MTN SA moves to ease COVID-19 disruption with key digital innovations, including zero-rated channels and free peer-to-peer payments.
The impact of the COVID-19 virus is far-reaching and MTN has implemented a number of proactive and innovative measures to minimise disruptions for communities, businesses, schoolchildren and families across South Africa.
MTN has amplified its monitoring of critical infrastructure to ensure the maximum network availability for all our customers. This is also helping ensure MTN provides sufficient capacity to accommodate the increased work-from-home traffic.
In addition to the active network monitoring, MTN has also zero-rated a USSD line (*130*119#) for reporting infections and for other critical information. There are also two zero-rated COVID-19 channels on the Operator's instant messaging platform Ayoba that are already live and are sharing updated news and information.
MTN also announced that with immediate effect, concerned family members and friends can stay in touch through a free 20MB Ayoba Data Lifeline that can be accessed via the Ayoba app.
To reduce the circulation of cash – a major infection vector - MTN’s MoMo app will, from Monday, allow for free peer-to-peer cash payments under R200. Card to wallet, instant EFT and payments to agents and participating retailers will also be zero-rated in a bid to ease the burden on consumers. In addition, the charge to send non-MoMo users a cash voucher will be made a flat rate of R10, rather than the normal sliding scale that is linked to the value of the cash being shared.
