Liquid Telecom Zimbabwe has launched a promotion to offer customers enhanced connectivity across its fibre network at no extra charge for six months.

Subscribers stand to benefit from increased internet bandwidth with speeds of up to 50% faster.

The company’s regional chief executive officer Wellington Makamure said between 20% and 50% additional bandwidth would be made available.

“We are giving out a total of 36GBps for the duration of the promotion. The promotion will impact all sectors of industry, financial services, mining, agriculture, health services, education, retail and manufacturing and, tourism and hospitality,” he said.

Makamure warned however that as the network connectivity improves, customers may experience disruption to online shopping and banking.

The Liquid Telecom executive added that improved connectivity and increased internet bandwidth will make it possible for the company to continue rolling out Edu-Zones — an initiative started last year, under which free internet access has been provided to universities.

The company is also in the process of establishing Medi-Zones or Wi-Fi hotspots at hospitals around the country.

“The first phase will involve 13 major hospitals in the country,’’ said Makamure.

He said that Liquid Telecom has laid over 21 000km of fibre in Zimbabwe, connected more than 460 hotspots and installed 197 LTE base stations.

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe on Wednesday increased its data prices by 23%, as the Zimbabwe dollar continues its slide.

The company said its voice tariffs remained unchanged. Customers should expect to pay US$7 for 40Mb, while the highest package on offer (1,200Mb) will now cost US$80, up from US$65.