There is growing public outrage after state-owned mobile operator NetOne quietly altered its popular Mo’Gigs data bundles, leaving thousands of subscribers frustrated and feeling short-changed. The company’s recent move, which divides previously unrestricted data packages into Peak and Off-Peak allocations, has sparked widespread criticism, with many users accusing NetOne of misleading practices and poor service delivery.
In a public notice issued on Monday, November 3, NetOne explained that the changes were intended to help subscribers “manage data more efficiently.” The notice read:
“NetOne’s revamped Mo’Gigs bundles now offer Peak and Off-Peak data. This allows you to separate your essential, daytime data needs from your heavy, non-urgent data activities, helping you stretch your data budget further.”
However, many customers argue that the new system does the opposite, restricting access to data when it is most needed. Peak hours now run from 7:01 AM to 12:59 AM, while Off-Peak is only from 1:00 AM to 7:00 AM—a period most users consider largely impractical for daily internet usage.
Subscribers to the monthly US$30 Mo’Gigs bundle, which previously offered 30 GB of anytime data, will now receive 25 GB during Peak hours and only 5 GB for Off-Peak use. This effectively forces users to limit their online activity unless they are willing to use data in the early hours of the morning.
Lower-tier bundles have also been adjusted. The US$7 bundle now offers 5 GB (4 GB Peak, 1 GB Off-Peak), the US$12 package provides 10 GB (8 GB Peak, 2 GB Off-Peak), the US$15 bundle allocates 15 GB (12 GB Peak, 3 GB Off-Peak), and the highest US$50 package offers 50 GB split into 40 GB Peak and 10 GB Off-Peak.
Before this revision, subscribers could use their data bundles anytime, providing flexibility and value for money. The new structure has been widely condemned on social media, where many users labelled the move as “daylight robbery” and accused NetOne of using technical jargon to disguise poor service delivery.
This controversy adds to a long history of grievances against NetOne, one of Zimbabwe’s three major mobile operators. Established in 1996 as a state-owned enterprise, the company has long struggled to compete with private rivals Econet Wireless and Telecel Zimbabwe. Despite access to government support and infrastructure, NetOne has been plagued by allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and poor network quality.
In recent years, subscribers have reported frequent network outages, disappearing data, and delayed airtime top-ups. The company has often attributed these issues to system upgrades or “technical challenges.” Notably, in 2022, thousands of users reported losing data bundles overnight without compensation or explanation. Similar complaints resurfaced in 2023, with customers claiming they were charged for uninitiated downloads or unable to connect to the internet despite active bundles.
NetOne Faces Backlash Over Controversial Changes to Mo’Gigs Data Bundles
The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has repeatedly cited NetOne for underperformance in service quality rankings. Reports highlight slow internet speeds, dropped calls, and limited 4G coverage, especially outside major urban centers, underscoring persistent infrastructure and operational challenges.
NetOne’s woes have also been linked to boardroom instability and leadership scandals. Between 2017 and 2021, the company saw several executives suspended or dismissed over allegations of financial irregularities, unprocedural tenders, and abuse of corporate allowances and vehicles. In 2020, former CEO Lazarus Muchenje was suspended twice in under two years over alleged corporate governance breaches, though he was later cleared by the courts.
The latest Mo’Gigs adjustment underscores the tension between NetOne’s management decisions and customer expectations. Critics argue that restricting access to purchased data, particularly during practical usage hours, diminishes subscriber value and erodes trust in the state-owned provider.
As public backlash continues to mount, many consumers are calling for regulatory intervention, urging POTRAZ to enforce transparent and fair service practices. Observers warn that unless the company addresses both service delivery and communication failures, it risks further reputational damage and subscriber attrition.
For now, Zimbabweans are left grappling with a Mo’Gigs system that, while promoted as “efficient,” has been widely perceived as restrictive, inconvenient, and unfair—highlighting the ongoing challenges facing one of the country’s largest state-owned telecommunications operators.
Source- ZimEye
