| |
| Virgin Mobile South Africa took part in the second, global and group-wide social media initiative as part of the Virgin Group on Wednesday, November 16th 2011. Virgin's social media teams in Australian, United Kingdom, United States and South Africa each ran a leg of the 26-hour long Virgin Social Marathon where they shared first time stories and encounters about their companies with fans. |
 |
The event kicked-off in Australia and continued west onto South Africa, the UK and finally ending with a bang at the Rock the Kasbah event in Los Angeles where Richard Branson hosted a fundraiser to benefit The Eve Branson Foundation and Virgin Unite.
In South Africa, Virgin Mobile had the opportunity to participate in one global conversation between other Virgin companies such as Virgin Mobile Australia and Virgin Unite.
“It was very exciting to see such a positive response from our online community and the support from our sister brands all over the world was outstanding” says Jana Malan, Digital Marketing Manager at Virgin Mobile South Africa.
Virgin First Times
 |
As part of the social marathon, Virgin launched a Facebook application called "First Times" that offered fans the opportunity to delve into the past and explore their Facebook firsts with friends.
Do you remember playing Snake on your old brick phone? Remember Indiana Jones or Mission Impossible ringtones?
Virgin Mobile South Africa fans shared
|
| these nostalgic moments as part of the First Times theme that ran throughout the marathon. |
Sir Richard Branson shared one of Virgin First Times on his blog saying "back when we started Virgin, we came up with the name because we were all virgins at business. It was our first time and Virgin has been about first times ever since."
The event was a global success which offered Virgin Mobile South Africa, as well as the South African online landscape, a unique opportunity to engage on an international stage.
Relevant Links:
|
|
| |
In an update to Virgin Mobile South Africa’s earlier press release today regarding reimbursements for BlackBerry® customers, Virgin Mobile has announced that the refund will take the form of a R50 airtime credit to be applied to all affected customers with immediate effect.
Virgin Mobile CEO, Steve Bailey said, “Rather than a pro rata credit applied to the bill of affected customers next month, we’ve decided a higher value immediate airtime credit would be more useful. We trust our customers will approve of our decision and again wish to apologise for any inconvenience caused by the downtime of the BlackBerry® Internet Service.”
In the process of going to media now...
|
|
| |
Johannesburg, South Africa – Virgin Mobile SA announced today that its subscribers will receive full BlackBerry® Internet Service (BIS) fee compensation for the days that BlackBerry® operation is interrupted.
According to information released by Research In Motion (RIM), the messaging and browsing delays experienced by BlackBerry® users around the globe were caused by a core switch failure within RIM’s infrastructure and the resulting backlog of messages in the system.
“We apologise to our BlackBerry® customers, on behalf of Research In Motion, for the inconvenience caused,” said Steve Bailey, CEO of Virgin Mobile SA. “Fortunately for Virgin Mobile subscribers, with the 1000 free SMSs they get every month they have been able to continue chatting anyway, so we hope that the loss of the BlackBerry® Internet Service has not affected them too severely.”
For further information, Virgin Mobile SA subscribers can visit their nearest Virgin Mobile outlet or log onto www.virginmobile.co.za
For further information on the BlackBerry® service interruption, please visit http://uk.blackberry.com/serviceupdate/
|
|
| |
Virgin Mobile South Africa (‘Virgin Mobile’) again demonstrates its commitment to offering the country’s best value prepaid products with the launch of its festive season ‘Double Your Airtime’ promotion for new prepaid customers.
Following the purchase and RICA of a Virgin Mobile SIM, new prepaid customers will receive DOUBLE the airtime value of their first recharge for FREE. Furthermore, this promotion is not limited to any voucher denomination – load a R50 voucher as your first recharge and get R100 airtime, load a R500 voucher as your first recharge and get R1000 airtime.
This promotion is only applicable on the first recharge of a new Virgin Mobile customer and is limited to five SIM cards per RICA’ed customer identity number. Normal voucher airtime windows apply. This promotion is available through all Virgin Mobile’s prepaid sales channels.
Virgin Mobile CEO, Steve Bailey says, ”We are delighted to offer this truly exceptional value to new customers to ensure their Virgin Mobile airtime lasts even longer.”
