NetOne Launches Big Beautiful Bundles to Rival Econet SmartSuite

If you’ve been complaining about expensive internet bundles lately, NetOne might have just given you a reason to smile a little. Zimbabwe’s second-largest mobile network recently launched a new data promotion called Big Beautiful Bundles (BBB) and it’s clearly aimed at competing with Econet’s SmartSuite packages that hit the market weeks ago.

Both products promise big data, but which one truly offers value for your money? Let’s unpack it in plain language.

What exactly are NetOne’s Big Beautiful Bundles?

NetOne describes its new BBB promotion as “high-capacity, high-speed broadband for professionals, SMEs and power users.” In simpler terms, it’s a set of USD-priced bundles for people who use a lot of data, whether for business, downloads, or streaming.

You can buy the bundles by dialing *379#, and they come with generous data volumes split between peak and off-peak use.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the plans:

• BBB 100 – USD 45 for 80 GB peak + 20 GB off-peak

• BBB 150 – USD 80 for 100 GB peak + 50 GB off-peak

• BBB 200 – USD 130 for 160 GB peak + 40 GB off-peak

Each bundle is valid for 30 days and is currently being offered as a three-month promotion. NetOne says the goal is to give professionals and small businesses a reliable alternative to fixed connections, something that’s been missing in the market since internet prices started climbing.

Netone Peak and off-peak Times

NetOne defines peak time as the period between 07:01 AM and 00:59 AM, when internet traffic is typically highest and speeds can vary depending on network load. Meanwhile, the off-peak period runs from 01:00 AM to 07:00 AM, a window designed for users who download, stream, or update software overnight.

Econet’s SmartSuite – the rival from across town

Econet, on the other hand, launched its SmartSuite packages earlier this year, replacing the popular SmartBiz bundles. Many users initially saw SmartSuite as a downgrade, especially those who enjoyed SmartBiz’s near-unlimited data options.

SmartSuite is structured around six fixed data tiers, all USD-priced:

• SmartLite – 50 GB for USD 30

• SmartPlus – 75 GB for USD 40

• SmartMax – 100 GB for USD 50

• SmartFlex – 200 GB for USD 70

• SmartUltra – 400 GB for USD 99

• SmartPro – 800 GB for USD 170

Unlike NetOne’s mobile-style bundles, SmartSuite is a fixed-wireless service, meaning it’s tied to a router and location. You can’t just move around with it like regular mobile data. Econet says this helps guarantee better stability and speeds for homes and offices.

The battle of bundles, who offers more?

When you put the two side by side, the picture becomes quite interesting:

At first glance, NetOne seems to offer better value for mid-range users. Paying USD 45 for around 100 GB is decent compared to Econet’s USD 30 for 50 GB. But once you look higher up, Econet’s 400 GB and 800 GB tiers deliver more total data for heavy home and office users even if they come at a steep cost.

Where NetOne wins is flexibility. BBB bundles are mobile, meaning you can pop the SIM into a MiFi, smartphone, or even your laptop modem. Econet’s SmartSuite, by contrast, locks you to a single location; a deal-breaker for many on-the-go users.

Why this matters to Zimbabwean users

For most Zimbabweans, especially those juggling between mobile work and home internet, pricing and flexibility matter more than anything.

NetOne’s BBB enters a space that had almost become a monopoly. Econet has dominated the “serious data” market through Smart4u and SmartSuite, but with NetOne’s entry, there’s finally competition again.

The timing is also key as the country shifts deeper into USD pricing and more people need stable connections for work, content creation, and remote jobs, having alternatives means better deals in the long run.

Of course, there’s always the question of network quality. Econet’s infrastructure is still wider and generally more stable, while NetOne’s performance can vary depending on where you are. So before jumping in, check coverage in your area.