<aside> 💡 To ensure accessibility to all, reducing the cost of sending local SMS is a priority. We recommend partnering up with Cell-C or MTN so that SMS costs affiliated with sending to Unity Search is subsidized on behalf of the telecom provider. In return, the telecom provider will attract more customers and positive company perception.
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A 1 GB data plan costs R149 (~$10) by MTN which allows you to read 200 articles
One SMS message costs $0.019. Thus making 200 queries on Unity Search costs $3.8; a
reduction in cost of 62%
From the user research we have conducted, it's a common theme that in South Africa, the high data costs facilitate higher demand for an SMS-based search engine like Unity Search. But to further the incentive, we propose establishing a connection with a local telecom provider which will subsidize SMS costs. The intention behind this is to make Unity Search accessible to as many as possible. However, in the case that such a deal cannot be reached, we strongly believe that the standalone service costing users the local SMS rates still has clear incentive for use. This has been validated by numerous testimonials and unbiased feedback surveys, not only from South Africa, but also Ghana. With that said, here's an outline to go about establishing these connections.
Text Unity Search through an MTN phone number, pay XX% less in SMS rates
Lowering the local SMS costs to interface with Unity Search reduces the friction to use the service further. Price will be a very small consideration, in their decision on whether or not to use the service.
Beyond positive company image (partnered with UN working on internet accessibility), this partnership has potential to be a powerful customer onboarding campaign for the provider.
There is stiff competition in the South African telecom industry and we believe that the UN can leverage that to partner with one telecom provider. Providing Unity Search users with lower SMS costs with the partnered telecom provider will add another reason as to why consumers should go with that provider.
In the potential case that Unity Search gains popularity within South Africa, the telecom company will see direct growth in registered customers.
Begum Mohammed, Sales Manager: Vodafone Business Digital Sales South Africa
Shali Thilakan, Regional Director Middle East & Africa at Vodafone; based in ZA
Herman Singh, CEO, NED, Professor for Digital Transformation and Startup Acceleration
After talking with Jeff Siaw (Ghanian-American with significant experience in mobile sales), he strongly endorsed the idea, reasoning that mobile companies—especially in Ghana—are looking for strong brand-building partnerships like this.