- Standard Bank Mobile is dead and in its place, the bank has launched Standard Bank Connect.
- Standard Bank Connect will piggyback off of MTN’s network and offer both voice and data packages.
- Customers can also take up a three, six, or 12 month contract to unlock better benefits.
Standard Bank has announced that are changes afoot at its mobile virtual network. Starting soon, Standard Bank Mobile will be dead, and instead, customers can lean on Standard Bank Connect.
While still a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), Standard Bank has now opted to partner with MTN for this product. The new look connectivity suite will include voice and data options, as well as pure data connectivity options.
“We are excited to collaborate with MTN and the opportunity to provide our customers with a range of newly differentiated mobile plans. The transition will be gradual, where we invite our customers to join us on our pilot program, helping us to build meaningful services together and experiencing Standard Bank on MTN’s wide network,” says Kartik Mistry, head of Standard Bank Connect.
The Connect product will feature two plans – Connected Circle and Connected Gigs. Connected Circle offers voice and data connectivity in a Starter, Lite, Plus, and Pro tier. The Connected Gigs product meanwhile is seemingly exclusively for those who need data access but prepaid vouchers for voice and SMS can be purchased separately.
Both products can be accessed on a month-to-month basis or through plans running over a 3, 6 or 12 month duration.
The firm also announced a R1 promotion where customers can take up any of the Circle or Gigs plans for R1 on contract a three, six, or 12 month plan and enjoy full benefits until their first billing date. Plans can only be taken up online but in-branch applications will be available in the near future.
“Consistently voted SA’s Best Network, MTN is delighted to partner with Standard Bank, a trusted brand in South Africa and across the African continent. Our aim is to create shared value by placing our partners at the centre of all we do whilst for fulfilling our vision that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern, connected life. To this end we are committed to providing a proven, quality digital network and affordable mobile and network solutions,” said Quintus de Beer, chief wholesale officer at MTN South Africa.
The move to MTN makes sense given that even Cell C, the previous partner for Standard Bank Mobile, is piggybacking off of MTN’s network. The benefit here is that customers making use of this service should enjoy better connectivity and performance on MTN’s network.
