eSIM with free mobile data and airtime launched in South Africa
Ignition Group has launched an eSIM on its mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) uConnect and Me&you Mobile.
“In a strategic move to drive connectivity and bridge the digital divide, Ignition Group’s mobile division has taken a momentous step by offering free eSIMs, as well as access to free data and airtime,” the company stated.
Mobile virtual network enabler MVN-X, is among Ignition’s ecosystem of business units. MVN-X supports Cell C’s MVNO platform, which is used by a large proportion of MVNOs in South Africa, including uConnect and Me&you.
MVN-X also offers support for MTN’s MVNO platform.
Unlike major mobile networks that only support in-store eSIM purchases, Ignition will allow prepaid and month-to-month subscribers to download their eSIMs.
For a limited period, a complimentary 1GB mobile data and R50 airtime will be rewarded to the customer after downloading and activating their eSIM. The SIM is free on uConnect and costs R1 to activate on Me&you Mobile.
uConnect eSIM users will get the same benefits as regular SIM users on the network — including free airtime as reward for the user’s normal spending behaviour.
For example, subscribers get double the airtime for free when topping up — whether from vouchers bought at stores, via their banking app, or the uConnect app.
They will also receive 1GB of data free when buying a R1,000 Checkers or Pick n Pay voucher.
Payments made through Zapper in the uConnect app let subscribers earn 3.5% back in airtime.
Furthermore, spending on a Spot Money account also earns customers 3.5% back in airtime.
uConnect subscribers can also get free WhatsApp data by playing games. Buying groceries, movie tickets, and fast food vouchers on the app will also earn users free airtime or data.
uConnect CEO Siddeek Rahim said these benefits meant that it was “entirely realistic” that a uConnect customer never has to pay for airtime again, just by spending money they would spend anyway.
Siddeek Rahim, uConnect CEO
Ignition listed some of the advantages of its eSIMs, including:
- Multiple eSIMs (up to 8 on an iPhone) can be installed on one phone, and two can be active at once.
- Remote provisioning — Users can download and activate an eSIM remotely, never having to visit a store.
- Always connected — Users can switch between carriers effortlessly to get the best reception wherever they are.
- Multiple carriers — Users can install multiple profiles with different carriers, allowing them to switch seamlessly between mobile providers.
- Versatile compatibility — eSIMs can be used in all sorts of connected devices: phones, wearables, IoT devices.
- Security — eSIMs are more secure, being harder to clone and tamper with.
- International travel — It’s easy to download a local eSIM when you travel internationally.
Ignition said that providing free eSIMs represented a significant stride towards ensuring that every South African can participate in and benefit from the burgeoning digital economy.
“One of the most transformative aspects of the digital economy in South Africa is its potential to democratise access to information and services,” Ignition stated.
“With an increase in Internet access, especially in rural and underserved areas, people can overcome geographical barriers and access urban and even global markets.”
“This empowers local entrepreneurs to reach a wider customer base and connect with international partners, fostering cross-border trade and innovation.”
MyBroadband checked the uConnect website and uConnect mobile app to see if the eSIMs were available after Ignition’s announcement.
After providing a cellphone number, email address, address, and ID number, we received an SMS instructing us to present a code at a Clicks store to collect a SIM. No email arrived.
uConnect subsequently contacted MyBroadband to explain that the feature was not yet live when the original statement was sent to the media.
It clarified that uConnect prepaid eSIMs were exclusively available on the uConnect mobile app, while the Me&you contract eSIMs can be downloaded and activated through the website.
MyBroadband then tested signing up for a uConnect eSIM through the iPhone app.
After providing all the particulars you might expect for RICA and getting to the screen where you take a photo of your identity document, we receive the error, “Hang on! Invalid Street Address”.
Attempting several iterations of the same address returned the same error.
Update (25 August 2023) — After informing us that the address field issue has been corrected, MyBroadband tested the uConnect app again and could register for an eSIM.
Reporting with Jan Vermeulen.
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