Monday, August 23, 2010
COMMUNITIES RECOUNT WATER OF LIFE IMPACT
Community leaders in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States whose communities have benefited from the Guinness Water of Life project said they have begun to feel the ease of life that the projects have brought to the social and economic life of their people.The Obawole and Olowo communities in Iju area of the Ifako Ijaiye local government council of Lagos State, Owode Community in Ona-Ara local government area of Oyo State and Iperu Remo in Ikenne-Remo Local Government of Ogun State, recently joined the list of communities to be beneficiaries of the Water of Life, which was designed by the company to give access to safe drinking water to one million Nigerians by the year 2011.Describing it as a kind gesture that they will not forget in a hurry, the Baale of Ogbere Gangansi/Owode, in Ona Ara local government council of Oyo State, Chief Ewuola Olagunju said that the water project has helped to alleviate the sufferings of the people as it has provided access to potable clean and safe drinking water.He said that the community will for ever appreciates the social responsibility service of Guinness that has put an end to many years of water problem in his community noting that the water project has indeed alleviated the sufferings of the people.According to him, before Guinness provided the all-inclusive water scheme, which comprise boreholes, overhead storage tank, water treatment plant, a reticulation network of fetching points and a standby power generating set for their use, domestic and commercial life that required the use of water was greatly hampered. The Vice Chairman of Ikenne Local Government, Otunba Tiwalade Sobo while recounting the impact that the Guinness Water of Life has affected the people of Iperu-Remo explained that life has never been the same again for the people noting that access to clean and safe drinking water is now easy for the residents.He added that the joy of having such facility in the community and seeing it meeting their expectation has made the people to continue to show high level of commitment to the management of the water project adding that the community set up to manage the project, has been effective in its duty.And for the people of Obawole and Olowo communities in Iju area of the Ifako Ijaiye local government council of Lagos State, the excitement of having a steady supply of clean and safe water for their use has continued to gladden their hearts The chairman of the Ifako-Ijaiye Community Development Council (CDC), Alhaji Isiaka Obatolu said that the water project has turned out to be a landmark in the community stressing that that was why the community had been mindful of managing the facility with diligence.According to him, the project is a turning point in addressing the problem of potable water confronting the people of Obawole and Olowo communities, emphasizing that the commitment of Guinness in providing water for the community is in line with the state’s policy thrust on public and private sector partnership.
STARCOMMS SIGNS UP WITH MAIN ONE CABLE FOR BETTER INTERNET EXPERIENCE
As part of its efforts to further enhance internet service from IZAP and 1X, Starcomms Plc. has subscribed to a new undersea cable linking Nigeria and the whole of West Africa to Europe. The implication of the new development is that it will pave the way for additional transformation in Internet access and reliable voice service from the award winning telecoms company.
Starcomms subscription to the undersea cable built by Main One Cable Company in partnership with U.S. firm Tyco makes it the first CDMA operator to have access to the facility. According to the Chief Executive Officer of Starcomms, Mr. Maher Qubain, the subscription to Main One Cable will definitely be a boost to Starcomms’ current achievement in the area of fast, reliable and affordable internet services delivery as well as voice clarity across the country. In his words, “across Nigeria, we have received plaudits from our voice and data customers who have been enjoying our unrivalled services. As a company committed to delivering world-class services, we will continue to explore all available means to add value to their business and personal lives." Mr. Qubain further stated that considering the potential of the undersea cable, a new window of opportunity has been opened for Starcomms to introduce enhanced services that will not only increase speed but add value to the life of its customers saying that with Starcomms connection to the cable, its customers can also expect more speedy downloads and unmatched voice call capacity. The 7,000 km fibre optic cable, which runs from Portugal to Nigeria and Ghana, and also branches out to Morocco, the Canary Islands, Senegal and Ivory Coast, is also expected to be a boost to international calls on Starcomms network. This development, according to him will be a boost to some of the value added services, recently introduced by Starcomms to demonstrate its passion for innovative services and the enhancement of its role as a leading Nigerian telecom brand in the industry. One of such is the Afritalk voice services, a non-intrusive and enhanced voice-chat service through which Starcomms customers can chat and make lots of friends across Nigeria. The fact that the mobile number of the person chatting is not revealed to other chat members has endeared it to a lot of customers too. Specifically too, the connection of Starcomms network to Main One Undersea Fibre Optic cable will have a remarkable positive impart on the recent introduction of interstandard international roaming on CDMA to GSM by Starcomms. What this means is that customers of Starcomms will enjoy more efficient and quality voice and data services on their Starcomms phones. The Main One Cable hook up by Starcomms is also expected to benefit parts of the country that are soon to enjoy the Starcomms super-fast broadband internet services, Izap as well as its Ix data services that covers everywhere it has network coverage, which extends to 22 states, 28 cities and 100 towns. Another of Starcomms value added services that customers are expected to benefit from in the Main One Cable services is the StarTrack, a location based service designed to assist Starcomms customers to know the specific whereabouts of their loved ones as well as make it possible for friends and lovers to track each other. Exclusively a customer centric product and the first of its kind in the industry, this innovative service from Starcomms, allows Starcomms customers to register the number of another customer, whom he doesn’t want to lose track of with a text message. Starcomms will then notify the registered customer for his consent, after which his location can be disclosed to seeker.
