First National Bank (FNB) ‘Connect Talk’ Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) application is now available for free on the South African Apple Application (App) Store. This is in addition to the range of phones on which the application is already available. Now iPhone; iPod Touch; and iPad users can make calls to cellphones and landlines, both locally and internationally, at significantly reduced rates. This is the first proudly South African application to be available on the world renowned Apple App store.

Launched in 2008, FNB Connect is the bank’s virtual Internet Service Provider (ISP) that provides easy-to-use and affordable telecommunications services to FNB customers. However, non-FNB customers are not restricted - they can also open a non-transactional account online in minutes when applying for FNB Connect to get them started.

FNB ‘Connect Talk’ is a no-contract, pre-paid only system with call rates ranging from 33c to 49c per minute for local calls; 25c per minute for international calls; and 99c per minute to any South African mobile number when making calls via an internet connection.

In keeping the offering simple, FNB Connect CEO, Luis Simoes, believes FNB has answered the needs of many phone and data users that aren’t currently fulfilled by the traditional internet and cellphone service providers.

“Calls can be made from a computer or compatible cellphone, or even from a landline if plugged into a VoIP-enabled router. As it’s a pay-as-you-go service, we have an online call calculator so call costs can be determined before calls are made. Furthermore, live usage and billing statistics can be seen at anytime instead of waiting for month-end to get the bill. And if users have a WiFi-enabled cellphone, they can use this internationally and don’t have to sign up for expensive roaming with their cellphone service provider,” says Simoes. “In addition, FNB Connect users can also get free ‘Connect Talk’ access at selected WiFi hotspots.”

The Apple app is just the latest development in FNB Connect’s drive to help its customers say hello for less and stay in control of their expenses. FNB Connect is currently offering R10 free airtime to call any number anytime for new registrations only. Sign up is free.