Mtn To Offer R99 4g Smartphones To 1.2 Million Customers In South Africa

MTN South Africa has announced that it will offer 4G smartphones for just R99 to over 1.2 million of its prepaid customers.

This is part of its initiative to extend digital inclusion and ensure that South Africans are not left behind in the countrys transition to 4G and 5G technologies , it said in a statement on Monday 5 May.

MTN SA said it will offer this device in three phases starting in May 2025 until the end of 2026. An initial 5,000 carefully selected customers will get the offer in phase one.

Selection will be based on usage profiles, spending patterns and tenure, and will mainly be in Gauteng, the mobile operator said.

Over 130,000 customers nationally will get the offer in phase two, followed by a further 1.1 million customers countrywide in the third phase.

As is standard with most smartphones, MTNs new device will come preloaded with several major applications. However, a condition for receiving it is that it can only be used with an MTN SIM card.

"As the country transitions to technologies like 4G and 5G, it is vital that we take proactive steps to connect as many South Africans as possible," MTN South Africa CEO Charles Molapisi said.

"Through this initiative, we are not only providing our customers with the tools they need to access digital services, but we are also playing an active role in helping to bridge the digital divide. Regardless of where they live, we want to ensure that all South Africans can access the digital world."

For this initiative, the operator is partnering with Smartphone For All Pty Limited, whose Founder and CEO is Babatunde Osho.

"Today marks a pivotal step in our journey to bridge the digital divide. By making smartphones more accessible and affordable, we are unlocking opportunities for millions who have been left behind in the digital economy, Osho said.