The board of MTN Nigeria, on Wednesday, said it has begun a one-year trial of electronic Subscriber Identity Modules (e-SIM) cards citing approvals from the National Communications Commission (NCC).
The e-SIM adoption, which will be on a first come first served basis to subscribers with compatible devices, the company said, is being spearheaded in Nigeria, as part of offering solutions that address old and new challenges to make life a little easier and brighter, while enabling the digital economy.
The e-SIM, it explained further in the statement by Uto Ukpanah, its company secretary to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), is designed to deliver unprecedented freedom and flexibility and is, unlike the physical one, built into smartphones, devices, and wearables.
“They support multiple profiles and allow customers to connect multiple numbers to their e-SIM devices, the statement added, stressing that despite its sophistication, the e-SIM has the same onboarding requirements, including the regulatory prescriptions as the physical SIM.
“e-SIMs are particularly useful for people who want to manage personal and business lines easily and effectively, or want a separate profile for data,” MTN Nigeria stressed, noting its extreme convenience for frequent travelers and tourists.
It makes it easier for them to opt for and keep a local subscription when visiting Nigeria, the company said, quoting Mazen Mroue, its chief operating officer as expressing eagerness to complete the trial process and deploy the technology for the benefit of every Nigerian.
With the introduction of the e-SIM, he said, “we will offer customers a seamless and distinctive digital experience with new levels of flexibility, simplicity and convenience.”
Subscribers who own e-SIM compatible devices are to visit any MTN service centre for help to register and onboard at no cost, the statement said, assuring that such users will soon be able to link multiple compatible devices and smart wearables like tablets, smartwatches, among others to their profile.
