By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Zimbabwe’s traditional voice calls are dying a slow death, crushed by cheap internet-based alternatives like WhatsApp and FaceTime.
New data from POTRAZ shows fixed-line (PSTN) voice traffic plunged 5.99% in Q4 2024 Sector Performance Report, while mobile voice usage skyrocketed 41.78%—a stark sign of the country’s digital migration.
Key Findings in the Abridged Fourth Quarter 2024 Sector Performance Report suggest that:
PSTN collapse: Fixed-line operators like TelOne handled just 58.48 million minutes in Q4, down from 62.21 million in Q3. International calls fell sharply (-3.82% incoming, -16.48% outgoing).
Mobile boom: Mobile networks recorded 3.98 billion minutes of voice traffic, driven by festive promotions and “net-on-net” calls (same-network calls surged 49.81%).
OTT apps dominate: POTRAZ explicitly blames WhatsApp, Telegram, and FaceTime for killing international call revenues, as Zimbabweans opt for cheaper, data-based alternatives.
“The PSTN decline is irreversible. Operators must pivot to VoIP or bundled data services to survive,” said tech analyst Tinashe Chikwava. “Even grandma now uses WhatsApp calls.”
TelOne and other legacy providers face existential threats unless they reinvent their business models. Meanwhile, mobile operators like Econet (which gained 2.17% market share) are cashing in on bundled voice-data plans.
Data Visual:
PSTN vs. Mobile Voice Traffic (Q4 2024)
PSTN: 58.48M minutes (↓5.99%)
Mobile: 3.98B minutes (↑41.78%)
About Author
