Telecel offers contract packages with bonus benefits

Telecel has introduced a new fixed payment platform and is offering existing and potential customers new attractive fixed payment contract packages that allow unlimited local calls and bonus text messages and data.

The packages are meant to give customers greater control and flexibility over their cellphone expenditure, as well as attractive bonus usage that could result in them having usage every month worth up to five times the amount of their monthly subscription.

The bonus services range from unlimited local calls made to a single Telecel number of the customer's choice to completely unlimited local calls, text messages across all networks and unlimited local data, depending on the package.

Those who sign on for one of these packages will also receive priority customer service at Red Desks at all Telecel outlets and from a dedicated Red Customer Care Team in Telecel's award-winning Call Centre.

"We are excited at this Telecel landmark development and we are fully geared to providing the best customer experience ever for all subscribers who come onto this new service," stated Customer Operations Director Mrs Zodwa Chinyenze.

Sales & Distribution Director Donald Mupfunya added: "We are fully aware of the need to increase our retail footprint and plans are at an advanced stage to acquire and open additional shops countrywide. We have deployed a full sales force to ensure we reach anyone and everyone wanting to come onto Telecel Red. Just give us a call and we will come to you and advise you on the best plan for you."

The new product, Telecel Red, consists of a choice of three packages, with an option of either an outright postpaid or flexi (hybrid) choice, each with a credit limit for local calls.

Flexi subscribers can recharge their accounts using a normal recharge card or voucher for usage outside the package benefits and when their credit limit is reached within the month. Usage outside the package benefits includes international calls and international text messages.

Post-paid customers will be billed for usage outside the package credit and benefits. When their credit is used up they will be able to continue to use their line up to a set credit limit. When that limit is reached they will be advised by text message. They will then have to make a payment to continue using the line up to the value of the payment made. There is, therefore, no bill shock with a post-paid Telecel Red package.

There are three options available: a $30 a month package, a $60 a month package and a $150 per month package.

The Telecel Red 30 package is $30 per month. It allows the customer up to $30 worth of local calls, data and text messages per month and unlimited calls to one Telecel number of the subscriber's choice. It also includes 60 free megabytes of data.

The Telecel Red 60 package allows up to $60 worth of local calls, text messages and data per month, unlimited calls to Telecel numbers, unlimited local text messages and an additional bonus 120 megabyte data allowance.

The Telecel Red 150 package, which costs $150 per month, allows unlimited local calls to any number across all networks, as well as unlimited local text messages and local data.

The unlimited usage in all three packages is subject to the Fair Usage Policy, meaning that if usage is excessively more than could be expected of an average person, usage may be restricted.

Those wishing to take advantage of one of these packages sign a 12-month contract with Telecel, which means they are assured of the benefits of the package continuing for at least 12 months. Where the contract includes provision of a handset, the contract length is 24 months.

Telecel Red packages or bundles are the first packages with unlimited usage to be offered by any network in Zimbabwe.

These value-added packages for contract customers have been made possible by Telecel's installation last year of a new intelligent network (IN) and a new billing system.

Past Telecel value-for-money deals have been limited to regular pre-paid subscribers, who charge up their account using recharge vouchers or scratch cards.

Telecel Red is, says Telecel Communications & Branding Director Obert Mandimika, an example of the innovation and best value for money promises that were made by Telecel Zimbabwe when it rebranded in February last year.

"We have provided many innovative value-for-money products and services in the past, even before the rebranding, but most of them, such as our Mega Juice card which includes bonus airtime, have been for pre-paid customers who recharge their accounts with recharge cards or vouchers," he said.

"This is the first time in Zimbabwe that packages with such value for money have been made available to subscribers on the post-paid platform. We are currently the only local network offering a package with unlimited calls, text messages and data."  

Marketing Director Octavius Kahiya added, "Existing contract customers who would like to take advantage of the greater control, flexibility and huge value-for-money services that Telecel Red offers can opt to switch to a Telecel Red contract.

"Non-contract Telecel customers who apply to become Telecel Red subscribers can arrange to retain their existing Telecel number as their Telecel Red number.

"Non-Telecel customers may find it pays them to acquire a Telecel Red contract line and make it their primary number, given the unique value that the free unlimited usage offers them," he said.

He added that the three Telecel Red packages have been designed with the spending patterns of different consumers in mind. They are ideal for those who currently spend upwards of $30 a month on airtime, texts and data.

While many individuals may want to take advantage of the $30 a month package and even the $60 a month package, the $150 package is likely to be particularly attractive for senior managers and successful business owners, with its unlimited talk time across all local networks and unlimited local text messages and data.

Chief Commercial Officer Ashraf Elguindy commented further: "We have a history of introducing real game changers in this industry locally and this is just another one of them.

"We coined the name Juice and today it has become a household name for recharging. The reduction of pricing of SIM cards to just a dollar was originally introduced by Telecel and revolutionised mobile communications in Zimbabwe.

"We also have introduced other revolutionary products and services, including Emergency Credit, our Caller Ring Back Tunes service (CRBT) Teletunes, value-packed customer-centric data bundles and the value for money enshrined in the ever-popular Mega Juice, which is now being copied by some of our competitors.

"We have always been driven by creating best value for money for our customers and, with the new network upgrades and capacitation we have been investing in, we have more plans in the offing."