Strong gesture: the main world operators have just given up revenue from calls to and from Ukraine in order to keep the lines of communication open during the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
While European countries responded to the invasion with economic sanctions, which hurt the Russian stock market and caused the value of the Russian ruble to plummet, operators have also taken financial steps to act, as the conflict escalates. and fear the worst.
A number of major carriers have waived fees for customers who need to keep in touch with friends and family in Ukraine. Others are also making efforts on the ground – such as Orange, which distributes prepaid SIM kits at border posts.
“Amid the crisis in Ukraine, we are offering free or discounted calls to and from Ukraine in most European countries where we operate. In Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, prepaid SIM kits are distributed free of charge to refugees arriving from Ukraine at land border posts,” said the management of the incumbent operator.
In detail, Orange has launched a number of initiatives in Europe:
- France : From February 25, and for a period of two weeks, calls, text messages and MMS from Orange and Sosh terminals to mobiles and landlines in Ukraine are free.
- Slovakia: calls between Slovakia and Ukraine, as well as SMS and MMS, are free until March 11.
- Belgium : Orange postpaid subscribers (private and business) can make free calls to Ukrainian landlines and mobiles.
- Spain: Orange and Jazztel customers can make free international calls and text messages to Ukraine. Prepaid customers will receive discounts.
- Poland: calls from Poland to Ukraine are now heavily discounted, at 0.29 Polish zloty (PLN) per minute.
- Moldova: subscribers have 30 minutes of free calls to Ukraine every day. Rates have been reduced by 85% and are currently charged at 1 lei per minute.
- Romania: calls and texts are free to Ukraine. Customers in Ukraine now enjoy free calls, texts and data.
The other French operators, namely Bouygues Telecom, SFR and Free, have also taken measures to make life easier for its subscribers with links to Ukraine. Free has therefore decided to lower its call rates to Ukraine, like Bouygues Telecom. For its part, SFR has decided to follow Orange by removing roaming charges for calls and SMS made from or to Ukraine.
Operators are mobilizing
The American operator Verizon has waived fees until March 10 for private and professional subscribers to and from Ukraine. Voice services and SMS roaming charges have also been waived, and customers with international coverage will not lose any minutes from their plan. “During these difficult times, customers need to stay in touch with loved ones in Ukraine,” said Manon Brouillette, CEO of Verizon Consumer Group. “Waiving long-distance charges for customers calling Ukraine will help them focus on what matters: communicating with loved ones. »
UK operator Virgin Media O2 has waived charges for calls to and from Ukraine, texts and data until March 6 – although that date is “one to watch” as course of the conflict. Charges will be automatically credited to customers. “We are deeply troubled by the events unfolding in Ukraine and we know that some of our customers or their relatives and friends may be directly affected,” the company said.
Calls, texts and data to and from Ukraine are now free for subscribers of the operator EE. The operator, however, warns its customers that “the signal in the region could be affected by damage to local networks and equipment”. Until March 2, Vodafone is offering free roaming to its customers in Ukraine, as well as free calls and texts to and from the region. The operator’s European operations, including in Romania, the Czech Republic and Hungary, have also taken action.
Vodafone is donating 500,000 euros to NGOs in Europe to help them deal with the refugee crisis. “We are living in times of distress in Europe”, we know from Vodafone. “Although Vodafone has no employees in Ukraine, our hearts go out to all those affected by the war. For our customers, we want to help the way we know how. »
Source: ZDNet.com