City kicks off multimedia messaging system statement project

The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) will soon send municipal statements through the multimedia messaging system (MMS).

Mr Kgamanyane Maphologela, from the city’s revenue department, said the city is taking the environment into consideration by introducing a going green initiative and moving with the times.

“We furthermore strive towards better customer centricity by providing our customers with a value add with the introduction of this multimedia system whereby customers would be receiving a record proof of their municipal account through MMS on their mobile phones.

“The MMS service is an instant delivery with an audit trail of messages successfully sent through all mobile network operators. This will assist with the reduction of the challenge experienced with the e-mail distribution system, where some companies block the e-statements as spam mail or customers change their work place,” said Mr Maphologela.

The campaign kicked off on July 2.

For the time being, customers will receive the MMS statement and their printed statement until they have notified the city of their preferred option being post, e-mail or MMS.

If the MMS option is chosen, the customer will still receive a printed statement every third month after the trial period.

“The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) advises that customers should be afforded the opportunity to opt out of a marketing correspondence at a minimum set cost. Neither the initial MMS notification sent, nor the MMS statements, are considered marketing correspondence.

“The city has afforded a courtesy to its customers to opt out of an improved service delivery information tool. Should customers still wish to opt out without responding to the MMS-provided number, active customers with the city are requested to contact the city and inform it of their non-interest in the MMS option and the option will be opted out on their behalf,” said Mr Maphologela.