Airtel Nigeria unfolds dual recharge options for data subscribers

By Olubunmi Adeniyi

Director, Corporate Communications and CSR, Airtel Nigeria, Emeka Oparah; Chief Operating Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Deepak Srivastava and Executive Director, Lagos Regional Director, Airtel Nigeria, Bayo Osinowo, at the launch of Airtel's Electronic Recharge Card Voucher recently in Lagos

Lagos. May 29, 2012. Airtel Nigeria has announced the rollout of physical and electronic data recharge cards in Nigeria aimed at expanding subscription options for data subscribers on the network of the mobile phone company.

The company says it “recorded another milestone with the successful roll-out of the first ever” service that enables data bundles to be automatically credited to the users account.

Under the plan, customers will no longer will have to use USSD or SMS codes to activate the data bundles says Airtel which announced reduction of its dongle price from N6, 500 to N3, 990, to enable more Nigerians experience its internet services.

The company says the Internet service is now available across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

New and existing Airtel data subscribers on the prepaid platform can activate their desired data bundle using the physical recharge cards available from N99.00 to N7, 999 denominations, for a corresponding data allowance of 10MB to 5GB, the mobile phone company announced in a statement.

Customers will also get up to 50 per cent bonus on selected data plans on both the physical and electronic data recharge options adding that Data Electronic Recharge can be purchased electronically through Airtel Resellers, ATMs and online platforms for daily, fortnightly and monthly subscriptions.

Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director, Airtel Nigeria, Deepak Srivastava sees the new service as an accomplishment as a double victory for customers adding that, “this has taken the company closer to its desired goal of being the most loved brand in the daily lives of Nigerians, especially coming on the heel of the recent launch of its 3.75G broadband service.”

According to him, “in Airtel, we take cognizance of all these and painstakingly evolve with products, services and offerings that elevates our customers above what is obtainable elsewhere. With the fastest and the most deepened coverage of the 3G service across the country coupled with the slash of dongle price by almost 40 per cent, it is no longer a matter of choice for Nigerians especially data users to experience the Airtel brand but a must, because it is the proper thing to do”, Srivastava adds.

To activate any of the available Airtel prepaid data bundle plans through physical and electronic recharge voucher options, subscribers are to purchase, scratch the vouchers and load their phones with the exposed PIN numbers; obtain specific electronic recharge voucher through any Airtel Retailer or on any of the available electronic platforms respectively.

On successful loading, the amount will automatically register on their data account confirming a successful activation.

The availability of Airtel physical data recharge vouchers comes with various advantages that include easy accessibility and the convenience of not memorizing myriads of USSD strings or SMS keywords needed for activation.

Also, the option frees subscribers from any USSD downtime challenges and opens up additional recharge channels through websites, reseller, ATM or other point of sales (POS) terminals.