NTC has announced offers for customers migrating from CDMA to GSM service. The state-backed telco is phasing out CDMA service by Chaitra and wants its customers to transition towards GSM service. The promotional offers are available from Shrawan 1 which also marks the beginning of the new FY 078/79.
Last year, NTC announced its plan to scrap dated CDMA service to focus on 4G expansion and 5G trial. There are over 1.5 million CDMA subscribers and NTC wants them to shift towards GSM service. As part of a promotional offer, the telco is offering free SIM, free calls, data, and SMS to those who migrate from CDMA to GSM service (from RUIM to SIM card).
Offers for GSM Migrants
For customers who are migrating to GSM service, NTC will grant them a free SIM card. For this, the current CDMA users need to visit their nearest NTC branch and hand in their RUIM Card. They will receive either post-paid or pre-paid GSM SIM cards for free. For CDMA Fixed users, they will also receive a new GSM post-paid SIM Card with a new number.
Those migrating from CDMA pre-paid to GSM pre-paid will receive 300 minutes of voice call, 4 GB data, and 300 SMS for free. Calls and SMS will be valid within the NTC network only.
As for post-paid migrants, they will be entitled to 400 minutes of on-net, and 50 more minutes of off-net voice calls. Besides, they are up for 6 GB of data and 200 on-net SMS. NTC won’t charge any rental fees for the CDMA post-paid users who will shift to the GSM network till the month of Poush.
Check out: Ntc Data Packs; Day, Night, Unlimited
Why GSM Over CDMA?
NTC launched the CDMA service in 2006 and has over 1.5 million users but GSM users have an overwhelmingly more user base. This is why NTC is shutting down its legacy technology. The company has also announced that it is scrapping Wi-MAX broadband this year for similar reasons.
Mobile networks run on two types of networks CDMA and GSM. CDMA stands for Code Access Multiple Access and GSM stands for Global System for Mobile Communication. While the former is limited in use and remains exclusive to few regions, GSM has a worldwide eco-system. Its greatest asset is its compatibility for 4G and 5G. GSM standard has many benefits over its CDMA counterpart. Check its key merits below.
- GSM allows simultaneous use of voice and data. It is also possible with VoLTE these days, but CDMA lacks this convenience.
- GSM network has worldwide coverage, so compatibility and productivity are guaranteed. Meanwhile, CDMA phones are limited in number, features and remain even limited to few regions.
- 4G LTE network provides greater coverage and better call quality at lower costs.
- GSM technology supports 4G and 5G networks while CDMA is limited to only 2G and 3G. There is no further evolution of CDMA mobile technology.
As we head towards 4G and 5G broadband services, shifting to GSM has no alternative, and it’s worthy that NTC is coming with customers friendly package to encourage them to leave behind CDMA and jump towards the GSM service.
Check out: Ntc plans to test 5G network by Poush 2078
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