Our response to COVID-19
Safety and connectivity are our number one priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020, the world changed in ways we could have never imagined.
As COVID-19 restrictions start lifting and lockdowns ease, countries are responding to the fundamental changes the pandemic has had on our lives, livelihoods and lifestyles.
Over the course of the lockdowns, millions of people have re-discovered the value of remaining connected. Technology has enabled us to not only stay connected with loved ones but to continue to access the fundamental pillars of society including education, government services, healthcare, banking, commerce and entertainment.
Nearly 23 million customers used our self-care apps to manage their accounts, the business community in Russia deployed our working from home platform, BeeFree, and in Pakistan, JazzCash enabled 7.8 million customers and merchants to keep trading.
In addition to supporting our 212 million customers, VEON’s operating companies have stepped up by donating supplies to hospitals and supporting frontline workers, as well as supplying vulnerable families with food and basic necessities.
As we step into the new phase of living with COVID-19 we would like to thank all the frontline workers who have helped communities survive this health crisis, and to all of our employees who have maintained the continuity of our network and adapted to create new channels for customer service.
The world is recovering from an unprecedented health and financial crisis and we must ensure that we are accelerating growth by any means necessary. While we can’t predict the speed or shape of this recovery, we can be certain that it will be powered by digital innovation and connectivity.
Governments and businesses, especially those operating in developing countries, have a responsibility to provide opportunities for digital growth by rebuilding economies reinforced by robust connectivity and digital infrastructure.
VEON stands ready to help communities and governments bridge the digital divide and strengthen economies to create greater prosperity at a time when the world desperately needs it. Connectivity and digital inclusion, which have proved to be vital during the lockdowns, will continue to be our strongest levers as we go forward to rebuild a stronger global economy.
Kaan and Sergi
How we are supporting our communities
The positive impact of VEON on the communities where we operate has never been clearer. The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the fundamental role that our operating companies play in connecting people and providing vital digital services.
We want to ensure that we are not only supporting our customers but the communities we operate in more widely. Our support for COVID-19 related programmes thus far amounts to more than USD 3.5 million.
Russia
- Free access to emergency health care and foreign affairs hot lines and websites
- Free access to BeeFree a website dedicated to remote working
- Free Beeline TV access for all those who are quarantined
- Healthcare recommendations through My Beeline
- Free roaming data for stranded citizens
Pakistan
- Free access to emergency health care and foreign affairs hot lines and websites
- More flexible payment terms for affected customers
- Healthcare awareness campaign through SMS, social media and JazzTV
- Free roaming data increase for stranded citizens
- Subsidised data and calls for companies working from home
Ukraine
- Free access to emergency health care and foreign affairs hot lines and websites
- Free access to educational platform on mobile
- Millions of SMS sent to customers with recommendations from Ministry of Health and Ministry of Internal Affairs
- Free access to mobile apps with 24/7 consultation of medical practitioners
Kazakhstan
- Free access to emergency health care and foreign affairs hot lines and websites
- Free roaming data for stranded citizens
- SMS campaign sent to customers on behalf of the Ministry of Health
- Free additional data and minutes for doctors and nurses
Uzbekistan
- Free access to emergency health care and foreign affairs hot lines and websites
- Free access to TV channels via Beeline TV App
- Free access to educational resources
Bangladesh
- Free access to emergency health care and foreign affairs hot lines and websites
- Healthcare awareness campaign through social media, apps and SMS
- Increased digital initiatives for stranded citizens
- Launched ‘Stay Safe Bangladesh’ social awareness campaign
Algeria
- Free access to emergency health care and foreign affairs hot lines and websites
- More flexible payments terms
- Subsidised data and call from front line workers
- Free or discounted access to educational sites
- B2B customer support for WFH
Georgia
- Free access to emergency health care and foreign affairs hot lines and websites
- Free roaming data for stranded citizens
- Triple times more internet for the same price
- Offering 3x more data in packages for same price
Armenia
- Free access to emergency health care and foreign affairs hot lines and websites
- Deferred all bill payments by one month
- Free roaming data increase for stranded citizens
- Free access to TV channels and 150 movies to all BeeTV subscribers
- Zero-Rated access to BeeTV for customers
Kyrgyzstan
- Free access to emergency health care and foreign affairs hot lines and websites
- Free specialist hotline redirecting to emergency services and information resources
- B2B customer support for home working
- Content services free for new & discounted for existing customers
How we are supporting our employees
The health of our employees is our number one priority.
We have been working hard to ensure that both our frontline and now home-based employees’ physical and mental wellbeing is looked after during the pandemic.
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Protecting our customer facing employees
- Retail stores have been adapted and redesigned for social distancing, equipped with masks, hand sanitizer and gloves, and temperature measurement
- In store awareness campaigns on the importance of maintaining government measures
Supporting working from home
- All employees are virtually connected through online and video conferencing platforms
- Regular OpCo and Group townhalls with leadership, accompanied by email updates, webinars, lunch and learns
- Increased employee benefits including provision of equipment such as laptops and phones, unlimited voice and data allowances, remote 24/7 IT support
- Dedicated COVID-19 mailbox and internal hotlines for employees
Championing health and wellbeing
- Clear guidelines on working from home to help maintain good work/life balance and mental wellbeing
- Regular free virtual exercise classes accompanied by professional advice on how to lead a healthy mental and physical lifestyle
- Increased 24/7 e-health support including advanced checkups, hotlines offering physical and psychological support and access to corporate doctors
Enabling learning
and development
- Access to learning and development resources through a dedicated online platform
- Additional development incentives such as rewards for new skills developing during the pandemic and increased internal feedback mechanisms
- Increased webinars and knowledge sharing by internal and external experts