Victory for Consumers: NetOne Scraps On-Peak and Off-Peak Data Restrictions
- Southerton Business Times
- 3 days ago
- 1 min read
Harare, Zimbabwe- In a landmark decision for digital accessibility, state-owned mobile network operator NetOne Zimbabwe has announced the total removal of browsing time restrictions on all data bundles. The move, effective Tuesday, March 17, ends years of consumer frustration regarding "unusable" data that was previously locked behind off-peak windows.
Before this shift, a significant portion of NetOne’s data bundles was only accessible during off-peak hours (most recently 10 pm to 5 am). This forced subscribers to either stay awake into the early hours of the morning or allow their paid data to expire unused.
The Turning Point:
CCZ Intervention: In January 2026, Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) CEO Rosemary Mpofu formally challenged NetOne, arguing that the system undermined "fairness, transparency, and value for money."
Failed Adjustments: NetOne initially attempted to appease subscribers last month by shifting off-peak hours to 10 pm, but the concession was deemed insufficient by the market.
The Final Directive: NetOne has now moved to a "One-Bundle, Any-Time" model, allowing 24/7 access to all data purchased.
Subscribers can now convert their airtime into unrestricted bundles using the existing USSD protocol:
Dial *379# on your NetOne line.
Select your preferred bundle (Daily, Weekly, or Monthly).
Enjoy seamless connectivity without checking the clock.
This move is expected to put significant pressure on other mobile network operators (MNOs) in Zimbabwe to follow suit. As the digital economy grows, the demand for unrestricted data has become a primary driver of subscriber loyalty.
NetOne Zimbabwe remove off-peak data
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