhanyisewo please 🙏🏾🤣.
If it counts for something, I dont think it was your article that changed this… They started fixing the glitch like two/3 days back and the word was out already that others had been getting higher speeds (than others).
Thank you Anon. At least I can rest easy knowing I didn’t spoil anything for anyone. They were already trying to fix the glitch.
Saka no need kundimhanyisa now
what app do you use to test speeds from the screenshots in your article kind sir
Go to speedtest.net you will see the link to download the app for your device
nperf.com is far better
I don’t see any need for Speed Cap if we have 1TB limit, Their Network is able to manage the Load because Normal Lines are getting 100Mbps. As for me I was getting 250Mbps on smartbiz and 160Mbps during the day. And trust me after tasting 4K streaming and 10 mins download time for a 7 GB file, I am very frustrated and I am opting for a Starlink Satellite
Past 5 day’s can’t even reach download speed of 1mb. I don’t know we’re u doing your speed test. Mufakose, Budiriro, Mainway meadows and Ruwa have instances u can’t even open app messages. Liquid it’s even worse. It’s not question price but econet offering constant bandwidth that doesn’t drop. Have line’s going for more than 4hrs not working. Don’t be naive what glitch that was marketing.
absolutely! Unreliability has for long been a problem. Its funny that there are times when ALL networks seem to be having issues at the same time. Tells me there are not enough alternate routes and too much congestion/ not enough capacity.
On a similar note ZIMRA introduced all this mandatory qr card blah blah chaguti and now it can take hours to do a simple invoice that should take minutes if not seconds. Even submissions are unreliable
ZIMRA too should be fined for bad service
5Mbps is equal to (5/8)MBps = Max.speed 0.625MegaBytes per second.
This easily proves that 3.5 hour period needed to download the game.
I will stay with Telone fibre for now around 13mbps on most days. Allows me to watch 1080p on the 160 gig package. I really think the speeds and gigs need to increase at the same USD price.
I am waiting for a few months to see how starlink mini is performing in Zim.
To be honest, anything above 10Mbps is quite alright. Remember that Liquid only gave the peasants anything above 10 this year. This whole time, most fibre users were getting only 10 and they were okay.
If you are happy with your service (speed, reliability etc) and if the math works out that you don’t stand to save with the new packages on the market, stay with TelOne fibre. I’ve heard good things about it.
Mmmm nada! 5 Mbps for $45 would have been acceptable in ancient times . And they are saying they will cut you off after 1tb , Powertel used to do that sort of thing .You would think it’s unlimited but it ain’t.
5mbps gives you less than 1 megabyte per second. And if you split that signal amongst several people in this day and age there would be nothing to enjoy there.
It’s true, it’s less than a megabyte per second – 0.625 MB per second. If you have to share, you won’t like it that much.
Right now its like a D measuring contest in the internet provision space. The customer gets to choose the package size they are content with without breaking the bank. If there is a service out there that delivers unlimited data and its easy on my pocket, hey, count me in- that’s Starlink for now. Funny zim telecoms havent invaded our homes with fiber, free dongles and routers. Wow. Even installing a portable solar system for that matter. Anyway thats my broke bottom dreaming.
Econet ndeyekushaya
I think your test in incomplete…
You need to also download a fair bit (not sure how much) and see if you are put into a heavy user pool or whatever. I see the home user fibroniks bundles will have good speed initially but when you have downloaded a significant amount of data the link slows down!
More tests please.
Haa telecel yangu mhai!!
Telecel and NetOne are still quiet lol i wonder what’s cooking?
Apa pavakutoda dzinodhonza zvokwadi otherwise unosara apa😐
To those using smartbiz , how’s the weather in your country today. Plz feel free to add a a comment or 2
We are asking for reviews of the new econet baby
thank you Mr Leonard Sengere, i agree with you 100%, and my personal feeling is that the time has finally come for me to stop wasting my valuable time and money messing around with these old stubborn rip-off artist ISP’s including liquid …… goodbye and good riddance to you crooked lot
I love how bro is constantly updating us during these exciting times, Thanks Leonard.Im currently using Smartbiz $45 package It’s averaging 4Mbps, it’s usable to stream but it ain’t worth $45 now, it’s definitely worth $30 or less, I’m not gonna continue my sub for October at this rate, I’ll have to order my $400 Starlink in November after seeing how it performs
Can you please do an article talking about 5mbps limit on a service labeled a 5G. Because i think the whole point of 5G is speed so how does smartbiz 5G make any sense?
