Internet Service Providers in Zimbabwe

Who is in the market and what they charge you to get set up

So, you are looking for an internet service provider. There are a number of options in Zimbabwe for a range of different connection options which are ZOL, TelOne, and Utande (ZODSAT for Vsat)

ADSL

ADSL, is a telephone line based internet service. The connection is usually tethered to a telephone number and comes with a Wi-Fi router. This is a pretty common connection because telephone lines are almost everywhere. The only service provider for this kind of connection is TelOne

Sim-based Based modem

Sim-based Based modem. This is akin to mobile internet, the ISP will give you a router and the SIM card. Speeds for this are close to 4G on your phone and are location based. Service providers like TelOne (Blaze) and ZOL (Wibroniks) offer these for those who live in areas without any standing communication infrastructure but are within the range of coverage.

Fibre

Fibre, is the fastest internet connection using fibre optic cables to transmit data at high speeds. Although it’s the fastest connection available it’s not available in all areas because not all neighbourhoods have fibre cables in them.

VSAT

VSAT: internet delivered via satelite, is for those that are in very very remote areas that don’t have cellular coverage or any fibre or telephone lines. It is the most expensive to get installed because the components are pricey.

Installation Fees

Installation fees differ depending on the type of connection you want or what’s available in your area. In most cases you will have to contact individual ISPs to see what they have for your area. Service providers can sometimes charge you a rental fee for the modem or other equipment needed and some will have purchase options.

ZOL INSTALLATION SECTION

Fibroniks connection fees are dependent on your location and if ZOL has fibre cables in your neighbourhood.

Wibroniks is the SIM based connection. Equipment costs are:

  • LTE SIM Card RTGS $100
  • Mobile Mi-Fi RTGS $4622/37USD
  • LTE indoor RTGS $11379/91USD
  • LTE outdoor RTGS $24559/195USD

Setup Fees: not specified. It depends on location as ZOL charges for the mileage.

TELONE INSTALLATION SECTION//Deactivated

Fibroniks connection fees are dependent on your location and if ZOL has fibre cables in your neighbourhood.

  • Installation fee is ZWL$8569 or the US$ equivalent
  • Zol Provides a modem which they will charge you ZWL$26.00 a month to rent.

Wibroniks is the SIM based connection. Equipment costs are:

  • LTE SIM Card RTGS $100
  • Mobile Mi-Fi RTGS $4622/37USD
  • LTE indoor RTGS $11379/91USD
  • LTE outdoor RTGS $24559/195USD

Setup Fees: not specified. It depends on location as ZOL charges for the mileage.

TELCO INSTALLATION SECTION

Fibroniks connection fees are dependent on your location and if ZOL has fibre cables in your neighbourhood.

  • Installation fee is ZWL$8569 or the US$ equivalent
  • Zol Provides a modem which they will charge you ZWL$26.00 a month to rent.

Wibroniks is the SIM based connection. Equipment costs are:

  • LTE SIM Card RTGS $100
  • Mobile Mi-Fi RTGS $4622/37USD
  • LTE indoor RTGS $11379/91USD
  • LTE outdoor RTGS $24559/195USD

Setup Fees: not specified. It depends on location as ZOL charges for the mileage.

Internet Prices in Zimbabwe

ISPs in Zimbabwe charge different rates over the range of services that they offer. Prices can be the same or similar for ADSL and Fibre, but will differ for MI-Fi or SIM based connection options like ZOL’s Wibroniks and TelOne’s Blaze. The latter are far cheaper than the former and far cheaper than the most expensive option which is VSAT.

Sim-based broadband

So let’s start off with the most affordable options the Mi-Fi or SIM based internet options.

Zol is definitely the pricier of the two, the advantage that ZOL has is that they are offering the Wibroniks product whereas TelOne’s Blaze LTE is not on the market at the moment. You should also check out each of the ISP’s fair usage policies if you are going to opt for the unlimited packages. The products might say unlimited but there is a cap to the amount of data you can use.ZOL Fair Usage Policy TelOne Fair Usage Policy.

Broadband

Broadband packages have a broader range of uncapped or unlimited packages than the SIM based variants. Let’s start with the pay as you go variation of residential broadband.

The terms night usually refer to data that is allocated for use during off peak hours 11pm to 6am. ISP like ZOL and to some degree TelOne offer the equivalent of that data bought to be used during those times.

As you can see TelOne is expensive in the lower end data but as we creep up to the higher end data caps TelOne begins to look a lot more reasonable than ZOL. It is also worth mentioning that TelOne has fluctuating service a little more than ZOL, you should keep that in mind if you are opting for one or the other.