As Nigeria SIM card registration campaign intensifies, Glo to fly 60 new subscribers to UK, Dubai

With three months left to end the ongoing SIM card registration in Nigeria which is widely known to have one of the biggest telecommunications market share in Africa, mobile phone companies have intensified their campaign to get new subscribers.

The Nigerian telecoms market share currently has about 80 million subscribers including mobile, fixed and wireless lines, Mr. Kenneth O. Uzoekwe, Engineer, Technical Research and Standards Department at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) told ghanabusinessnews.com in an interview in Accra.

According to Mr. Uzoekwe, MTN is leading the market share with about 40 million subscribers, followed by Airtel, Globacom, Etisalat, and other CDMA operators.

But in order to capture more subscribers and sustain its core market, Globacom has launched a new campaign aimed at encouraging Glo subscribers to register their old and new SIM cards before the September 28, 2011 deadline given by the industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

According to Glo in a statement on its website, “The highlight of the campaign is the offer of free all-expense paid pleasure trips to Manchester (UK) or Dubai for 60 lucky subscribers who register their SIMs. The winners of the free trips will be picked during special draws which will be conducted monthly for three months.”

In addition to this offer, the mobile operator says, all subscribers who register their SIMs will get a guaranteed 30 minutes of free airtime during the three months of the promotion.

“20, 000 Naira worth of free airtime will also be given out to 300 lucky subscribers who will be picked during special draws which are to be held monthly. 100 lucky customers will be selected monthly and rewarded,” it added.

But it seems Glo is not the only operator that is offering such incentives to new subscribers.

Fourth largest operator on the Nigerian market, Etisalat, is also making some moves to woo people to join its network.

Its promo “9ja Free Credit Promo,” which was recently extended is to reward all unregistered subscribers of both prepaid and postpaid with 30% free credit up to a maximum of 10, 000 Naira to call any network in Nigeria when they register their SIM within the promo period.

“Our June SIM registration promo has seen huge numbers of our subscriber base register while new subscribers are joining us and taking advantage of the opportunity to register and enjoy the 30% bonus credit we’re offering. Subscribers who registered in June have now begun receiving their 30% bonuses,” says Wael Ammar, Chief Commercial Officer, Etisalat Nigeria.

By Ekow Quandzie