Everything To Know About TelOne’s Blaze LTE

Edwin Chabuka Avatar

TelOne Blaze LTE is a mobile telephone service being offered by TelOne. Think of it as a competitor to ZOL LTE

It comes with a SIM card that you can use in an LTE enabled device. It can be a smartphone, tablet, portable WiFi device or an LTE modem like the ones NetOne was offering with OneFi.

How Do I Get One?

This is where things get a bit interesting. Here is what you need to have.

  1. Proof of residence
  2. Copy of ID
  3. RTGS 10 for the SIM card only

But there are conditions. When I made my way to TelOne offices at Harare Main Post office, I was told that they recommend I buy the SIM card with their MiFi device. If I want the SIM alone I would be buying at my own risk. This is due to compatibility issues that I will highlight later in this article.

While I was in the queue they ran out of SIM cards and they said they’ll have them in a week. So I ran to the TelOne main exchange at 2nd and Samora. The fella there told be I can only buy it if I live in one of the zones that the service is available in. I’ll also highlight these later in the article.

After some convincing that I need it at work where the service is available I was told I cannot by the SIM alone and that I have to buy it with a MiFi device. Again compatibility issues.

I then went to TelOne offices at Showgrounds and only then was I able to get the SIM card. So depending on where you go if you want the SIM only you might go through a hard time. Same goes if the area you are in is not covered by the service. It makes sense that they want to eliminate the possibility of avoidable complaints but given the full info before hand I would love the option to choose my fate thank you very much.

TelOne says you can buy the SIM and the MiFi routers at the TelOne offices near you.

How Much For The Modems?

The modems are going for a promotional price of RTGS 333 for the MiFi device and RTGS472 for the LTE Access point which is a whopping 3 times cheaper at the prevailing rates than buying the equipment anywhere else. 3 times. The main difference between the 2 modems is this.

MiFi
It comes with a built in battery that lasts a quoted 6 hours. It is pocket friendly so you can move around with it in your pocket and it acts as a hotspot for up to 10 devices. Something you can use when moving about if you are in Harare.

LTE Router
It is bigger with some antenna and requires power from a socket. Yes this one is not mobile but it can accommodate up to 32 devices! Pretty cool for a home or office setup.

Both these devices support LTE (4G), UMTS (3G) and GSM (2G) so they can support other service providers too except for those offering CDMA. You just need to input their respective settings.

Which Areas Are Covered?

The service is currently available in select areas in Harare. These areas are ones with poor ADSL service.

These areas include a 10km radius of Avondale, Borrowdale, Ruwa, Chitungwiza, Glenview, Southerton, Kuwadzana, Harare CBD. Still pretty limited but the goal is keep people happy in areas where available fixed internet solutions were a hassle especially ADSL which was experiencing insane downtime thanks to aging equipment and cable theft.

Your line will only work in the location you entered when you applied for the service. You cannot roam about the whole of Harare and get service outside of your home location even if the area you are roaming to is covered by LTE Blaze.


So for example. You sign up for the service at Avondale. You can go to Marlborough or Westgate or Marlbreign and still be connected no problem. These areas are serviced by the same exchange.

But if you decide to visit a buddy in Ruwa, about 30KM away from Avondale where LTE Blaze IS present your line won’t work. It is paired with the exchange and network tower servicing your home area.

What Devices Are Compatible With It?

TelOne is using Frequency Band 20 FDD-LTE (800) for the geeky audience like me. This means not any device with 4G LTE will be supported. Only those that have this frequency on their list of supported frequencies will work.

These devices can be LTE modems like the ones TelOne is selling, LTE capable smartphones, laptops and tablets. So if you are looking to use a custom device with this SIM that is not one of the ones offered by TelOne you will need to make sure you find out if your SPECIFIC device supports TelOne’s LTE frequency band. For smartphones and tablets you can use this link or reach out to me on my twitter handle @edwinchabuka3.

What Services Are On Offer And For How Much?

Services on offer are Voice and Data only. Yes there is no sign of SMS here. The prices for the packages are promotional at the time of publishing this article and with the Zimbabwean economy these will change very soon.

