Econet Wireless on Monday lost data connectivity, causing difficulties for subscribers attempting to access data enabled platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook and websites.

The company confirmed this on Twitter and text messages to subscribers. It was not immediately clear what had caused the data network disruption.

Econet said customers in the capital, "Harare and surrounding areas" were "currently facing data challenges".

It highlighted that engineers were working hard to resolve" the data connectivity challenges.

There was however, no disruption to voice services. Those in Harare and surrounding areas who were able to access Facebook and WhatsApp were doing so mostly using Wi-Fi connections.

The data connection loss caused a stir on social media platforms, with subscribers complaining over the data connection disruption which they had not been informed of before.

Econet has said that it is now switching its attention and investment focus to other non-voice services such as data and broadband internet services to cover declining revenues from the voice category.

Telecom executives have described cheaper communication alternatives such as WhatsApp – which now has a calling service – and Facebook as well as Skype as disruptive to the industry.

However, they have now embraced such platforms as a way to diversify revenue streams, coming up with bundles for the platforms.