Top-Up Ugandan PrePay Phones from Overseas

MTN Uganda has launched a facility that enables overseas residents to top up PrePay accounts for their family and friends back home. This was announced at the official launch of MTNWeb2u, a new product that now enables MTN customers to receive airtime via internet. While introducing the product, Chief Commercial Officer, Erik van Veen, said MTNWeb2u has been created in partnership with Simba Telecom who will ensure transfer of the airtime via their website www.simbashop.com and True African 197.

"MTNWeb2u is about creating opportunities for our customers by opening up as many avenues as possible to enhance their livelihood," van Veen said.

He explained that someone living in the United States or United Kingdom can now send airtime by logging onto the website and use their credit card to send the airtime which can then be used for house hold support, investment or entertainment purposes. Simbashop will then transfer that airtime to the customer's number in Uganda automatically. The customer will also receive a text message confirming the airtime transfer.

"MTNweb2u is an example of how convergence is leading the way in ICT development," van Veen added.

Simba Telecom is a private company (incorporated under the companies Act of the Republic of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania), wholly owned by, Ugandan entrepreneurs. Simba Telecom is the biggest directly managed mobile phone dealer in East Africa with over 100 retail outlets dealing mainly in distribution of Air time cards, service fee cards, starter packs, mobile phones and accessories. Simba is operating as the main dealer for MTN in Uganda, Safaricom in Kenya and Vodacom in Tanzania.

The Mobile World notes that MTN Uganda is the market leader in the country, ending Q1 2006 with just over 1.1 million customers - a market share of 66%."

Posted to the site on 15th June 2006