That’s very crazy 😂😂😂😂
Give that man a Bells
With 5Mbs can i watch online TV on my Smart TV, the likes of Prime TV, Netflix, Apple TV and Showmax in HD
Today I had a 1hour video call on teams with no glitches on smartbizz. It have been a killer deal last year but today starlink is murdering it. Given a choice I will be dumping it for starlink mini next month. Just not worth it.
The local service providers should concentrate on satisfying the individuals who use US$10 and below per month on data if they are to survive. Those will mostly be the people who spend all their time in the high density suburbs on WhatsApp and Facebook, as those who go into and out of town willl surely find ways of tapping into Starlink.
It looks like some of the local internet service providers are waiting to see the effects of the rainy season on Starlink performance before they decide on competitive tariffs, or, maybe, the shock has paralysed their decision capabilities.
We love disruptive tech for this specific reason. Econet have been milking Zimbabweans for a very long time. From selling sim cards for hundreds of dollars to charging ridiculous amounts for data. Times are changing. Adapt or remain behind
to hell with econet and liquid and telecel and netone and telone, down with you all !! be gone !!!
Some of the best things in life are free.. Do your @self a fav, no need for MasterCard or Visa.
Go on the Google playstore, download Flesky, Jet Audio, Soccer Star..
FREE
Wait until the real competition begins when Jeff Bezos launch his satellite to compete with Starlink by the end of this year.
Otherwise ticha bhadhara minimum of $15 or $20 from these guys. Econet shame on you 👀
Ndakambokumbira Mr. Bezos mari for Viva Mobile.. His Secretary kindly told me he doesn’t invest in those sort of companies. I should have sent a design for a rocket instead.. Handiti it’s just a cylinder with solid or liquid fuel, a missile without a war head.. I asked for the wrong thing, he was thinking Blue Origin, because he is rich enough to afford to go to space, he didn’t want my peanuts.
I think Elon Musk is done with Starlink as he now concentrates on space tourism, with the first ordinary person having performed a space walk today from Elon’s rocket and equipment.
Mr sengere tipeika review ye starlink speed wise
Exciting times ahead, an old dubious teacher trying new syllabus only when he realizes the head master brought in a new younger and efficient teacher.
personally I am still getting about 27mbps so maybe its just your area
Crap
that’s why you never base a product on promotion… the fact of the matter is that wouldn’t have even released this if it wasn’t for starlink… anyway time to do the taking with our feet they really have taken us for granted
Isusu vema whatsapp bundle e$1 tirikutoshaya kuti mukumbotaura nezveyi.
Haa Liquid Chibaba…will always stick with them
I think Techzim should come back to Zim for a further analysis taking into consideration the following:
1. ZESA load shedding- how it might affect users and solutions of one might want to choose either option.
2. Acquisition- considering economy how many have the free funds to wait for their starlink kit to arrive and how long after the order.
That’s all because if Multichoice subscribers are not paying the DSTV $30 compact package due to lack of ZESA which comes at 10 or 11 pm; Starlink might face similar challenges unless again they make a small home power station for our market.
the zesa will affect all options
Truth be told if you don’t have solar at your home, then Starlink is like having a smartphone with no data
You can only impress people who are ignorant of the fact that they are being short changed in terms of these ridiculous charges. Compare this with Virgin media in the UK ? You’ll throw your pen in the bin and shut up.Internet charges should way way cheaper to everyone in Africa and never be mistaken for a luxury but a necessity to enlighten the masses on what is taking place globally.
Guys I need your help.. I got a download link for Aviary from NASA.
They use it to design aero vehicles.. It’s a steep learning curve but it can be solved with a simple tutorial.. I can learn by just seeing someone else do it. Now, my real issue is that it is needs Python. I have 0 experience with Python. Linux I can find my way decently.
Is there a Python Youtuber from Zimbabwe that can put a no more than 6 minute video on YouTube on how to install Aviary.
Go to http://www.nasa then download it, it’s open source and every intelligence organization should tinker with it..
What would be cool actually.. Training it with AI to play the simulator F16 Fighting Falcon Balkans by Lead Pursuit, or to be a drone wing man.. They say it learns and is cross compatible with other apps, we should never stop experimenting, that’s how humans rose to the top of the food chain and made Alcohol and Alchemy.
Do you know that drinking a glass of wine a day is good for you.. Scotland in 1830 something suffered a cholera outbreak by prescribing alcohol, that’s why they got so good at it.. It is also the prescription for a Warriors fan… Kkkk
Learn to enjoy little loopholes quietly chiwonai manje mazvidirira jecha – surely why would a guy go and tweet a whole list of high speeds it was always gonna go one way after that.
How I started Injury TV on a shoestring.
