Telecom giant MTN Uganda has introduced new voice bundles for its customers, lowering the amount of talk time.
To speak for six minutes, one will have to part with Shs500 and 10 minutes for Shs700.
For 20 minutes, one will pay Shs1,000 while previously, one would get 30 minutes for the same amount.
For 60 minutes, you will need Shs2000.
The above are daily packages, which can be activated by dialing *160*2# and choosing from the options.
MTN also unveiled monthly packages, whose USSD code activation is *160*22#.
For 100 minutes, one will have to part with Shs5,000, Shs10,000 for 250 minutes and Shs35,000 for 1,200 minutes.
One will get 2,100 minutes when they pay Shs50,000.
Must read: Guide to USSD codes for telecoms operating in Uganda
However, several MTN customers have expressed displeasure over the new rates.
Mr. Joseph Woyitira, described the new rates as robbery.
“Not introducing new bundles, it’s introducing new robbery,” he said on MTN Uganda’s Facebook wall.
Mr. Otim Anthony said: “Why maintain the price and decrease the minutes, you are now cheating us seriously.”
Pretty Mbowa said: “You guys are so ridiculous; after 20 years, this is what we get from you?”
However, MTN defended the rates, saying they are meant to provide more convenient and user-friendly services to their customers.
“We removed some bundles and introduced some that meet our customer’s needs. You can now talk more with our new bundles without inconvenience,” said MTN in a statement on Tuesday evening.
“Sometimes you realize that you might not use up all these 30 minutes in one day on a day that you do not have many calls to make and they will end up getting expired while with the 100 minutes for a month, you have nothing to lose.”
The move comes in the wake of overreliance on data or internet by many subscribers.
In February, MTN Uganda announced a price reduction in its data rates.
And according to CEO Wim Vanhelleputte, “the reduction is expected to drive further internet connectivity to facilitate business growth and enable communication.”
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