MTN ends eBucks relationship

Johannesburg, 11 Aug 2004

MTN has decided to take complete ownership of its customer relationships and is ending its third-party partnership with eBucks.

In an e-mail sent to subscribers, the cellular operator claims it will be able to offer its customers an improved offering and enhanced service levels by taking total control of its customer service.

It has announced that MTN subscribers will continue to earn eBucks until 30 June next year, as it phases out its relationship with the online rewards programme, and that all eBucks earned will remain valid and will not be forfeited, as they never expire.

As a way of thanking subscribers who participated in the rewards programme, MTN will offer users a number of different exit packages, such as a number of free air time minutes, depending on the subscriber`s particular package with the operator.

"While MTN subscribers will no longer be able to earn eBucks as part of a rewards programme, they will still be able to purchase airtime for the MTN network with their eBucks, "says eBucks spokesman Alanna Lavelle.

"This has proved to be a great service, as we have found airtime to be one of the things people are most keen to spend their eBucks on, so even though users will no longer be able to earn eBucks through MTN after 30 June next year, they will still be able to spend their eBucks on airtime packages."

The cellular operator claims its move away from using the eBucks platform is part of a strategic decision to increase its current relationship focus with its customers - rather than relying on third-party operators - and that it will allow the organisation to provide its customers with a more personalised service in the future.

At the time of publication, MTN was not available for comment.