Econet Wireless’ acquisition of new network equipment for an expansion drive in Zimbabwe has paid dividends as its subscriber base has reached eight million for the first time
Its customer base stood at six million mid-2012, while Telecel followed with nearly more than two million customers and state-owned Net-One with less than one and a half million.
The new equipment acquired early 2012, enabled the mobile phone company to launch Buddie Zome, a new service that gives subscribers discounts on calls at certain times.
The discounts range from 10 per cent to as much as 95 per cent if used late in the evening.
Econet Wireless commercial director, George Barbaressos, confirmed the new figures, saying the demand for Econet lines remains “very, very strong”.
“People have realised that we offer the best value in every respect, in terms of value for money, in terms of the best product range, the best coverage and the best customer service,” he said.
Barbaressos, one of the very few expatriates working at Econet, said the key factor in Econet's dominance was investment.
He stated that 2013 was going to be very much about customer service and customer experience.
“It's our main focus,” he added.
“We are going to spend significantly on customer service this year. We are going to expand and improve our network of shops, expand our call centres, and we are going to train our staff to ensure that the core values of our founder drive the company at all levels.”
EcoCash has brought immeasurable convenience for the public by making it easier to transact without necessarily having to use cash, Econet said.
The company has also announced that mobile banking facility, EcoCash, has reached two million customers for the first time.
Barnabas Thondhlana
