FNB Connect has announced that it now allows embedded SIM cards (eSIMs) to be used with all its product lines for both retail and business clients.
Since it takes less than three minutes to connect to a mobile network and there is no additional time required for the delivery of a physical SIM card, the bank said that eSIMs improve the digital experience for clients by accelerating the time between sign-up and activation.
“We’ve seen an overwhelming number of our retail and commercial banking customers connect to the FNB app through eSIM-ready devices,” said Sashin Sookroo who is the CEO of FNB Connect. “The number of FNB customers with eSIM-enabled smartphones has grown by 169 percent in the past three years.”
Sookroo said he expected the “numbers to grow further as eSIM-enabled devices become more readily available across more devices with more affordable price points.”
Read also: Why eSIM adoption has been slow in Nigeria
Benefits of e-SIM
Sookroo further stated that the company will give out 100GB monthly to qualifying customers over the next six months.
“As we prepare to launch a number of exciting eSIM-based services, we are thrilled to announce that we are also giving qualifying customers more value on our free FNB Connect eSIMs with an extra 100GB free per month for six months.”
Implementing eSIMs, according to FNB, will eliminate the requirement for physical SIM card manufacturing, storage, and delivery, which should eventually have a positive net environmental impact. Since eSIM removes the requirement for manufacturing, storing, and distributing physical SIM cards, FNB anticipates that its implementation will eventually have a net beneficial environmental impact.
The eSIM allows FNB and its clients to lessen their carbon footprint because it does away with physical hardware.
Sookroo further clarified that “In line with FNB’s aspiration to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030 in our South African operations, we’re excited to see how this move will help us and our customers to minimise our environmental impact while reducing plastic waste.”