MegaFon is the first telecom operator to equip its stores with terminals for identity verification through the Unified Biometric System (UBS). At the initial stage, bio-terminals were installed and launched in selected locations in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In the future, the service will be available in all operator's stores in other regions of Russia. The new way of interacting with customers will simplify the process of activating SIM cards for foreign citizens who are required to undergo identification using biometric data.
The first bio-terminals started operating today in four MegaFon's own stores in Moscow and in one store in the northern capital of Russia. The project was implemented with the support of the Ministry of Digital Development of Russia, the Center for Biometric Technologies (CBT; operator of the Unified Biometric System), as well as Ovision, which supplies biometric terminals. The introduction of the new process and equipment will significantly simplify the customer journey for purchasing SIM cards for foreign citizens or stateless persons.
To conclude a contract for communication services, buyers must provide an insurance number of an individual personal account (SNILS), create a verified account on the Gosuslugi portal and register biometrics at a bank branch. The operator will check the client through the Unified Biometric System (UBS). Only after verifying all the data, the SIM card will be activated.
Today, biometric verification of a foreigner is carried out through the Gosuslugi portal. The subscriber can do this using their smartphone with the application installed. Another way is to use the company's personal account on the EPGU. Through it, the communication store employee will conduct identification.
With the introduction and operation of biometric terminals, the client identification procedure becomes much simpler, since the identification terminal is integrated into the contract conclusion process. This significantly reduces the time for both store employees and operator's clients.
Verification of subscriber biometrics through Gosuslugi is a temporary measure. It is being introduced by the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media until biometric terminals connected to the Unified Biometric System (UBS) appear.
We are constantly looking for opportunities and implementing improvements to customer journeys. Already in the fall, we will be able to fully equip our stores with bio-terminals, which will reduce the time for customer service by one and a half to two times, making the purchase of SIM cards by foreign citizens or stateless persons as simple and convenient as possible.
Earlier, MegaFon introduced a new feature — recording all incoming and outgoing calls. Now customers can listen to or download audio files to their mobile devices.
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