Zimbabwe's Mobile Revolution: Econet & NetOne Boost Networks
In a significant boost to Zimbabwe's mobile network infrastructure, Econet Wireless and NetOne have both invested heavily in the second quarter of 2025. Econet, led by Chairman Dr. James Myers and with Douglas Mboweni as CEO, has expanded its 5G network at an unprecedented rate, while NetOne has made strides in LTE upgrades.
Econet Wireless has added 66 new 5G base stations in Q2 2025, its largest single-quarter expansion since the technology's launch. This expansion, a significant capital commitment, positions the company for the next decade and leaves rivals further behind. With most of these new sites concentrated in high-demand urban centres like Harare and Bulawayo, Econet leads in 5G sites by over 13 times compared to NetOne.
Meanwhile, NetOne has added 224 LTE base stations in the same period, almost catching up with Econet's lead of 120 sites. These LTE upgrades provide tangible improvements for users, as almost every smartphone is LTE-capable. NetOne's upgrades make it a more competitive alternative to Econet in many more areas.
Both Econet and NetOne have shown significant commitment to improving mobile network infrastructure in Zimbabwe. Econet's 5G expansion and NetOne's LTE upgrades are set to benefit users across the country, driving competition and innovation in the sector.
