Mobile phones and good connectivity are no longer luxuries. As the need for information becomes more and more central to our daily lives, these are becoming more crucial and it is unfortunate that a lot of people are excluded from their advantages due to cost.
In its contribution towards mobile phone penetration in the country, Safaricom has partnered with Google to avail brand new 4G enabled phones to people who are still using feature phones and would like to upgrade. The phone in question is the Neon Ray Pro, an Android Go 4G enabled smartphone. Android Go is a fast OS from Google, which runs lighter and also saves on data.
The Neon Ray Pro smartphone under this plan which is dubbed #LipaMdogoMdogo costs a total of Ksh.5,999/- and customers will pay an initial deposit of Ksh.1,000, and then pay the balance in instalments of 20 bob per day. This is a pay as you use plan where after paying the deposit, one is allowed to walk away with the phone and pay the balance on a daily or weekly basis. This is not to say that it is a field day for defaulters though. After being given several chances to hold adhere to the plan, the phone can be disabled remotely. This remote disconnection also acts as security if the phone is stolen, so that it can be disabled and become just an empty shell for the thief.
Of course there are some eligibility qualifications to be met by customers, some of them being a customer’s credit score, an age bracket of 18 to 75 years, and a history with Safaricom network going back at least one year.
For more details on Lipa Mdogo Mdogo, customers are encouraged to dial *544# or call the customer care number 100.
“We are delighted today to launch this product in line with our pillar of customer-centricity. Today, everyone is going through tough economic times. This product comes as a testament to our commitment to our purpose of transforming lives. Smartphones in the hands of our customers possess life-transforming possibilities. They open a new world. We aim to take that world into the hands of every consumer through affordable means”.
Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom CEO.
Some more information on the device financing initiative:
Lipa Mdogo Mdogo Service is the first of its kind device-financing proposition that allows customers to acquire a select range of smartphones from Safaricom retail shops and pay in easy daily, weekly or monthly installment while enjoying all the benefits that come with being online. The repayment plan allowed is upto 12 months.
Safaricom is FOR YOU. Once you subscribe, you will be connected to a world full of economic opportunities presented by internet access. Besides, Safaricom will assure you of the availability of genuine cheap devices that come complete with warranties enabling you to enjoy the benefits of a digital lifestyle.
The service is open to all Safaricom customers who meet the following criteria;
a) A favorable Credit score done by Safaricom (Based on a device Financing Credit Score).
b) Age on Network: They need to be on the Safaricom network for a minimum of one (1) year.
c) Over 18 years of age and below 75 years of age.
- To participate, dial *544# from your device, accept these Terms and Conditions to opt into the Service.
- You will receive an SMS informing you of your eligibility and the value of the device you can purchase under the Service.
- Proceed to select your device of choice and make a down payment through M-PESA.
- Go to any Safaricom shop near you where the staff at the shop will conduct a know your customer check to verify your identity after which, the sale will be processed, and the device will be issued to you. ( the device is fully set up for the customer before leaving the shop)
- Repayment can be done in the following intervals: daily, weekly, partial or full payment. It is good to note that a customer can pay as low as KES20 a day.
- Safaricom will communicate through SMS with loan balances in daily reminders as follows: 8:00am, 12:00 noon and 5:00pm.
The service allows customers to make repayments in daily, weekly, or partial intervals. If possible, a customer can make a full payment. However, in case of a default;
- On the fourth (4th) day of the repayment remaining outstanding, Safaricom will lock the device, limiting your use.
- Should you be in default on the 7th day, you will be barred from all outgoing calls and SMS.
- Where you default for thirty (30) days, you will be blacklisted, be disqualified for subsequent device loan facilities and your details will be forwarded to CRB.
Where subscribers have elected to make daily payments and they make their payments consecutively for 7 days, they will receive 100MB free YouTube bundles. The bundles are valid for a duration of 30 days from the time of activation after which they will expire.
The Free Resources awarded during the service period are not transferable, and their use will be governed by the applicable Terms and Conditions available on the Safaricom website (www.safaricom.co.ke)
While participation is open to all Safaricom subscribers, those who are blacklisted on KCB M-Pesa, Mshwari, Okoa Jahazi and Okoa data or locked due to fraud will NOT be able to participate.