Free Calls from Students to Parents
19th March, 2008
Vodafone has launched into the market a new product which aims to provide amongst other benefits, free calls from the student to the parent. The product known as VKIDZ is designed to offer free calls from the student to one of the nominated parent’s mobile, free SMS text messaging and cheaper calls to four other mobile numbers.
Security and welfare of kids remains a key concern for parents when their children are away from home, says Shailendra Prasad, the Manager Corporate Affairs of Vodafone Fiji. “The Vodafone ATH foundation has long been supporting the now familiar community message on TV, “It’s after 10.00PM, do you know where your children are?”
To assist the parents alleviate security concerns of their kids, Vodafone has launched a new SIM that provides for free calls between the child and one of the parents nominated mobile numbers. Furthermore, VKIDZ also provides fifty (50) free SMS text messages on every recharge of value eleven ($11) dollars or more. An additional four mobile numbers nominated by the parent may be called by the VKIDZ SIM/mobile for fifteen (15) cents a unit as opposed to 27 cents during 7.00AM to 5.00PM and 18 cents from 5.00PM to 7.00AM.
The Ministry of Education has given its blessing for the launch of the products in secondary schools with the individual school principals having the final say. The Director Secondary Education, Mr Suliasi Lutubula said “having carefully considered the benefits of the product, we feel that it is great product that allows kids to contact their parents for free at critical times. In times of emergencies such as cyclones and floods or even when schools are closed for reasons such as water disruptions or other unforeseen circumstances the child is able to quickly inform their parents who are able to pick them up. It is all part of improving communication and productivity and student’s safety and security.
The product is being launched this week and will be available exclusively from Vodafone Roadshow and individual secondary schools that have consented to the product.
When contacted, a number of school principals had already given their go ahead for the VKIDZ in their schools. The Principal of Ratu Sukuna Memorial School, Mr Akapusi Qio had this to say, “this is a great product for schools kids. It will assist in communication between kids and their parents whilst assisting in their safety and well being. At a time when the price of everything is going up, to come up with this product is great initiative from Vodafone”
The Principal of Suva Sangam, Mr Sundressan Pillay said, “the protection and security of child is paramount. This is a great way of ensuring the parent knows the whereabouts of their child. In times of emergencies and eminent danger, the child is able to contact their parents. The cheaper call option to four other mobile numbers provides opportunity to students to call their friends and colleagues to discuss assignments and projects to assist in peer learning.
About Vodafone Fiji:
Vodafone Fiji Limited is part of Vodafone Group Plc, a leading mobile communications company with over 240 million proportionate customers worldwide. Vodafone Fiji which is a partnership with Telecom Fiji provides mobile telecommunications services to 320,000 Fiji customers. The global company has equity interests in 26 countries and partner networks in a further 33 countries, the largest global footprint.
19th March, 2008
Vodafone has launched into the market a new product which aims to provide amongst other benefits, free calls from the student to the parent. The product known as VKIDZ is designed to offer free calls from the student to one of the nominated parent’s mobile, free SMS text messaging and cheaper calls to four other mobile numbers.
Security and welfare of kids remains a key concern for parents when their children are away from home, says Shailendra Prasad, the Manager Corporate Affairs of Vodafone Fiji. “The Vodafone ATH foundation has long been supporting the now familiar community message on TV, “It’s after 10.00PM, do you know where your children are?”
To assist the parents alleviate security concerns of their kids, Vodafone has launched a new SIM that provides for free calls between the child and one of the parents nominated mobile numbers. Furthermore, VKIDZ also provides fifty (50) free SMS text messages on every recharge of value eleven ($11) dollars or more. An additional four mobile numbers nominated by the parent may be called by the VKIDZ SIM/mobile for fifteen (15) cents a unit as opposed to 27 cents during 7.00AM to 5.00PM and 18 cents from 5.00PM to 7.00AM.
The Ministry of Education has given its blessing for the launch of the products in secondary schools with the individual school principals having the final say. The Director Secondary Education, Mr Suliasi Lutubula said “having carefully considered the benefits of the product, we feel that it is great product that allows kids to contact their parents for free at critical times. In times of emergencies such as cyclones and floods or even when schools are closed for reasons such as water disruptions or other unforeseen circumstances the child is able to quickly inform their parents who are able to pick them up. It is all part of improving communication and productivity and student’s safety and security.
The product is being launched this week and will be available exclusively from Vodafone Roadshow and individual secondary schools that have consented to the product.
When contacted, a number of school principals had already given their go ahead for the VKIDZ in their schools. The Principal of Ratu Sukuna Memorial School, Mr Akapusi Qio had this to say, “this is a great product for schools kids. It will assist in communication between kids and their parents whilst assisting in their safety and well being. At a time when the price of everything is going up, to come up with this product is great initiative from Vodafone”
The Principal of Suva Sangam, Mr Sundressan Pillay said, “the protection and security of child is paramount. This is a great way of ensuring the parent knows the whereabouts of their child. In times of emergencies and eminent danger, the child is able to contact their parents. The cheaper call option to four other mobile numbers provides opportunity to students to call their friends and colleagues to discuss assignments and projects to assist in peer learning.
About Vodafone Fiji:
Vodafone Fiji Limited is part of Vodafone Group Plc, a leading mobile communications company with over 240 million proportionate customers worldwide. Vodafone Fiji which is a partnership with Telecom Fiji provides mobile telecommunications services to 320,000 Fiji customers. The global company has equity interests in 26 countries and partner networks in a further 33 countries, the largest global footprint.
