MTN Uganda has rolled something new — a way of letting customers get smartphones they want now, but pay in easy installments. They call it ‘Pay Mpola Mpola’. This is similar to what is available in the United States and Europe where customers get the latest iPhone on subscription — kind of.
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. You will be required to pay installments and finish the balance within 6 months.
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. We are yet to get our hands on this device.
The smartphone gives customers access to the MyMTN, Ayoba, WhatsApp, TIDAL (the music app) and Facebook apps, among others. As part of the offer, customers will also get free MBs every month as they pay for the phone in easy installments. 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.
Currently, 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. You can check if you are eligible, by dialing 16552#. After checking eligibility, you will be required to visit an MTN Service Center, with the required initial deposit plus their national ID to get the Smartphone. Payments can be made using MTN Mobile Money by the 16552# selecting MTN Depo or through the MyMTN App.
The new financing scheme has started in selected parts of the country and will later be rolled out to other parts of the country.
