Vodacom has announced a payment plan solution called Easy2Own. It is specifically designed for the prepaid market and potentially opens up the opportunity for more people to purchase a phone that were not previously able to do so.

In terms of phone options, Vodacom is leveraging the Samsung portfolio for now, but it is unclear which devices will be made available, although the more premium offerings are likely not intended for this newly launched product.

As for how it works, Easy2Own requires customers to make an initial deposit and then 11 monthly instalments thereafter. More specifically it will be an up-front payment of R129, then R99 per month for 11 months.

These payments can be done via EFT or debit order, the network confirms. There’s also the added incentive of those customers who settle their payments on time receiving 1GB of data, valid for seven days of the month.

“At Vodacom, we believe that access to mobile devices and connectivity provides endless opportunities for South Africans. The Easy2Own proposition is yet another innovation by Vodacom to help bridge the digital divide. We are confident this effort will accelerate smartphone penetration and help consumers participate in the digital economy,” says Jorge Mendes, chief officer of Vodacom Consumer Business.

“The Easy2Own initiative has been designed with affordability and our customers’ lifestyles in mind. To ensure no one is left behind as we move towards a digital society, Vodacom will continue launching initiatives such as Easy2Own, which drive mobile access in South Africa,” adds Davide Tacchino, Vodacom Terminals managing executive.

Whether there is interest in such an offering, remains to be seen, but hopefully Vodacom will look to expand available devices beyond the Samsung portfolio soon.