Accra, Ghana; June 7, 2010: Ghanaians attending the soccer fiesta in South Africa as well as those heading to the country on business and vacation this summer can now connect with their families, friends, business associates and a host of others using local rates made possible by Zain through its ‘One Network Service’ which is now available in South Africa in alliance with Cell C.

With the expansion of the innovative one network service to South Africa, Zain customers have been saved the hassle of getting new phone numbers, paying roaming charges and can now make calls, send SMS and access the internet as well as receive incoming calls at a minimal charge using their current Zain numbers.

In addition, Zain customers will be able to recharge their lines with locally purchased top up cards.

For over 41 million Zain customers spanning its 15 mobile operations in Africa, the availability of the One Network service will provide them with huge benefits when visiting South Africa especially now that lovers of the round leather game will be heading in that direction.

The award-winning ‘One Network’ borderless mobile phone platform enables pre-paid and post-paid Zain customers when travelling to another “One Network’ partner country to be treated as local customers in terms of pricing, while retaining home country service functionalities.

The Country Manager for Zain Ghana, Philip Sowah, commenting on the yet another feat by the leading telecom provider, enjoined Ghanaian visitors to the country who are not on the network to get onboard and take advantage of the one network service and the many opportunities it offers.

According to him, “Ghanaian travelers on Zain network do not have to pre-register or deposit roaming fees and would not be saddled with complicated dialing formats as they jet to South Africa for this month’s soccer festival, a situation he described as “communication made easy”.

“We have reached a significant milestone by our presence in South Africa, the region’s superpower, which this summer will be the focal point of sporting world,” said Zain Africa CEO Chris Gabriel. “‘One Network’ is unstoppable. In every new country in which we plant the “One Network’ flag, we are redefining the concept of mobile coverage and roaming by delivering on our brand promise of ‘A wonderful world’”.

On his part, Cell C CEO, Lars P. Reichelt said, “the cost of international roaming is often inhibitive for international travelers and we are proud to be a part of this offering that will allow visitors to South Africa to make use of our network at prices they are accustomed to at home”.

Since its introduction in East Africa in September 2006 and its cross-continent expansion thereafter, “One Network” has been recognized by the international mobile industry for its innovation and for setting new standards in cross-border mobile communication.