The Sunday News
TELECEL Zimbabwe, one of the country’s largest mobile network service providers, has introduced a number matching facility under their new Switch Over campaign, an initiative which enables subscribers on other networks to retain the last six digits of their mobile numbers if they decide to move over to Telecel.
Telecel head of marketing, Mr Clever Isaya, said the facility was open to any subscriber willing to switch to Telecel, and was convenient.
“We have introduced the number matching initiative to make it convenient for subscribers from other networks who wish move to Telecel to retain their last six digits from their current line when they join us,” he said.
Mr Isaya said the new initiative came as a request from subscribers and potential customers who wished to switch to Telecel without completely changing their mobile phone numbers.
“The Switch Over campaign is an answer to requests from potential customers who would like to move over to our network but are worried about losing the identity that comes with the mobile number they have become accustomed to.
Number matching takes care of the inconvenience of having to memorise or having to share very different mobile numbers with your contacts who are used to your old numbers.
“Zimbabwean mobile subscribers have been requesting Mobile Number Portability (MNP) which enables them to retain their full mobile numbers when changing from one network to the other. Telecel’s number matching initiative does point in the right direction in terms of helping customers retain part of their mobile numbers although full Mobile Number Portability is yet to be introduced into the country by the regulating authority, Potraz,” he said.
The Switch Over campaign, in addition to allowing subscribers from other mobile networks to retain the last six digits of their current line, also offers subscribers free SMS, airtime and data. Customers who recharge with at least $5 per month will get the additional benefits of 5 minutes voice calls to other Telecel numbers, 5 SMSs, and 5 MB data for free per month for 6 months.
“Mobile subscribers who wish to match their mobile numbers have to verify that the last six digits they want are available by going onto the Telecel website or visiting a Telecel office. Once the requested number’s availability has been verified, it is reserved using the subscriber’s national ID number for a period of 48 hours. The subscriber is expected to fully register and activate the number inside the 48 hours failing which it will be made available again to other subscribers,” he said.
Telecel recently amassed over 400 roaming partners in Africa and has concluded roaming agreements for its pre-paid service with South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, and Malawi among seven other African countries.
Telecel Zimbabwe Communications and Branding Director, Mr Obert Mandimika, recently said the company had initially cultivated 360 roaming partners in Africa but recently added 58 international data roaming partners to bring the total to 418.
Roaming enables Telecel subscribers to access network services outside the country.
“We already have over 360 roaming partners for our voice services and our move to add 58 international data roaming partners will ensure our customers do not have to experience the nuisance of being disconnected from their network while travelling,” he said.
Mr Mandimika said Telecel had concluded roaming agreements for its pre-paid service with South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, and Malawi amongst seven other African countries.
Telecel has over 2 500 000 active subscribers in the country.
