Make Calls With No Airtime In Zimbabwe- iHarare News

NetOne Introduces Reverse Calling: Here Is What You Need To Know

A low phone balance no longer needs to end a vital conversation in Zimbabwe. On Thursday 8 January 2026, the mobile network operator NetOne launched its “Reverse Calling” service. This feature allows a caller with no airtime to initiate a call, with the recipient paying the standard rate if they accept. The announcement was made directly by NetOne, promising to ensure that “important conversations shouldn’t wait.”

The service was introduced with clear instructions for NetOne subscribers. Customers can dial 164 followed by the recipient’s full number. Alternatively, attempting a standard call with zero balance will trigger a voice prompt offering the reverse call option. The network’s initial post gave a crucial guarantee, stating clearly:

“Declined calls incur no charges to either party.”

How Receivers Are Alerted

A key concern for customers is how the person receiving the call will be informed that they will be charged.

According to the detailed explanations provided by NetOne’s customer service team on their launch post, the system is designed to prevent any surprise charges.

When a reverse call is initiated, the recipient’s phone will ring with a specific voice notification before the call is connected.

The official NetOne account explained the process, stating: “As the receiver you will get a voice notification informing you about the reverse call and that the charge will be on you, and then you are given the option to accept or decline the reverse call.”

This process ensures the answering party explicitly consents to pay for the call, with the option to decline without any financial penalty for either party.

A NetOne-Exclusive Feature

One of the most significant limitations of the new service is its network exclusivity. Based on multiple clarifications issued by NetOne in response to customer inquiries, the Reverse Calling feature is strictly confined to the NetOne ecosystem.

It is not currently possible to initiate a reverse call to a subscriber on a different mobile network such as Econet Wireless or Telecel Zimbabwe.

The network provided a definitive answer on this point, confirming: “Reverse call only works on NetOne to NetOne calls only it does not work across other networks.”

This positions the service as a benefit that helps retain and add value for existing NetOne customers. In the wider discussion following the launch, NetOne also addressed questions about its product portfolio.

The launch of Reverse Calling provides a practical solution for urgent communication needs when a subscriber’s airtime is depleted. However, its utility is limited to communications between two NetOne lines.

The network has not announced any timeline for making the service interoperable with other networks.

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