Since last April’s announcement of TSTT turning down part of its network to return 1800MHz spectrum to TATT, there has been a steady flow of customers streaming into major bmobile dealers to claim their free mobile handsets. The company’s handset swap campaign for thousands of mobile customers using dual band 1800/ 950 MHZ handsets comes to an end on May 31st and the initiative has garnered positive responses from the public for its efficiency.
So far, in TSTT’s multi-million dollar campaign, over 10,000 customers have traded their old dual-band handsets for new devices that can work on TSTT’s main cellular network. The company targeted these customers with direct text messages as the issue only affected a small, but significant segment of its customer base.
The free handset offer has sparked a virtual call to action by persons hoping to avoid becoming service-less on May 31st 2012, and as the deadline approaches, bmobile dealers throughout T&T are bracing for a steep increase in the current influx of customers.
Wendy Rosin manages Secure Mobile, one such bustling flagship dealer outlet located at Nicholas Towers, Independence Square, Port of Spain. Secure Mobile attained the 2nd highest amount of trade-in activations since the campaign started. Wendy noted that although it has been a hectic period for the staff, it has been a smooth transition and several customers have responded positively.
Customers agreed that this was a valuable opportunity to swap their old dual-band phones in return for a compatible and comparable new handset. “With their new phones they also get the one (1) year warranty against manufacturer defects at no cost to them” said Wendy, adding that the warranty and the devices, ranging from Blu Deejay and Blu Click phones to Samsung Galaxy Mini and Galaxy Y handsets, seem to have been a big inducement for bmobile customers. “bmobile has seen the benefits of treating customers exceptionally well with this offer when you consider that the phones being returned are over 3 years old. Customers are leaving here feeling well taken care of.”
Lisa Agard Executive Vice President bmobile Services and Company Retail Distribution said, “There are still several thousand customers that are waiting to act on the offer. We anticipate that the days leading up to May 31st could be very hectic, as customers will not want to be left without their new phones when the offer expires.” Agard added, “In the interest of making it easier for customers, trade-ins could be made at over 165 bmobile dealer locations nationwide. We are hoping to minimize any inconvenience to customers and dealers; therefore it would be in everyone’s best interest for the customers we have been in contact with, to visit one of the dealers sooner, rather than later.”
