If a few hours ago we knew that Orange was beginning to offer free international calls and messages to Ukraine, now it is the turn of another of the Spanish operators. In this case, Vodafone is the one that also offers free roaming, calls and SMS to Ukraine for its contract customers (and prepaid ones too). The measure will be in force, for the time being, until March 31 this yearalthough it could be extended over time if the armed conflict is not resolved.
The armed conflict has fully hit Ukraine with several Russian attacks in different cities. The last hour, according to AFP, is that Putin calls on the Ukrainian army to “seize power” in Kiev while calling the Ukrainian government a “gang of neo-Nazi drug addicts” and claiming to fight “neo-Nazi terrorists” in Ukraine. Of course, with the passing of the hours, they have shown their willingness to send a high-level delegation to the Belarusian capital, Minsk, to hold talks with Ukraine.
Free calls and SMS to Ukraine
“Vodafone customers in Ukraine have free roaming (voice, data and SMS) since yesterday and for 3 more days. In addition, all international calls and SMS are free for contract customers trying to contact family and friends in Ukraine until March 31. This initiative will also be available to prepaid customers from next Monday.
The Vodafone Foundation will donate €500,000 from its humanitarian fund for NGOs to the Czech Republic, Romania and Hungary to help refugees from Ukraine. This includes a donation to UNHCR to support their activities on the ground.”
This is the statement that Vodafone just sent us a few minutes ago. It points in two directions. First of all, at include Ukraine as a country with free roaming despite belonging to zone 2 and, by default, not having it included. It will also be allowed to make international calls and send SMS free of charge.
Second, half a million euros will be donated to help refugees in Ukraine. Estimates say that up to 5 million people could leave the country in the coming weeks in case the conflict drags on. Right now, although the figures are confusing, up to 100,000 people have already left the country, mainly bound for Poland.