UTL has become the first mobile operator in Uganda to publicly launch a feature that will be welcomed by most of Ugandan mobile phone subscribers with open arms. We recently found out that this service known as Do Not Distrub (DND) is something that all telecom operators can implement to fight unsolicited SMS but are reluctant to do so.
The regulator UCC recently banned all new SMS promos by operators in order to fight this telecom vice. According to ugo, Mr. Ali Amir, the Managing Director at Uganda Telecom says this option of Do Not Disturb (DND) is to relieve its customers from the alerts.
[st_quote author=”Mr Amir “]“We are proud to be the only operator that offers a differentiated and unique DND service that allows our customers to opt out of receiving subscription SMS alerts but still receive promotional SMS alerts about the company’s products and services,” [/st_quote]
The service will help fight unwanted promo text messages and we hope other operators adopt it. To subscribe to the DND list, Uganda Telecom subscribers have to call the toll free line 100 or send an email to customercare.info@utl.co.ug.
Update
According to a tweet I received from UCC, its apparently possible to deactivate SMS promos on Airtel, all you need to do is send a message to 122 with the words END.
[blockquote cite=”twitter”]
@pkahill @Airtel_Ug @jmakumbi @rogekk @MTNUGANDACARE To deactivate unsolicited messages from Airtel, please write END and send to 122
— UCC (@UCC_Official) June 24, 2014
[/blockquote]
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