The aggressive competition in mobile telecom industry of Pakistan has led to introduction of many modern and useful features accompanied by some creative marketing.
So when Ufone started offering the first call blocking service in Pakistan, they came up with a catchy nickname for the call block service: 420. As every Pakistani knows, 420 in the local vernacular refers to a fraudster or con-man.
This highlights the clever use of easy-to-remember sms codes: consumers subscribe to call blocking service by sending the phrase ‘SUB’ to 420 on the Ufone network. This service has fast gained popularity as unwanted calls have become a major problem in the fast growing telecom market of Pakistan.
See here for prior ATP coverage of interesting ads from mobile companies. The mobile companies are always on the look for interesting services to differentiate them from the competition. That is not enough though – the ad campaign has become a must.
The Ufone “420″ service blocks calls from any network (or landline) and works for both postpaid and pre-paid customers. There is a Rs. 9.99/month price tag (and the nominal sms charges) and it allows you to block up to 20 numbers. Click here to go to Ufone site for more specifics. I think that in the near future this will become a standard service in Pakistan and perhaps the monthly charges will be waived.
Other Posts Related to Telecom Industry in Pakistan
1. Pakistan’s telecom industry; Is the honeymoon over?
2. Are mobile companies using deceptive marketing in Pakistan?
3. WiMAX in Pakistan
4. Mobile Activism in Pakistan
5. Top 10 Gripes about Pakistan’s Mobile Market
6. Mobile Number Portability in Pakistan
7. Pakistan’s Mobile Industry: On the Growth Path
8. Pakistan’s Battle of Bandwith Rates
9. Telecom Action in Pakistan
You can visit ATP on your Mobile Phone. Here's how!
Yeah sure man good choice 420 is also code word for ‘let smoke some grass” in US at least.
What are the many other modern features? I would like to know.
Besides, it#s a simple feature.
This read more like a press release issued by the Ufone company. Why advertise at the expense of ATP?
The reference of 420 was first coined by high school students, in California, in the early 1970’s. The reference was used as a code of when to meet to smoke cannabis/marijuana.
I am quite surprised of how this is being used in Pakistan. Could it been that one of the teenagers from the early 70’s, that coined the 420 code, was a Pakistani?
By the way, I think the char sau bees, 420, things comes from some law number on which the police books con artists for char sau beesi!
Very clever. The 420 - char sau bees thing.
This is char sau beesi!
Yes, certain high-end phones have the capability to block calls. This service is network based so it will work with any phone.
Can’t you just use your phone to setup the blocking?