July 20, 2025 – Recent frustrations voiced by Econet SmartBiz customers regarding drastically slower internet speeds are more than just an inconvenience; they represent a significant operational and financial challenge for the backbone of Zimbabwe’s economy: its small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Social media platforms are awash with reports from SmartBiz users experiencing what they describe as “unusable internet speeds.” The core of the issue appears to be an unannounced, drastic reduction in the Fair Usage Policy (FUP) limit for the $45 SmartBiz package – from a substantial 1TB down to a mere 200GB, an alarming 80% cut. This change has reportedly plunged speeds to as low as 300Kbps, sometimes even crawling at a crippling 3Kbps once the new, lower cap is reached.
For small businesses, reliable and consistent internet access isn’t a luxury; it’s a fundamental utility. This sudden change by Econet impacts their ability to work and drives up operational costs in several critical ways:
Hindered Ability to Work:
Disrupted Daily Operations: Many SMEs rely heavily on the internet for core functions: processing payments (POS systems), communicating with clients and suppliers (email, VoIP calls), managing inventory, and accessing cloud-based software (CRM, accounting). Drastically reduced speeds bring these essential operations to a grinding halt, leading to lost productivity and potential downtime.
Stifled Digital Commerce: For businesses engaged in e-commerce, online marketing, or virtual service delivery, abysmal internet speeds mean frustrated customers, failed transactions, and an inability to compete in an increasingly digital marketplace. Uploading product images, managing social media, or conducting video meetings becomes impossible.
Reduced Efficiency & Innovation: Sluggish connectivity makes research, online training, and the adoption of digital tools incredibly difficult. This limits a small business’s ability to innovate, adapt, and grow in a competitive environment.
Escalating Costs:
Forced Data Top-ups: Businesses that previously managed comfortably within the 1TB FUP now find themselves hitting the 200GB cap far sooner. This forces them to purchase additional, often more expensive, data bundles to maintain continuity, effectively increasing their monthly internet expenditure by a significant margin.
Hidden Operational Costs: The true cost extends beyond direct data purchases. Lost staff productivity due to waiting for pages to load or calls to connect, missed deadlines, damaged client relationships, and lost sales due to service interruptions all contribute to unquantifiable, yet very real, financial drains.
Need for Alternative Solutions: Frustrated businesses may be compelled to explore alternative internet service providers. While this could offer a solution, it often involves new setup costs, contract changes, and potentially higher monthly fees, adding another layer of unplanned expense.
Time is Money: Time spent troubleshooting connectivity issues, contacting customer support, or waiting for services to resume directly translates into lost billable hours or productivity for business owners and their employees.
The current confusion, where Econet’s official SmartBiz page still advertises a 1TB FUP while support teams reportedly confirm the 200GB limit, only exacerbates the problem. Small businesses thrive on predictability and clear terms of service. This situation erodes trust and makes long-term planning incredibly difficult.
Reliable and affordable internet is a cornerstone of a modern, thriving economy. As Zimbabwe strives for greater economic freedom and ease of doing business, it’s crucial that service providers offer transparent, consistent, and high-quality services that truly enable, rather than hinder, the growth of its vital SME sector. Clarity and a swift resolution from Econet are urgently needed to ensure that these key economic players can continue to operate and contribute to national prosperity.