WhatsApp bundle pays off for Econet

WhatsApp bundle pays off for Econet
Published: 18 May 2014
REAL-TIME mobile messaging application, WhatsApp, now accounts for at least 23 percent of mobile telecoms service provider Econet Wireless Zimbabwe's network activity.

Sandvine, a leading provider of intelligent broadband and network solutions for fixed and mobile operators, yesterday announced the overwhelming success of Econet Wireless' innovative service plans and how they are transforming network usage in the region, Econet Wireless spokesman Mr Ranga Mberi said in a statement.

Recognising the opportunity for service plans that aligned with subscriber behaviours and trends, Econet Wireless developed and launched an unlimited WhatsApp bundle, using Sandvine's Usage Management solution implemented with Sandvine's local partner Three6Five Technologies.

The WhatsApp bundles have varying packages including 30 cents daily, 95 cents per week and $3 a month, to offer bite-sized Internet plans priced to meet the needs of the market demographic.

"Sandvine's leading business intelligence and service innovation capabilities enable us to better understand emerging trends on our network and act quickly to rapidly introduce new, innovative services that are highly-valued by our customers and that give us a competitive edge in our market," said Leon de Fleuriot, general manager: products and services.

Since February 2014, the unlimited WhatsApp bundle has experienced tremendous adoption by Econet subscribers who extensively use that application.

Econet's unlimited WhatsApp bundle allows subscribers to share photos, videos, voice notes, locations, files and attachments on the real-time communication application, as often as they want for a fixed price.

"Many subscribers are using first generation smart-phones and talk and text plans. This bundle has opened up an opportunity for Econet to launch service plans that incentivise subscribers to move to data-driven services that are affordable to users and profitable to the network," said Mr Don Bowman, chief technical officer at Sandvine.

While other operators are talking about what to do in the future and what their platforms can support, Econet is using Sandvine solutions to seize opportunities and maintain their position as market-leader.

The launch of Econet Wireless' WhatsApp bundle complements the recently launched Facebook service plan, also experiencing high-adoption.

Zimbabwe's biggest mobile telecommunications firm has recently been sweating its extensive billion infrastructure to grow the business at a time when the traditional voice business has matured.
- The Herald
Tags: Econet,

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