Vodacom scores with Airtime Advance

2011-07-11 14:34

Duncan Alfreds

Cape Town - Vodacom's Airtime Advance programme has seemingly netted the company about R1m in the month since its launch.

The mobile provider launched the programme at the end of May and over a million subscribers have made use of the service.

"We very much believe in developing practical products and services that solve everyday problems," said Portia Maurice, Vodacom chief officer of corporate affairs.

Users are allowed to take R10 airtime in advance and the company debits the amount from their following recharge and an additional R1 service fee.

The service is only available to customers who have been on the Vodacom network for a year, recharged with a minimum of R29, and registered with Rica.

"Launched at the end of May this year, Vodacom’s Airtime Advance was developed following research into how mobile communications products and services that could further assist consumers in [their] day-to-day lives," the company said.

The service is designed to ensure customers stay loyal to the network, but is not foolproof.

A user could take the airtime and change their mobile operator, but that would also mean that their number would have to change.

It is unlikely that someone could escape detection if this method was attempted more than once.

According to Vodacom, customers used the service when there was an urgent need to contact family or in an emergency situation.

"What excites us the most about the success of Airtime Advance is to see that is being used by customers when they encounter emergencies," said Maurice.

To check whether you qualify for Airtime Advance, dial *111*082# from a Vodacom-enabled cellphone.


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- News24