MTN has demonstrated its humanitarian side to its subscribers affected by the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict by providing them with free credits and short message service, SMS.
The tech company announced today that it will provide free international calls and SMS to all existing prepaid and postpaid customers beginning today.
This offer is intended to assist customers in staying in touch with loved ones while eliminating associated International Direct Dialing (IDD) costs due to Ukraine’s high International Telecommunications Regulations (ITR).
“We understand that some of our customers in Ukraine have experienced difficulties in contacting their loved ones,” said MTN CEO Karl Toriola in a statement.
As a result, we have stepped in to provide assistance to ensure that our customers, both at home and in Ukraine, can continue to communicate with family and friends. All of our customers will benefit from waived SMS and voice call fees to and from Ukraine.
This blanket waiver was implemented as an immediate response to the need.
According to MTN sources, each existing active subscriber on the network will receive 30 minutes of free voice calls and 50 SMS.
Customers will be able to check minutes/SMS allocated, volume used, balance, and expiry date throughout the month of March.
Unused complimentary minutes in the offer will expire on March 31st, or any earlier date specified across all phone numbers, and will not roll over.
Furthermore, the company anticipated concerns about connection issues and put in place safeguards to ensure continuous connectivity.
“We’ve worked closely with our industry body GSMA to make the connection easier,” Toriola added.
Despite the fact that MTN does not have operations in Ukraine, we have heeded the call to remain responsive to our customers in their hour of need.”
MTN’s intervention comes as Russian troops advance deeper into Ukraine, leaving hundreds of thousands stranded and fleeing for safety, including Nigerians.
According to government data, an estimated 4,000 Nigerians were studying in tertiary institutions across Ukraine.
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