I’m not a developer because I’m lazy. In this instant.. I had to develope something or else tairara nenzara.
I watched a video on how to install the Stalker TV portal it’s now called Ministra.. My friend from Russia said, why do you want to buy middleware, here is the link its free. He also used to laugh at the fact that banks are not open on a Sunday in Zimbabwe the most convenient day,, ask Nedbank in RSA, I saw them open on Sunday at Claremont, just paid their people overtime or got creative with shifts. He was working from the UAE, so can understand his point, we were packing Mag 250+ boxes on a plane headed for Zimbabwe.
I remember there was a time when I couldn’t clear a shipment with DHL, Africom came to the rescue, I hand over extended myself. Imagine having a product to sell at the Airport, but you cannot clear it to sell it to make money to pay for itself.
The most challenging moment came when, an upgrade.. My hosting company decided to make anything below Ubuntu Server 20+ redundant. Now the issue was my backend was designed and tested for Ubuntu Server 16LTS and one of the :>npm packages broke.. Backend nada, front end nada. Panic.. I was lucky I had loyal customers, otherwise that was supposed to be the end of the road really. This happened because I had to reinstall Ubuntu because customers were getting a red screen when loading Ubuntu TV.. It was annoying then a I had to change my IP address, then horror no Ubuntu 16. This is the reason some companies are still using windows 7.. You upgrade to 10 and you cannot find a working driver for a work application, heh.
Then Mufaro had to remind me.. You normally read forums.. I had forgotten, maybe it was the stress. So I went online and found a working patch. Relief palpable in the face.
Haa saka smartbiz iri slow wangu inin ne liquid lte ndosvika around 18Mbps and 7GB dze game rako iro dzinodonha in 45 mins kana ndisina ku hotspotter vanhu.
I dont know how Econet takes 1 step forward then 2 steps back, lets all agree Smartbit to me is a scam ,you cant say unlimited then cap at 1tb then cap the speeds to this abhorrent level ,i had the line and im just gonna reach my 1tb “UNLIMITED BUNDLE” and get a starlink kit ,such a joke trying to squeeze as much as they can from their customers
I’m thinking about something.. Most comic book characters are based on some myth or urban legend or conspiracy.
How come it is fine to have Thor the God of Lightning or Thunder but if you say Murenga people may look at you funny.. We have to spend a lot for entertainment and we are importing most of it.
Shirts with Batman’s logo, socks, shoes, duvet covers, key rings.. Wouldn’t it make more sense to make our own comics books and heros.. The Marvel Universe can live side by side neDzivaguru.. I just takes about of imagination, plus we save and create impoyement.. For exam Lighthouse has to print the Comics, someone else has to do the CGI for the Cartoon or Movie, someone else has to design the characters likeness and posters..
Industry doesn’t have to be industry.. Some people go to work with out safety shoes..
The 5Mbps on some users the download speed has now reduced to 0.6Mbps , Econet SmartBiz is playing games on us , starlink mini is a better option no doubt.
Charger and Hellcat have entered the chat….
Transworld Sport
Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) should shift their focus away from competing on internet pricing and instead concentrate on driving hardware sales, such as phones and laptops, and sweetening the deal with free data offerings, similar to what MTN and Vodacom do. Additionally, MNOs have underutilized infrastructure, with less than 10% capacity, which presents an opportunity to introduce new services that leverage this existing network. Mobile money wallets are a prime example of a service that utilizes this infrastructure, but more innovative offerings should be explored to maximize the potential of their network assets and ensure long-term survival.
MNOs require a team of exceptional business engineers and forward-thinking personnel who prioritize delivering outstanding service over competing for the top spot. By focusing on providing excellent customer experiences, rather than chasing market dominance, they will earn the recognition and loyalty of their customers, ultimately leading to natural leadership in the industry.
Haa starlink speeds are very dangerous to the environment…ummm Ana econet bachasara vari Vema calls chete
Handi varikuonererwa nesmartbiz yavO isu takangotenga mini kit zvavharwa
They have sucked or blood far too much long let them feal the heat
Speed ye starlink will definitely change the playing field for econet .ndiri kuona yasara iri ye ma calls chete.they should seriously consider reviewing their prices.
Vanosara nevemawhatsapp nemafacebook bundles chete, heavy users will opt for starlink
Netone is typing……
iJunga idzo
Has Telcel responded 😂 seriously I think the next should be Telone as it has a reasonable customer base among mid class residential areas among the others.
😅😂😂😂 they would be the last, after milking us as much as they possibly can
It’s a matter of capacity, in US starlink increased prices on data capacity when those areas where at full capacity