Starcomms subscription to the undersea cable built by Main One Cable Company in partnership with U.S. firm Tyco makes it the first CDMA operator to have access to the facility. According to the Chief Executive Officer of Starcomms, Mr. Maher Qubain, the subscription to Main One Cable will definitely be a boost to Starcomms’ current achievement in the area of fast, reliable and affordable internet services delivery as well as voice clarity across the country. In his words, “across Nigeria, we have received plaudits from our voice and data customers who have been enjoying our unrivalled services. As a company committed to delivering world-class services, we will continue to explore all available means to add value to their business and personal lives." Mr. Qubain further stated that considering the potential of the undersea cable, a new window of opportunity has been opened for Starcomms to introduce enhanced services that will not only increase speed but add value to the life of its customers saying that with Starcomms connection to the cable, its customers can also expect more speedy downloads and unmatched voice call capacity. The 7,000 km fibre optic cable, which runs from Portugal to Nigeria and Ghana, and also branches out to Morocco, the Canary Islands, Senegal and Ivory Coast, is also expected to be a boost to international calls on Starcomms network. This development, according to him will be a boost to some of the value added services, recently introduced by Starcomms to demonstrate its passion for innovative services and the enhancement of its role as a leading Nigerian telecom brand in the industry. One of such is the Afritalk voice services, a non-intrusive and enhanced voice-chat service through which Starcomms customers can chat and make lots of friends across Nigeria. The fact that the mobile number of the person chatting is not revealed to other chat members has endeared it to a lot of customers too. Specifically too, the connection of Starcomms network to Main One Undersea Fibre Optic cable will have a remarkable positive impart on the recent introduction of interstandard international roaming on CDMA to GSM by Starcomms. What this means is that customers of Starcomms will enjoy more efficient and quality voice and data services on their Starcomms phones. The Main One Cable hook up by Starcomms is also expected to benefit parts of the country that are soon to enjoy the Starcomms super-fast broadband internet services, Izap as well as its Ix data services that covers everywhere it has network coverage, which extends to 22 states, 28 cities and 100 towns. Another of Starcomms value added services that customers are expected to benefit from in the Main One Cable services is the StarTrack, a location based service designed to assist Starcomms customers to know the specific whereabouts of their loved ones as well as make it possible for friends and lovers to track each other. Exclusively a customer centric product and the first of its kind in the industry, this innovative service from Starcomms, allows Starcomms customers to register the number of another customer, whom he doesn’t want to lose track of with a text message. Starcomms will then notify the registered customer for his consent, after which his location can be disclosed to seeker.
STARCOMMS SLASHES OFF PEAK TARIFF
Nigeria’s leading telecommunications operator, Starcomms Plc is offering off-peak tariff slash for its customers. Customers are to enjoy N4 per second off peak tariff for on-net calls between the period of 10 pm and 7 am.
The offer is to enable Starcomms customers, particularly the Muslims to share warm thoughts during the Ramadan period, while also giving opportunity to non-Muslims to extend warm greetings to their Muslim friends.
Designed to add value to the social life of all customers of Nigeria’s only telecoms company quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, this unique offer is available to current and new customers in all cities where there is Starcomms coverage for a period of one month.
What it implies is that customers of the innovative CDMA Company will have to pay less to savour the excitement and communal activities that require people getting in touch during the Ramadan period while also enjoying other value added services on the Starcomms network. Moreover, the promo is a boom for those who are not involved in the Ramadan fast as they can have longer discussions on the Starcomms network during the off peak hours.
The Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms, Mr. Tushar Maheshwari said that, “as a responsive network, we at Starcomms understand that Nigerians love to keep in touch with their loved ones, hence we are using this opportunity to enable not just the Muslims on our network, but the non-Muslims too, the privilege of doing that during the Ramadan period.”
According to him, this is just part of our numerous ways of making our people happier, as a network that speaks their language.” He said that as a customer focused company it is mindful of the needs of its customers and will often look for opportunities to make talking easy for them.
The current winner of the Superbrand award for 2009 and a two time telecom company of the year including the recent winner of the 2009 CDMA Company award given to it for its outstanding performance in the delivery of quality services and value added services, Starcomms has over the years demonstrated its leadership role in the industry both in value for money, innovation, customer care.
The offer is to enable Starcomms customers, particularly the Muslims to share warm thoughts during the Ramadan period, while also giving opportunity to non-Muslims to extend warm greetings to their Muslim friends.
Designed to add value to the social life of all customers of Nigeria’s only telecoms company quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, this unique offer is available to current and new customers in all cities where there is Starcomms coverage for a period of one month.
What it implies is that customers of the innovative CDMA Company will have to pay less to savour the excitement and communal activities that require people getting in touch during the Ramadan period while also enjoying other value added services on the Starcomms network. Moreover, the promo is a boom for those who are not involved in the Ramadan fast as they can have longer discussions on the Starcomms network during the off peak hours.
The Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms, Mr. Tushar Maheshwari said that, “as a responsive network, we at Starcomms understand that Nigerians love to keep in touch with their loved ones, hence we are using this opportunity to enable not just the Muslims on our network, but the non-Muslims too, the privilege of doing that during the Ramadan period.”
According to him, this is just part of our numerous ways of making our people happier, as a network that speaks their language.” He said that as a customer focused company it is mindful of the needs of its customers and will often look for opportunities to make talking easy for them.
The current winner of the Superbrand award for 2009 and a two time telecom company of the year including the recent winner of the 2009 CDMA Company award given to it for its outstanding performance in the delivery of quality services and value added services, Starcomms has over the years demonstrated its leadership role in the industry both in value for money, innovation, customer care.
STARCOMMS LEADS CDMA INNOVATION IN THE WORLD, LAUNCHES INTERNATIONAL ROAMING
Starcomms Plc has once again demonstrated its determination to render superior and world-class service to its teeming customers. For the first time in the world, a CDMA telecommunication operator is providing its customers the opportunity to enjoy international roaming. As a result of this development Starcomms customers do not need to change their numbers whenever they travel out of Nigeria.
This new development is sequel to an agreement signed on March 23, 2010 by Starcomms with MACH, the leading provider of hub-based mobile applications exchange solutions and Accuris Network, the leading provider of Inter-standard and converged solutions.
Consequently, the over 3.2 million and still growing customers of Starcomms now have the rare opportunity of seamless access to international mobile roaming on all wireless technology networks. This will greatly expand Starcomms network coverage outside Nigeria and simplify the roaming experience of the customer who may have cause to travel outside the country. Already Starcomms has coverage in 31 major Cities covering 175 towns in Nigeria.
With this development, Starcomms now gives its customers the global advantage as they are connected to about 600 networks in over 100 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, America and the Middle East.
