Vodafone and Digicel announce their COVID-19 Relief Packages

Vodafone and Digicel have both announced their COVID-19 Relief Packages which includes free data, SMS and calls.

Vodafone Regional CEO, Pradeep Lal says all their prepaid customers will be provided with a special V-Care plan free of charge.

Lal says this bundle includes 2GB data, 200 minutes of free calls and 1,000 SMS and customers can subscribe to this free V-Care plan once a month at any time for the next 3 months.

Vodafone Fiji will also zero-rate Government guided health sites online to support responses to COVID-19 and help in the distribution and dissemination of accurate COVID-19 related updates for the next 3 months.

Lal says they are an essential services provider and realize that in times of crisis, it is critical that they support businesses for them to continue their operations and mitigate the unprecedented challenges they may be facing. He says they stand together with their customers in these trying times.

He says Vodafone estimates the total value of the assistance package will cost the company more than $50M and it is time to support one another.

Lal says for Business Customers Vodafone will provide 30% free additional data across the board on all postpaid broadband and mobile internet connections for the next 3 months.

He says Vodafone will extend the due date for payments of all monthly postpaid accounts from 30 to 90 days, allowing businesses more time to focus on other immediate needs of the business.

Lal adds that Vodafone will temporarily suspend excess to requirement mobile connections and services, as a result of slowdown in business operations for up to 3 months, without attracting any additional fees and charges.

He says Vodafone will waive the downgrade and disconnection fees and charges for the next 3 months.

Lal says Vodafone will put in place special arrangements for customers most affected in the SME, Tourism, Hospitality and Airline industries to work on a case by case basis to provide additional support.

All Vodafone Care benefits will be applicable to Vodafone & Inkk customers from Monday 23rd March.

While making the announcements, the Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says Digicel will be giving all post pay and prepay customers $50 worth of free calls and SMS to be used from one Digi number to another.

Sayed-Khaiyum says Digicel has also removed their credit me credit you fee.

He says that for SKY customers all reconnections will be free.