10 Things You Should Know About The New FNB Mobile Network

Say goodbye to Vodacom, MTN or Cell C and say hello to a new mobile network by bank FNB.  Interesting hey? Come June 15, FNB will be launching its own mobile network operator for its banking customers. FNB has piloted this offering since November with a few thousand staff.

We’ve listed 10 Things you should know about this new mobile network. Check below…

1. It was the logical next step for the bank, which already sells mobile devices (250 000 to date); prepaid airtime top-ups (2 million customers buy airtime from FNB each month); and 3G data rewards

2. Although it’s using Cell C towers (and licence) for now, Ravesh Ramlakan, CEO of FNB Connect, says the offering is “network agnostic” and not exclusive to Cell C. In other words, if Vodacom and MTN warm up to the idea, their towers could be used too.

3. Out of bundle costs on its contract offerings are expected to range from R1.50 per voice minute, R1 per megabyte and R0.50 per SMS. Voice calls from the FNB banking app are set to be free to other users of the banking app. Calls using the banking app to other SA networks are also expected to cost R0.39.

4. FNB customers will be able to view the status of all their mobile devices and contracts via their online banking profile under the tab ‘My SIMs’.

5. The online banking profile allows you to buy airtime, change your bundle option month-to-month, top up an existing contract with an additional bundle or a pre-paid offer.

6. You can also set limits on your contracts. For instance, you can set an automatic recharge on either your voice, SMS or data limit (as well as a limit on that recharge).

7. SIM cards will be sold separately from devices.

8. Using your online banking profile, you can also port your existing cellphone number to your FNB SIM; block a SIM card (if your device is lost or stolen); and do a SIM swap.

9. FNB also enables you to view your mobile device’s ‘transaction history’ online – also known as itemised billing – and monitor your spend real time.

10. For its prepaid offerings, FNB Connect plans to charge R0.95 for voice calls per minute, R2 per megabyte and R0.50 per SMS.