Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has introduced a new 079 mobile number range, expanding the pool of numbers available to customers as demand for mobile and digital services continues to grow.

The country's largest mobile network operator announced the new prefix this week, adding another number range to the familiar 077 and 078 prefixes long associated with Econet subscribers.

Econet said SIM cards carrying numbers from the new range are now available from its shops and channel partners across Zimbabwe.

Announcing the rollout, Econet described 079 as fresh digits for a new era of connection, and encouraged customers seeking new connections to obtain SIM cards through its retail network.

The development means Zimbabweans will increasingly encounter mobile numbers beginning with 079 alongside existing Econet numbers starting with 077 and 078.

The introduction of the new prefix does not mean existing customers need to change their telephone numbers. Econet has not announced any plan to discontinue its 077 or 078 ranges. Instead, 079 provides additional capacity for new connections as the operator continues to expand.

Econet's official shop directory currently lists a large network of owned and franchise outlets across Zimbabwe, giving customers multiple locations where its services and SIM cards can be accessed.

The expansion comes as Zimbabweans increasingly rely on mobile networks not only for voice calls and text messages but also for internet access, digital payments, entertainment and other online services.

The addition of another number range is therefore significant because mobile operators require sufficient numbering capacity as their subscriber base and connected services expand.

Econet's numbering history reflects that same growth pressure. The operator has changed or added prefixes before as its subscriber base expanded, moving from its original 091 range to 077 in 2010 under international numbering rules set by the ITU, and later opening the 078 range as demand for new connections grew. The addition of 079 follows the same pattern, extending capacity rather than replacing what came before.

For ordinary customers, however, the immediate change is straightforward: a Zimbabwean mobile number beginning with 079 can now be an Econet number.

Econet has not publicly disclosed how many individual subscriber numbers have been allocated under the new range, and the company has not announced a timetable for how quickly 079 numbers will be issued to customers.

For now, customers seeking the new numbers can obtain SIM cards through Econet shops and channel partners. Econet confirmed the availability of the new range in its public announcement.