Thursday, 28th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

Operators lure subscribers to SIM re-registration exercise

By Adeyemi Adepetun
13 January 2016   |   3:40 am
MOBILE Network Operators (MNOs) are currently luring some of their hitherto blocked subscribers over poor and incomplete Subscribers Identification Modules (SIM) cards details back to the network through various incentives. Specifically, the duo of MTN Nigeria and Airtel have launched several campaigns within the last two months targeted at ensuring that affected subscribers complete and…
SIM re-registration exercise

SIM re-registration exercise

MOBILE Network Operators (MNOs) are currently luring some of their hitherto blocked subscribers over poor and incomplete Subscribers Identification Modules (SIM) cards details back to the network through various incentives.

Specifically, the duo of MTN Nigeria and Airtel have launched several campaigns within the last two months targeted at ensuring that affected subscribers complete and have correct biometric information and remain on the networks.

Indeed, to retain the services of these millions of subscribers, the operators are giving out free airtime ranging between N5, 000 and N10, 000, but some with a caveat ‘usable only when the full biometrics details and other information of the subscriber have been confirmed and certified correct by the network.’

But, while this exercise continued, confusion and frustration have set in and to a larger extent, may mar the process.

For instance, some subscribers of MTN Nigeria have been made to perform this registration close to between four to five times, “yet we still receive SMS stating that we should again visit any of their outlet to complete re-registration of our details”, lamented Tunji Adigun, a subscriber.

Adigun said other SMS will read: “Dear customer our shops are open this Saturday and Sunday from 7am to 10pm. Kindly visit any MTN shop with valid ID to update your fingerprint/picture. Please ignore if you have registered.”

He however urged MTN to hamonise correctly, subscribers data with them, “going to service outlet here and then is a complete waste of time, after we have done it severally.”

Another subscriber, Blessing Ugheagbu, who spoke to The Guardian, about her experience at the Fatai Atere MTN office at the weekend, said she got an SMS alert last Wednesday, “where I was informed that they have credited my account with N5, 000 free Airtime, but that I will need to go and complete my biometric registration before I can enjoy it.”

While Ugheagbu appreciated MTN for the largesse, she however, lamented that she had done registration three times earlier, “if it is done again, it will make it the fourth time. On getting to the Fatai Atere Office, they had to move us in two separate buses to their Arena, Bolade office. The complaint was that they had a temporary downtime. But I think, they were overwhelmed by the crowd.”

Another subscriber, Toyin Adewunmi, said she also got an SMS shortly after updating her SIM registration through the verification of his BVN number. “I got an SMS from MTN asking me to send Yes to 777 if I want them to use my BVN to validate my registration, although I was skeptical at first but I later did and my line which had earlier been blocked was opened, and I got this text: ‎”You have been compensated with 10, 000 valid for 7-days.”

Meanwhile, the management of MTN Nigeria has continued to appeal to the affected subscribers to bear with them.

In several advertorials, MTN disclosed that any subscriber that receives a message via SMS on SIM Registration, it means such user’s details still need to be updated. MTN claimed that the process has been streamlined to make the exercise quicker and easier for subscribers.

“Kindly oblige us therefore by visiting the nearest MTN SIM Registration point to update your details, including your finger prints and picture. A valid means of identification will also make the process easier.

“Please bear with us and promptly update your details today. Once again, we at MTN are truly sorry for any inconvenience”, MTN stated.

Airtel, through several radio jingles and advertorials has equally pleaded with subscribers who might have received text messages from the network as regards the status of the SIM cards to try as much as possible to complete the registration with an offer of N5, 000 free airtime when completed.

Meanwhile, to make the process easier and reduce traffic at some outlets, MTN in particular has opened new registration centres at strategic locations in Lagos and other affected states.

0 Comments