Amazingly, this promotion runs alongside Virgin Mobile’s standard prepaid offer which gives customers R10 FREE airtime for every R30 of paid airtime used as well as the best value prepaid rates in South Africa:
- Lowest on-net PER SECOND rate in SA: Virgin to Virgin rate 99c/min (effectively 74c/min taking into account the ongoing ‘R10 FREE for every R30 used’)
- Great PER SECOND rates to other networks : Peak R2.60/min and off peak R1.30/min (effectively R1.95/min and 98c/min taking into account the ongoing ‘R10 FREE for every R30 used’)
- Data: 60c/MB
- SMS : 60c/message
- MMS: 75c/message
For further information, please visit your nearest Virgin Mobile outlet or log onto www.virginmobile.co.za.
|
|
| |
VIRGIN MOBILE SOUTH AFRICA (‘Virgin Mobile’) today launched their FlexiStick 3G HSPA+ Modem contract based on a simple “pay-as-you-surf” principle.
For a low R50 per month over 24 months, the FlexiStick package incorporates the latest technology 21.1 Mbs (max) HSPA+ modem, but unlike competitor modem contracts, it does not include any mandatory data bundle for the month that is charged irrespective of whether all the data is used or not.
Instead, all data usage from the first megabyte is charged in arrears at month end and treated as out-of-bundle usage priced at Virgin Mobile’s industry beating non-bundle rate of 60c per Mb.
“With this contract offer, our customers effectively pay as they surf, using only what they need, without the usual wastage of data bundles”, said Jonathan Newman, Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer, Virgin Mobile.
Virgin Mobile’s underlying 3G HSPA+ network continues to expand and now covers all the larger South African cities and towns as well as many other smaller communities across the country.
|
|
| |
VIRGIN MOBILE SOUTH AFRICA (‘Virgin Mobile’) launches SA’s best value Prepaid product next week.
This follows research into what consumers really want from a Prepaid product – things like true per second billing, competitive peak and off-peak rates that are as good or better than contract rates, a great on-net rate, no hidden catches or terms & conditions, as well as loyalty rewards for high usage.
In line with this research, Virgin Mobile’s new Prepaid product offers customers an immediate reward of R10 FREE airtime every time R30 of airtime is used - effectively giving loyal subscribers a third off normal airtime charges.
Moreover, as called for in the research, there are none of the hidden catches or terms & conditions that are so common in the mobile industry - use your Virgin Mobile Prepaid airtime (both paid and FREE airtime):
- For anything – Voice calls, SMSs, MMSs or Data
- Anytime – Peak or Off-peak
- To anyone – On-net (Virgin-to-Virgin) or Off-Net (Virgin to Another Network)
And there is no time limit by when active subscribers have to reach their R30 reward threshold – whether a customer uses R30 in a day or over six months, when their usage reaches R30, they will automatically be credited with R10 FREE airtime.
In addition, even before rewards are applied, the new Virgin Mobile Prepaid product is based on a highly competitive tariff completely in line with what consumers are asking for:
- True Per Second Billing
- SA’s best on-net (Virgin-to-Virgin) rate of 99c per minute (billed per second)
- Great Peak and Off-peak rates – R2.60 / min and R1.30 / min (billed per second)
Steve Bailey, CEO, Virgin Mobile, says that all current Prepaid customers will automatically be migrated to this great new product as Virgin Mobile would like to bring this improved value to its entire loyal Prepaid customer base. “Virgin Mobile is now benefiting from reduced interconnect rates, and we are happy to be able to pass this onto our valued Prepaid customers through this unprecedented value reward offering.”
Customers will also still get 25 free SMSs when purchasing Virgin Mobile’s R50 voucher and 50 free SMSs on the R99 voucher.
|
|
| |
VIRGIN MOBILE SOUTH AFRICA (‘Virgin Mobile’) is pleased to announce
that its customers now have full access to 3G HSPA+ broadband data
services with download speeds of up to 21 Mbit/s.
