In what has been termed a transformation year for UCC, the commission came up with a couple of directives. Some of these directives will have an everlasting impact on the communications sector. UCC earlier on directed Telecom companies to phase out Airtime scratch cards on the Ugandan market. The commission later extended the deadline till the end of July after evaluating the process necessary to effect the ban.
As you read this, its past deadline day and you may never see any Airtime scratch cards sold on the Ugandan market. ICT Minister noted that they will turn all unused airtime scratch cards to mobile money.
Airtime Scratch cards have been the major mode of loading airtime across all major telecoms in Uganda. However, the Commission advised telecoms to switch to electronic methods of loading airtime. While addressing the house, Mr. Tumwebaze said that the move would ensure that mobile airtime customers do not lose their money
“The mobile network operators have gradually phased out the distribution of scratch cards and majority of users are already using E-Top up.” Tumwebaze’s statement to Parliament reads in part. He also added that telecom companies were figuring out mechanisms to redeem any unused airtime scratch cards with customers. “They [customers] will be refunded for any un-utilised airtime scratch cards”.
The ban on airtime scratch cards was first put to public awareness in March 2018 when cyber crimes were rampant in the country. Mr Tumwebaze however, said the ban is meant to improve security in the country following a series of unexplained kidnaps. He noted that electronic Airtime coupled with SIM Card registration would ease the traceability of mobile phone users.
It’s the end of Airtime Scratch Cards. Hello Electronic Airtime.
You are probably wondering why UCC banned Airtime Scratch in favour of electronic airtime. How does this help curb crime? Well, Mr. Tumwebaze noted vending airtime cards partly contributed to the selling of illegally registered SIM cards. It would also facilitate airtime recharge and top ups manually without any digital tracing. That’s why the Commission recommended electronic airtime recharge systems the most viable ans secure options.
The only issue is that these electronic airtime recharge systems haven’t spread to many remote areas. This has posed a huge problem to the residents in those areas after banning the easily distributed airtime scratch cards . However, this might soon change after the recent bloom of electronic airtime recharge modes. These include Cellulant, Chapchap, and recently PayWay’s Mobile app.
Telecoms argue their subscribers to use Electronic Airtime
Telecom companies have invested massive resources to help their customers transition to electronic airtime. They came up with promotions like MoMoNyabo create a safe passage to the new means of loading airtime and data.
“We are in the digital era and it is therefore important that we all embrace these new measures implemented by Government in service delivery.”
