Zain scores a winning goal as ‘One Network expands to South Africa with Cell C

• Up to 41 million Zain mobile customers in 15 African countries to capitalize on 'One Network' benefits while travelling to South Africa

• Unstoppable: 16 countries now participate in Zain's 'One Network' across Africa

• Thousands of visiting soccer fans to benefit immediately

June 3rd: South Africa
Zain, the leading mobile telecom provider on the Africa continent, announces the expansion of its ground-breaking 'One Network' platform to South Africa in a strategic partnership with Cell C, the country's most dynamic mobile operator. Over 41 million Zain customers in all Zain Africa's 15 mobile operations can now benefit from 'One Network' services when visiting South Africa, which will provide immediate and enormous benefits for thousands of visiting soccer fans this summer.

The award-winning 'One Network' borderless mobile phone platform enables pre-paid and post-paid Zain customers when travelling to another “One Network' partner country to be treated as local customer in terms of pricing, while retaining home country service functionalities. Now, in South Africa, Zain customers will be able to make calls, send SMS and access the internet (data) at local rates of the visited country and to receive incoming calls at a minimal charge.

There is no need for customers to pre-register, no roaming deposits, and no complicated dialing formats. As in any other “One Network” country, while in South Africa, Zain customers can recharge their pre-paid lines with locally purchased top up cards.

“We have reached a significant milestone by our presence in South Africa, the region's superpower, which this summer will be the focal point of sporting world,” said Zain Africa CEO Chris Gabriel. “'One Network' is unstoppable. In every new country in which we plant the “One Network' flag, we are redefining the concept of mobile coverage and roaming by delivering on our brand promise of 'A wonderful world'”.

On his part, Cell C CEO, Lars P. Reichelt said, “The cost of international roaming is often inhibitive for international travellers and we are proud to be a part of this offering that will allow visitors to South Africa to make use of our network at prices they are accustomed to at home”.

Since its introduction in East Africa in September 2006 and its cross-continent expansion thereafter, “One Network” has been recognized by the international mobile industry for its innovation and for setting new standards in cross-border mobile communication.