Nokia introduces SMS warranty scheme

Worried by spate of market infiltration by the grey market, Nokia has divulged some clues on how to detect fake devices in the market place by introducing the SMS Warranty Awareness scheme.

Head, Care Services at Nokia Nigeria, Mr. Silvin Sinan, said they owe it a duty to enlighten their customers to avoid them falling prey to vendors of counterfeit devices.

According to him, Nokia, reputed for mobile devices has advanced strategies to inform customers through Short Messaging Service (SMS) if their phone is genuine and has warranty.

The SMS Warranty Awareness drive will be focusing on educating customers at point of sale before and after purchase of their Nokia phones.

He explained that to determine if a device being bought is genuine or not, all the buyer needs to do is send an SMS of the IMEI number, which is available on the phone package to 32053. The buyer will then receive a reply that the phone has a 12-month Nigeria-warranty.

Sinan advised that non-receipt of this SMS is evidence that the phone being purchased is probably a counterfeit device.

This new system, he said, now offers Nokia faithful an easier way to determine if their phone has a valid warranty, which starts from the date of purchase and guarantees the user of repair at no cost and even replacement in the event of malfunction.

“Willful damage of the device is however not covered by the 12-month warranty,” he said.
ITRealms Online, recalls that Nokia prides itself as the world’s number one manufacturer of mobile devices based on market share.

Beyond this, Nokia’s leadership status as a manufacturer of devices, is fast becoming a leading solutions provider in the converging Internet and communications industries; providing internet services that enable users to experience media, messaging, maps and games.

It recently launched the Nokia N8, which is considered one of the smartest phones on the Nokia stable, which is yet to hit African market, but is expected before the end of this year.

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