Customers with 3G capable cell-phones and/or modems will find that
they can now benefit from higher data speeds following the upgrade
of Virgin Mobile’s underlying cellular network to state-of-the-art
3G HSPA+ technology which is in the process of being rolled out
nationally.
Coverage of Virgin Mobile’s upgraded underlying network is already
present in most major metropolitan areas and is expected to reach
67% of the SA population by mid 2011.
Customers should be advised that reduced data speeds may be experienced
occasionally while the network rollout is in progress.
|
|
| |
|
Virgin Mobile has always offered the most flexible products in the
market, allowing postpaid and prepaid customers to use their airtime
for calls, SMSs, MMSs or GPRS/EDGE data without having to purchase
separate data bundles.
This flexibility remains in place with the upgrade to 3G HSPA+;
customers can still continue to use their airtime for calls, SMSs,
MMSs or 3G HSPA+ data without having to purchase separate data bundles.
Perhaps even more importantly, Virgin Mobile is not changing its very
competitive data pricing.
At 60c per MB, Virgin Mobile always had the lowest out-of-bundle data price
in SA for GPRS/EDGE data. Now with the migration to 3G HSPA+, Virgin Mobile
customers can benefit from the fastest 3G HSPA+ network in SA at the same
great out-of-bundle rate across all Virgin Mobile’s packages – just 60c per MB.
“I am delighted that we can immediately offer current and future Virgin Mobile
customers such a substantial increase in data performance at no additional cost.
We look forward to being a significant player in the South African mobile
broadband market“, said Steve Bailey, CEO, Virgin Mobile.
Over the next few months, Virgin Mobile will be introducing low priced prepaid
and postpaid modem deals – watch the press for more information.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
VIRGIN MOBILE SOUTH AFRICA (‘VIRGIN MOBILE’ or “the Company”)
today announces that its board has agreed to a shareholders’
restructuring whereby Cell C will sell its 50% stake in VIRGIN MOBILE
and Virgin Group of the UK (“Virgin”) will increase its stake from 50% to
55% and Calico Investments of The Bahamas (“Calico”) will acquire the
remaining 45% stake in the Company.
Calico, an investment company, plans to develop a strategic
relationship with VIRGIN MOBILE and together with Virgin, will invest
additional growth capital into VIRGIN MOBILE. This will enable VIRGIN
MOBILE to offer a wider range of improved products and services to its
growing customer base in South Africa.
The transaction is still subject to certain conditions including South
African Competition Commission and Exchange Control approvals.
Closing is expected by April 2011.
Cell C will continue as VIRGIN MOBILE’s network partner in terms of an
updated and expanded network services agreement.
|
|
| |
|
“VIRGIN MOBILE has shown consistent high subscriber growth and has
significantly increased its base of higher ARPU (“Average Revenues Per
Subscriber”) post pay subscribers in South Africa over the last two
years. It is time for us to capitalise on this growth and bring in an
additional shareholder to invest in VIRGIN MOBILE’s further expansion,
which will enable us to deliver more exciting products and services to
our valued customers. We also look forward to leveraging our updated
network agreement with Cell C to provide improved performance to our
customers.” said Steve Bailey, CEO, VIRGIN MOBILE.
“Calico looks forward to working with VIRGIN MOBILE to develop the
business through the expansion of its offerings. VIRGIN MOBILE has
shown an ability to differentiate itself from the competition and, with
our intended investment, there will now be even more potential to
increase the range of quality products and services VIRGIN MOBILE can
offer going forward.” said Faisal Al Bannai, a Director of Calico
Investments.
“Cell C has been and will continue to be a strong partner of VIRGIN
MOBILE. The change in shareholding is part of Cell C’s strategy of
providing a platform for growth for MVNOs, backed up by our award-winning
HSPA+ 900/2100 network.” said Lars P Reichelt, CEO, Cell C.
Gordon McCallum, Virgin Management Limited CEO, said “Virgin and
Cell C have invested substantially to establish VIRGIN MOBILE in the
South African market. It is gratifying to see it now move into this
second phase of development as the first fully independent MVNO in
South Africa. With our new shareholder on board and the network
services agreement in place with Cell C, we expect VIRGIN MOBILE to
grow and deliver what the Virgin brand is renowned for - exceptional
value, innovation and customer service.