PackageData Allowance (GB)Max Download Speed
(Mbps)
Voice Minutes (Offnet)Retail Price (RTGS)
Blaze Lite8151554
Blaze Xtra15152582
Blaze Boost201530102
Blaze Ultra401550165
Blaze Trailblazer1001580248
Blaze SupernovaUnlimited20100489

Where Do I Buy The Bundles?

At the moment there are only 2 options. Visit your nearest TelOne office and buy them over the counter or you can purchase them on Paynow by clicking here. Packages are still yet to make their way to TelOne’s self service portal and the TelOne App.

Anything Else?

Does It Support VoLTE?
It does not support VoLTE. The TelOne Sim cards are pure data lines so even your phone’s default dialer will not work for calls. To make calls with the line in your smartphone or tablet TelOne recommends you to download the ZoiPer app.

For the account details you will need to take your MiFi device, smartphone or Tablet to your nearest TelOne office to get it set up. To download the app click here for Android and here for iOS

Out Of Bundle Browsing?
The Blaze bundles come as a package with voice and data. As such you don’t have airtime credit neither can you buy airtime credit that can disappear through out of bundle browsing.

Does The Data Roll Over To The Next Month?
Nope. You have to use your data within 30 days. If you fail to do so the remaining balance will be wiped at the end of the validity period.

Do The LTE Packages Come With Data Dedicated For DEOD?
Not at the moment but it is something that will be coming soon. No specific date yet just soon.

Can I Use The Sim In Other Modems?
Yes and no. TelOne is using LTE and the frequency band is 20. If the router you have supports this then it should work with the TelOne Sim. All you will need to make sure is the modem you have is not locked to the original ISP for example Vodacom, MTN, Econet etc.

If the router has an ISPs branding on it then most likely it is locked to that ISP and so the TelOne Sim will not work in it. Modems that do not support LTE or the specific frequency band that TelOne is using will also not work. So if you have a Powertel or Africom modem don’t bother with it. Just get a modem from TelOne.

What Are The Settings For Data?
Name: TelOne
APN: internet.telone
That’s all you need to start browsing.

Thoughts?

A comparison with ZOL is inevitable but that will come in a separate article. At the time of writing this article my line was not yet activated so I cannot give you the experience but for now what is on paper suggests a pretty good deal.

The data packages and the voice minutes are fair. Speeds look very promising on paper too but all that’s left is for me to take it for a spin.

Also as I highlighted before, I wish they let me choose if I want a Sim only or both the Sim and the modem rather than straight up blocking me out. Even have someone just look up a customer’s phone or tablet to check for compatibility.

If there is anything I missed that you wanted to know throw it in the comments and I’ll include it in my review.

39 comments

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  1. Mitch Muchada

    Great article,you did your research well, its well explained keep it up

  2. Bill Taps

    Any idea when this is going to be available in other towns?

    1. Anonymous

      Also waiting for this info.

  3. Anonymous

    Would be nice if you could get a map of the covered areas.

  4. Tendeukayi Mapuranga

    Great article but I’m assuming it’s only a Harare product for now right? There is no mention of other towns and cities unless if l missed it somehow !

  5. Sensei

    I went to buy the zol data line and while i was there a certain gentleman came and said hz line wasnt working yet back home (masvingo) it works very well…they explained however that the line would only work in areas without fibre…so seems Zol started outa harare while telone is startin in harare…itsgonna be an interestin battle

  6. richie

    So no areas in Bulawayo are covered?

  7. Blessing

    They have pretty affordable data but like you mentioned we still cant help but make a comparison with zol. Im currently using zol lte and i must say the service i got when i went to buy the sim was excellent, in fact they offer you a chocolate right at the door and they dont force you to buy their mifi. You only have to go to a technical support guy who will check if your phone is compatible and if it isyou have your sim. I prefer using my phone than the mifi because my phone’s battery lasts longer. So in as much telone’s packages are affordable, they have to improve their service in order to win some considering that someone has already beat them to it.

