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NewsDay

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Econet Wireless scores a first

News
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has become the first cellphone operator in the world to offer its customers a free service to recharge their cellphones.

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has become the first cellphone operator in the world to offer its customers a free service to recharge their cellphones.

Report by Business Reporter Econet plans to roll out more than 10 000 solar-powered charging stations (SPCS) throughout the country over the next 18 months to enable its customers to get one hour free power charge when buying airtime from a vendor or supermarket.

  Unveiling the new service yesterday, Douglas Mboweni, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe CEO, said any customer could get one hour free power charge for their cellphones whenever they buy airtime from a vendor who has the (SPCS) developed by the Econet Wireless group.

  The Econet boss said extensive research had shown that many subscribers were finding it difficult to find power to charge their cellphones, particularly in rural areas.

 

  He said Econet Wireless Zimbabwe had worked with a specialist solar energy company within the Econet Wireless group to develop the technology that would enable customers to get their phones charged when buying airtime from vendors.

  Meanwhile, Econet Wireless also formerly launched its new “Green Kiosk” tuck-shop, which the company had been rolling out in cities and towns across the country.

  The Green Kiosk tuckshop is a franchise service for small scale businesses in high-density areas as well as rural areas.

  The kiosk is supplied by Econet free of charge to vendors who have an existing site.

  The kiosk offers services such as airtime sales, EcoCash agency and the SPCS units.

  Mboweni said the franchise business model was deliberately designed to help small business owners generate more income using Econet products and services.

  This would also see more than 5 000 new jobs created over the next 12 months, particularly for young people.