Mobile operator Vodacom is giving 1GB of free data to all of its 33m-plus customers in South Africa. The only catch is that if they want it, they have to use it this Sunday, the day it is made available.

The mobile operator, which is keen to drive up the number of people using data services on its network – this week launching a new entry-level smartphone, the Smart 4 mini, aimed at the mass market – says it has decided to give the free data to its customers to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

Vodacom was the first company in South Africa to launch mobile services, commercially activating the phones of 36 000 customers on 1 June 1994. It was estimated then that the market could potentially grow to 250 000 subscribers. By the end of 1995, this was already surpassed, with 400 000 cellphones in use in the country.

Within four years, Vodacom alone had more than a million customers. It now has more than 33m subscribers.

“On Sunday, we’re giving all Vodacom customers 1GB of free data to use for the day,” said CEO Shameel Joosub in a statement. “[There are] no strings attached, just a huge thank you for being with us over the last 20 years. This is in fact just beginning. We’re planning a year of celebrations and have new firsts lined up throughout the year.”

Vodacom said that customers could check their data balances on the day by dialling *111*600#. The data will be valid until 11.59pm on 11 May. — (c) 2014 NewsCentral Media