By TellZim Reporter
In a move aimed at ensuring connectivity during economic hardship, mobile network operator NetOne has launched a new “Reverse Calling” service, allowing subscribers with no airtime to make calls at the recipient’s expense.
The service, known as “Pay for Me,” enables a caller with zero balance to initiate a call. The receiving party is then notified and given the option to accept and pay for the call or decline it. If accepted, the call proceeds normally with the recipient bearing the cost; if declined, no charges are incurred.
NetOne Public Relations Manager, Ernest Magadzire, in a statement, framed the launch as a direct response to the financial pressures facing many Zimbabweans.
“Life does not wait for airtime. An emergency does not wait for payday. We are introducing Reverse Calling because communication keeps families together, businesses running, and lives moving forward. No one should fail to speak simply because their balance is zero,” said Magadzire.
He said the service was built for real-world situations where lack of airtime can have serious consequences.
“Every day, people miss important calls simply because there is no balance. A mother fails to reach her child. A student in town cannot call home for urgent school fees. A job seeker cannot follow up on work. A traveler is stranded. These are not just stories this is daily life,” Magadzire explained.
The company argues that the service addresses a daily reality where missed calls can mean missed opportunities and the service was an alternative to “please call me” messages, facilitating direct conversation.
Magadzire emphasized that the service was built on consent and transparency.
“The person receiving the call is always informed and always in control. They can accept the call and pay for it or decline and no one is charged. This is about providing a simple, fair option to communicate when it matters most,” he said.
The launch underscores the telecoms sector’s adaptation to a challenging economic environment, where maintaining affordable communication is critical for social and business continuity.
