• MTN will now let give users 15MB of free Facebook usage, even if your own data has finished.
• While not much, users will still be able to access images and text for free, an improvement over what was previously offered by MTN.
• The telecom says this forms part of a larger initiative to reduce affordability barriers for its customers.

Social media use continues to see wide popularity in South Africa, and the country’s telecommunication firms have for several years used access to these services as value adds, especially for prepaid phone plans.

Today, MTN – one of the largest telecoms on the content – has announced a new collaboration with Meta that will see MTN subscribers enjoy up to 15MB of Facebook data zero-rated, including text and photos, even when they are out of data.

“This initiative is part of Meta and MTN’s commitment to bringing people online and reducing affordability barriers,” the telecom explains via a press statement.

While any free bits of data are welcome, 15MB isn’t much to play with. Most images you download will be a few MBs in size already, so users hoping to take advantage of this would find sticking to text-only posts the best option.

“We are very excited about our partnership with Meta,” says Seun Soladoye, MTN’s general manager for Consumer Prepaid.

“Not only are we opening up the digital world to more South Africans, but we are also doing so at reduced data to customers, something which is much needed in SA right now.”

In 2017 MTN and Meta introduced “Facebook AutoFlex”, a partnership to allow MTN customers a text-only Facebook experience. This mode will see an upgrade, now allowing images to be seen in no-data modes.

“We have jointly created an ecosystem of services on Facebook providing services such as bundle purchases, data advance (XtraTime), customer registration, recharge using card, airtime and MoMo. This ensures customer experience is not disrupted while browsing and service delivery during usage,” says MTN.

“At MTN, innovation never stops as we push forward to ensure our customers are able to enjoy all the benefits of the modern connected life. We are looking forward to announcing the roll-out of more innovative solutions in partnership with Meta into the future,” concludes Soladoye. 

MTN has also embarked on a way to mitigate the effects of loadshedding, and hopes to become an independent power producer in South Africa. It is building a small power plant in its head offices in Johannesburg, where five different energy generation technologies will be used, including wind and solar.

This plant will see MTN significantly reduce its power dependency from the embattled Eskom.