06 March 2019

Vodacom Lesotho has joined forces with Facebook to launch a free connectivity service that both companies claim will enable “hundreds of thousands of Basotho” to follow news and stay connected. 

The operator hopes the partnership will help more people become “first time users of the internet” in a part of the world with limited connectivity

Facebook Flex will allow Vodacom Lesotho customers to switch seamlessly between free and data modes, making it possible for them to chat, post, comment, like or share content for free with family and friends. 

The mobile network operator said it hoped the alliance would help more people access Facebook and become “first-time users of the internet” in a part of the world with limited connectivity. 

Vodacom Lesotho managing director, Philip Amoateng.said it was important to give Basotho “the best possible tools for them to lead successful and fulfilling lives”, and that the network and tools would make their lives easier.

“This partnership is one of the many ways in which we hope to achieve that,” he said. “In the face of blinding unemployment rates, hundreds of thousands of Basotho have found ways to build thriving businesses that use the power of Facebook. Thousands more have developed and built meaningful relationships in Lesotho and outside to further enrich their lives.” 

Last August, Vodacom Group said it created “Africa’s first standards-based, commercial 5G service in Lesotho”, using its assigned 3.5GHz spectrum to initially deliver fixed-wireless access broadband services to two local enterprises.