MTN Uganda has launched an easy payment plan that allows customers to get smartphones and pay in easy instalments over a specified period. Named ‘Pay mpola mpola’, the scheme is another first by a telecom company in Uganda, and places MTN at the forefront of innovation in the telecom industry in Uganda.
Speaking during the unveiling of the Scheme, MTN Uganda Chief Marketing Officer Sen Somdev said the idea behind this scheme is to give many Ugandans access to the internet through easing affordability of smartphones; at payment terms which are manageable.
“MTN believes the everyone deserves the benefit of a modern connected life and has since 2011 implemented various strategies to make access to the internet more affordable and accessible to all,” Somdev said.
Somdev further explained that while many people would like to enjoy the experience of the Internet, access to affordable smart phones, has remained a challenge. With the introduction of this easy payment plan and an affordable smartphone offer to it, MTN will be putting the internet and its benefits in the hands of many more Ugandans.
To kick-start this scheme, MTN has unveiled the MTN Kabode – a new high-speed internet smartphone that customers will initially be able to buy under the ‘pay mpola mpola’ scheme. The new phone is a quality device that has been tested in other MTN operations as well as approved by the local regulator. It is user friendly, has a long battery life with a 5.5” screen, 2MP front camera and 5MP back.
As part of the offer, customers will also get free MBs every month as they pay for the phone in easy instalments. However, the offer of free MBs offer is a feature that comes with all new smart phones that activate an MTN SIM card regardless of where you buy it.
Somdev however emphasized that the new financing scheme is not a loan scheme. “We are not a financial institution, and this is not a loan. MTN is just providing access to high end quality phones but on an instalment payment basis,” he said.
The new financing scheme has started in selected parts of the country and will later be rolled out to other parts of the country. This is part of a wider plan by MTN to make good quality and affordable smartphones available for customers.
About the easy payment scheme
| What is this easy payment plan? | This is a new offer from MTN, which allows MTN customers purchase devices bundled with data with a low initial payment and the balance paid in multiple monthly instalments thereafter. When you take a device on instalment offer, you automatically enter an agreement with MTN Uganda for provision of this service and also accept the terms & conditions that you can find available at www.mtn.co.ug |
| For how long can I make instalments and finish paying for my phone? | You will be required to pay instalments and finish the balance within 6 months |
| Who is eligible to get this offer? | Only MTN customers are eligible for this service. Eligibility is guided by how long the customer has been an MTN subscriber as well as their usage of MTN services. |
| How do I know whether I am eligible for easy payment plan offer? | You can check if you are eligible, by dialing *165*5*2# |
| Which handsets are available under this offer? | For the start, only one device, the 4G MTN Kabode is available for purchase through the easy payments plan |
| Are devices under the plan covered by warranty? | Yes, the devices under easy payment plan will be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. |
| Are devices under this offer covered by insurance? | No, the devices are not insured. |
| Where do I pick up the device from? | After checking eligibility through *165*5#, the customer will be required to visit an MTN Service Centre, with the required initial deposit plus their national ID, to get the Smartphone. |
| How do I pay the instalments? | You can only make your payments using MTN Mobile Money by the *165*5*2# selecting MTN Depo or through the MyMTN App |
| How do I know my monthly repayment amount? | To know the monthly instalment, dial *165*5*2# or go the MyMTN App |
| Are early instalment payments allowed? | Yes, they are. You can make your payments daily, weekly, or monthly provided you pay the required amount for the month by the end of the 30 days from last instalment or deposit payment |
| Is there any penalty for paying the full amount before the 6 months elapse? | There is no penalty for completing your payments earlier than the 6 months |
| Is the purchase of devices through easy payment plan available to subscribers of other mobile networks? | The offer is available to MTN customers only. The customer should also have an active Mobile Money account and should be using MTN services regularly to be able to benefit from the offer |
| Can I pay for someone else’s phone in instalments? | Only the person whose number was approved to get the phone on instalment can pay for it. You can send them the requisite instalment amount through MTN Mobile Money, and they make the payment |
| Are devices bought through the easy payment plan, covered by warranty and by an MTN return policy? | Yes. Devices bought through the easy payment plan offer are covered by an MTN return policy and come with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty |
