Telecommunications giant MegaFon and Solidarity join forces to aid foreigners in obtaining SIM card services
Megafon, a leading telecommunications provider in Russia, and Commercial Bank Solidarnost have joined forces to make it easier for foreigners to access mobile communication services in the country. This innovative project eliminates the need for foreign citizens to visit multiple offices for various procedures, such as the Social Security Fund, Government Service Centers, and banks.
Since the beginning of this year, foreign citizens have been required to obtain an Insurance Number of the Individual Account (INS), create a confirmed account on the Government Services portal, and register biometrics at a bank branch to sign a contract for communication services. However, with the launch of this joint project, these procedures can now be completed in one place, thanks to bank employees stationed in Megafon's retail stores who facilitate registration in the Unified Biometric System (UBS) for new subscribers.
The project, currently available in over 40 Megafon-owned stores across Moscow, allows foreign citizens who are new Megafon subscribers to complete all necessary procedures for purchasing and activating SIM cards more efficiently. The time taken to sign a contract and activate a SIM card for a foreign citizen subscriber is now no more than 30 minutes, compared to several days previously.
Vadim Zimin, Director of Strategy and Sales Development at MegaFon, stated that their goal is to make connecting to their services as convenient as possible for their clients. Opening bank branches in their salons, he said, will significantly expand the range of services through the provision of banking products. Natalia Montaya Ibanez, Director of Development at Solidarnost Bank, expressed confidence that this initiative will contribute to the development of both their business and financial accessibility for foreign citizens in the country.
In the second stage, the parties will consider involving franchise retail outlets of the mobile operator in the project. The initial project involves Megafon's and Yota's own retail stores. Megafon implemented the ability to purchase its SIM cards in Government Service Centers (GSCs) and integrated biometric verification terminals in its stores in early summer of this year.
Moreover, Megafon became the first in the telecom market to offer customers the ability to sign a contract for communication services using a QR code in the "Government Services" mobile app in February. This streamlined process further enhances the convenience of accessing mobile communication services for foreigners in Russia.
The operator must verify the client through the UBS before activating the SIM card. Megafon and CB "Solidarnost" will conduct a joint analysis to decide on the further expansion of their project in Moscow. This collaboration is set to make a significant impact on the ease of access to mobile communication services for foreigners in Russia.
- With the joint effort of Megafon and Commercial Bank Solidarnost, foreign citizens can now access bank services and complete mobile communication service procedures at Megafon's retail stores, enhancing financial accessibility.
- The partnership between Megafon and Commercial Bank Solidarnost aims to streamline the process of purchasing and activating SIM cards for foreigners by offering banking products and facilitating UBS registration within their retail outlets, reducing the time considerably.
