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13 November 2012

Free Zone powered by Google launched in South Africa

Google and 8ta team up to give public mobile internet services with no data charges

Google and 8ta today announced Free Zone powered by Google, which gives people access to mobile web search and feature-phone-friendly versions of Gmail and Google+ with zero data charges. The first page of a web site linked from search results is also provided at no data cost.

Free Zone aims to put the web in more people's hands. First time Internet users who haven't purchased data bundles often find basic services like email, mobile web browsing and social applications to be very expensive. Using Free Zone, feature phone users can use the power of the web to grow their businesses or keep in touch with friends and family without the fear of unknown data costs and make more informed choices about their next data device. Luke Mckend, country manager of Google's South African subsidiary, said: "Given that data can be expensive for many of those in South Africa, the open web is only as open as it is affordable. Working alongside 8.ta on this exciting trial meant we could offer Internet services at no cost to anyone with a phone. This can only enrich lives, giving people easier access to information in a way that benefits everyone, whether it's an individual, or a small business that wants to reach more people on the web."

Amith Maharaj, 8ta Senior Managing Executive, stated, "Breaking down the barriers to internet adoption is critical for South Africa to keep up with the rest of world in terms of social and economic development. It is through key initiatives like these that these barriers can be reduced. To enable such benefits for our consumers requires flexible and cutting edge technology and billing systems. We are really proud to bring this particular innovation to South Africans. Effectively it means that all South Africans can have free access to Google Search, Google email and Google social networking by simply using any 8ta SIM card on any data enabled handset, no matter how old. This is a big deal."

The following services are available for free from mobile phone browsers through Free Zone powered by Google:

  • Gmail: Users have unlimited access to Gmail from their mobile browser. If users click on a link or attachment within the email they are directed to an interstitial page where they can purchase a data package.
  • Google+: Users can share photos and messages with only circles of family, selected friends or the public; follow updates on the things they are passionate about - from football to photography, music to news; and follow people they're interested in.
  • Google Search: Users can search the entire internet and access the first page of websites from the results for free. If they click further into a website after that, they are directed to an interstitial page where they can purchase a data package.

The service is available immediately to all 8ta subscribers from their mobile phones at 8ta.com/freezone. Users without a Gmail account can sign up for free. When users leave the Free Zone to navigate deeper into a website or download an attachment they are informed about the data charges and given the option to purchase an appropriate data package. The service will be trialled until 31 May 2013.

For more information visit: 8ta.com/freezone.

For further enquiries, please contact:

Pynee Chetty

Senior Specialist: Media Relations

Group Communication

Tel:+27 12 642 1716

Mobile: +27 81 389 7874

Email: chettpr2@telkom.co.za

 OR

Leigh-Ann Francis

Specialist: Media Relations

Group Communication

Tel: +27 12 642 1728

Mobile: +27 81 391 4780

Email: francilm@telkom.co.za

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ABOUT TELKOM:

Telkom is a leading communications services provider in South Africa. We had consolidated operating revenue of R16.8 billion and normalised profit after tax of R1, 683 million for the period ended 30 September 2015. Total assets amounted to R41.9 billion and equity attributable to the owners of Telkom to R23.5 billion as of 30 September 2015. The group generated normalised free cash flow of R1.4 billion for the period ended 30 September 2015.

As of 30 September 2015, we had approximately 3.3 million telephone access lines in service and 1,030,441 ports connected via MSAN access. We offer business, residential and payphone customers a wide range of services and products, including:

  • fixed-line retail voice services using PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) lines, including ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) lines, and the sale of subscription based value-added voice services and calling plans;
  • fixed-line customer premises equipment rental and sales services both voice and data needs and these include PABX, Computers, Routers, Modems, Telephone handsets and other ancillary equipment;
  • interconnection services, including terminating and transiting traffic from South African mobile operators, as well as from international operators and transiting traffic from mobile to international destinations;
  • fixed-line data services, including domestic and international data transmission services, such as point-to-point leased lines, ADSL (Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line) services, packet-based services, managed data networking services and internet access and related information technology services;
  • Data Centre Operations includes e-commerce, application service provider, hosting, data storage, e-mail and security services;
  • W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), a 3G next generation network, including fixed voice services, data services and nomadic voice services;
  • mobile communication services, including voice services, data services and handset sales through our mobile navbar-brand called Telkom Mobile;
  •  information and communication services including cloud services, infrastructure services, workspace services, global service integration management and hardware and network equipment sales locally, in seven African countries, the UK and Dubai through Business Connexion Group; and
  • other services including directory services, through Trudon (Pty) Ltd, wireless data services, through Swiftnet (Pty) Ltd.

Convergence is one of our key strategic initiatives in building a sustainable future for Telkom.  We will lead the provision of converged services in South Africa in support of our mission statement: Seamlessly connecting people to a better life.