Telone Launch Introduces Blaze Sim Card
TelOne Blaze LTE is a mobile telephone service being offered by TelOne. Think of it as a competitor to ZOL LTE
For those in need of cheap data , Telone has launched a new mobile sim card Blaze. It provides very cheap data and voice minutes to any network.
How Do I Get One?
This is where things get a bit interesting. Here is what you need to have.
- Proof of residence
- Copy of ID
- RTGS 10 for the SIM card only
TelOne says you can buy the SIM and the MiFi routers at the TelOne offices near you.
How Much For The Modems?
The modems are going for a promotional price of RTGS 333 for the MiFi device and RTGS472 for the LTE Access point which is a whopping 3 times cheaper at the prevailing rates than buying the equipment anywhere else. 3 times. The main difference between the 2 modems is this.
MiFi
It comes with a built-in battery that lasts a quoted 6 hours. It is pocket-friendly so you can move around with it in your pocket and it acts as a hotspot for up to 10 devices. Something you can use when moving about if you are in Harare.
LTE Router
It is bigger with some antenna and requires power from a socket. Yes, this one is not mobile but it can accommodate up to 32 devices! Pretty cool for a home or office setup.
Both these devices support LTE (4G), UMTS (3G) and GSM (2G) so they can support other service providers too except for those offering CDMA. You just need to input their respective settings.
Which Areas Are Covered?
The service is currently available in select areas in Harare. These areas are ones with poor ADSL service.
These areas include a 10km radius of Avondale, Borrowdale, Ruwa, Chitungwiza, Glenview, Southerton, Kuwadzana, Harare CBD. Still pretty limited but the goal is to keep people happy in areas where available fixed internet solutions were a hassle especially ADSL which was experiencing insane downtime thanks to ageing equipment and cable theft.
Your line will only work in the location you entered when you applied for the service. You cannot roam about the whole of Harare and get service outside of your home location even if the area you are roaming to is covered by LTE Blaze.
So for example. You sign up for the service at Avondale. You can go to Marlborough or Westgate or Marlbreign and still be connected with no problem. These areas are serviced by the same exchange.
But if you decide to visit a buddy in Ruwa, about 30KM away from Avondale where LTE Blaze IS present your line won’t work. It is paired with the exchange and network tower servicing your home area.
What Devices Are Compatible With It?
TelOne is using Frequency Band 20 FDD-LTE (800) for the geeky audience like me. This means not any device with 4G LTE will be supported. Only those that have this frequency on their list of supported frequencies will work.
These devices can be LTE modems like the ones TelOne is selling, LTE capable smartphones, laptops and tablets. So if you are looking to use a custom device with this SIM that is not one of the ones offered by TelOne you will need to make sure you find out if your SPECIFIC device supports TelOne’s LTE frequency band. For smartphones and tablets you can use this link or reach out to me on my twitter handle @edwinchabuka3.
What Services Are On Offer And For How Much?
Services on offer are Voice and Data only. Yes there is no sign of SMS here. The prices for the packages are promotional at the time of publishing this article and with the Zimbabwean economy these will change very soon
Where Do I Buy The Bundles?
At the moment there are only 2 options. Visit your nearest TelOne office and buy them over the counter or you can purchase them on Paynow by clicking here. Packages are still yet to make their way to TelOne’s self service portal and the TelOne App.
| Package | Data Allowance (GB) | Max Download Speed (Mbps) |
Voice Minutes (Offnet) | Retail Price (RTGS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blaze Lite | 8 | 15 | 15 | 54 |
| Blaze Xtra | 15 | 15 | 25 | 82 |
| Blaze Boost | 20 | 15 | 30 | 102 |
| Blaze Ultra | 40 | 15 | 50 | 165 |
| Blaze Trailblazer | 100 | 15 | 80 | 248 |
| Blaze Supernova | Unlimited | 20 | 100 | 489 |
Anything Else?
Does It Support VoLTE?
It does not support VoLTE. The TelOne Sim cards are pure data lines so even your phone’s default dialer will not work for calls. To make calls with the line in your smartphone or tablet TelOne recommends you to download the ZoiPer app.
For the account details, you will need to take your MiFi device, smartphone or Tablet to your nearest TelOne office to get it set up. To download the app click here for Android and here for iOS
Out Of Bundle Browsing?
The Blaze bundles come as a package with voice and data. As such you don’t have airtime credit either can you buy airtime credit that can disappear throughout of bundle browsing.
Does The Data Roll Over To The Next Month?
Nope. You have to use your data within 30 days. If you fail to do so the remaining balance will be wiped at the end of the validity period.
Do The LTE Packages Come With Data Dedicated For DEOD?
Not at the moment but it is something that will be coming soon. No specific date yet just soon.
Can I Use The Sim In Other Modems?
Yes and no. TelOne is using LTE and the frequency band is 20. If the router you have supports this then it should work with the TelOne Sim. All you will need to make sure is the modem you have is not locked to the original ISP, for example, Vodacom, MTN, Econet etc.
If the router has an ISPs branding on it then most likely it is locked to that ISP and so the TelOne Sim will not work in it. Modems that do not support LTE or the specific frequency band that TelOne is using will also not work. So if you have a Powertel or Africom modem don’t bother with it. Just get a modem from TelOne.
What Are The Settings For Data?
Name: TelOne
APN: internet.telone
That’s all you need to start browsing.
