Zimbabwe's fixed phone operator, TelOne is seeking to introduce pre-paid billing for its voice services as a measure aimed at mopping up revenues.

TelOne also has internet services for both home use and for corporates. It has recently rolled out a fibre to the home and Wi-Fi hotspots in the major urban areas and towns.

The company has been hobbled by customer debts of over $160 million, according to TelOne managing director, Chipo Mutasa. The debtors' book comprises money owed by government parastatals, ministries, households and private sector players.

"The other issue on our balance sheet that we are seized with is the issue of our debtors. We have a huge debtor's book, in excess of $160 million," said Mutasa.

In a bid to counter declining revenues as a result of non-payment of bills, Mutasa said her company will now introduce pre-paid billing to guarantee maximum revenue collections.

She stressed that introduction of pre-paid billing for fixed voice telephony services could also result in lower revenues.

"Ultimately what we want to do is to put in a pre-paid billing platform. We might face some declining revenues, but we are saying better off revenue that is collected than to have uncollected revenue in our books."

TelOne has embarked on a convergence exercise aimed at integrating its fixed voice telephony services and other internet based services such as internet protocol.

Mutasa said the company should capitalise on its investments into the ICT sector to speedily consolidate services and offer converged services beyond the traditional telecommunications service portfolio.