MTN cuts African roaming, Internet service rates

Mobile Telecommunication Network (MTN) has introduced a Preferred Roaming and Internet Service, which allows travellers in eastern and southern African countries reduced tariffs, according to a company official.

Countries that are covered include South Africa, Zambia, Swaziland, Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania, said MTN spokeswoman Sheila Kangwagye.

Preferential roaming tariffs offer lower rates for travellers and also allow customers to enjoy free incoming calls. The preferential MTN mobile Internet tariffs allow customers to browse the Internet through their mobile phone at reduced rates.

The preferential tariff service, Kangwagye said, has been developed to allow MTN customers more airtime at reduced rates, helping them avoid the hassle of changing numbers each time they travel to other countries.

Service provider MTN is based in South Africa and has a presence in 22 countries in Africa and the Middle East, including Uganda, Kuwait, Yemen, Nigeria and Ghana.

"Customers always prefer to maintain the same contact numbers when they travel. Therefore, it is appropriate to provide them with a service that allows them to enjoy friendly tariffs," Kangwagye said.

The MTN preferred roaming service will initially be available to prepaid customers only. The service can be activated manually through the connectivity settings on handsets. MTN's competitor Celtel International first introduced African roaming (cross border network) two years ago. The move allowed customers to call other countries at reduced tariffs and lower the cost of doing business.