Etisalat rolls out prepaid data roaming

MOBILE

By Lukas Ajanaku, Lagos, Nigeria

Nigeria’s fastest growing telecommunications firm, Etisalat, has introduced prepaid data roaming for customers. This service, which is in addition to voice and SMS services, will enable all new and existing prepaid subscribers enjoy affordable and uninterrupted access to emails, chats, blackberry services, internet browsing, audio and video streaming with their Blackberry device or internet enabled phones and tablets while roaming in any of its prepaid data roaming destinations.

Prepaid data roaming is available to prepaid subscribers by default and customers simply need to switch on their devices on arrival in the roaming destination and the networks name or code and type of data technology supported, will appear on the handset. This could either be GRPS, EDGE or 3G which must appear in uppercase to start enjoying data services.

Explaining the new service, the Chief Commercial Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Wael Ammar, said the introduction of the prepaid data roaming service provides the subscriber with two options - data roaming plans and pay as you go.

“The prepaid roaming plan has been designed to enable our customers purchase data with ease and manage costs before embarking on their trips or whilst they are already abroad. This unique service also provides the flexibility of three different plans to suit the customer’s data needs,” he said.

With the pay as you go option, all customers need to do is load airtime on their lines before travelling and on arrival abroad; they will be connected to the internet. This option provides flexibility and cost control as customers pay for only what they use. Customers can recharge their lines before travelling or whilst in the roaming environment and also receive e-top up and balance transfers.

The data roaming plan, another first of its kind, enables all prepaid customers manage their roaming costs by providing the flexibility of pre-purchasing data before travelling abroad or whilst abroad. Usage of the purchased plan will only commence when the customer arrives in their destination abroad as well as giving customers the best data roaming rates of as low as 23 kobo per KB when they purchase the 100MB plan.

Customers who wish to also enjoy BlackBerry services on any prepaid data roaming options must ensure that they have an active daily, weekly or monthly BlackBerry plan, which can be purchased before travelling or whilst in the roaming destination, as this will enable them access the blackberry services with their devices.

The data plans are valid for use in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Republic of Benin, Ivory Coast and Central Africa Republic. Customers can purchase a data roaming plan by dialing the appropriate code, *296*1# for 20MB plan at N6, 000, *296*2# for 50MB plan at N13, 000 and *296*3# for 100MB plan at N24, 000. All plans are valid for 30 days from the date of purchase and are available for use 24hrs daily. Usage of the plans will only commence when the customer arrives in their destination abroad.