MTN Nigeria on Wednesday recorded another first in the global telecommunication services with the re-launch of its Virtual Top Up Plus (VTU+), an airtime recharge mechanism that allows a VTU vendor (VTU seller) top up MTN subscriber account without the use of USSD code.
Although MTN Nigeria in 2011 moved a step further in providing convenient and secure services to its customers with the launch of the virtual recharge option, it believes with the re-launch the service would enable subscribers recharge their phones without the use of physical cards.
This entails MTN Nigeria has provided a charitable option to scratch cards and personal identification number (PINs). “Just give the vendor your GSM number and tell him the amount. Prepaid and postpaid numbers are allowed. The Subscriber will get an SMS notification for a successful recharge. Isn’t that cool!,” MTN boasted.
Speaking during a press briefing to announce the launching of the platform in Lagos, Richard Iweanoge, general manager, Business Development, MTN Nigeria, said that the Company feels elated by the innovative prowess through the platform, which is the first in the global telecommunication industry.
“The determined efforts of MTN Nigeria are tailored towards adding value to the lives of the subscribers. This innovation entails that customers can seamlessly top up their credit from any part of the world hence they are in contact with their vendors. To unveil VTU Plus, this is another innovation first from MTN.
“This product is the first of its kind; it does not exist anywhere in Europe or America. It is going to reduce a lot of stress on their parts, grow businesses and engender relationships. We are happy about it knowing that we are setting the pace for others to follow,” he said.
Iweanoge added that the platform will curb vices associated with recharging cards sells and top up.
On his part, Omatsola Barrow, sales and distribution executive, MTN Nigeria, explained that VTU works by an SMS application on the SIM card, as all transactions from the phone are carried through SMS on the network. It implies that the vendor will simply enter the phone number of the recipient and the amount of air time on the VTU menu.
Notably, Barrow said the scheme embraces the distributors, sub-distributors, vendors/retailers, agents (linked directly to Sub-distributors account) and delegates (linked directly to distributors account).
According to him, VTU Plus is a win-win platform for the trade partners as it will enable MTN them to make one single payment for Stock but be able to sell 48 different MTN products and services.
“VTU+ will offer effective tracking and monitoring of sales by both MTN and TPs; safe keeping of unsold stock in Electronic format; reduce cost of Inventory; increase speed of distribution of products and services to the end users; eliminate losses in theft of stock and eliminate cost of warehousing, staff, storage etc,” he added.
VTU Plus, an Electronic Voucher Distribution (EVD) Platform and a strategic direct to retail tool and has the advantage of a paperless environment and has no need for thermal POS paper, however, is not a payment platform.
Aside enabling convenient recharge for subscribers, the MTN VTU+, Iweanoge noted, will further promote the Nigerian entrepreneurial spirit, creating employment for the unemployed and additional source of income for the employed.