NetOne has quietly lifted its ban on WhatsApp voice and video calls. The restriction, which came into effect last October, has been removed across all WhatsApp bundles confirmed by a source inside the company.
When the ban dropped last year, NetOne followed Econet’s lead in stripping calls from WhatsApp bundles, leaving users with text, photos, and documents only. Anyone trying to reach family abroad via WhatsApp was out of luck.
We tested the $1, 200MB, 2-day bundle both voice and video calls connected without a hitch.
NetOne hasn’t made an official statement, but its ads are already promoting “revised WhatsApp Bundles” with calls back in the mix. Current USD pricing:
- 2 Days:$1 — 200MB
- 7 Days: $1.50 — 250MB
- 7 Days: $2.50 — 480MB
- 30 Days: $4 — 500MB
- 30 Days: $5 — 1000MB
The move is likely to be welcomed by thousands of Zimbabweans who rely on WhatsApp as their primary communication platform. Voice and video calling have become essential tools for families, businesses, students, and remote workers, especially for those maintaining regular contact with relatives living outside the country. The return of these features restores much of the value that users felt was lost when the restrictions were introduced last year.
Econet’s WhatsApp call restriction remains in place for now, giving NetOne a significant competitive advantage in the market. For many customers, the ability to make affordable international voice and video calls through WhatsApp could be enough reason to switch networks or keep a NetOne line active. It was the preferred option for diaspora communication before October, and with calls now back on its WhatsApp bundles, NetOne may once again become the network of choice for cost-conscious users.
If you’re on NetOne, test it yourself and let us know how it goes in the comments.
