ELIZABETH MASHIRI
MIRROR REPORTER

HARARE-Econet Wireless Zimbabwe is the most preferred mobile network and data service provider for the second half of 2022, according to the recently released Zimbabwe All Media Product Survey (Zamps) report.
The report was presented at a Harare hotel on June 6, 2023, by Expect Research Insight Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Rusike Magwaza.
Econet enjoyed a per cent growth in its users from 91 per cent in the second half of 2021 to 92 per cent in 2022. Its data service provider remained at 81 per cent from 2021 and is the highest.
State-run NetOne came second with a four per cent usage increase from 28 per cent in 2021 to 32 per cent in 2022.
Telecel is the only mobile network and data service provider that lost users. The company dropped its user percentage by two per cent from five per cent in the second half of 2021 to three per cent in the same period in 2022.
The ZAMPS report also noted a four per cent increase in the usage of mobile networks from 90 in 2021 to 94 per cent in 2022. Rural areas recorded a four per cent increase from 88 in 2021 to 92 per cent in 2022. Urban area usage also increased from 94 per cent in 2021 to 97 per cent in 2022.
General data usage increased by nine per cent from 46 in 2021 to 55 per cent in the second half of 2022.
All data services providers except Telecel did not record a usage increase. Econet remained the best with 81 per cent. NetOne is second with a 27-user percentage. TelOne is third with four per cent. Liquid Home is fourth with three per cent. Telecel dropped from four per cent in 2021 to two per cent in 2022. Africom and Powertel lost their users.
The Zamps report also noted that WhatsApp is the most used internet platform. Its user percentage increased by two per cent from 95 in the second half of 2021 to 97 per cent in 2022.
Facebook also increased usage from 54 per cent in 2021 to 66 in 2022. Gmail marked a six per cent increase from 22 in 2021 to 28 in 2022.
According to the report, some reasons for network uptake include business research, banking, job searches, local and international news reading, personal research and social networking.
It was also noted that airtime and data have become basic commodities. Most subjects under study indicated that after buying foodstuffs one would prefer to buy airtime and data.