Commenting on the new deal that will boost the Starcomms network, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Maher Qubain said “The commitment of Starcomms to providing innovative products and services that simplify lives and enhance living for our customers is a tradition we hold dear.
We know that many customers yearn for the high quality services of Starcomms everywhere they go. So, the pioneering step of adding inter-standard roaming capabilities to our portfolio as a CDMA network in this country is just more evidence of our practice of always being the first to give the customer the best.” The ISR solutions from MACH and Accuris Networks is delivered through a proven services infrastructure and offers turnkey inter-operability between wireless technologies, including CDMA, 1xEVDO, GSM, GPRS/UMTS, WIFI, WiMax and soon, LTE. The solution, which can be implemented using existing connections, offers end-users all of the services that are available on their home network, even when they are travelling. With end-to-end one-number interoperability, operators can provide complete voice and messaging services easily.
The seamless interoperability roaming access that MACH provides for over 600 networks all over the world is in line with the high quality services that Starcomms has been providing its customers in Nigeria. Tushar Maheshwari, the Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms, while speaking about the new possibilities said, “Starcomms will never trade high standard for any thing. Our focus in providing international roaming opportunities for our customers is not just about the service but about the quality of their experience while roaming with the Starcomms service.
“We have continued to make sure that our customers who have cause to travel outside Nigeria feel at home anywhere with all their contacts having access to them seamlessly.”
This new development is sequel to an agreement signed on March 23, 2010 by Starcomms with MACH, the leading provider of hub-based mobile applications exchange solutions and Accuris Network, the leading provider of Inter-standard and converged solutions.
Consequently, the over 3.2 million and still growing customers of Starcomms now have the rare opportunity of seamless access to international mobile roaming on all wireless technology networks. This will greatly expand Starcomms network coverage outside Nigeria and simplify the roaming experience of the customer who may have cause to travel outside the country. Already Starcomms has coverage in 31 major Cities covering 175 towns in Nigeria.
With this development, Starcomms now gives its customers the global advantage as they are connected to about 600 networks in over 100 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, America and the Middle East.
Commenting on the new deal that will boost the Starcomms network, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Maher Qubain said “The commitment of Starcomms to providing innovative products and services that simplify lives and enhance living for our customers is a tradition we hold dear.
We know that many customers yearn for the high quality services of Starcomms everywhere they go. So, the pioneering step of adding inter-standard roaming capabilities to our portfolio as a CDMA network in this country is just more evidence of our practice of always being the first to give the customer the best.” The ISR solutions from MACH and Accuris Networks is delivered through a proven services infrastructure and offers turnkey inter-operability between wireless technologies, including CDMA, 1xEVDO, GSM, GPRS/UMTS, WIFI, WiMax and soon, LTE. The solution, which can be implemented using existing connections, offers end-users all of the services that are available on their home network, even when they are travelling. With end-to-end one-number interoperability, operators can provide complete voice and messaging services easily.
The seamless interoperability roaming access that MACH provides for over 600 networks all over the world is in line with the high quality services that Starcomms has been providing its customers in Nigeria. Tushar Maheshwari, the Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms, while speaking about the new possibilities said, “Starcomms will never trade high standard for any thing. Our focus in providing international roaming opportunities for our customers is not just about the service but about the quality of their experience while roaming with the Starcomms service.
“We have continued to make sure that our customers who have cause to travel outside Nigeria feel at home anywhere with all their contacts having access to them seamlessly.”
KATE PETERS WINS STARCOMMS OVERALL BOXER IN HALL OF FAME CONTEST -STARCOMMS REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO BOXING DEVELOPMENT
According to him, Starcomms is committed to the development of sports, particularly at the grass root level pledging that Starcomms will continue to give support to the event which has become relevant to the development of boxing in the state.He said that Starcomms sphere of influence in sports development in the country will continue increase saying just as the company is not relenting in its determination to give its customers unmatched quality of service, so also it will not relent in creating an atmosphere where the young people of the country can develop their talents.He said that sports remains a veritable means for young people to express themselves saying that since Starcomms began the sponsorship of the event a great number of young boxing talents like kate Peters have proved that they have the potentials to take Nigeria to the world in the game of boxing.While rating the performance of the boxers, Gill said that both the Lagos State Boxing Hall of Fame Competition and the Lagos State Amateur Boxing Association displayed professionalism in the organization of the event noting that the spirit of sportsmanship put up by the boxers deserves commendation.Starcomms has for some years sponsored the monthly Lagos State Boxing Hall of Fame Competition, which holds at the Mobolaji Johnson Hall Sports Complex, Rowe Park, Lagos. The event holds on the last Saturday of every month.
PICS CAPTION
R-L, Richard Gill, Marketing Director, Starcomms Plc, presenting the overall best Amateur Boxing prize to kate Peters while Wale Edun, Chairman of the Lagos State Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame looks on.
R-L, Richard Gill, Marketing Director, Starcomms Plc, presenting the overall best Amateur Boxing prize to kate Peters while Wale Edun, Chairman of the Lagos State Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame looks on.
STARCOMMS INTRODUCES SPECIAL ISLAMIC HANDSET
In the spirit of celebrating the holy month of Ramadan, Nigeria’s leading telecommunications operator, Starcomms Plc is offering its Muslim customers the opportunity of purchasing and owning a unique handset, Qiblah, exclusively equipped with integrated features that are tailor-made to meet the needs of fasting and praying Muslims.
