MTN Liberia zero-rates Facebook to help COVID-19 social distancing

Lonestar Cell MTN (MTN Liberia) is now letting customers use Facebook for free with the launch of Facebook Flex, to enable people to stay connected while still social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yaw Ankoma Agyapong, chief marketing officer of Lonestar Cell MTN, said in a statement that enabling data-free access to Facebook is aimed at improving digital inclusion for Liberians.

"Social media platforms like Facebook have become vital communication tools for many people, and we want to ensure that our customers can access them more affordably."

The basic version of the social media platform is accessible by visiting the Facebook mobile site through a browser or through the Facebook app on smartphones. Using the Free Mode of Facebook, Lonestar Cell MTN customers can browse, post, update their status or comment on posts for free without using data. However, to view pictures and videos on Facebook, customers will have to switch from the Free Mode to Data Mode.

At the end of 2019, MTN had almost 1.3 million mobile subscribers in Liberia, with 330,000 active data subscribers and 384,000 Mobile Money users.

Liberians can use Facebook for free by choosing Free Mode on the website or app.

COVID-19 response
Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak in Liberia, MTN has been spearheading the private sector support for the national efforts to combat the spread of the virus in the country. Last month Lonestar said it had already provided support valued at more than $350,000 to help contain the outbreak, provide relief for customers and Liberians and help the nation stay connected affordably.

According to Worldometer data, as of Monday, Liberia had only 359 confirmed COVID-19 cases and had seen 30 deaths from the virus, in the population of around 5 million people.

The launch of Facebook Flex comes after several other initiatives aimed to help MTN users during the COVID-19 outbreak in Liberia.

All customers have access to ten free SMS messages per day to send to anyone on the network. Mobile Money users can also transfer money to other users of the service for free as part of measures to encourage people to avoid handling cash. Mobile Money users can also transfer money from their bank accounts to their Mobile Money accounts and vice versa with zero fees charged.

Lonestar Cell MTN has also partnered with the Ayoba instant messaging platform and users can chat and share photos and videos without needing any data or airtime on their phones.

Lonestar has also zero-rated over 20 local and international educational institutions and resources for students.

Lonestar Cell MTN said in May it has also accelerated its rural coverage rollout and expanded its network to over 120 remote towns and villages, extending connectivity to over 414,000 new customers.

— The Staff, Connecting Africa