Airtel Nigeria has introduced two new low-cost generic data plans for Android, Windows Phone and iPhone users, as follows:
- 2GB for N2,000
- 4.5GB for N3,500
Airtel is marketing it as for Android users – likely to ride on the wave generated by the recent petition to the NCC (heck; even we marketed MobiBlaze as affordable internet for Android users, even though it works on all smartphones). It is just good marketing. In reality, the new data plans are actually generic plans, and Airtel themselves have confirmed that they work on other phones. From Airtel’s FAQ:
Question: Can the Android Bundle be used on other devices?
Answer: Yes, the Android Bundle can be used on other devices
And this Twitter exchange:
Hello @ladigmore22 yes please. Thank you.
— Airtel Customer Care (@airtel_care) July 24, 2014
So, we see that the data plans are actually generic and not specific to Android in any way. I did say in response to the petition to NCC for special plans for Android users that the best that can happen is a generic reduction. Unless Google champions it, a special plan for Android users alone is a joke.
If you are on the Airtel network and use any smartphone (Android, Windows Phone or iPhone), here are the things you need to do:
- Dial *141*200# to get a 2GB bundle @ N2000
- Dial *141*450# to get a 4.5GB bundle @ N3500
- Dial *223# to check your balance
- Airtel says the bundle allows users to enjoy browsing at a more affordable rate at night. Please clarify with Airtel
Kudos to Airtel. Now, we are expecting the other networks going to respond to this.