Imagine if you could only buy your groceries from one supermarket.
Sure, they might have everything you need, but what if their prices were sky-high, and their products were subpar?
That’s the situation facing many Zimbabweans when it comes to their internet presence.
There are three mobile companies in Zimbabwe – Econet, NetOne, and Telecel – but Econet is the largest with a whopping 67% of the market (Potraz).
And when it comes to internet and data traffic, Econet commands a ridiculous 76.6% of the market, leaving NetOne with 23.2% and Telecel with 0.2%.
But wait, it gets worse.
When it comes to internet service providers (ISPs), there are four main companies, but Liquid, owned by Econet, has the largest market share of 77%.
TelOne is the only competitor, controlling a mere 21% of the market, while Dandemutande and Powertel control just 1.2% and 1%, respectively.
So basically, Econet controls the largest mobile service provider and the biggest internet service provider, leaving Zimbabweans with little choice but to rely on this one company for their internet needs.
Now, you might be thinking, “So what? It’s just the internet.
What could possibly go wrong?”
Well, dear reader, the consequences of this dependence are not a laughing matter.
Firstly, it means that Econet has a massive amount of control over the internet market in Zimbabwe, with little competition to drive innovation or lower prices.
This makes it difficult for the average Zimbabwean consumer to access affordable, quality internet services.
Secondly, there’s the issue of transparency and fair competition.
When one company owns both the largest mobile and internet service providers, there’s a potential for monopolistic practices and a lack of transparency.
Econet is like that kid in street football who owns the ball (chikweshe).
They make the rules.
This situation puts Zimbabweans at a disadvantage compared to other countries with more diverse and competitive internet markets.
Furthermore, many Zimbabweans rely heavily on the internet for communication, business, and access to information.
This means that if Econet were to experience technical difficulties or outages, it could have a significant impact on the lives and livelihoods of many Zimbabweans.
In conclusion, the dependence of Zimbabweans on one company for their internet presence is no laughing matter.
It’s a serious issue that needs to be addressed to ensure fair competition, innovation, and affordable internet services for all.
So let’s hope that regulatory bodies and policymakers take steps to promote a diverse and competitive internet market in Zimbabwe, and that one day, Zimbabweans can buy their internet services from more than just one supermarket.
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