Mobile operator, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, plans to offer its customers a free service to charge the power of their cell phones.

According to Douglas Mboweni, chief executive officer, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, the service is planned to give customers an hour of free charge power for their cell phones whenever they buy airtime from a vendor who has the Solar Powered Charging Station (SPCS).

Mboweni said the innovation is in tandem with his organisation's drive to spread technology to the country's remote areas.

"Extensive research by the company had shown that many subscribers were finding it difficult to find power to charge their cell phones, particularly in rural areas," he explained.

He added, “Econet Wireless Zimbabwe had worked with the specialist solar energy company within the Econet Wireless Group to develop the technology that enables its customers to get their phones charged when buying airtime from vendors.”

"Econet plans to roll out more than 10,000 SPCS throughout the country over the next 18 months to enable its customers an hour free power charge when buying airtime from a vendor or supermarket," concludes Mboweni.