By Nnamdi Ojiego
criticisms and complaints from the subscribers GSM networks have continued to trail the various promos currently run by the networks providers in the country.

The subscribers who called on the sector’s regulatory body, the Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC, and the National Lottery Commission, NLC, to closely monitor the activities of the operators, described the various promos as rip-offs and fraudulent.

A majority of phone users who spoke to CyberLIFE urged the NCC and NLC to properly audit the various exercises involving the network providers to ascertain the true intentions of such promos.

Mr Mike Okoro who claimed to have spent more than N30,000 on one such promo without winning anything, alleged that the conditions of the promo look so simple but beneath it were some fraud.

He said promos were not necessary at a time when subscribers were still faced with poor quality of service. “Instead of embarking on promos, operators should use the money meant for the exercise to roll out more services and improve quality of service.”

Similarly, a civil servant, Mr Emmanuel Victor said the most annoying thing was that his network deducts money for undelivered text messages especially to other networks without showing any concern or making effort to refund their money.

The subscribers however, unanimously accused GSM operators of allegedly turning promos into revenue spinning machines. They said operators charged N100 and above for a text that would ordinarily cost N15, and stressed it was high time the network providers become genuine and straightforward with their promos.

Meanwhile, users of Etisalat network have commended it for its ‘Talk 4 free’ promo, where every minute spent in making calls is given to him back, describing it as best promo so far in the country. “It is a type of promo that benefits every user”, Mr Kingley Ojo, a teacher said.

While lauding the transparent way the recent promo by Etisalat which saw a student of University of Jos winning US$1 million, among other winners, was conducted and televised nationwide, the subscribers however, encouraged Etisalat to embark on similar promos like ‘talk 4 free’ which would benefit every user, instead of giving huge sum like US $1 million to one person only, while leaving others empty handed.