Econet Zimbabwe

Internet-free Facebook, email and online chat SMS service revolutionises Zimbabwean communications

Facebook, mobile email and online chat access in Zimbabwe has more than doubled with the launch of ECONET Wireless Zimbabwe’s new eTXT service. Zimbabweans can now send and receive low-cost internet messaging via any standard SMS-capable mobile phone without being connected to the Internet.

Now ECONET Wireless Zimbabwe is transforming its three million mobile phone subscribers’ first generation handsets into virtual smartphones, using technology provided by ForgetMeNot Africa, a specialist in unified messaging systems for telecommunications operators. The eTXT service vastly extends email penetration across rural and urban areas of Zimbabwe.

ForgetMeNot Africa's unique Message Optimiser technology converts Facebook updates, emails and chat messages into SMS format, and vice-versa. It bypasses the need for internet access, and does not require subscriptions, smartphones, Java downloads or data connections.