HARARE, Zimbabwe — In a major move to bridge the digital divide and ensure no citizen is silenced by financial constraints, state-owned mobile giant NetOne has officially launched its groundbreaking Reverse Calling (Pay for Me) service.
The first of its kind in Zimbabwe, the service ensures that the conversation continues even when the balance hits zero, allowing the recipient of a call to pick up the tab.
Life in Zimbabwe often moves faster than airtime top-ups. Whether it is an emergency in a rural area, a student needing to reach home for tuition, or a job seeker following up on a life-changing lead, the barrier of a $0.00 balance has long been a source of frustration.
“Communication is not a luxury; it is a necessity that keeps families together and businesses running,” said a NetOne representative. “With Reverse Calling, we are saying that a zero balance should never mean a zero voice.”
How to Use the Service
NetOne has made the process seamless for its prepaid subscribers. There are two primary ways to initiate a reverse call:
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The Prefix Method: Simply dial 164 followed by the recipient’s number (e.g., 164071XXXXXXX).
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The Automatic Prompt: If you attempt to make a normal call with insufficient credit, the system will automatically prompt you to convert the attempt into a Reverse Call.
Complete Control for the Receiver
The service is designed with fairness at its core. When you receive a “Pay for Me” call, you are not charged immediately.
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Notification: The recipient receives an automated voice prompt informing them that the caller wishes to make a reverse call.
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The Choice: The receiver can choose to Accept or Decline.
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Billing: If accepted, the call is billed at standard NetOne rates from the receiver’s airtime. If declined, the call is disconnected and neither party is charged.
Bridging the Economic Gap
The timing of this launch is strategic. As Zimbabweans navigate various liquidity challenges, the “Pay for Me” service acts as a critical safety net. It effectively replaces the “Please Call Me” SMS—which often goes ignored—with an immediate, real-time connection.
Industry analysts suggest that this move will significantly reduce “missed call” traffic and ensure that urgent information is passed on instantly, particularly in the agricultural and informal sectors where daily communication is vital for trade.