Voice calls shrink as data takes the lead
Namibians are spending more on mobile communication than ever before, but the trend is shifting. New figures show that Namibians spent about N$659 million on traditional voice calls in the three months from July to September this year. This translated to 46,357 hours of call time, or roughly 2.8 million minutes, during the same period. While this is a substantial outlay, the data points to a broader, long-term trend: internet-based communication is increasingly eclipsing conventional voice calls.
SMS volumes: a sky-rocket in the digital era
One striking statistic is the sheer volume of SMS messages sent over the period—over two billion messages in three months. This number highlights how people still rely on text for quick, reliable communication, often as a fallback when data connectivity is inconsistent or as a cost-effective option for simple updates. It also underlines the resilience of SMS as a ubiquitous, universally accessible channel even as internet-based messaging grows.
Understanding the cost dynamics
With voice calls consuming most of the N$659 million tab, consumers and businesses alike are re-evaluating how to balance cost and convenience. Data plans, messaging apps, and voice-over-IP services offer more features, including group chats, multimedia sharing, and video calling. For many users, the decision isn’t merely about price, but about quality, reliability, and coverage, especially in rural areas where traditional voice networks may be steadier than data networks at times.
Why data is winning in the long run
The shift toward internet-based communication aligns with global trends where data-enabled services deliver more value per user. Video calls, messaging apps, and social platforms provide a richer experience than plain voice calls. In addition, the cost per minute for high-volume users tends to decrease with bundled data plans, unlimited messaging, and regional roaming options. As the population becomes more smartphone-savvy, more Namibians opt for apps that combine voice, chat, and file sharing into a single platform, driving down the marginal cost of daily communication.
What this means for consumers and service providers
For consumers, the tilt toward data-driven communication means prioritizing reliable internet access, better data plans, and devices that optimize battery life for continuous online use. It also underscores the importance of choosing networks with robust coverage to avoid gaps that might push users back to traditional voice calls or SMS. For providers, the trend presents opportunities to bundle services, offer competitive data packages, and monetize value-added features such as encrypted messaging, cloud storage, and affordable international calling through data channels.
Looking ahead: a connected Namibia
As the country pushes toward broader digital inclusion, the internet’s competitive advantages are likely to keep driving the decline in voice-only usage. The growing popularity of messaging platforms, the expansion of 4G/5G networks, and ongoing investments in affordable data plans will shape how Namibians communicate in the years ahead. While the cost of calls remains a factor, a smarter, data-centric approach to communication is rapidly becoming the norm, with the internet emerging as the preferred medium for everyday connection.
Bottom line
In a landscape where more than two billion SMS messages are exchanged in a quarter, the internet is winning the communication race for Namibians. Voice calls still matter—especially for certain use cases—but data-enabled messaging and voice services are redefining how people stay connected, signaling a future where seamless, affordable internet access is the key driver of daily communication.
