Econet wireless, through its subsidiary Ecoweb, has launched a 4G WiMAX network aimed at boosting internet access and services in the country.
Ecoweb country’s general manager, Isaac Chaza, said the technology was suitable for use as backhaul for mobile networks.
“WiMAX puts Zimbabwe at par with the first-world countries in terms of telecommunications infrastructure”, said Chaza.
He said the latest technology was capable of delivering quadruple-play services, that is, voice, video, and data with full mobility on one subscription on all Internet Protocol (IP) network.
The technology has been in operation for less than a decade.
“The Mobile WiMAX network will be capable of carrying mobile, nomadic and fixed services ranging from individual netbooks to large corporate networks”, added Chaza.
Ecoweb is a subsidiary of the mobile-telecommunication company Econet and has set up more than 100 WiMAX base stations nationwide.
by Mercy Mujuru
Some good coming out of Zim. Even better than many other African countries. Keep it up Masiyiwa
Thats excellent! Zimbabwe is growing Big. This is something Big
Well done ECONET. We definitely need to catch up with the rest of the world and you are putting us a step closer to that. Keep up the good work.
If only we had persons of Masiyiwa calibre, Zim will be a far better place to live in. Where are you guys, come back home and invest.
When you do your articles, please remember the layman as well. You need to explain to us the difference between 3G and 4G and whether one needs to reapply for the upper grade if one has 3G already. What are the features of WiMAX and what differentiates it from the others?
Well done, but where is per-second billing?
4G TECHNOLOGY, WHAT AN ACHIEVEMENT BY ECONET BUT $100/ MONTH ITS TOO MUCH
Hope Econet does it right this time. They have a tendency of offering limited services and dragging their feet even though we’re PAYING!!
Why brag about 4G when Econet’s 3G is not even available widely for all in Zim. 3G is still not yet off the ground and people are hungry for the net – PATHETIC.
The real money in Africa generally is in voice traffic; i wish Econet knows the real truth. For data service over WIMAX, the more the subscribers per base-station the higher the congestion and the slower the speed.
My 3G econet is not working in Chimanimani, I was told by the office in Mutare in February that they are upgrading the system for at least three months. I had already paid for three months in advance including February. I hope they will start charging me when the 3G will be functional in Chimanimani.
I tested it, it was very Good for me. But the 3G is a disappointment to us in Chimanimani. Can you react guys?
It’s good news that Econet is bringing technology to Zimbabwe. My concern is that the services should be available to everyone without hassles.
Always a good thing to be bring technology, well done Econet you are definately the trend setters in Africa at the moment. I wish you could also look into ways of making the technologies available to lower income groups too.
Edie you are worried about speeds. But the truth of the matter is that if bandwidth is not exceeded speed issues can easily be arrested. Africa is now connecting to the sea thru fibre. With fibre we will virtually be at the same point as someone in U.K. Econet is launching its fibre soon!
The internet should clearly be made available to everyone. Why should one have to feel like its only for the lucky or for those well connected with econet staff? why cant it be like in SA where even a person who sells at the market has a means of accessing the net. am not yet saying bravo to econet and its bosses coz i dont have a line of my own. 3G or 4G then doesnt make a difference. if at least 50%of the country was covered i would be glad about it. we dont have to live on borrowed lines.
I was glad when I bought the 4g wimax package from Ecoweb, but was disapointed because it couldn’t perform here in Marondera, the 3g offering is even better than the 4g wimax. Right now my bundle is about to expire without having enjoyed the so called speedy internet access.
Can somebody from Ecoweb or Econet tell me what I should do cause I dont think I will be able to buy another bundle cause of loss of business.