South Africa’s traditional voice call market is under mounting pressure as consumers increasingly switch to data-based communication platforms and face a growing spam call epidemic. Industry data shows a steep decline in voice revenues, signaling a major transformation in the country’s telecommunications landscape.
Decline of Traditional Voice Services
According to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), mobile voice service revenues have dropped by 5.65% over the past five years, with a sharp 7.70% decline recorded in 2024 alone. In contrast, mobile data revenue grew by 6.86%, reflecting a clear shift in consumer behavior toward internet-driven communication platforms such as WhatsApp, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.
Supporting this trend, BMI TechKnowledge (BMIT) revealed in its Voice Services and UC&C report that revenue from voice services has declined by over R14 billion in just four years. The shift underscores how data connectivity is rapidly overtaking traditional telephony as the primary mode of communication in South Africa.
Spam Calls Accelerate the Shift
Compounding the decline in voice services is a sharp rise in unsolicited telemarketing calls, which has undermined consumer trust. Industry experts have described the situation as a “spam call epidemic.” Many South Africans now rely on call-screening apps like Truecaller or simply avoid answering unknown numbers altogether.
The Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA) has condemned the abuse of the national numbering plan, revealing that some call centres are illegally using mobile number ranges, such as 082, 083, 072, and 073, from fixed premises. These mobile numbers are deliberately used because they are more likely to be answered than traditional fixed-line numbers, creating widespread disruption for consumers.
“The ongoing abuse of mobile numbering threatens the integrity of South Africa’s telecommunications system,”
— Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA)
Regulatory Response and Enforcement
In response to mounting complaints, ICASA confirmed to MyBroadband in May 2025 that it is investigating the trend of call centres operating illegally from fixed premises while using mobile number ranges. The regulator, along with the Information Regulator, is under pressure to tighten enforcement and curb the growing misuse of numbering resources.
ISPA has urged regulators to act decisively to preserve public trust and protect consumers from further exploitation.
A Shifting Communication Landscape
The combination of rising spam calls and growing preference for data-based communication is accelerating the structural decline of traditional voice telephony in South Africa. As consumers embrace internet-based calling and messaging apps, telecom operators face the challenge of redefining their service models to remain competitive in a data-first market.
Industry analysts say the transformation is inevitable: data-driven services offer greater flexibility, lower costs, and integrated communication options, a combination that traditional voice networks struggle to match.
