Hey guys, here is some breaking news I personally think may be very exciting for fringsters across South Africa. First National Bank has just launched a shiny new and exciting service called FNB Connect.
FNB is, as far as I am aware, the first VoIP provider in South Africa to let users make and receive calls via VoIP at local South African rates. What this means is that using FNB Connect you can now, not only make cheap local calls, you can now also receive them using your very own 087 number.
The local calling rates are very good:
| Landlines (SA) | R 0.55 - Peak | R 0.39 - Off Peak |
| Cellphone | R 1.79 - Peak | R 1.24 - Off Peak |
What makes this service even cooler is the fact that you can use the FNB Connect service via fring. All you would need to do is add your FNB Connect details to the SIP connection settings inside of fring and away you go. Cheap local calls within South Africa using the 3G or WiFi connection on your fring handset.
Ok so whats the catch? This sounds to good to be true?
Firstly you would need a FNB bank account to make use of this service. The entire service is managed by linking your telephone to your bank account, this makes it easy to purchase additional airtime and up to 4 additional 087 numbers for the rest of your family. The second thing is that there is a once-off account activation fee of R49.00, this fee includes calls to the value of R49.00 and your very own 087 number.
I have had the priviledge of testing the service for the last week and I think it’s well worth the jump.
I think the only downside is forcing a user to have a bank account with FNB. I think without having to do that, their market share could have grown exponentially, leaving ample opportunity to cross- and up-sell at a later stage.
Now, essentially, the only value add is for current clients.
Otherwise, very innovative move which should do well. Congratulations to FNB. Early movers!