The introduction of the handset by Starcomms comes as little surprise, considering the company’s track-record of availing its customers with innovative products and services that always anticipate their needs and requirements.The new phone has an indicator setting that point to Mecca and comes complete with a compass and prayer time alarm functions. The Qiblah indicator uses an inbuilt longitude and latitude orientation or city references that, when used in comparison to the magnetic north, indicates the direction of the Qiblah so that the Muslim can, from any place he is, know in what direction to face and pray. The Qiblah in Islam is the compass that shows the direction that Muslims face to pray wherever they are. Also, Starcomms has introduced a promotional airtime package for the benefit of customers who purchase the handset. They are to enjoy discounted calls during off peak periods and low cost calls to Saudi Arabia during the Ramadan period. Other customers of Starcomms are also to enjoy discounted calls on off peak and low cost calls during the period.Speaking on the functionality of the Qiblah phones, Mr. Tushar Maheshwari, Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms noted that very often it is difficult to determine the four cardinal points when one is constantly on the move. Therefore, it may not be easy to determine the Qiblah when it is time to pray for a Muslim whose routine requires moving around. With the aid of the compass installed in the phone, a Muslim customer of Starcomms can easily know which direction to face at prayer time.The Qiblah phones are designed with colourful Islamic visual features, such as lovely wall papers and screen savers as well as inspiring ring-tones. The phone is also a channel for the customer to enjoy the Listen-To-Quran service of Starcomms, which is the first of its kind in the country. The service is designed to update and increase the knowledge of Muslim customers on the tenets of Islam as well as allow them have access to the Holy book anytime anywhere on their Starcomms phones. Customers can access Listen-To-Quran by simply dialing *786 on their Starcomms phones to access the IVR mode to select any particular Surah of Holy Quran and continue listening at fixed cost of N25 per hour.Maheshwari explained that Starcomms has often paid attention to the needs of particular sections of the society stating that during festive periods, it gave special packages to its customers.
The introduction of the handset by Starcomms comes as little surprise, considering the company’s track-record of availing its customers with innovative products and services that always anticipate their needs and requirements.The new phone has an indicator setting that point to Mecca and comes complete with a compass and prayer time alarm functions. The Qiblah indicator uses an inbuilt longitude and latitude orientation or city references that, when used in comparison to the magnetic north, indicates the direction of the Qiblah so that the Muslim can, from any place he is, know in what direction to face and pray. The Qiblah in Islam is the compass that shows the direction that Muslims face to pray wherever they are. Also, Starcomms has introduced a promotional airtime package for the benefit of customers who purchase the handset. They are to enjoy discounted calls during off peak periods and low cost calls to Saudi Arabia during the Ramadan period. Other customers of Starcomms are also to enjoy discounted calls on off peak and low cost calls during the period.Speaking on the functionality of the Qiblah phones, Mr. Tushar Maheshwari, Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms noted that very often it is difficult to determine the four cardinal points when one is constantly on the move. Therefore, it may not be easy to determine the Qiblah when it is time to pray for a Muslim whose routine requires moving around. With the aid of the compass installed in the phone, a Muslim customer of Starcomms can easily know which direction to face at prayer time.The Qiblah phones are designed with colourful Islamic visual features, such as lovely wall papers and screen savers as well as inspiring ring-tones. The phone is also a channel for the customer to enjoy the Listen-To-Quran service of Starcomms, which is the first of its kind in the country. The service is designed to update and increase the knowledge of Muslim customers on the tenets of Islam as well as allow them have access to the Holy book anytime anywhere on their Starcomms phones. Customers can access Listen-To-Quran by simply dialing *786 on their Starcomms phones to access the IVR mode to select any particular Surah of Holy Quran and continue listening at fixed cost of N25 per hour.Maheshwari explained that Starcomms has often paid attention to the needs of particular sections of the society stating that during festive periods, it gave special packages to its customers.
STARCOMMS LAUNCHES A NEW MULTILINGUAL IPCC AND SELF-CARE LINES
In line with its strategy of ensuring that customers continually get superior experience, Starcomms Plc, the only telecommunications firm quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange has made a multi million Naira investment in a new user friendly Internet Protocol Contact Centre (IPCC). Also, the company has launched two dedicated Self-Care lines: *444 and 07028000444. The newly unveiled IPCC comes with a multilingual Interactive Voice Record service (IVR) which offers customers services in five languages: English, Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo and pidgin.Consequently, prepaid voice customers now have the option of choosing from any of the languages that the IPCC offers to make balance inquiry, tariff inquiry, tariff charge for roaming customers, dash me credit together with Caller Ring Back Tune (CRBT). The dedicated lines allow customers to directly enter into the self care portal to get the help they require.In addition, data customers on Starcomms broadband services would be able to carry out inquiries about the services they desire, check their balances, know their credit limits, billed amount, unutilized amount, due date, last payment details using the IVR of the IPCC.While assuring that Starcomms will continue to make customers experiences very pleasurable, the Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms Plc, Mr. Tushar Maheshwari, said “ we have made it possible for our customers to send e-mails to Starcomms while also providing an auto-dialer through which we can inform them about new offerings and services in Starcomms using voice messaging.”Continuing he said, “We have started SMS notifications for complaints by our customers, such that whenever a customer registers a complaint at the call centre, he/she will get an SMS notifying him/her about registering the complaint and subsequently get a feedback through an SMS informing him/her that the complaint has been resolved”, he added. He also said that when a customer dials the Self-Care lines: *444 or 07028000444 a voice response will guide the customer on the task he/she wants to perform saying that “the voice will instruct you to press 1 on your mobile phone key pad for prepaid task, 2 for post-paid task,3 for data task, 4 for coverage area and # to listen to the selections again.”
PIX CAP: From L-R Richard Gill, marketing director, Starcomms Pl, Tushar Maheshwari,chief commercial officer, Starcomms Plc and Charles Igbinidu during the a press conference on the IPCC and International Roaming launch in Lagos,Nigeria.
