By Toyosi Olajide
Following the Russia-Ukraine conflict, telecommunications services providers, Airtel Nigeria and MTN Nigeria have announced that customers on their networks can now make free calls to their families and friends in Ukraine without any conditions attached.
According to Airtel Nigeria, the free call service to Ukraine is available to both prepaid and postpaid customers and applies to both mobile and fixed-line members in Ukraine.
It also stated that the offer is to provide unhindered access to everyone who needs to reach out or communicate with their loved ones in Ukraine.
Commenting on the initiative, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Surendran Chemmenkotil said, “Airtel understands that many Nigerians are anxious about the safety and whereabouts of their friends, family members, and loved ones in Ukraine and want to stay connected.
“We believe that this service will provide unfettered access to everyone that wishes to connect with their loved ones to offer them the much-needed comfort and succor that we all crave at this difficult time.”
“At Airtel, we love to connect deeply with our customers and we are always inspired to lend our support as we believe that we are one big family. We will always stand by our customers and continue to offer opportunities and innovative offerings that will make life better for them,” he disclosed.
Similarly, MTN said the offer is aimed at supporting customers to stay in touch with their loved ones while eliminating associated international direct dialling (IDD) costs due to high international telecommunication regulations (ITR) to Ukraine.
Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, said the telco was aware that some of its customers in Ukraine experienced challenges in contacting their loved ones.
“As a result, we have stepped in with support to ensure that our customers, both at home and in Ukraine, are still able to connect with family and friends,” Toriola said.
“All of our customers will benefit from the waived SMS and voice call fees to and from Ukraine. This blanket waiver has been put in place as an immediate response to the need.”