    1. Farai Mudzingwa

      “they offer you a collage right at the door” I don’t know if this is a metaphor or you mean it literally but I didn’t get a chocolate 😂😂 I’m pretty jealous of you right now…

    2. Anonymous

      Which branch gives chocolate?

      1. Farai Mudzingwa

        Hahaha kune masweets atichakupai! Kune masweets!

  8. Rodney

    Can the Sim card work on a zol outdoor modem?

    1. Farai

      Yes, i’ve just pulled my huawei b2338 down, inserted the BLAZE sim card, reset and configured the modem. Now i have faster stable internet than i had on the ZOL LTE.

  9. Zibusiso Masuku

    Hi Edwin, thanks for letting us know about this. I just got one from Borrowdale, turns out you are linked to a certain base station. So since I opted for a Borrowdale number, it means I can’t access the LTE data outside 10km radius. Which is a pretty weird move imo. How has been your experience

  10. Kelvin Mugari

    I think this is a good addition to the industry so much that it will create competition and hence offer more choice for the market. Many thanks to Chipo Mutasa and her team for a well thought out product to keep tel one relevant. I hope and trust they increase coverage and give you us other areas apart from harare.

  11. Victor

    But zvekuti u are linked to a certain base station is utter crap … Itsa huge turn off kwandiri ini zvangu

  12. Inno Ngwaru

    I bought a portable wifi device for 472 dollars from telOne and then got Blaze Ultra package 40Gig. I can assure its a bargain and the speed is great. I live around Glen Forest memorial where almost all networks are hectic except for Netone (internet & calls) and Africom (calls). of the 3 network bars I have 2 but the speed is just awesome. Good job and big up Telone.

    1. Anonymous

      So I use a Samsung tab 4. And the guy tried to do a compatibility test, it didn’t pick the data network but it had picked the network. My device clearly has the 20 band frequency on its specs. What could I do to make it work?

  13. S. Dube

    Do you now have the answer if we can get simcard only?

  14. Anonymous

    Takawina moto kuti tikawane takawana a week saying tri ku activate until nda shaudha vanhu but works very well

  15. Mugg

    At telone borrowdale the sales person said the MiFi is out of stock but I can sell you mine for 80usd. He said he has a lot which he bought to resell

    1. Anonymous

      kkkkk zvatotanga

  16. Prosper Muza

    Thanx for the info hoping you will soon extend your services to places like here in Beitbridge.

  17. Justin Gwimbi

    Insightful

  18. Pauro

    I think on paper its its good. But for the mere fact that out of 10km radius handina access on that Blaze LTE haaa Telone ndopayauraya basa, meaning if i i travel to Ruwa from Borrowdale i will need imwe Data option fut or switch lines in my smartphone considering i dont have the Mifi device, “dissatisfied”

  19. tafadzwa

    we are waiting for it here in masvingo

  20. Alexander Dhliwayo

    Hie how do set-up my TelOne blaze sim card onto my Samsung J5 Prime

    1. Anonymous

      so how much does that simcards cost

  21. Memuna

    Please do tell me which phones are compatible as I was told my Samsung s8 is not compatible I am now confused as to which mobile phone do I buy and will it be compatible

  22. Joseph

    I bought the line on Friday and i have been looking for a modem/router that is compatible. Any insights?

  23. Frank dauti

    How do i recharge after buying data slip from telone

  24. Faffy

    Telone blaze makeke. I’m soooo loving it!! No more “offline” for me

  25. Jacob

    0774960701 hit me if you want a cheap MIFI or portable router

  26. mobile tec

    Hoho. great what wonderful information. I just wonder about your knowledge.

  27. Caleb taundi

    I need one like now

  28. UnRullY

    Need zol lte configuration for mobile devices

  29. +263716621050

    Yes non-geolocked Telone Blaze® & Zol Liquid® lines are both available,for an instant reply chat with us directly on whatsapp® on +263716621050 or +263776181951 NB: NO CALLS,WHATSAPP ONLY

  30. Mafukidze Kudakwashe

    Are these lines available in Banket

  31. Nickel Nasho

    Great article, I think im interested

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