FNB engage student market with a mobile app

FNB has through its Internet Service Provider, FNB Connect, added new innovations to its mobile Application (APP) aimed at talking to the student market.

Given that Instant Messaging and Social Networking have become a trend especially with students and the youth, FNB Connect has modified its mobile APP to cater to the growing demands of the student market offering students the best of breed. Now student can use one mobile APP to invite friends, build their own community of free calls, SMS and chats and do all their social networking in one place.

"Students are incredibly savvy when it comes to technology, having grown up in the digital age. We aim to give customisable options which cater to their demands," said Farren Roper, FNB Connect Operations Manager.

"The FNB Connect offering works as an APP on mobile devices, but can also be used on a PC or through a web browser on the FNB Connect website. With mobile APPs being very popular with the student market, we have also ensured that our products and services are accessible through the APP stores as well," Says Roper.

Once a student has downloaded the APP to their cellphone, they are able to register for free. After registration, they can use the APP to send invite a friend messages to other people in their circle of influence. Once those people have registered, they are able to use the APP to call and chat to those users for free.

The functionality of the Connect mobile APP allows for integration of all Facebook and MXit contacts into the contacts on APP, enabling contacts across different social networks to communicate from one central location. Students can thereby avoid logging in and out of multiple APPs on their mobile devices. They will be able to chat to their Facebook and MXit contacts using the FNB Connect APP.

"In a market where the cost of telecommunications still remains excessively high, FNB's objective is to help lower the cost of telecommunications, particularly for students. The additional functionality is available to our existing customers as well, but has been designed with the student market in mind and will be supported through a number of innovative campaigns over the next few months," add Roper.

The service is free for users within the same communities, and for a flat rate of 25 cents students with an FNB account can communicate with people outside of their community.

The APP also allows students to apply for an FNB Life Start student account. A Life Start account holder, who has applied through the APP, gets R50 free Connect Talk airtime to call those users who they have not invited into their free community and have not signed up. Another benefit of holding an FNB account is that the user then qualifies for discounts on movie tickets and travel and for free SMS messages to other FNB Connect registered users who hold FNB accounts.

"Our aim was to create a one stop value shop with our new APP - where we cater to the needs of our customers, giving them a choice of communication across all platforms, whether that is voice, chat, IM, or social networking - and this is only the beginning of the innovation," concludes Roper.

Students can go to www.fnbconnect.co.za to download the latest FNB Connect APP and register or access it through the iTunes or Nokia OVI stores or the Android market.