The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) has formally confronted mobile network operators Econet Wireless Zimbabwe and NetOne over the structuring and marketing of off-peak data bundles, following a surge in consumer complaints.
In letters dated 21 January 2026, CCZ raised concerns that both operators are selling standard monthly data bundles at full price while allocating a significant portion of the data to off-peak hours when most subscribers are unable to use it.
According to CCZ, the off-peak data is restricted to late-night hours, such as 11pm to 4am on Econet and 1am to 7am on NetOne. The council said this practice results in large amounts of paid-for data expiring unused at the end of each billing cycle.
In its letter to Econet, CCZ said consumers are being charged for data “that is known in advance to be largely unusable by the average subscriber,” raising concerns about fairness, transparency and value for money. The council warned that the practice risks undermining consumer trust in the telecommunications sector.
CCZ noted that operators often advertise a large headline data figure, but only part of it is available for use at any time. For example, a 50GB bundle may include 42GB of anytime data, with the remaining 8GB restricted to off-peak hours.
NetOne’s Big Beautiful Bundles (BBB) were singled out after they were split into peak and off-peak allocations, a move that CCZ says reduced their real-world value for consumers who cannot use data during the restricted hours.
From a consumer rights perspective, CCZ said the current off-peak data structure may infringe several rights under the Consumer Protection Act [Chapter 14:44]. These include the right to fair value and reasonably priced services, the right to clear and truthful information, and the right to fair and reasonable marketing practices.
The council said that marketing full-priced bundles with significant time-restricted data raises concerns about transparency and informed consumer choice, particularly in an economic environment where disposable income is limited and internet access is essential for education, livelihoods and communication.
CCZ has requested that the operators urgently review the structuring and pricing of off-peak data bundles, improve transparency in how bundle conditions are communicated, and ensure clear disclosure of any time-based usage restrictions.
NetOne has acknowledged receipt of the letter and indicated that it will provide a formal response within 48 hours. Econet has also been engaged through the same process, as CCZ continues to push for redress on behalf of affected consumers
