Bundles of joy from Vodacom

Rethabile Pitso

TELECOMMUNICATIONS giant, Vodacom Lesotho, has launched a new product that allows its subscribers to remain accessible even when outside the country.

The Daily Roaming Bundles is an innovation the company’s Manager: Foundation and Communications, Mpho Brown, says brings more convenience to clients.

Mr Brown said: “Continuing on its myriad of successful product launches, Vodacom Lesotho has unveiled an exciting new roaming product, the Daily Roaming Bundles — a convenient and affordable way to stay connected on the Vodacom Network even when one is travelling outside the country.

“The Daily Roaming Bundles have come at a time when Vodacom has been intently focused on delivering value to its customers that goes beyond empowering them to remain connected, but also aims to simplify their lives, at affordable rates.

“Daily Roaming Bundles offer a simple, cost-effective way for customers to stay confidently connected whilst in South Africa and further abroad.

“The packages available allow Vodacom prepaid and top-up customers to conveniently control their usage and manage their costs when travelling—all from the comfort of their mobile phone. “Lesotho’s unique geographical position, as the only country completely landlocked by another country, means that the importance to Vodacom Lesotho of offering the most affordable and convenient roaming services is even more of a priority than in other markets, and the company has embraced this fact and continues to focus on doing just that. Customers who purchase the daily roaming bundles will have access to cost-effective internet, SMS and voice-calls connectivity whilst outside the country.”

Vodacom Lesotho’s Executive Head Consumer Unit, Motlalepula Ramaisa, added: “The landscape of all communications is changing. With technology now driving the way businesses operate and the way people interact, staying connected has become more important than it has been in the past. People are travelling more, and their phone numbers become a critical channel through which they can be reached, and can reach other people. Our aim with this, and other roaming products, is to ensure that Vodacom customers have the flexibility to stay connected without hassle, at the most affordable rates, no matter where they are.”

On the revised Africa Roaming offering, the Managing Executive Consumer & Enterprise, Johnny dos Santos said: “In 2012, the Vodacom group introduced the lowest roaming tariff in the SADC (Southern African Development Community) region that saw heavily reduced calling, SMS, and data charges as well as removing charges for receiving calls when roaming. Whilst this tariff has been and continues to be successful in keeping Vodacom subscribers connected and communicated when roaming, increasing costs associated with allowing calls to be received for free has made it necessary for us to review the current proposition. Whilst we shall continue to offer the Africa Roaming tariff with calls as low as M2.90 per min, M1.50 per SMS, M5 per MB, as well as the new daily roaming bundle that includes calling minutes, receiving minutes, sms and data; Vodacom shall with effect from 20 February 2015 introduce a nominal charge of M0.25 per minute to receive calls when roaming on the Vodacom SA network”.

The company says it “sees the new roaming bundle and enhanced Africa roaming service, among its many offerings, as a way to keep its commitment to providing services in the country that not only speak to telecommunications, but also enhance and facilitate the country’s efforts towards socio-economic development.

“To access the new Daily Roaming Bundles, prepaid and top-up, customers simply dial *111# on their mobile phone, or visit one of the eight Vodacom stores across the country or call the Vodacom Call Center on 114 for more information.