The Travel Byte, May 31st
Good morning and welcome to our first edition of the Travel Byte. Thank you to those who wrote in to Firsty showing their excitement on the newsletter that will cover the biggest stories in telco and travel under one umbrella! We hope you enjoy the stories as you're getting ready for the Summer. Let's dive in.
South Africa: Firsty's Country Highlight of the Week
Last week, we hinted at our new country with a little (trophy-less) trivia question. The country highlight is meant to showcase a country in which Firsty has recently launched! This week, we're highlighting South Africa.
We have written a blog that will help you discover the enchanting beauty of South Africa. Here, vibrant cities, pristine beaches, and some of the most breathtaking landscapes are available for tourists to enjoy. From hiking the iconic Table Mountain that overlooks Cape Town to learning about the history of South Africa in the many museums around Johannesburg, there is something for everyone.
Click here to uncover essential travel tips and must-visit places that will make your South African journey extraordinary.
In other (South African) news:
In the latest South African elections held on May 29, 2024, the political landscape has seen significant shifts. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has experienced a decline in support, with new parties like Jacob Zuma's MK Party and Julius Malema's Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) emerging as strong contenders. Early results indicate that the ANC's support has dropped below 40%, a significant decrease compared to previous elections, while the Democratic Alliance (DA) is holding strong as the second-largest party. This election is considered one of the most consequential since the end of apartheid, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with the current government and a desire for change among voters.
For more detailed coverage, you can read about it on [IOL], [The South African], and [News24]
Byte Clock
We pride ourselves in making internet more accessible to mobile users. We believe that everyone should have a free, basic connection to essential applications like messaging, email, navigation and ordering a ride share.
As of today, we have given out:
99,345 GB for free, equivalent to watching around 4,000 movies on Netflix!
Google in its Gemini Era: Unlocking More AI Capabilities in Travel
We speak for ALL of us when I say we've used Google Flights to check out flight prices. Whether for the Summer holidays to a warm beach, Winter holidays to go skiing, or a quick work 'bleisure trip' (combining business and leisure), a trend that has been on the rise since the pandemic, it's a fast and easy way to quickly see where you can get the most 'bang for your buck.' Now, Google is looking to expand its capabilities with more AI. We'll be exploring some of the most important highlights in regard to travel in their latest developer conference.
Google is entering its "Gemini era," as announced by CEO Sundar Pichai at the latest developer conference. This phase is marked by significant advancements in their consumer products and partnerships with travel companies.
Google’s AI-Powered Travel Tools
Recently, Google unveiled new trip planning features in search and Gemini Advanced, akin to ChatGPT Plus for paid users. Google Maps now includes AI features to help with trip planning by summarizing key photos and reviews of restaurants and places, identifying dishes, and highlighting electric vehicle charging stations. Android users also benefit from new features like translating menu content on screen without switching apps.
Other noteworthy highlights from Google Travel
Thailand's Tourism Tactics: Visa Ventures and More
Thailand’s New Visa Promotions
In an effort to attract more tourists and remote workers, Thailand is introducing new visa promotions starting June 1. The number of countries eligible for visa-free entry will increase from 57 to 93, allowing stays of up to 60 days. Visa-on-arrival will also be expanded to 31 countries. These measures are expected to enhance tourism and economic growth, targeting key markets like China and India.
New Measures Include:
In other (Thai) news
The recent mega-popular show "The White Lotus" has spurred tourism with a show about tourism by publicly partnering with tourism. (I know it sounds a bit complicated.) After a super successful first and second season, the first two locations where the show was filmed saw a significant increase in bookings. When picking the location for the third season, the creator of the show, Mike White, was drawn by Thailand's natural beauty and welcoming people; the Thai government also significantly sweetened the pot. Last year, the Thai government approved a plan that increased the rebate for international productions to 150 THB (around $4.5 million).
Whether this was intentional for The White Lotus is unclear. Still, the strategy has already started to pay off: Since the official announcement, searches for Thailand have already jumped 50 percent on Expedia.
Quote of the Week
"You can, you should, and if you're brave enough to start, you will." - Stephen King
T-Mobile Raises Prices on Customers
Acts shocked😮
T-Mobile customers on older plans can expect a $2 or $5 per line increase starting with their June or July bills. Notifications to affected customers had gone out on Wednesday, and people were not happy. Naturally, they're not pleased, especially when the provider has been the self-proclaimed Uncarrier, touting initiatives such as the Price Lock guarantee. In the eyes of consumers, T-Mobile is supposed to be the good guy.
According to their pricing update, they're 'committed to offering the best value in wireless.' Stressing that even with these changes, T-Mobile customers still pay less than they would at their largest competitors, AT&T and Verizon for comparable services and streaming, such as high-speed data, unlimited talk and text, and access to popular streaming platforms.
However, their customers are left with two options: Pay the new price increase, which can range from $2 to $5 per line a month, or leave the carrier.
One egregiously affected customer on Twitter wrote:
"Yeah, got my text about a half hour ago. Raising my line $2. Not sure if that’s just my Magenta Max or if my Digits line will also see a pop. Either way, I’ll be cancelling my digits line. So you wanna make an extra $2/mo, TMobile? How about losing $8/mo instead." - James
Many have already received notifications, and the rate will go into effect on June 5.
While companies like T-Mobile are raising prices on legacy plans to offset rising costs, Firsty remains committed to keeping prices low. We achieve this by leveraging global partnerships and using advanced eSIM technology to reduce operational expenses. Unlike traditional providers, our transparent pricing and fair top-up options ensure that you stay connected affordably, without hidden fees or unexpected hikes. For a more detailed comparison on Firsty vs. International Plans, check out our blog here.
Transforming Indianapolis 500 with Tech
While the grandiose festivities were happening in Monaco, and the ultra-rich watched Charles Leclerc from their yachts win his home race, Americans were watching an entirely different kind of race. The Indianapolis 500, affectionately known as 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing' (F1 fans, what do we think about that?), is an adrenaline-fueled 500-mile race held annually at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Drivers reach speeds over 230 mph, and fans revel in a festival-like atmosphere.
But what's faster than the race cars flying by only making left turns? The technologies like 5G NTT used to bring more connectivity to the race.
How NTT Transformed the Indianapolis 500
Fun fact: The top 10 Formula 1 drivers in Monaco finished exactly where they started, while the Indy 500 had 649 overtakes, the most since 2017.
Source: Joe Pamplino
Trophy-less trivia
Which country is hosting its elections next week, invented color TV, and is home of the world's smallest volcano?
Firsty Updates
Have you seen our latest video yet? If not, you can check it out right here!
Other Updates
In the next week we'll be adding a number of countries to our coverage and introduce one of our most exciting features yet!
For more info on Firsty, visit www.firsty.app, and for our full list of countries visit www.firsty.app/countries
Affiliates | Firsty.app
10moExcited for the next! Wonder what the following country highlight will be 🤔