MTN says it will be offering free international calls and
SMS to all existing prepaid and postpaid customers in response to Russia’s
invasion of Ukraine.
The company made this known in a statement on Thursday.
MTN said the offer is aimed at supporting customers to stay
in touch with their loved ones while eliminating associated international
direct dialling (IDD) costs due to high international telecommunication
regulations (ITR) to Ukraine.
Karl Toriola, chief executive officer of MTN Nigeria, said
the telco was aware that some of its customers in Ukraine experienced
challenges in contacting their loved ones.
“As a result, we have stepped in with support to ensure that
our customers, both at home and in Ukraine, are still able to connect with
family and friends,” Toriola said.
“All of our customers will benefit from the waived SMS and
voice call fees to and from Ukraine. This blanket waiver has been put in place
as an immediate response to the need.”
Sources disclosed that each existing active subscriber on
the network would receive 30 mins of free voice calls and 50 free SMS.
According to them, the offer will be valid all through
March, and customers will be able to check minutes/SMS allocated, volume used,
balance and expiry date.
Furthermore, unused complimentary minutes will expire on
31st March or any earlier date as advised across all phone numbers and will not
rollover.
MTN said it has also anticipated concerns about connection
issues and has implemented surefire measures to ensure uninterrupted
connectivity.
“We’ve worked closely with our industry body GSMA to make
the connection easier. Whilst MTN does not have operations in Ukraine, we have
heeded the call to remain responsive to our customers in their time of need.”
the statement adds.
MTN’s intervention comes as Russian troops push further into
Ukraine, with hundreds of thousands, including Nigerians, stranded and fleeing
the country for safety.
Citing data from the government, an estimated 4,000
Nigerians were studying in tertiary institutions across Ukraine in 2020 — the
highest number of African indigenes in the country, alongside Morocco.
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