Oluniyi David Ajao

Free midnight calls as offered by cellular network operators have been around for a few years now. Thanks to competition, just about every major cellular network in Ghana and Nigeria offer[ed] free midnight calls in one form or the other. These networks include MTN, Celtel, glo mobile in Nigeria as well Tigo, MTN, Kasapa and Onetouch in Ghana.

The free midnight calls basically enable subscribers to make network calls for free or in some cases, for a very low tariff, or ‘little’ connection fee. This enables subscribers to catch-up on conversations they missed during the day. However, the problems caused by free midnight calls seem to far out-weigh any advantages they offer. Why? The cellular networks are terribly congested during the late hours when subscribers are busy on the phone. Due to the high number of people conversing at that particular time, making an emergency call becomes very difficult if not outrightly impossible. In the case of emergencies, one is then left in a limbo since calls to the security services from a mobile phone might not go through at all. Life and property are thus at risk during this hours.

Aside the security problem, the users who do not get adequate rest are often times worn-out the next day and might even suffer severe headache, fatigue and/or body pain when they stay awake for too long. This makes me wonder, are these free midnight calls really worth it?

I don’t indulge in midnight calls and calls to my phone after 10 pm will unanswered as the phone’s ringing would have been silenced, calls diverted to voicemail or the phone switched-off entirely.

What are your thoughts about midnight calls? How do you deal with it? Why would you support it? Share your thoughts here and now.