Telcos offer alluring prizes for biometric SIM verification

As a last-ditch effort, the cellular phone operators have announced big amounts of cash and prizes to ensure biometric verification of maximum number of SIMs, reports BSS.
The operators have initiated the move aiming to keep each of their customers alive, as the government is determined to deactivate the unverified SIMs from the “zero hour” of June 1.
As May 31, the deadline for completing biometric SIM re-registration, is drawing near, Robi has launched a campaign to encourage its subscribers to comply with the government directive.
Every subscriber completing the process from 16 to 31 May will get Tk 50 worth talk-time for free. Besides, it has offered chance of winning Tk 10,000 in every hour during the campaign period.
In addition, the operator has announced Tk 10 lakh mega offer for a lucky Robi user during the campaign. The customer who would complete SIM verification during the campaign can win the mega offer.
Moreover, it has also offered Tk 1 lakh daily prize for one lucky winner on the basis of re-registration.
Talking to the news agency, Robi spokesperson Ekram Kabir, said they have introduced the incentive to encourage the customers to comply with the government’s directives during the stipulated time.
On the other hand, market leader Grameenphone is offering Smartphone, free talk-time and free internet to encourage the customer for the SIM re-registration.
Sayed Talat Kamal, Grameenphone’s head of external communications, in a statement said: “We have taken all necessary steps including establishing highest number of re-registration points to facilitate the biometric re-registration. Our customers have responded well and majority has already completed the process. We hope that the rest will do the same by May 31.”
Another operator Banglalink which has second highest subscribers base has also announced cash prize of Tk 10 lakh and other prizes to encourage the customers to complete the biometric verification process.
Besides, Airtel Bangladesh is also offering Smartphone and free talk-time.
Earlier last week, state minister for post and telecommunications Tarana Halim told newsmen a total of 9.40 crore SIMs were verified biometrically.
She cautioned that “As per the rescheduled timeframe, verification of SIM using biometric method will be continued till 12 midnight of May 31, but the SIMs remaining unverified will be deactivated from the ‘zero hour’ in the day.”
According to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), Bangladesh has now 13.08 crore mobile phone subscribers.
The government has started the process on December 16 last year which was scheduled to end on April 30, but the time was extended to May 31 following the request of the operators.

Telcos offer alluring prizes for biometric SIM verification

As a last-ditch effort, the cellular phone operators have announced big amounts of cash and prizes to ensure biometric verification of maximum number of SIMs, reports BSS. The operators have initiated the move aiming to keep each of their customers alive, as the government is determined to deactivate the unverified SIMs from the zero hour of June 1. As May 31, the deadline for completing biometric SIM re-registration, is drawing near, Robi has launched a campaign to encourage its subscribers to comply with the government directive. Every subscriber completing the process from 16 to 31 May will get Tk 50 worth talk-time for free. Besides, it has offered chance of winning Tk 10,000 in every hour during the campaign period. In addition, the operator has announced Tk 10 lakh mega offer for a lucky Robi user during the campaign. The customer who would complete SIM verification during the campaign can win the mega offer. Moreover, it has also offered Tk 1 lakh daily prize for one lucky winner on the basis of re-registration. Talking to the news agency, Robi spokesperson Ekram Kabir, said they have introduced the incentive to encourage the customers to comply with the governments directives during the stipulated time. On the other hand, market leader Grameenphone is offering Smartphone, free talk-time and free internet to encourage the customer for the SIM re-registration. Sayed Talat Kamal, Grameenphones head of external communications, in a statement said: We have taken all necessary steps including establishing highest number of re-registration points to facilitate the biometric re-registration. Our customers have responded well and majority has already completed the process. We hope that the rest will do the same by May 31. Another operator Banglalink which has second highest subscribers base has also announced cash prize of Tk 10 lakh and other prizes to encourage the customers to complete the biometric verification process. Besides, Airtel Bangladesh is also offering Smartphone and free talk-time. Earlier last week, state minister for post and telecommunications Tarana Halim told newsmen a total of 9.40 crore SIMs were verified biometrically. She cautioned that As per the rescheduled timeframe, verification of SIM using biometric method will be continued till 12 midnight of May 31, but the SIMs remaining unverified will be deactivated from the zero hour in the day. According to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), Bangladesh has now 13.08 crore mobile phone subscribers. The government has started the process on December 16 last year which was scheduled to end on April 30, but the time was extended to May 31 following the request of the operators.