75% of MTN subscribers utilised COVID-19 free SMS · As SMS provision hits 3.7 billion
Telecommunications giant, MTN Nigeria has provided a second update on the utilisation of the free SMS service introduced in April 2020.
MTN had launched (direct) contributions to support the fight against COVID-19, including support to the private sector Coalition Against COVID-19 CACOVID (N1 billion), Federal and State Governments (communications support) and the NCDC (Devices, airtime, SMS channel and data).
In addition, MTN has provided the customers with a range of free services to help make communication easier.
The initiative was implemented to ensure that while faced with unprecedented challenges and uncertainties during the initial phases of the COVID-19 outbreak, all MTN’s customers would be able to access loved ones, support systems and information.
As of June 19th 2020, the network has provided 3.71 billion free SMS to more than 51 million subscribers across every state of the Nigerian Federation; which means 75% of all MTN subscribers have now utilised the service during the pandemic.
Commenting on the update, MTN CEO, Ferdi Moolman said: “Having entered the third and final month of this, I am hugely encouraged that so many people nation-wide have made use of the service. The three billion-plus text messages sent so far reflects the importance of communication during times like this, especially for the most vulnerable amongst us. I am grateful to our government and regulators, partners and employees for the roles they have played in making the delivery of this service possible, and encourage our subscribers to continue to make use of it until the end of June.”