STARCOMMS LAUNCHES A NEW MULTILINGUAL IPCC AND SELF-CARE LINES
In line with its strategy of ensuring that customers continually get superior experience, Starcomms Plc, the only telecommunications firm quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange has made a multi million Naira investment in a new user friendly Internet Protocol Contact Centre (IPCC). Also, the company has launched two dedicated Self-Care lines: *444 and 07028000444. The newly unveiled IPCC comes with a multilingual Interactive Voice Record service (IVR) which offers customers services in five languages: English, Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo and pidgin.Consequently, prepaid voice customers now have the option of choosing from any of the languages that the IPCC offers to make balance inquiry, tariff inquiry, tariff charge for roaming customers, dash me credit together with Caller Ring Back Tune (CRBT). The dedicated lines allow customers to directly enter into the self care portal to get the help they require.In addition, data customers on Starcomms broadband services would be able to carry out inquiries about the services they desire, check their balances, know their credit limits, billed amount, unutilized amount, due date, last payment details using the IVR of the IPCC.While assuring that Starcomms will continue to make customers experiences very pleasurable, the Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms Plc, Mr. Tushar Maheshwari, said “ we have made it possible for our customers to send e-mails to Starcomms while also providing an auto-dialer through which we can inform them about new offerings and services in Starcomms using voice messaging.”Continuing he said, “We have started SMS notifications for complaints by our customers, such that whenever a customer registers a complaint at the call centre, he/she will get an SMS notifying him/her about registering the complaint and subsequently get a feedback through an SMS informing him/her that the complaint has been resolved”, he added. He also said that when a customer dials the Self-Care lines: *444 or 07028000444 a voice response will guide the customer on the task he/she wants to perform saying that “the voice will instruct you to press 1 on your mobile phone key pad for prepaid task, 2 for post-paid task,3 for data task, 4 for coverage area and # to listen to the selections again.”
STARCOMMS INTRODUCES INSPIRATIONAL SMS, GIVES OUT FREE AIRTIME TO CALL ANY NATIONAL NETWORK
As part of its sustained effort at adding value to telephony in Nigeria, Starcomms Plc, the country’s leading CDMA operator has introduced an inspirational service that will be a motivational guide to its customers while also offering them the opportunity to win fabulous airtime vouchers. Known as Inspirational SMS, the service will provide daily quotes that will inspire starcomms’ customers to live a fulfilling life.
To enjoy this service, a customer is expected to text the word WIN to a short code 33234 and instantly he/she receives an SMS with a number and inspirational quote. If the number has 9 in it, he/she stands the chance of winning an instant airtime.
The Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms, Mr. Tushar Maheshwari explained that if the customer receives one inspirational SMS he/she wins N100 worth of airtime, if he/she receives two he/she wins N250, and if he/she receives three he/she wins N500 worth of airtime, while four and five inspirational SMS gives the customer N1000 and N2500 worth of airtime respectively.
He added that the cost of each SMS sent by the customer to the short code is N10 noting that as soon as the SMS gets to Starcomms, the customer will receive together with the quote, the PIN number for the airtime voucher won. To recharge with the airtime, the customer is expected to follow the same process of recharging from a scratch card.
Speaking further on the promo, Maheshwari said that “while the inspirational quotes give our customers the motivational tips to survive the present harsh economic times, the airtime they win would certainly go a long way in helping them save cost in the phone calls they make. With this promo, our customers can now make money to talk with their friends and family members”.
“Beyond making it easy for our customers to talk, Starcomms is committed to providing quality, cutting-edge and affordable telecommunications services. The services that we make available to our customers are generally tailored towards making their lives easier and better. It is a commitment that we hold very dear in our relationship with them,” he added.
A two time telecom company of the year including the recent winner of the 2009 CDMA Company award given to it for its outstanding performance in the delivery of quality services and value added services, Starcomms has over the years demonstrated its leadership role in the industry. As a result it was adjudged the CDMA of the year 2009 after an online voting process in which all Nigerian customers were invited to participate.
To enjoy this service, a customer is expected to text the word WIN to a short code 33234 and instantly he/she receives an SMS with a number and inspirational quote. If the number has 9 in it, he/she stands the chance of winning an instant airtime.
The Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms, Mr. Tushar Maheshwari explained that if the customer receives one inspirational SMS he/she wins N100 worth of airtime, if he/she receives two he/she wins N250, and if he/she receives three he/she wins N500 worth of airtime, while four and five inspirational SMS gives the customer N1000 and N2500 worth of airtime respectively.
He added that the cost of each SMS sent by the customer to the short code is N10 noting that as soon as the SMS gets to Starcomms, the customer will receive together with the quote, the PIN number for the airtime voucher won. To recharge with the airtime, the customer is expected to follow the same process of recharging from a scratch card.
Speaking further on the promo, Maheshwari said that “while the inspirational quotes give our customers the motivational tips to survive the present harsh economic times, the airtime they win would certainly go a long way in helping them save cost in the phone calls they make. With this promo, our customers can now make money to talk with their friends and family members”.
“Beyond making it easy for our customers to talk, Starcomms is committed to providing quality, cutting-edge and affordable telecommunications services. The services that we make available to our customers are generally tailored towards making their lives easier and better. It is a commitment that we hold very dear in our relationship with them,” he added.
A two time telecom company of the year including the recent winner of the 2009 CDMA Company award given to it for its outstanding performance in the delivery of quality services and value added services, Starcomms has over the years demonstrated its leadership role in the industry. As a result it was adjudged the CDMA of the year 2009 after an online voting process in which all Nigerian customers were invited to participate.
STARCOMMS SEEKS FEEDBACK ON SELF CARE PORTAL
In a bid to serve its customers better, Starcomms Plc has initiated a customer satisfaction survey, geared towards gathering information about the impact its services are making on them. The survey is targeted at customers who have been experiencing the Starcomms self care portal, a service pioneered by the company to do business with customers without any need for them to visit Starcomms outlets.
The self care portal is open for use by all customers of Starcomms via the internet. All they need to do is visit the Starcomms website www.starcomms.com and register. Following registration, they can begin to use the self-care option for any of the available features. The customer has the opportunity of resolving all queries pertaining to the company’s services through the portal without having to visit its service centres or speak to customer care agent. With it, customers are able to update their profile information, view their call history as well as check their credit balance. They can also file complaints about problems encountered using Starcomms services as well as register for all the value-added services. For example activating their caller ring back tone (CRBT) and renewing their data access.
Starcomms’ self care portal, the most all-inclusive in the Nigerian telecommunication industry, also provides the company’s data customers with an alternative payment platform for more convenient subscription renewals. It provides three easy options to renew and pay for internet connectivity such as recharging of cards via text messaging or online and through InterSwitch debit/ATM cards.