Consumers can expect to hear lots more from Virgin Mobile this year!
For more information please send an email to webmaster@virginmobile.co.za
About Virgin Mobile South Africa – www.virginmobile.co.za
Virgin Mobile South Africa was launched on 24 June 2006 as SA’s first MVNO. Based in Fourways, Johannesburg Virgin Mobile SA currently employs 175 permanent staff and a number of temporary staff and has over 300,000 mostly post-paid active customers. The company’s revenues for 2010 were in excess of R1 billion. Virgin Mobile SA has thought imaginatively about the things that really matter to busy mobile consumers and developed a range of simple, good value Post-paid and Pre-paid packages that include innovative benefits such as 1000 free SMS’s. Combined with big improvements in customer service, this different approach is working well to attract many savvy South Africans.
About Virgin – The Group
Virgin is a leading international investment company and is one of the world's most recognised and respected brands. Conceived in 1970 by Sir Richard Branson, the Virgin Group has developed successful businesses in sectors ranging from mobile telephony to transportation, travel, financial services, media, music and health and fitness. Virgin has created more than 400 branded companies worldwide, employing approximately 50,000 people, in 30 countries. Global branded revenues in 2010 exceeded £11 billion (US$17 billion).
About Cell C
Cell C (Pty) Ltd is a mobile network operator in South Africa and the country’s fastest Internet Servicer Provider (ISP) according to Ookla’sNetindex. It offers products and servicesto more than 7 million customers. In 2010, Cell C launched South Africa’s most advanced network. Its HSPA+ 900/2100 network covered approximately 40% of the country’s population at year-end 2010.Cell C aims to expand its coverage to 67% of South Africa’s population by mid-year.Through innovative and inspiring products and services, Cell C wants to be the possibilities provider to improve livelihoods and to enhance lifestyles of its customers. For more information, please visit www.cellc.co.za.
About Calico
Calico Investments is an investment company focused on developing opportunities in emerging markets and on the greater African continent. Most of Calico’s investments are in telecommunication companies and related services, with a retail focus.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Some things really are too good to be true... and then there's the Virgin Mobile M'tshele 99 Joe
Prepaid Voucher. That's the premise behind Bouffant Director, Marc Sidelsky's latest spot for
Virgin Mobile.
Created by OPENCO, the ad features the fantastical story of the remarkable comrade Sandile Dubula
who is a rare depiction of modern -day saintlihood.
|
|
| |
|
Shot in a truthful, documentary-style approach that roots the story in realism, Sidelsky's skill
at performance work and storytelling is evident in the hard-to-believe account of the great Dubula.
The performance comes across as perfectly credible, but there is a subtle hint of doubt behind it
that provides the humour behind the ad and leaves the viewer with a smile.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Unbelievable?! … But true! M’Tshele Nine Nine Texter!
|
|
| |
On Saturday 1 May 2010, Virgin Mobile South Africa (‘VIRGIN MOBILE’) launched a new voucher giving
Prepay subscribers benefits usually only associated with Postpay customers who sign 24 month contracts.
|
|
| |
The ‘M’Tshele Nine Nine Texter’ is a R99 prepay voucher that gives our customers:
-
500 FREE SMS’s to use anytime to any network– valid over 30 days, after which customers need to recharge with a new voucher
-
R99 airtime
-
The lowest rate to any network anytime: 99c per minute after the first five minutes of talk time per day at R1.99 per minute
-
The lowest on-net anytime rate of 99c per minute
-
Best out of-of-bundle data rate: 60c per MEG
|
|
| |
The ‘M’Tshele Nine Nine’ phrase is a South African colloquialism used when something seems too good
to be true but actually is true – as in, “That’s unbelievable!? Is this TWO SIX or NINE NINE? Are you
kidding me or telling me straight?”
|
|
| |
Says Steve Bailey, VIRGIN MOBILE’S CEO, "Other mobile providers typically avoid offering real value
by giving away trivial value adds after hours or on weekends. At VIRGIN MOBILE our mission is to
buck this trend by offering our subscribers what they really want, when they most need it, at the
best price. Like 500 or 1000 FREE SMSs on Postpay. Like Postpay rates on Prepay – the best anytime,
any network rate of 99c per minute after the first five minutes of talk time per day at R1.99 per
minute. And now, 500 FREE SMSs on Prepay."
|
|
| |
"There is simply no reason not to give Prepay customers who are spending as much per month as our
Postpay customers, the same benefits." concludes Steve.
|
|
| |
It’s the ‘redistribution’ of airtime.
