Remember how we started off the year with a reduction in voice call tariffs and the subsequent termination of the Econet Bundles of Joy promotion? Well, those voice bundles have surfaced again.
Econet made some changes to the bundles, specifically what you’ll get for each $1 that you spend. Instead of offering more minutes (I had foolishly hoped for that because tariffs were reduced, after all) each bundle is offering slightly less. Your $1 now gets you 8.5 minutes, down from the $1 for 10 minutes offer (it ordinarily gets you 6.66 minutes for on-net calls) and every other bundle has been similarly trimmed.
One other change has been the introduction of a bundle combos option that offers voice bundles paired with SMS and data for a $5, $10 and $20 spend.
To access the service, you still use the same familiar *140# USSD code with the bundles tucked under promotions option. Instead of having to agree to an invisible set of Terms and Conditions, an option to view some of the Ts and Cs has been added on the bundles’ USSD menu.
Is this voice bundle revival a response to a further dip in voice revenue? I hardly think so. I won’t even go so far as to assume that packages like the Telecel $1/35-minute voice bundle and Mega Bonus promotion; or the immortal NetOne Dollar a Day promotions (both of which outshine the Econet offer any day) have jolted Econet into bringing the Bundles of Joy back either.
The only visible change in terms of voice services in the market has been the WhatsApp voice calls. Yes, Econet has already said that it isn’t bothered by VoIP, which makes a tonne of sense in the bigger scheme of things when you consider issues to do with network capacity.
However, the threat of losing out on more voice revenue to a new sensation that can and will be tried by anyone on WhatsApp with an Android device (there a lot of those by the way), should have been enough to for Econet to consider bringing back the one promotion that can offer just a bit of joy.
Comments
15 responses
so you think it’s the WhatsApp Call feature, not massive competition from Telecel and Netone that has brought Econet’s voice bundles back?? you must be the most stupidest, crazy, brainless person I’ve encountered!
For now it’s only for Android, how many people do you think are using that call feature? what impact does it have on Econet’s revenue? big enough to bring the voice bundles back?? Jeez!
Why the anger? Someone stole your porridge?
why you throwing your toys out of the cot be nice
voice bundles paired with SMS and data for a $5, $10 and $20 spend. what are those bundles?
1. $5, 41 mins cross network, 50 SMS cross network, 50 mega bytes, 3 days valid
2. $10, 83 mins cross network, 200 SMS cross network, 70 mega bytes, 4 days valid
3. $20, 165 mins cross network, 250 SMS cross network, 170 mega bytes, 5 days valid
I downloaded the latest version of whatsapp but i cannot see the calling feature.To those who can help my no is 0772959494.
invites have been disabled at the moments as the connections are pretty horrible …
Hve only used my whatsapp voice once to Mozambique … Connection was terrible. Still prefer to IM a person.
instead of putting back the original campaign promotion they trying to play piggy bag deals of $1 for 8.5 minutes because of greediness!. will continue to use whatsapp voice calls
FACT:- am not at liberty to say, but overall revenue has dipped significantly.
imi Mbudzi, nyararai apa
kana musina zvekuita tsvagai mabasa
the voice bundles paired with sms n data r quite worth it but the validity though……too short
Initially calls were going through but then I got the message that Whatsapp calls were blocked by “my” network. I switched to Telecel last week and got the same message on Saturday. My Whatsapp is completely blocked with an Econet line in my handset. It works with Telecel but not for calling. Everyone is running scared. Remember landline operators fighting to stay relevenat when mobile came out? Now the mobile players are hoping technology stops developing to their benefit. Its just a matter of time before calls are close to zero.
just used whatsapp voice on wifi to wifi it was fantastic
Whatsapp calling still just a myth to many. bt the service is bad. even on 3g…regardless of service provider being used. This might just be proof that the existing whatsapp bundles have throttled speeds (significantly slower transfer speed)…making whatsapp calls a drag (sensing a viber dejavu here)……