Econet ushers in 3G

Econet subscribers will now have access to the internet on their mobile phones, one of a range of services 3G technology will make possible in the near future. General Packet Radio System or GPRS will enable customers with compatible handsets to send and receive emails on the move. GPRS can also be used by banks and shops to support payment devices for credit cards. While the roll-out of GPRS is itself very exciting, the real excitement will be on the launch of a range of new generation services under 3G.
The excitement is not in the technology itself, but in what it offers, Econet Wireless CEO, Douglas Mboweni.

For business users, the most important application will not only be what you can do with your cellphone, but what you can now do with your computer or laptop. A computer can be linked directly to the 3G network using a data card, which will be available at Econet service centres. This eliminates the need for a dial-up line, or expensive satellite dishes. The bandwidth speeds on the 3G system, as well as the capacity, is unprecedented. Econet has even installed an earth station just to uplink the 3G system.
This is probably the most advanced cellular technology in the world. Even in the most developed countries, 3G has still not been fully deployed, and Zimbabwe joins one of only five countries that have a fully operational system. The capability of 3G is truly spectacular, and it will completely alter the way people use their phones. A 3G smart phone can make voice calls and high quality video transmissions, Mboweni said.
The excitement amongst computer users has been phenomenal, and some ISPs have even been trying to hook their customers on to the service ahead of the launch. Econet expects 90 percent of Internet users to migrate to 3G data cards within a few months.