Econet Wireless has rolled out LTE internet service in Zimbabwe as it bids to win over more customers and grow revenues from its data portfolio.
LTE internet, also known as 4G, allows for fast speed internet accessibility that gives massive download speeds. Mobile operators across the world are deploying LTE internet for both GSM and CDMA platforms.
"4G LTE is now available on LTE enabled smartphones," Econet Wireless said in a texted message to subscribers on Friday.
It says in a separate update on its website that LTE allows for "high speed, seamless Internet connectivity" on mobile phones. "Now you can watch live TV, make video calls, stream live matches, play games online and download movies on the move," Econet Wireless added.
In 2013, Econet became the seventh mobile operator in Africa to offer LTE connectivity although it was only restricted to accessibility through modems.
Launched ahead of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly meeting in Victoria Falls in 2013, the LTE service has until now been available at all of Zimbabwe's airports and the CBDs of Harare and Bulawayo as well as in the resort town of Victoria Falls.
Expansion of the service to mobile phones marks a new development for the company as it enhances its revenues from the data segment.
Econet, like all other mobile operators in Africa, is looking to grow data usage to cover for declining revenues from the voice category.
Another Zimbabwean mobile operator, the state owned NetOne, is also progressing with its network upgrade at a cost of about $200 million. It is expected that this will bring 4G internet connectivity to the network.
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