MTN has rolled out a free way to access Facebook via mobile phones, through 0.facebook.com.
The operator says the 0.facebook.com site is lightweight and optimised for speed. MTN's standard data charges do not apply for the site since it has free mobile browsing.
This site does not have graphics or photos, and 0.facebook.com's pages have been designed for performance on MTN's network. Standard data charges will apply when users leave the site to view photos.
Says MTN's chief marketing officer Santie Botha: “In the true spirit of innovation and bringing our customers convenience – including the latest in technology at affordable rates – MTN has collaborated with Facebook on this venture to ensure our customers are among the first to benefit from this social service and communication offering for free.”.
“We are always looking to work with innovative companies to provide simple and fast mobile access to Facebook across the world,” says Henri Moissinac, head of Mobile Business, Facebook. “Thanks to our collaboration with MTN, people will now be able to access Facebook for free through 0.facebook.com.”
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MTN takes uncapped plunge
African mobile operator MTN will release an uncapped Internet offering to its customers from next month.
The offering will come as a surprise to many in the industry, after both MTN and Vodacom stated an uncapped service is not a feasible decision for the mobile companies. Mobile operators lagged behind when a flurry of fixed-line Internet providers recently burst onto the market with SA's first uncapped offering.
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MTN has noted that mobile data needs to be approached with a sustainable view.
MTN and Vodacom have ploughed significant amounts of money into fibre countrywide, which both companies hope to exploit soon. According to MTN, the company's recovery on the investments it has made in data will take time to recoup, which is why the current offerings are priced as they are.
However, MTN seems to have trumped its competitors by bringing the uncapped offering to market in time for the Fifa World Cup starting next month.
MTN customers will now be able to get their hands on MTN's Unlimited Lite package for R749, and the Unlimited Pro package for R1 999. While both packages are uncapped in terms of data use, there is a fair use policy, which throttles speeds down to 128kbps after a certain amount of bandwidth is used.
In the case of the Lite package, speeds are throttled after 3GB of data has been used, and the Pro package will be throttled after 10GB.
MTN has also responded to potential competition from third mobile operator Cell C, which announced it will deploy an HSPA+ network for high-speed mobile Internet this year. Cell C's network will be deployed at 900MHz, a stronger signal than traditional 3G.
MTN says it is now piloting a similar solution.
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