With the ongoing survey, Starcomms customers who have not used the self care portal are invited by the company to try it for any of the services and give their candid opinion on them in the survey by going to http://www.starcomms.com/selfcare and submit their entries. Customers who participate in the survey are at liberty to express their views on the ease or the difficulties they experience in connecting to the self care portal as well as the general goods and services provided by Starcomms.
“Having pioneered the self care portal as a means for our customers to interface with our network without recourse to Starcomms Shops nationwide, we are mindful of the need for continuous interaction with them so that we can determine how to bring innovation to bear on their needs. With the survey, we seek to discover areas that Starcomms customers would like us to improve and identify new innovations for the Nigerian market. As a responsive network, the total satisfaction of our customers is a priority with us. So, this survey will help us get there,” Tushar Maheshwari, Starcomms Chief Commercial Officer said.
The Starcomms survey is a further step towards excellence in customer relations which has become the hallmark of the company. For months now, Starcomms customers have been having the rare opportunity of relating directly with the company’s CEO to lodge complaints or to make one enquiry or the other about Starcomms products and services through an email address: ceo.customercare@starcomms.com.
The company took this step in recognition of challenges that telecommunication customers face in an attempt to resolve issues on the services they are receiving. This has been a tremendous success in the sense that it has helped Starcomms and its customers to relate better creating a platform for quick response to customer enquiries
The self care portal is open for use by all customers of Starcomms via the internet. All they need to do is visit the Starcomms website www.starcomms.com and register. Following registration, they can begin to use the self-care option for any of the available features. The customer has the opportunity of resolving all queries pertaining to the company’s services through the portal without having to visit its service centres or speak to customer care agent. With it, customers are able to update their profile information, view their call history as well as check their credit balance. They can also file complaints about problems encountered using Starcomms services as well as register for all the value-added services. For example activating their caller ring back tone (CRBT) and renewing their data access.
Starcomms’ self care portal, the most all-inclusive in the Nigerian telecommunication industry, also provides the company’s data customers with an alternative payment platform for more convenient subscription renewals. It provides three easy options to renew and pay for internet connectivity such as recharging of cards via text messaging or online and through InterSwitch debit/ATM cards.
With the ongoing survey, Starcomms customers who have not used the self care portal are invited by the company to try it for any of the services and give their candid opinion on them in the survey by going to http://www.starcomms.com/selfcare and submit their entries. Customers who participate in the survey are at liberty to express their views on the ease or the difficulties they experience in connecting to the self care portal as well as the general goods and services provided by Starcomms.
“Having pioneered the self care portal as a means for our customers to interface with our network without recourse to Starcomms Shops nationwide, we are mindful of the need for continuous interaction with them so that we can determine how to bring innovation to bear on their needs. With the survey, we seek to discover areas that Starcomms customers would like us to improve and identify new innovations for the Nigerian market. As a responsive network, the total satisfaction of our customers is a priority with us. So, this survey will help us get there,” Tushar Maheshwari, Starcomms Chief Commercial Officer said.
The Starcomms survey is a further step towards excellence in customer relations which has become the hallmark of the company. For months now, Starcomms customers have been having the rare opportunity of relating directly with the company’s CEO to lodge complaints or to make one enquiry or the other about Starcomms products and services through an email address: ceo.customercare@starcomms.com.
The company took this step in recognition of challenges that telecommunication customers face in an attempt to resolve issues on the services they are receiving. This has been a tremendous success in the sense that it has helped Starcomms and its customers to relate better creating a platform for quick response to customer enquiries
STARCOMMS DESCRIBES SUPERBRAND STATUS AS A CHALLENGE FOR MORE QUALITY SERVICE
Leading telecommunications company, Starcomms Plc., has described the Superbrand award which it won as a challenge to sustain and improve its high quality service delivery that has become a reference point in the industry.
The Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms, Mr. Tushar Maheshwari while reacting to the news of the award said that the award came as a surprise.
According to him, “one day we just received a letter that we have been given an award. None of us in the company knew that we were going to receive such award. The award indeed was a very pleasant surprise.”
Maheshwari who could not hide his excitement further revealed that the superbrand status was bestowed on Starcomms based on a survey conducted by AC Nielsen, the world’s leading marketing research company on behalf of Superbrands Nigeria Limited.
He said that customer satisfaction, network reliability and social responsibility were some of the parameters used in the selection of Starcomms as the leading CDMA Company in Nigeria adding that the survey showed that the consumer associated with the Starcomms brand.
According to him, a grand revelation of the survey was the fact that Starcomms have consistently retained its leadership position in the CDMA market saying that the survey showed that field interviewers went to the consumers and asked them which brand they associate with.
On what the award means to Starcomms, he said, “the consumer has put his trust on us and given us his support. So we will want that trust and support to be there all year round. That means we cannot relax and so we have to keep moving in all direction in terms of network reliability, customer care and value for money.”
Maheshwari promised that Starcomms will continuously improve upon the standard that gave them the award stressing that his company was able to surmount all the challenges in the industry because “whatever we do, we do it from the perspective of customers’ satisfaction”.
He further disclosed that Starcomms primary focus is on how to make life more convenient for its customers and not just mere promises saying that “that is why we are launching different customers’ focused products such as listen to the Bible and Koran, the self care portal etc”.
Pledging more commitment to the satisfaction of its consumers, he disclosed that Starcomms through innovations have been making life easy for its customers stressing that those who do not use Starcomms mobile phone but have its internet broadband modem, iZAP can now load and check their balance from another mobile phone network via SMS.
In trying to maintain the high standard it has attained over the years, he said that Starcomms has repeatedly done research to find out what the customer feels about its services saying that it strives to benchmark its quality of service with those of other operators in developed countries and operators in Nigeria.
He added that “we also benchmark ourselves against other business organizations in the economy like airlines, hotels, and that is why you see that our products are unique i.e. our multilingual call centre. You can do a lot of request on your own without really getting someone to do it for you. That is a world class solution”.
