STADIO Launches Mobile Network to Save Students Money. In a groundbreaking initiative to fight the digital divide in education, private higher education provider STADIO has launched STADIO Connect, a mobile virtual network designed specifically to help students and staff access affordable data and stay connected to essential online learning resources.
This bold move is a response to one of the most pressing issues affecting tertiary students in South Africa: the high cost of mobile data. By providing cost-effective connectivity, STADIO Connect aims to remove barriers to quality education and empower more students to succeed in a digital world.
Addressing the High Cost of Data in South African Education
South Africa continues to experience severe inequality in internet access, especially among students in disadvantaged communities. As online learning becomes the norm, data affordability has shifted from being a convenience to a necessity.
Students are expected to engage in remote lectures, access academic portals, submit assignments, and participate in collaborative projects, all of which depend on consistent internet connectivity. But for many, mobile data costs are simply out of reach, often forcing them to choose between accessing class content or meeting basic needs.
This is where STADIO Connect steps in as a transformative solution.
Mobile Network Built for Students
STADIO Connect is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), created with the sole purpose of making connectivity more affordable for students and staff across STADIO campuses. Developed in partnership with megsApp and backed by MTN, South Africa’s largest and most reliable mobile network provider, STADIO Connect delivers stable and far-reaching service across the country.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free SIM/eSIM | One per registered student or staff, available during registration |
| Non-expiry bundles | Includes preloaded data, airtime, and SMS that never expire |
| Zero-rated access | Free access to all STADIO online platforms and portals |
| Nationwide coverage | Powered by MTN for stable and extensive connectivity |
| Additional bundle purchase | Via the STADIO Connect App, with exclusive discounts available |
| Porting support | Keep your old number or request a new one |
| Easy activation | Activate through WhatsApp or helpdesk via RICA |
How It Benefits Students and Staff
From full-time on-campus learners to distance education students, STADIO Connect is designed to alleviate the cost burden and provide equitable access to the internet. One of the most powerful aspects of this solution is its zero-rated services, meaning students don’t need data to access STADIO’s e-learning platforms, student portals, or academic tools.
“We aim to eliminate the cost of data as a barrier to quality higher education,” says Merwe Roux, Chief Information Officer at STADIO.
This vision is rooted in years of feedback from students who’ve consistently cited the high cost of data as a major obstacle to academic success. By launching its own mobile network, STADIO is not only listening — it’s leading.
What’s Next for STADIO Connect?
Currently, the STADIO mobile network is being rolled out across all STADIO campuses. According to the institution, distance learning students will begin receiving their STADIO Connect SIMs in the second semester of 2025.
But the innovation doesn’t stop there.
The next phase of the initiative will expand access to students’ and staff’s family and friends, broadening the scope of the program and creating ripple effects throughout entire communities. This strategy reflects STADIO’s commitment not just to its students, but to national development through inclusive access to technology.
Bridging the Digital Divide in Education
With STADIO Connect, the institution is positioning itself at the forefront of South Africa’s digital education revolution. Access to data should never be the reason a student falls behind. And thanks to this pioneering project, thousands of students now have the tools to learn, grow, and thrive—without worrying about data depletion or internet costs.
STADIO’s Vision for the Future
Through STADIO Connect, STADIO is fulfilling its broader mission to widen access to quality higher education. As the education landscape continues to shift, innovative solutions like this one are essential for ensuring that no student is left behind.
Roux concludes:
“In the 21st-century digital world, technology must support and advance learning. STADIO Connect is our way of ensuring all students have a fair shot at academic success—by making the internet as accessible as possible.”
Conclusion
As South African higher education continues to embrace digital platforms, institutions like STADIO are proving that affordable connectivity can go hand in hand with academic excellence. By removing data costs as a barrier, STADIO Connect not only transforms access but empowers a generation of students to take charge of their education.
