NetOne officially launched its Reverse Calling service in Zimbabwe on January 8, 2026. This feature allows you to make a voice call even with zero airtime by transferring the cost of the call to the person receiving it.
How to Use NetOne Reverse Calling
There are two primary ways to initiate a reverse call:
-
Direct Dialing (The Prefix Method):
-
Dial 164 followed by the number you wish to call.
-
Example: If the number is 0712 345 678, you would dial 1640712345678.
-
Example (International Format): Dial 16426371xxxxxxx.
-
-
Automatic Prompt:
-
Simply attempt to make a regular call while you have zero airtime.
-
The NetOne system will automatically play a voice prompt offering you the option to use the Reverse Calling service.
-
Key Features and Rules
-
Recipient Control: When the person you are calling picks up, they will hear an automated voice prompt asking if they are willing to pay for the call. They must press 1 to accept or press 2 to decline.
-
Cost: If the recipient accepts, they are charged at standard NetOne call rates. There are no premium or hidden fees.
-
No Charge for Declining: If the recipient declines the call or doesn’t answer, neither party is charged.
-
Network Restriction: Currently, the service only works for NetOne-to-NetOne calls. You cannot make a reverse call to Econet or Telecel numbers.
-
Airtime Only: The recipient must have actual airtime balance to pay for the call. Voice bundles (like Khuluma or Dollar-a-Day) cannot be used to pay for a reverse call.
Note: This service is particularly useful for emergencies or when you are in a location where buying airtime is difficult. It acts as a real-time upgrade to the traditional “Please Call Me” SMS.
