Business · South Africa
WhatsApp Reduces Mobile Operators’ Revenue Despite More Calls
TechCentral · 2026/04/04
Summary
In 2025, South Africa's mobile operators experienced a significant drop in revenue, earning R10.4 billion less than before. This decline came even though the amount of voice traffic on their networks increased by 21%. The main reason for this revenue loss is the growing use of WhatsApp and other internet-based messaging apps that allow people to make voice calls for free or at a much lower cost than traditional phone calls. Many South Africans are switching to these apps instead of using their mobile operators' paid voice services. This trend is causing a big impact on the operators' income, forcing them to rethink their pricing models and service offerings to stay competitive in a market that favors digital communication tools.
OnABudget takeaway: For consumers, this means more affordable ways to communicate using apps like WhatsApp. For small business owners and investors, it highlights the need to adapt to changing communication habits and explore new opportunities in digital services.