MTN has backtracked on its plans to launch a 1MB data bundle which renews automatically when a customer\u2019s data is depleted.<\/p>\n
Last week, MTN said it would launch an auto-renewing data bundle similar to Vodacom\u2019s Data Refill service, which automatically took effect when users depleted their data.<\/p>\n
MTN said the aim of the automatic 1MB universal bundle was to ensure that customers would remain connected.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe automatic bundle was designed to better serve our customers\u2019 connectivity needs and at a low rate,\u201d said MTN South Africa CBG executive Mapula Bodibe.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur intention is to provide our customers with user-friendly solutions, off our world-class network, in a manner that best connects them to their daily lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
Consumer backlash<\/strong><\/p>\n There was significant concern from consumers that Vodacom and MTN\u2019s Data Refill and auto-renewing bundle services were just a repackaged form of out-of-bundle data usage, however, and were not aligned with the spirit of ICASA\u2019s End User and Subscriber Service Charter.<\/p>\n \u201cWe remain committed to compliance and respect both the intention and spirit of the regulations and laws that govern our sector, and we have also heard the concerns raised by our customers in response to this proposed offering,\u201d Bodibe said.<\/p>\n \u201cOur customers have made it clear that they do not want the automatic bundle option and we have therefore taken the decision not to implement the change,\u201d Bodibe said.<\/p>\n Currently, all customers that have not actively chosen to opt in to OOB usage remain blocked from using OOB data.<\/p>\n MTN customers can select whether to use OOB data or to block OOB usage with immediate effect.<\/p>\n The company added that it has also implemented an improved and simplified OOB menu on the USSD code *135*6#.<\/p>\n This updated menu offers customers the choice to either opt-in or to opt-out of OOB usage.<\/p>\n
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