Unbelievable?! … But true!
M’Tshele Nine Nine !
|
|
| |
VIRGIN MOBILE SOUTH AFRICA has kicked off a multi-million-rand national retail expansion to entice
new customers to its network and increase its presence in the mobile telephony market. Five new
retail outlets have opened since November last year and a further ten are planned to open over the
next 18 months, bringing the total VIRGIN MOBILE franchise stores to 42.
|
|
| |
The national roll out of the dedicated VIRGIN MOBILE franchise stores has commenced with the
opening of outlets in the Menlyn, Lakeside, Kollande, Pavillion and Westgate shopping centres
over the past four months. In addition to the roll out of the new franchise stores Virgin Mobile
has opened 13 branded dealer stores throughout KZN which has expanded their retail footprint visibly
in this province.
|
|
| |
The rationale behind the expansion includes a more visible presence and an enhanced customer service
offering while ensuring that the stores have been designed with a firm nod at the global ‘Virgin’
look and feel. Store layouts are customer centric and aimed at making the browsing experience as
easy and pleasurable as possible. Branding in the stores is very distinctive and sets the Virgin
stores apart from competitors due to the colour, liveliness and ‘attitude’ of the brand.
|
|
| |
Advantages of the branded franchise stores include offering walk-in customers a wider range of
in-store services; a higher level of customer care; and a more specialised sales service. Walk in
customers can now browse for new deals, find out more about products, manage account and billing
enquiries and renew existing contracts in store.
|
|
| |
An emphasis on customer service excellence is evident in the improved systems and an intensive
training rollout to ensure that in-store VIRGIN MOBILE Champs have extensive knowledge on any type
of query. The company has also put stringent quality control measures in place to ensure
accountability for service given, and have switched to a franchise model to ensure that store owners
take pride in and ensure a high level of customer service.
|
|
| |
VIRGIN MOBILE’s retail expansion coincides with the launch of an upgraded and more interactive
website www.virginmobile.co.za. It boasts a funky new look and new content, and includes easier
access to product information, easier navigation as well as quick access to the best web deals at
the Online Store.
|
|
| |
Customers expect VIRGIN companies to offer great customer service and VIRGIN MOBILE SA is taking
active steps to live up to this promise.
|
|
| |
The appointment of Brian Windsor as VIRGIN MOBILE’s new customer contact centre manager is directly
aimed at fast tracking VIRGIN MOBILE’s service levels.Brian has established a reputation as one of
South Africa’s top call centre managers. His impressive customer service experience at some of the
biggest telecommunications giants in the local market spans more than 25 years.
|
|
| |
Brian has achieved a number of awards throughout his career. In 2008 the contact centre managed by
him was voted the best call centre in South Africa by BPeSA. BPeSA is an initiative supported by the
Department of trade and industry and The Business Trust.
|
|
| |
In 2007, the call centre managed by Brian was also named as the Best KZN BPO Centre by BPeSA – a
significant achievement accomplished in just a couple of years. Brian’s new appointment with VIRGIN
MOBILE is a strong endorsement of VIRGIN MOBILE’s brand commitment to achieving excellent customer
service.
|
|
| |
"Our aim at VIRGIN MOBILE is not just to be the best, but to be the Best-Plus-One! We understand
that our customers are the most important aspect of our business, and going forward we are working
hard to ensure that our service levels reflect the customer-centric approach that is a hallmark of
the VIRGIN brand," says Windsor.
|
|
| |
On Saturday 14 November 2009, Virgin Mobile South Africa (‘VIRGIN MOBILE’) is launching a new
prepaid product at better than post-paid rates. The 99’er’s rate of 99 cents per minute, all day,
every day, to all networks after the first five minutes of calls per day at R1.99 per minute,
pre-empts the drop in the peak interconnect rate expected in February 2010. This is a reduction
of over 32% on Virgin Mobile's current prepaid tariff.
