TelOne expands prepaid billing. To scrap monthly billing…

TelOne, Zimbabwe’s only fixed line operator, has expanded areas that are covered by its prepaid billing as it gears towards making all accounts prepaid.

The service, which functions a lot like how mobile subscribers currently are using their cellphones (the prepaid ones), where you top-up first before making a call, has been live (for certain areas) from as far back as November 2015.

For those who are TelOne subscribers already, you’d be happy to note that under the prepaid billing system you will not be required to pay the $5.75/month rental for their line, as it will be done away with.

The service is now currently available in the following areas:

• Chiredzi
• Chitungwiza
• Kariba
• Karoi
• Mazowe
• Nyanga
• Plumtree

Techzim has managed to gather information that the service is still under a pilot phase and we’re assuming that based on the new exchanges that are being covered, tests are proving to be successful.

How do I migrate to TelOne prepaid billing?

If you are in any of these areas, you have already been migrated to prepaid billing and will now need to pay before you call. However, Techzim established that high value customers (mostly corporates) can apply to be switched back to post paid (we’ll find out what the process is like and how exactly to go about it).

Recharge cards are available from as little as $1 to as much as $100, though without having them in hand, no information of the validity period is available. Interestingly though, the recharge cards are NOT available on the TelPay website and for now one has to visit a TelOne Client Service Centre in order to purchase.

How do I use the voice vouchers?

You have to buy a TelOne prepaid voucher, then dial 216 from your landline handset, after which voice prompts will lead you through:

• Press 1 for Account Recharge
• Press 2 for Balance Enquiry
• Press 3 for Validity Enquiry

Have you been migrated to prepaid billing? How has the service been for you thus far?