Exclusive: Powertel launches promotion with 15 GB for $35 internet & a $175 unlimited package

Nigel Gambanga Avatar
Powertel internet CDMA LTE

A couple of months ago local Internet Access Provider Powertel introduced an unlimited package through its Weekly Fiesta promotion, something we thought was a way to appease subscribers that had left the provider after it had scrapped its unlimited package.

It turns out, that this not entirely unlimited package was just the first in Powertel’s efforts at redoing its product lineup. We have just received information from Powertel that today it’s launching its Winter Data Earthquake Packages. This is a set of four different packages that vary from an entry level $35 weekly package that offers 15 GB data, to the unlimited and uncapped monthly package priced at $175.

PACKAGEPRICE ($US)DATA (GB)VALIDITY (DAYS)VALUE ADDED SERVICES
Express35157Unlimited downloads; Unlimited Surfing (Fair Usage Policy Applies)
Monthly Express603030Unlimited Uploads & Downloads,Surfing ; Unlimited * Subscription is only for modem package
Monthly Turbo895030Unlimited Uploads & Downloads, surfing; *Subscription only for WiFi Router Package
Powertel Unlimited175Unlimited (Ts & Cs Apply)30Monthly unlimited Deal
Unlimited Downloads & uploads for the whole month;
Uncapped, unlimited

 

These prices are a solid challenge to the mobile internet offerings on the market right now. Definitely the mobile network operators, with their $50-for-2.5 GB average are outpaced by all of this, with Econet’s new Dream and Daily bundles, that have been advertised as a seasonal offering, offering the closest form of challenge.

Once again, this effort by Powertel is the latest indicator of increasing competition in the local broadband market. Almost all service providers have unveiled improvements to existing packages or have ventured into new territory altogether, as was the case with TelOne introducing Fibre to the Home and WiFi services.

In the case of Powertel, this is an impressive effort to draw back faithfuls that were clamouring for the return of a truly unlimited package. The price tag for that though, at $175, isn’t close to what the old $1,20 could offer in terms of an unbeatable deal. Powertel seems to be banking on users with a tighter budget selecting the cheaper services like the $35 package.

I was impressed by the price and data relation there; 15 GB for $35 sounds awesome, but the 7 day validity will definitely be a sticky point. Still, Powertel does make a compelling case with the advantages of mobile internet, but the market will decide if all those value propositions tie in with the prices.

20 comments

  1. fourwallsinaroom

    zol 49 unlimited mifi or 9 per GB. I took the 49!

    1. zeb

      trully like that wimax ***WIFI for only $49 unltd.

  2. Anonymous

    that is hog wash what is the speed for $35? What mobile broadband CDMA oh lordy any1 got a handset? Dongles with appalling coverage and connectivity

  3. mugu

    powertel who ?
    too little -TOO LATE.

  4. Garikai Dzoma

    $175!!!! for mobile internet. More expensive than fiber! What are they smoking over there?

  5. Dube

    Powertel am sorry, you wasted your opportunity, Internet is now a basic need not a Luxury @ $175????? Joke of the month.

  6. purple

    $35 a week is too much. I got all the internet I need at work, Its so unlimited everybody is dowloading torrents. Unfortunately there are two desktop computers that are continually clogged with downloads beacaause they are left on overnight. I do a little bit of light surfing when i get home and the weekends. If they had said its for 30 days i would be reconsidering.
    If I pay econet a $1 per day for 20 days(remember some days I am too tired to do anything else) econet gives me the beneift of 20 * 250MB i get the benefit of 5Gig. Of course right now connecting up my laptop to use my phone as a hot spot, surfing is proving to be a pain. But knowing econet, I know they will manage to get out the kinks so we can manage a little more speed.

  7. Not really

    Problem is some1 at powertel shapes the internet to such an extent it becomes useless.
    So for now zol and africom take the cake cz if i pay small amounts i can get more done in 25 minutes on them than 1 hour on powertel.
    Max speed 50kbs mukore uno. Can even stream youtube on that

    1. macd chip

      Powertel does not shape, its network contetion!

  8. Ndini

    Wow!!! this is really awesom from pwertel, the monthly bundly is cheaper than thweekly so i will try that one out……time to dig out my dongle!!! thank you !!Powertel

  9. dj

    what are the download speeds

  10. Cruncher

    #sofarsogood with TelOne home fibre at $36 for 20GIG. Superfast.

  11. macd chip

    Im using Zol wireless unlimited at $99 plus average 250kbps, thats very fair enough for me.

    What new is powertel saying! Unless they take back their Mutare fibre link from Utande and add that bandwidth to their customer net, they are wasting time.

    Only those who have never used powertel are the ones who will be excited by this.

  12. Not really

    Have you ever used it at times when im less than 1km from base station i cant ever skype and this is with no web pafe torrent or download running. So ues powertel makes their connection slow as hell.

  13. Not really

    Zol is also slow at times bt near offpeak or idle periods you may actually be avle to stream hd videos with minimal buffering

  14. chipaz

    Powertel never ever. WIll never waste even $0.50 on them. The speed is atrocious. You need to live within 1KM of a base station to enjoy it. Even right inside CBD you will struggle to lock in the network, even when you do connect a simple page like techzim.co.zw which is local will take 3+ minutes to open

  15. mdulababy

    $35 for 7 days is still expensive. In Beitbridge their speed is great but the price not so great. l have been with Zol for a month on prepaid TU modem and the network speed is terrible. l upgraded to the broadband for $49 but still they was no change. l tested the network with a friend’s indoor modem and it was by far much better. Unfortunately Zol has not had the indoor modems in stock for over a month now. I am so desperately in need of even a second hand greenpacket indoor modem. If only Powertel’s $35.00 package was valid for 30 days then l would surely consider it.

    1. Ndini

      Its cheaper to get the $60 package

  16. data beast

    this is a joke, they should be selling us data services not data. they act and sell it as if it’s a finite resource. even the $1/10mb should now be crucified with something like for 50mb.

  17. Anonymous

    that is the most dumbest promotional strategy ever implemented………………………..tofa hedu ne Telone

2023 © Techzim All rights reserved. Hosted By Cloud Unboxed