|
|
| |
The 99’er will initially be launched in partnership with Pick ‘n Pay, rolling out to other outlets
early next year. Customers can pick up their VIRGIN MOBILE 99’er Starter Pack from Pick ‘n Pay
outlets countrywide for only 99 cents and also enjoy the benefit of 9 free 'Please Call Me’s'
each day.
|
|
| |
The 99'er is the first prepaid product specifically designed to meet the needs of active prepaid
customers who call a lot during the day. For example, no other mainstream product can offer 15 minutes
of peak period off-network calling during the day for less than R20!
|
|
| |
In the words of Virgin founder, Sir Richard Branson, "The question we asked ourselves when we came
to South Africa was why a consumer's average monthly cellular spend always ended up so high when
our competitors were supposedly already offering amazing deals? Then we found our answer - these
deals are always focused on great prices for services you hardly ever use or only apply when you
least want to use them - like after hours or on weekends. Now, with the drop in the interconnect
rate, we have found a way - the Virgin Way - to offer the active South African consumer great
cellular value: Best value for the cellular services that you use the most, when you actually most
need them!"
|
|
| |
VIRGIN MOBILE's new 'best value' prepaid rate of R1.99 per minute for the first five minutes of
use in a day, dropping to 99 cents per minute for the remainder of the day complements VIRGIN MOBILES's
other 'best value' post-paid offering which includes 1000 free SMS's per month for every month of a
24 month contract (valued at R14,400 over the life of the contract).
|
|
| |
"As previously stated, we have always been in favour of reduced and asymmetrical interconnect rates
as way to enhance competition. We are now demonstrating our commitment to this by introducing a peak
rate below the current interconnect rate.” said Steve Bailey, VIRGIN MOBILE’S CEO, “Going forward, we
expect that the 99'er's great drop-down rate will form the basis for all VIRGIN MOBILE's new products.
Soon all our new Contract, Top-Up and Prepaid products will include the same simple, 'best value'
underlying tariff."
|
|
| |
Virgin Mobile South Africa (‘VIRGIN MOBILE’) is pleased to announce that the company generated a
positive operating profit at the end of October 2009 and expects to remain EBITDA positive going
forward. VIRGIN MOBILE launched in June 2006, promising value and transparency to South African
consumers. It was initially difficult for the company to make headway given the unjust interconnect
environment and the enormous marketing spend of the existing operators.
|
|
| |
In the last 12 months, however, VIRGIN MOBILE has gained market share, improved customer service
and reduced overheads.
|
|
| |
Great deals such as 1000 Free SMS’s per month have enabled the company to grow to over 200,000
subscribers with an industry leading blended ARPUof over R200. Focusing its marketing and sales
on the value-seeking mid-market segment, VIRGIN MOBILE is becoming well known for offering simple,
no-nonsense cellular connectivity at decent rates.
|
|
| |
Going forward, VIRGIN MOBILE expects to keep growing and is anticipating opportunities as a result
of the imminent lower interconnect environment. Integral to its growth plans are the introduction
later this month of a new prepaid product at better than typical post-paid rates and the same flat
tariff on its top-up and classic contract products.
|
|
| |
"Our future plans are all about offering the best value to subscribers who call a lot every day. We
aim to offer a great flat tariff to prepaid and post-paid users alike. And, in anticipation of the
expected fairer peak interconnect environment, this tariff will incorporate the best peak rates in
the market. We are also addressing customer service concerns as raised in a recent survey and this,
together with our new tariffs, will assist us in taking Virgin Mobile’s growth to new levels," said
Steve Bailey, VIRGIN MOBILE’s CEO.
|
|
| |
VIRGIN MOBILE has spent the last 12 months streamlining its operations to deliver better rates,
better deals, better customer service and an overall simpler proposition to consumers. The next 12
months will see the company rolling out these propositions via new marketing campaigns as well as a
refreshed online and in-store presence.
|
|
|
|
|
