Victor EzejaAsaba-based businessman, Mr. Philip Orji, has expressed anger and disappointment over an Airtel Mifi device he bought for internet connectivity.
Orji, who narrated his ugly experience to Prime Business Africa, said he had got a message from Airtel office at Nnebisi Road Asaba, Delta State, regarding a promo for a purported Mifi device that would give mega data bonus to customers at cheaper price.
The offer, he said, caught his attention and he went to the Airtel shop in Asaba to buy the device with the hope of getting the advertised benefits.
According to him, there were two categories of Mifi – one sold at N5,000, with up to 125GB, and another sold for N7,500, with up to 150GB bonus data. Orji said he bought that of N5,000 Mifi.
The Airtel Mifi promo, which Orji also forwarded to Prime Business Africa, reads: “The Airtel Mega offer is still on! Get a MiFi for just N5,000 + up to 125GB bonus or MiFi +up to 150GB bonus @ N7,500. Visit our Airtel Shop at 360 Nnebisi Road, Asaba. Offer valid while stock lasts.”
Orji said he shockingly realised that the promises were far from being real when he got home and fixed the device for use.
“I am Mr. Philip Orji, I live in Asaba and I bought the Mifi at Airtel office here in Asaba. They (Airtel) sent the message to all their customers. I went to the office, bought it and discovered that the SIM card that was inserted into the Mifi is different from what is on the pack of the device. When I asked them why, they said the SIM card that came with the Mifi had technical problems. And I said can you give it to me, but they said no that it has been removed.”
Orji further stated that the Airtel staff informed him that the SIM card in the device had only 5GB data, instead of the 125GB promised in the promo message he received. When he asked for the reason it was so, no credible explanation was given to him. Instead, they urged him to recharge to get additional data.
Another shock to Orji was that even the promoted 5GB was not found in the Mifi as he couldn’t make use of it for internet connectivity.
On going back to the Airtel office to seek clarification, Orji said he noticed that Airtel staff became quite unfriendly.
“I told them my experience with the device was not what I was told. The text message is self explanatory. But what they are saying now is different.
“My major grievance is that, that very day, according to them, they registered the Mifi, I took it home because we wanted to use it in the church but I could not use it. I had to go back on Monday to their office and they said I should register again. I had to re-register. After registering, I am supposed to have 5GB as they said; I went home, tried to use it but nothing was there. When I went back the next day to ask them why, they said it has been exhausted. I said by who? Their response was unfriendly. I completely felt cheated,” Orji lamented.
Continuing, he said: “This is really a bad experience. This is what is happening to many customers who bought the product. You advertise for 125GB or 150GB and at the end you give only 5GB which mysteriously disappears without being used by the customer. It is quite appalling.”
Prime Business Africa reached out to Airtel office in Lagos for reaction and a senior official of the Telecom company requested for the telephone number of the victim assuring that he would reach him for details and with a view to ascertaining what actually transpired at the Asaba office.
He declined immediate comments on the matter.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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