Everything happens online these days – especially now after the lockdown forced even the most die-hard analogue fans to embrace the digital age. Now, you can look for jobs, learn, pay the bills and more, all from a smartphone. The only thing holding you back is the cost of data – and that’s where zero-rated sites and apps come in.

What Is Zero-Rated?

You know that buzz-kill notification that pops up while you’re streaming a series or deep-diving into social media, telling you that you only have so many bytes left of your data package? That’s because accessing websites and apps uses data (duh) which you pay for in the form of data bundles. When a site or app is “zero-rated” by an internet provider, it means that they’re allowing you to visit that site or app on their network for free. In other words, you can use the app or browse the site and it won’t affect your data or airtime balance.c

Zero-Rated Apps And Sites For Vodacom Customers

Vodacom has zero-rated a number of apps and sites that offer valuable services. To access them, you need to be connected to the internet via a Vodacom SIM card (so turn your WiFi connection off and switch to mobile data). Here are some of the apps and sites you can enjoy…

VodaPay App

VodaPay is a super app, which means it’s like a shopping mall, as opposed to a single shop. You can access numerous online stores through the secure app, including Makro, Clicks, Builders and KFC, among others; plus you can buy electricity, airtime and perform other transactions. And because the app is zero-rated, you’re doing your online shopping free of the data costs that you would normally pay. By the way, the My Vodacom app, which allows you to manage your account and balances, is also zero-rated.

Vodacom E-School Platform

This platform is a gem for anyone with school-going kids who doesn’t have the time or memory of things like polynomials and human anatomy to help them with their schoolwork. Like a tutor on your device, it allows children to learn at their own pace and covers the school syllabus from Grade R through to Grade 12. And because it’s zero-rated, your child can spend hours on there each day without running out of data.

Career Portals

They say you should treat looking for a job like a full-time job. And that means spending long hours on job portals like Careers24 and PNet. Of course, the irony is that without a job, you might not be able to afford the data costs involved. The good news: Vodacom has zero-rated these and other job sites, as long as you access them via the ConnectU site.

 News, Sport and Search

The ConnectU site also allows you to search Wikipedia, access news and lifestyle information and, because SA is a sports-made nation, get PSL and other sports updates. In fact, more than 1 400 URLs have been made available, zero-rated, on the ConnectU platform.

Vodacom Now!

Yup, the website you’re on right now is also zero-rated by Vodacom. Use it to get up-to-date info on tech innovations, Vodacom offerings, tips for getting the most out of your smartphone and easy-to-follow how-to guides for those of us who are not so tech-savvy.

Happy browsing!  

Stay connected

Vodacom data deals keep you connected at all times. While you’re at it, why not upgrade to a phone with a high-quality camera? Check out our latest Vodacom handset deals. Remember that vodacom.co.za is also zero-rated!