The high cost of mobile data continues to be a major barrier to education, particularly for students in higher learning institutions.
As these institutions increasingly move towards blended and online learning models, access to affordable, reliable internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity. From submitting assignments on digital platforms to conducting research through online academic resources, students are expected to be connected.
Yet, for many, the price of data remains out of reach, placing strain on students’ ability to succeed academically and deepening the digital divide across socioeconomic lines.
With its new Stadio Connect offering (based on a mobile virtual network operator(MVNO) model), higher education provider Stadio is offering its students and staff some of the lowest mobile data rates in the country, as well as data-free access to certain Stadio resources.
According to Merwe Roux, Stadio’s CIO, Stadio Connect has launched at all Stadio campuses nationwide to contact learning students and campus staff. Access will be rolled out to Stadio’s distance learning students in the second semester of the 2025 academic year, and then to family and friends of Stadio students and staff.
“Our vision is to empower the nation by widening access to quality higher education, and through Stadio Connect, we aim to eliminate the cost of data as a barrier to quality higher education,” says Roux. “A common theme in feedback from the annual student survey is the high cost of data and challenges students face in accessing online learning resources. We believe that in the digital world we live in, education needs to use technology to support and advance our students’ learning experiences and set them up for success in the 21st century, so we set out to find a way to make that technology more accessible.”
Stadio students each receive a free SIM or eSIM upon registration (one free SIM card per person). The SIM card is preloaded with non-expiry data, airtime and SMSes. Users need to RICA their SIM, which can be done through an ICASA-compliant WhatsApp process or via the helpdesk.
“We have partnered with megsApp, which has a back-to-back agreement in place with MTN, the biggest network in South Africa from an infrastructure perspective,” says Roux. “We have full access to the MTN network, as well as robust support channels, ensuring our community can stay connected, wherever they are.”
Users can port their existing number to the STADIO Connect network, or get a new number, and purchase additional SIM cards beyond their first free one. This gives them access to the STADIO Connect app, where they can buy non-expiry data bundles, as well as data, voice, SMS and specials.
“We’re working on zero-rating our key Stadio websites and platforms, like Canvas, myStadio, and Q-Desk, so students using the network can access their learning materials, administration tools and support systems without using paid data,” says Roux. “While joining the network is completely optional, we’ve had a good uptake as most students see value in the offering.”
He says that many staff members and students opt to buy a second SIM card for their laptop, allowing them to work remotely from anywhere. “It removes the reliance on unstable wi-fi or internet connections, the impact of power outages is reduced, and users have lower data and airtime costs.
“Connectivity has become fundamental in this world. Ultimately, Stadio Connect gives our staff and students increased flexibility. The idea is to ensure there’s one less thing getting in the way of access to education. We are excited about the potential of Stadio Connect to improve the lives of our community, but also more broadly, for communities across South Africa where connectivity remains a challenge.”