Telecommunication Giants Make the Move To Maximise Biz Digitally
Telecommunication giants are now seeing more positive response to consumer behaviour on their plans to move business fronts digitally.
Considering the global pandemic, it has forced consumers to opt to stay indoors as much as possible.
Giants like Post Fiji, Digicel Fiji, Telecommunications Fiji Limited and Vodafone Fiji have stepped up in helping make the digital move.
Post Fiji digitalise
Post Fiji Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the
Ministry of
Economy to assist our
Small Medium Enterprises by selling their products on its online platform.
Post Fiji caters to diverse stakeholders and partners in Fiji and overseas.
Post Fiji Limited chief executive officer Anirudha Bansod said this was not the time for he and his competitors to focus on profit but to find ways to provide better services.
“The world is on the cusp of a new digital era. Digitalisation dramatically reduces the costs of collecting, storing, and processing data,” said Mr Bansod.
“Digitalisation is transforming economic activities and boosting growth around the world.”
Post Fiji is actively engaged in driving the digitalisation of the system and processes in the interest of the larger community.
Mr Bansod said it strengthens the governance, transparency, and accuracy with information flow.
“We cannot go against the flow of digitalisation.
“It is best to follow the trend and consumer behaviour, where the community wishes to get their transaction at ease and do the business or communication, 24/7. That is the beauty of digitalisation.
Post Fiji does have an online store which is branded as Aesop.
“Our eShop is engaged in offering services like stationeries, box rental, mail booking, electronic money transfer (EMO) and philately or even for EMS booking.
“We have seen increased remittances from overseas by using our Post Fiji website to transfer money to their loved one in Fiji.
“World market of stamp collectors and dealers are using our eShop to purchase philatelic postal stamps through our online website.”
Mr Bansod added they have seen increased traffic of local and international customers using Express Mail Delivery (EMS) for booking and using eShop for pick up delivery of merchandising during this pandemic.
“COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated the need for digitalisation and eCommerce processes in the interest of world society.
“People living in isolation and social distancing created a new norm of using the digital platform more often than traditional brick and mortar stores.
signs
to
help
SME’s
“Technologies like Blockchain, Machine learning, cryptocurrency, various online applications are creating a new revolution in our society,” said Post Fiji’s chief executive officer.
“The future is more exciting and challenging with these technologies, providing ease of life.”
In addition, Mr Bansod said consumers needed to be more vigilant as there was an increase in frauds of cybercrime, password stealing, hacking etc.
“No doubt the entire world is moving with digital very fast and digital transformation is not just providing an opportunity for those within its borders, but for businesses around the world.
“Much of this growth has been focused on consumers, as they spend more money online in traditional ecommerce outlets.”
1440 minutes a day of Digicel
Digicel Fiji said they have created applications and platforms to help Fijians and the Government through this pandemic.
Digicel is established as a Digital
Operator in the country delivering simply more through a suite of five apps and a promise of powerful digital experiences.
As a Digital Operator, Digicel delivers digital experiences 1440 minutes of each day to customers – that is all day, every day.
That means being always there, always on and always having something to offer customers – no matter what they are into.
D’music, news, messaging, marketplaces, cloud storage; there is something for everyone – more of everything for everyone. Every minute of every day.
Digicel said: “We are with our customers 24 hours or 1440 minutes of each day.
“That is every minute of every day - and that we will always have an app and a digital experience to delight and engage them.
“That promise of a constant connection in turn makes for a far deeper, more impactful, and more resonant relationship with our customers.”
Digicel Fiji chief executive officer Farid Mohammed said Digicel has a Prime Bundle plan to suit the demographics in the market.
The fifth app is the MyCash app, a mobile wallet that gives Fijian’s access to digital money.
The new mobile wallet allows customers to send and receive money at no fees locally, receive money from abroad, make payments via QR codes, and pay bills, all from the comfort and safety of their phone anywhere they are.
Customers will only need to provide their phone number and choose a PIN code to protect their account when registering.
The PIN code provides an extra layer of security since accessing the account and making transactions depend on PIN code confirmation.
After registering and activating their account, customers can start using their MyCash wallet by receiving money from abroad or from another MyCash user, depositing money at any Digicel store or MyCash agent. Their funds will be available within minutes.
“MyCash is part of our objective of being a digital operator and our goal of giving people access to digital money.
‘Our aim is for people to use MyCash as the tool to make their daily transactions.
“MyCash is suited and couldn’t come at a better time as travel restrictions continue to impact everyone because of COVID-19.
“Which has forced customer behaviour towards digital options such as mobile wallets.”
Vodafone Offers Free Deliver on VitiKart
Vodafone Fiji offers free delivery for customers.
Pradeep Lal who is the Regional chief executive officer for Vodafone Fiji said that they were also offering
free subscriptions to merchants who plan to consider offering their services digitally.
Vodafone Fiji through its online Vitikart platform is offering the consumers the opportunity to purchase goods from anywhere in Fiji with an option to have it delivered directly to their homes.
Merchants such as Courts, Vinod Patel, Home and Living, Subrails, Prouds, Jacks, Valuefone, Vodafone and many others are offering their products at great prices through the Vitikart platform. “At a time, when community transmission of COVID 19 is becoming a major risk, keeping away from large gatherings and shopping malls to avoid contact with infected persons is a precaution that all Fijians must take,” said Mr Lal.
“Hence, providing an online platform that offers Fijians the convenience of shopping safely from home is highly recommended.
“The Vodafone Vitikart platform integrated with the M-PAiSA mobile wallet gives consumers the freedom to browse, purchase and pay safely from their homes.”
Mr Lal said during the pandemic globally he has seen a major shift in consumer buying behaviour.
The impact has forced people to become more digital and virtual from the comforts of their homes.
“More and more businesses are offering their products online.
“The trend is fast catching up in Fiji also as local businesses find new and innovative ways to engage with their customers.
“Major retailers, restaurants and even small enterprises have adapted to this online ordering and delivery system to keep afloat during this pandemic.
“During this pandemic and for the next one month, Vodafone as a merchant on its Vitikart platform is offering its customers specially discounted prices on mobile handsets,” he said.
This special offer is not available in any of its retail outlets with free of charge home delivery.
This is to ensure its customers Fiji wide are not in any way disadvantaged despite the current restricted movements in areas.
Customers also have the option to pay directly from their mobile using M-PAiSA when they purchase through Vitikart without any additional fees and charges.
Vodafone Fiji is also offering a free three month’s subscription to local businesses who wish to register as an online merchant on its Vitikart platform to offer their products for sale online.
Businesses that register in the next 30 days will have the monthly subscription fee waived for the next three months.
Mr Lal said: “We are all taking strict precautionary measures while the need for shopping is still an unavoidable concern.
“Vitikart provides a safe and convenient option to both the consumers and businesses in this very difficult operating environment.”
Queries sent to Telecommunications Fiji Limited (TFL) remained unanswered when this edition went to press.
Furthermore, in consideration it recently announced a five-year plan to expand fibre infrastructure to more parts of the country.