KUALA LUMPUR (July 12): Celcom Axiata Bhd has teamed up with ride-hailing service firm Grab to provide Celcom customers and Grabcar driver-partners nationwide with special benefits in the coming months.

In a joint statement today, Celcom and Grab said all Celcom customers on the mobile service provider's "Lightning Fast LTE" network will enjoy zero-rated data charges on the GrabCar app usage and free GrabCar rides and discounts, as part of its loyalty programme.

For loyal GrabCar drivers, meanwhile, Celcom will offer them a wide selection of the latest devices that are compatible with its Lightning Fast LTE network, bundled with Celcom FIRST plans with additional benefits.

“We look forward to innovating with Grab and delivering new ride-hailing services for both our customers and GrabCar drivers who would benefit with Celcom’s seamless network connectivity for their day-to-day engagements,” Celcom deputy chief executive officer of business operations Azwan Khan Osman Khan said.

Grab country head for Malaysia Sean Goh said the partnership is ideal, as it will help Grab’s stakeholders to not just enjoy a better ride experience, but also help their driver-partners financially as well.

“As an e-hailing ride service, both our drivers and passengers rely on mobile connectivity, especially for our drivers who are always trying to provide excellent service to their passengers," Goh said.

"In addition, as our driver partners are dependent on their mobile devices, this will certainly help our drivers to defray some of their mobile cost and also help the navigation of the journey [to be] much more efficient,” he added.