Grace Ashiru
FNB Connect, the mobile network division of South Africa’s First National Bank (FNB), is making strides in the telecom industry.
Here’s what’s happening: Currently, FNB Connect provides a basic fixed-wireless home internet service. However, CEO Sashin Sookroo has revealed plans to expand into fibre services. The company is in discussions with fibre infrastructure providers to deliver enhanced internet solutions for its customers.
Why the shift to fibre? According to Sookroo, the demand is immense. While their fixed-wireless offerings are already a hit, the introduction of fibre could bring faster, more reliable internet with broader coverage, significantly improving the user experience.
That’s not all. For those frustrated with swapping physical SIM cards, FNB Connect has introduced eSIM technology. This feature allows users to connect to multiple networks without needing a physical SIM card. Signing up for a plan or porting your number is now quicker than ever, taking less than three minutes from start to finish.
And there’s an exciting bonus: new eSIM customers can enjoy 100GB of free data every month for six months.
Since its inception in 2015, FNB Connect has experienced rapid growth. By mid-2024, the network boasted 958,000 active SIMs, edging closer to the coveted 1-million milestone. Data usage has also surged, increasing by 31% over the past year to an impressive 12 million GB.
To expand its coverage, FNB Connect strengthened its infrastructure by partnering with MTN in 2023, complementing its existing collaboration with Cell C.
But the story doesn’t stop at SIMs and data. FNB Connect is proving to be a lucrative business. Over the past year, it generated a staggering R18.6 billion in revenue from airtime, data, and even Lotto and electricity sales. With the rise in eSIM adoption and the upcoming fibre rollout, the company is poised to aim even higher in the telecom space.
