MTN-Rwanda subscribers in Uganda will no longer worry about top up cards. All they have to do is buy airtime cards locally, top-up and make calls normally. Meaning customers will now be able to load airtime using the MTN-Uganda top-up cards. Before, customers could only load airtime from their designated network provider. When contacted for comment, Fifi J. Rurangwa, Corporate Sales Manager, MTN Rwanda said they will also provide the same services. She however did specify the time when it will availble. “They (customers) will get the same product,” She said. Rurangwa added they are to issue a statement today. Earlier, MTN subscribers from either countries traveling to Rwanda or Uganda would only access top up cards at specific places. MTN- Rwanda subscribers traveling to Uganda would get top up cards at Jaguar and Onatracom bus terminals. They used to part with Frw200 on the card amount to cater for transport costs incurred. Those from Uganda pay an extra Shs500 on average in Remera and Nyabugogo for MTN Uganda airtime. However, Steven Nsubuga, MTN Uganda’s Segment Manager- High Value Market said “This new service is just to enhance our ‘Home & Away’ service by enabling subscribers load airtime anywhere in the region using local airtime cards from our partner networks.” MTN-Rwanda, Kenya’s Safaricom, Tanzania’s Vodafone and MTN-Uganda partnered to promote the Home & Away product. Mobile family MTN’s target is to become the largest mobile family in East Africa, despite being in only 2 East African Countries of Uganda and Rwanda. By partnering with the largest networks in the region, they are creating one big regional network. In Kenya, MTN partnered with Safaricom, Vodafone in Tanzania and U-Com in Burundi in order to have a wider coverage in the region. The new service of loading local airtime anywhere in the region is a milestone in the fast growing regional telecommunication market, where telecommunication companies are engaged in cut throat competition to have a fair share of subscribers out of the 120 million people in the East African Community. Convertible Nsubuga said that this new service will be unique in a way, given that whichever amount of top-up the subscribers load will be immediately converted into their country’s currency according to the prevailing exchange. “For example, subscribers from Rwanda will have the amount loaded converted into Rwandan francs and those from Kenya will have their credit in Kenyan shillings to avoid confusion and make them feel at home,” Nsubuga explains. He dispelled rumours that the service will only apply to those on international roaming, saying that all MTN subscribers whether on pre-paid or post paid tariff will benefit. Normal call rates apply but there will be special rates to calls made to MTN-Rwanda, Safaricom and Vodacom. Customers will have to follow new steps which involve putting the country code first when loading different airtime on their accounts and not the usual steps. Loading Subscribers will be required to type *148* then the Country code (2-Uganda, 1-Kenya, 3-Tanzania and 7 for Rwanda) *, the access number followed by # and OK/YES. Traders speak outRwandan traders in Kampala are excited about the new service. Most of them are looking forward to the new product. “I will be relieved because sometimes I use more airtime than planned when I am in Uganda. I have to keep disturbing people in Kigali to send me top-up numbers but now, I will be loading direct,” Gaspard Ruzooka, an electronic dealer said. Aline Mukandori, a textile trader said the move will cut costs. She however said she finds Ugandan call tarrif rates cheaper compared to Rwanda as the reason behind his using a Ugandan line while there. Ends