According him, feedback is also a crucial factor that has endeared telecoms consumers to Starcomms noting that “we have been able to get feedback from our customers through our call centers, our fans page on facebook and visits of our top management to our customers”.
On the relevance of Starcomms recent subscription to Main One undersea Cable, Maheshwari said that the essence is to ensure that Starcomms customers continue to get speedy and reliability internet connection noting that although it currently provides broadband services in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja,Warri, Benin City, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ilorin,Kaduna Zaria and Jos, we are not going to stop there. We are going to go even to the rural areas just as it is done in other parts of the world”.
The Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms, Mr. Tushar Maheshwari while reacting to the news of the award said that the award came as a surprise.
According to him, “one day we just received a letter that we have been given an award. None of us in the company knew that we were going to receive such award. The award indeed was a very pleasant surprise.”
Maheshwari who could not hide his excitement further revealed that the superbrand status was bestowed on Starcomms based on a survey conducted by AC Nielsen, the world’s leading marketing research company on behalf of Superbrands Nigeria Limited.
He said that customer satisfaction, network reliability and social responsibility were some of the parameters used in the selection of Starcomms as the leading CDMA Company in Nigeria adding that the survey showed that the consumer associated with the Starcomms brand.
According to him, a grand revelation of the survey was the fact that Starcomms have consistently retained its leadership position in the CDMA market saying that the survey showed that field interviewers went to the consumers and asked them which brand they associate with.
On what the award means to Starcomms, he said, “the consumer has put his trust on us and given us his support. So we will want that trust and support to be there all year round. That means we cannot relax and so we have to keep moving in all direction in terms of network reliability, customer care and value for money.”
Maheshwari promised that Starcomms will continuously improve upon the standard that gave them the award stressing that his company was able to surmount all the challenges in the industry because “whatever we do, we do it from the perspective of customers’ satisfaction”.
He further disclosed that Starcomms primary focus is on how to make life more convenient for its customers and not just mere promises saying that “that is why we are launching different customers’ focused products such as listen to the Bible and Koran, the self care portal etc”.
Pledging more commitment to the satisfaction of its consumers, he disclosed that Starcomms through innovations have been making life easy for its customers stressing that those who do not use Starcomms mobile phone but have its internet broadband modem, iZAP can now load and check their balance from another mobile phone network via SMS.
In trying to maintain the high standard it has attained over the years, he said that Starcomms has repeatedly done research to find out what the customer feels about its services saying that it strives to benchmark its quality of service with those of other operators in developed countries and operators in Nigeria.
He added that “we also benchmark ourselves against other business organizations in the economy like airlines, hotels, and that is why you see that our products are unique i.e. our multilingual call centre. You can do a lot of request on your own without really getting someone to do it for you. That is a world class solution”.
According him, feedback is also a crucial factor that has endeared telecoms consumers to Starcomms noting that “we have been able to get feedback from our customers through our call centers, our fans page on facebook and visits of our top management to our customers”.
On the relevance of Starcomms recent subscription to Main One undersea Cable, Maheshwari said that the essence is to ensure that Starcomms customers continue to get speedy and reliability internet connection noting that although it currently provides broadband services in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja,Warri, Benin City, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ilorin,Kaduna Zaria and Jos, we are not going to stop there. We are going to go even to the rural areas just as it is done in other parts of the world”.
STARCOMMS DESCRIBES SUPERBRAND STATUS AS A CHALLENGE FOR MORE QUALITY SERVICE
Leading telecommunications company, Starcomms Plc., has described the Superbrand award which it won as a challenge to sustain and improve its high quality service delivery that has become a reference point in the industry.
The Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms, Mr. Tushar Maheshwari while reacting to the news of the award said that the award came as a surprise.
According to him, “one day we just received a letter that we have been given an award. None of us in the company knew that we were going to receive such award. The award indeed was a very pleasant surprise.”
Maheshwari who could not hide his excitement further revealed that the superbrand status was bestowed on Starcomms based on a survey conducted by AC Nielsen, the world’s leading marketing research company on behalf of Superbrands Nigeria Limited.
He said that customer satisfaction, network reliability and social responsibility were some of the parameters used in the selection of Starcomms as the leading CDMA Company in Nigeria adding that the survey showed that the consumer associated with the Starcomms brand.
According to him, a grand revelation of the survey was the fact that Starcomms have consistently retained its leadership position in the CDMA market saying that the survey showed that field interviewers went to the consumers and asked them which brand they associate with.
On what the award means to Starcomms, he said, “the consumer has put his trust on us and given us his support. So we will want that trust and support to be there all year round. That means we cannot relax and so we have to keep moving in all direction in terms of network reliability, customer care and value for money.”
Maheshwari promised that Starcomms will continuously improve upon the standard that gave them the award stressing that his company was able to surmount all the challenges in the industry because “whatever we do, we do it from the perspective of customers’ satisfaction”.
He further disclosed that Starcomms primary focus is on how to make life more convenient for its customers and not just mere promises saying that “that is why we are launching different customers’ focused products such as listen to the Bible and Koran, the self care portal etc”.
Pledging more commitment to the satisfaction of its consumers, he disclosed that Starcomms through innovations have been making life easy for its customers stressing that those who do not use Starcomms mobile phone but have its internet broadband modem, iZAP can now load and check their balance from another mobile phone network via SMS.
In trying to maintain the high standard it has attained over the years, he said that Starcomms has repeatedly done research to find out what the customer feels about its services saying that it strives to benchmark its quality of service with those of other operators in developed countries and operators in Nigeria.
He added that “we also benchmark ourselves against other business organizations in the economy like airlines, hotels, and that is why you see that our products are unique i.e. our multilingual call centre. You can do a lot of request on your own without really getting someone to do it for you. That is a world class solution”.
According him, feedback is also a crucial factor that has endeared telecoms consumers to Starcomms noting that “we have been able to get feedback from our customers through our call centers, our fans page on facebook and visits of our top management to our customers”.
