Econet Zimbabwe offers a convenient way to share your airtime with other Econet subscribers using their self-service USSD menu. Here’s a comprehensive guide covering transferring airtime, limitations, and alternatives:
Transferring Airtime Between Econet Numbers
- Dial *111#: This is the Econet USSD code for accessing various account management options.
- Select “Transfer Airtime” (Option 3): You’ll likely see a menu on your phone screen with various options. Navigate to “Transfer Airtime” (Option 3) or a similar option depending on your phone model and Econet version.
- Enter Your 111 PIN: If you haven’t already set up a PIN for your Econet account, you can do so within the *111# menu. Enter your existing 111 PIN when prompted.
- Enter Recipient’s Number: Carefully enter the Econet mobile number of the person you want to send airtime to. Double-check the number for accuracy to avoid sending to the wrong recipient.
- Enter Transfer Amount: Specify the amount of airtime you want to transfer in dollars (minimum $1, maximum $100 per day).
Confirmation and Completion
- You’ll receive a confirmation message summarizing the transaction details (recipient’s number and transfer amount).
- Review the information carefully. If everything is correct, confirm the transfer to complete the process.
Important Notes:
- Standard airtime transfer fees apply. You can check the current rates on the Econet website (https://www.econet.co.zw/) to be aware of any associated costs.
- The recipient doesn’t need to be registered for EcoCash to receive the airtime.
- You can transfer a minimum of $1 and a maximum of $100 per day.
Can You Transfer Airtime to Other Networks (Telecel, NetOne)?
Econet Zimbabwe doesn’t allow airtime transfer to other mobile networks like Telecel or NetOne.
How to Transfer Econet Data Bundles to another number
You can transfer Econet Data Bundles from your number by buying data bundles using your airtime. To do this dial *143# and choose option 8 (data gifting) and choose the bundle to transfer. You cannot transfer your already existing data bundle from your number.
Alternatives to Transferring Airtime
- EcoCash: If you both have EcoCash accounts (Econet’s mobile money service), you can send money from your EcoCash wallet to the recipient’s EcoCash account. They can then use the money in their EcoCash wallet to purchase airtime for their phone.
- Direct Top-Up: You can purchase an airtime recharge voucher for the desired network (Telecel or NetOne) and gift it to the recipient.
Additional Considerations
- Registering for EcoCash might offer more flexibility in managing your mobile money and airtime. You can find information on EcoCash registration on the Econet website (https://www.econet.co.zw/).
- Sending airtime directly through Econet’s *111# USSD service is a convenient option for sharing airtime with other Econet users within the daily transfer limits.
By understanding these details, you can effectively manage your Econet airtime and explore alternative solutions for transferring value to users on other networks in Zimbabwe.