Econet’s SmartBiz Shenanigans have come back to bite them.
Look who actually acted right for once.
I imagine it’s been an interesting three weeks for Econet Wireless. They’ve gone from doing a typical “piss the customers off” move with Smartbiz two weeks ago, to relenting on it, facing a first-ever petition from users, and now, being further challenged by the likes of TelOne. All of which I reckon was not on their plans when they thought “let’s change that Fair Use Policy cap”. Except one thing is clear here: Econet’s messing around to the detriment of customers is finally coming to bite them, and I can’t say I’m against it.
For context, two weeks ago, Econet put itself against its customers by outright admitting that Smartbiz bundles actually gave you not 1TB but 200GB of Fair Use Policy usage, basically admitting that once you use 200GB, they would barely be usable. This of course pissed people off, something Econet is very used to doing to its customers, but for the first time ever the online reaction (including multiple TikTok and YouTube videos) has them rethinking things, as shown mass SMS statements they sent to customers stating the company “heard your feedback and we’re reviewing our data packages to better suit you needs”.
It’s a rare win for consumers, as it’s likely Econet didn’t expect an outright petition by users challenging how it runs its data bundles, along with all the fine print in the terms and conditions surrounding them. Econet suddenly wasn’t just facing your typical angry mob of customers, but also what could become potential legal action. And this is what has led to its backpedal, which seemingly started last week but was confirmed by the SMS statement.
What’s even better, however, is that, unlike many other times, competitors seem to be taking note of Econet’s blunders and are pushing to take advantage of it. Key among these is TelOne, which took the opportunity to introduce its new $15 and $30 ADSL packages, with the latter being an unlimited package with 1TB FUP again. Simply put, a direct slight against Econet’s Smartbiz packages while being $15 cheaper. And yes Econet has walked back their 200GB cap, but what’s clear here is things have gotten to a point where both consumers and its competition are getting better at, for lack of a better phrase “smelling it’s BS” and acting on it, something that shold deifinitely continue if people want the telecom giant to offer them better service.
After all, Smartbiz, along wit other packages like Smart4U shouldn’t just be a move to combat Starlink , as Econet designed it to be, but a direct and impactful innovation to making great, unlimited internet connectivity more accessible to the masses. After all, no one can make as impactful a move as Econet, with their infrastructure, customer base, and funds making them operate in a league of their own. Except like all monopolies, that’s exactly why Econet bullies its customers when it could easily make them the happiest in the country.
Either way, with its StarBiz blunders out in the open, we can only hope other Econet competitors finally get in the game and give them pressure too. To this day it outright confuses me how NetOne STILL does not have a direct a direct Smartbiz competitor, in a time where even Powertel does! This is without considering the multiple MVNOs like Dolphin and Tagtel that exist for similar reasons. Now yes, some of these are actually using Econet’s infrastructure, and that’s also why their service delivery and performance can be shaky, but at least they actually provide users packages that Econet outright doesn’t. If anything this should be a chance for service providers here to take another look at their product portfolios and re-assess how best they can maximise on the clear demand customers have for better internet services. It’s outright ignorance at this point to keep ignoring that demand, and it should really be a shame for most of our telecom providers. People are willing to pay $250 – $600 on Starlink just to get away from your services. That should be a wakeup call, because eventually that price barrier will keep getting lower, and once it does, some of you may cease to be the companies you once were.
But we’re not here to scare you today. We’re here to talk to Econet instead. Your customers are getting smarter. Just give them what you sell on the tin for once. And sell better products to begin with.
Related Stories:
Best Alternatives to Econet Smartbiz (now that it’s dead)
No more Smartbiz? These services may be for you.
Read More
Econet’s SmartBiz Shenanigans have come back to bite them.
Look who actually acted right for once.
Read More
About Author
