Airtel Prepaid User Guide

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Airtel Prepaid User guide

Thank you for choosing Airtel Prepaid service. Airtel's world-class network offers reliable communications solutions with customer care to match your needs. This page is designed to help you get the most out of your Airtel Prepaid service. Please read through it carefully before connecting your Airtel Prepaid line.
You will also need to refer to your cell phone manual, as each model is different. Should you need more information, do not hesitate to call the Airtel Customer Care Centre by dialling 300 from your Airtel line or by dialling, 08021500300 from any other network, to speak to a Customer Care consultant at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Before you do anything else, ensure that your cell phone battery is charged. Refer to your cell phone manual on instructions. Insert your Airtel SIM card into your phone. When inserting your SIM card, please refer to your cell phone instruction manual or ask your Airtel dealer to assist you. Switch on your phone, and you are now ready to get in touch with friends, family and business contacts, provided you are within an Airtel coverage area.

When inserting your SIM card, switch off your phone and refer to your cell phone instruction manual or ask your Airtel dealer to assist you. The SIM is the small microchip attached to the bigger card. It is the 'brain' in your cell phone and connects you to the Airtel network while holding all vital information like your phone number and your airtime account. The SIM card can store up to 200 names and numbers and 25 messages which can all be recalled when needed. You can use your Airtel SIM in any phone. This means that if you change phones or if your phone is damaged, just re-use this SIM card in your new phone. There is no need to purchase a new SIM.
After inserting the SIM card, locate the power ON button on your handset. If the phone is switched on, but the words "Insert SIM" appear, it means that the SIM card is not fitted correctly. Try reinserting the SIM card or check your cell phone user manual for more details.

Your Airtel Prepaid SIM card may come with some free airtime. Please follow the instructions on the pack to activate the free airtime.
Subsequent airtime top-up can be made using an Airtel top-up card or virtual recharge of any denomination.

Other features available to Airtel subscribers are

Total cost control
Instant connectivity
Access to Customer Care 24 hours a day
A wide range of tariff options and packages to choose from
International Direct Dialling (IDD) facility
Call Conferencing (this service is dependent on your cell phone model
Account balance and validity enquiries
To send text messages (SMS) anywhere in the world

To use your Personal Identification Number (PIN) and Personal Unblocking Number (PUK)

Your SIM card comes with the PIN feature deactivated and is thus ready for use. If you desire to activate the PIN feature please follow the instructions below (It is advisable for you to enable the PIN feature in order to prevent unauthorized access to your SIM card).

To activate and personalize your PIN

Your SIM PIN is a 4-digit secret number that protects your phone from unauthorized use. All Airtel SIM Cards are programmed with a default SIM PIN number.
It is advisable that you change the default PIN number to a 4-digit number of your choice.To change the PIN number, enter your default PIN which is 1111 and the desired new PIN in the sequence **04*defaultpin*newpin*newpin#
Your new PIN can be any 4-digit number (Just ensure they are digits you can easily remember).

Please Note

Once the PIN feature is activated it will be required whenever you switch your phone on. If an incorrect PIN is entered into your phone three consecutive times, your phone will become PIN blocked, and you will require your PUK code to unblock it. The PUK code is printed on the plastic body surrounding your SIM card or on the SIM certificate.

To unblock Your SIM card

If you mistakenly enter the wrong PIN code three times in succession, your SIM card will get blocked. This is a security measure that protects your phone from unauthorized use. To unblock your SIM card, follow the procedure below:

Find the PUK printed on your SIM plastic body or certificate and: Simply type **05*PUK*new pin*new pin# and press "Yes/Send/OK/Enter".
Your 'new pin' can be a new PIN number or the old PIN number you were using.
If your SIM plastic body or certificate is lost, you will need to apply for a new SIM certificate at any Airtel Centre. You will also be required to complete a call history form and provide evidence of purchase.

Top-up denominations

Airtime denominations are available via top-up Cards, mobile top-up and E-Pins. The table below shows the available denominations.

Airtime Denomination	Top-up cards	Mobile Top-Up	E-PINS
N50	-	Yes	Yes
N100	Yes	Yes	Yes
N200	Yes	Yes	Yes
N300	-	Yes	-
N500	Yes	Yes	Yes
N1,000	Yes	Yes	Yes
N2,000	Yes	Yes	Yes
N5,000	Yes	Yes	Yes
N20,000	Yes	Yes	Yes

Validity Period - Airtel for life

As an Airtel customer, if you make a call, send an SMS or recharge your airtime credit at least once every 90 days, your prepaid subscription will remain active for life and your airtime credits will never expire. No more worries about complicated validity periods or being disconnected! All recharge denominations have the same validity period.
To make calls and send text messages (known as Short Messages or SMS) you will need to add airtime to your account by purchasing airtime cards from any authorized Airtel dealer. Loading airtime onto your account is called topping up. Airtel Top-up cards are available everywhere in a wide range of values and they are easy to use.

Using Top-up cards

Gently scratch the coloured panel off the back of your Airtel top-up card to reveal the secret 16-digit number (avoid using sharp objects).
Enter *311# followed by the 16-digit number on the recharge card and the # key, then press the "Yes/Send/OK/Enter" key.
Your account will automatically be topped up with the amount on the top-up card and confirmation will be sent to you.