On the relevance of Starcomms recent subscription to Main One undersea Cable, Maheshwari said that the essence is to ensure that Starcomms customers continue to get speedy and reliability internet connection noting that although it currently provides broadband services in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja,Warri, Benin City, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ilorin,Kaduna Zaria and Jos, we are not going to stop there. We are going to go even to the rural areas just as it is done in other parts of the world”.
The Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms, Mr. Tushar Maheshwari while reacting to the news of the award said that the award came as a surprise.
According to him, “one day we just received a letter that we have been given an award. None of us in the company knew that we were going to receive such award. The award indeed was a very pleasant surprise.”
Maheshwari who could not hide his excitement further revealed that the superbrand status was bestowed on Starcomms based on a survey conducted by AC Nielsen, the world’s leading marketing research company on behalf of Superbrands Nigeria Limited.
He said that customer satisfaction, network reliability and social responsibility were some of the parameters used in the selection of Starcomms as the leading CDMA Company in Nigeria adding that the survey showed that the consumer associated with the Starcomms brand.
According to him, a grand revelation of the survey was the fact that Starcomms have consistently retained its leadership position in the CDMA market saying that the survey showed that field interviewers went to the consumers and asked them which brand they associate with.
On what the award means to Starcomms, he said, “the consumer has put his trust on us and given us his support. So we will want that trust and support to be there all year round. That means we cannot relax and so we have to keep moving in all direction in terms of network reliability, customer care and value for money.”
Maheshwari promised that Starcomms will continuously improve upon the standard that gave them the award stressing that his company was able to surmount all the challenges in the industry because “whatever we do, we do it from the perspective of customers’ satisfaction”.
He further disclosed that Starcomms primary focus is on how to make life more convenient for its customers and not just mere promises saying that “that is why we are launching different customers’ focused products such as listen to the Bible and Koran, the self care portal etc”.
Pledging more commitment to the satisfaction of its consumers, he disclosed that Starcomms through innovations have been making life easy for its customers stressing that those who do not use Starcomms mobile phone but have its internet broadband modem, iZAP can now load and check their balance from another mobile phone network via SMS.
In trying to maintain the high standard it has attained over the years, he said that Starcomms has repeatedly done research to find out what the customer feels about its services saying that it strives to benchmark its quality of service with those of other operators in developed countries and operators in Nigeria.
He added that “we also benchmark ourselves against other business organizations in the economy like airlines, hotels, and that is why you see that our products are unique i.e. our multilingual call centre. You can do a lot of request on your own without really getting someone to do it for you. That is a world class solution”.
According him, feedback is also a crucial factor that has endeared telecoms consumers to Starcomms noting that “we have been able to get feedback from our customers through our call centers, our fans page on facebook and visits of our top management to our customers”.
On the relevance of Starcomms recent subscription to Main One undersea Cable, Maheshwari said that the essence is to ensure that Starcomms customers continue to get speedy and reliability internet connection noting that although it currently provides broadband services in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja,Warri, Benin City, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ilorin,Kaduna Zaria and Jos, we are not going to stop there. We are going to go even to the rural areas just as it is done in other parts of the world”.
Starcomms Brings More Value to Night Time Calling
Nigeria’s leading telecommunications operator, Starcomms Plc is offering its customers great value calling rates for 4N over night. Customers are to enjoy N4 per minute on-net calls between the period of 10 pm and 7 am.
The offer is to enable Starcomms customers, particularly the Muslims to share warm thoughts during the Ramadan period, while also giving opportunity to non-Muslims to extend warm greetings to their Muslim and other friends.
Designed to add value to the social life of all customers of Nigeria’s only telecoms company quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, this unique offer is available to current and new customers in all cities where there is Starcomms coverage for a period of one month.
What it implies is that customers of the innovative CDMA Company will have to pay less to savour the excitement and communal activities that require people getting in touch during the Ramadan period while also enjoying other value added services on the Starcomms network. Moreover, the promo is a boom for those who are not involved in the Ramadan fast as they can have longer discussions on the Starcomms network during the off peak hours.
The Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms, Mr. Tushar Maheshwari said that, “as a responsive network, we at Starcomms understand that Nigerians love to keep in touch with their loved ones, hence we are using this opportunity to enable not just the Muslims on our network, but the non-Muslims too, the privilege of doing that during the Ramadan period.”
According to him, this is just part of our numerous ways of making our people happier, as a network that speaks their language.” He said that as a customer focused company it is mindful of the needs of its customers and will often look for opportunities to make talking easy for them.
The current winner of the Superbrand award for 2010 and a two time telecom company of the year including the recent winner of the 2009 CDMA Company award given to it for its outstanding performance in the delivery of quality services and value added services, Starcomms has over the years demonstrated its leadership role in the industry with value for money, innovation and customer care initiatives.
The offer is to enable Starcomms customers, particularly the Muslims to share warm thoughts during the Ramadan period, while also giving opportunity to non-Muslims to extend warm greetings to their Muslim and other friends.
Designed to add value to the social life of all customers of Nigeria’s only telecoms company quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, this unique offer is available to current and new customers in all cities where there is Starcomms coverage for a period of one month.
What it implies is that customers of the innovative CDMA Company will have to pay less to savour the excitement and communal activities that require people getting in touch during the Ramadan period while also enjoying other value added services on the Starcomms network. Moreover, the promo is a boom for those who are not involved in the Ramadan fast as they can have longer discussions on the Starcomms network during the off peak hours.
The Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms, Mr. Tushar Maheshwari said that, “as a responsive network, we at Starcomms understand that Nigerians love to keep in touch with their loved ones, hence we are using this opportunity to enable not just the Muslims on our network, but the non-Muslims too, the privilege of doing that during the Ramadan period.”
According to him, this is just part of our numerous ways of making our people happier, as a network that speaks their language.” He said that as a customer focused company it is mindful of the needs of its customers and will often look for opportunities to make talking easy for them.
The current winner of the Superbrand award for 2010 and a two time telecom company of the year including the recent winner of the 2009 CDMA Company award given to it for its outstanding performance in the delivery of quality services and value added services, Starcomms has over the years demonstrated its leadership role in the industry with value for money, innovation and customer care initiatives.
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