Thursday,
As the COVID-19 nationwide lockdown enters its fourth week, South Africans are feeling the severity of its effects on a daily basis. For many of us, staying connected is now more important than ever – working from home provides its own set of challenges, but the need to stay informed and up-to-date about the country’s efforts to flatten the Coronavirus’s curve is vital during this unprecedented time in South Africa’s history.
Learners and students are seeing their education plans severely interrupted. The ability to check in on and communicate with friends and loved ones is a daily need. Access to information – medical, social and mainstream news is an absolute necessity.
Cell C is playing its part to address these circumstances and ease the burden on their customers by zero-rating many information, social media and education services on their networks. Cell C has removed data costs for a number of major universities on its network to assist teachers and students with e-learning. Users can access any number of features from these sites including registration for courses, past papers, learning tools and – in some instances – information about the COVID-19 virus and the government’s efforts to contain it.
The sites that have been zero-rated so far to give students unlimited access are as follows:
A full list of the sites and services can be found on Cell C’s website. Cell C says it has plans to update the list regularly.
Beyond tertiary education sites, Cell C already has numerous free services in place to keep customers informed and connected. Users have access to local and international news, social media (such as Facebook) through Free Basics/Internet/org services. They can stay informed about the COVID-19 virus by accessing both the government’s national website (www.sacoronavirus.co.za) and the Mpilo: Healthcare In Your Hands app (recently enhanced to help with Coronavirus screenings) for free.
Customers have access to free 5 Free SMSes per day, which is available through the Cell C app (also zero-rated for Cell C customers) and Free push SMSes promoting the COVID-19 WhatsApp number 0600 123 456. MomConnect, The Department of Health’s maternal service is also zero-rated.
“As a proudly South African company, Cell C is glad to be able to do our part in helping South Africans during this difficult time,” says Hazel Chimhandamba, Cell C’s Executive Head of Marketing.. “We hope our efforts encourage our customers to stay safe, connected and informed.”
Cell C is a leading mobile provider in South Africa offering a wide range of products and services, including voice, data, device and SIM deals to more than 20 million customers.
