Telenor Pakistan, the second largest mobile phone service provider, has decided to close all of its, 17, company-owned sales and service centres across Pakistan this month leaving its staff jobless.

Telenor said it will serve customers through 289 technologically advanced franchises across the country. “It has been decided to divest these centres nationwide starting January 2017,” said a handout issued by the company.

“With the changing dynamics of industry, customer demands and technology, it is now possible to serve customers in a better, faster and more efficient way through various other means,” it said. “The move is primarily in line with Telenor’s long-term ambitions to empower its customers, and will impact the company’s S&SC staff linked with these channels who have been offered a Voluntary Severance Scheme (VSS),” it added.

Under the VSS, the service provider is offering a payout of up to seven gross salaries, including payment in lieu of notice period, plus other benefits that include medical allowances, in addition to annual bonus (2.25 salaries) and gratuity for eligible employees under the company policy, it explained.

According to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the firm has a customer base of 38.47 million.

The company stated that the move is aimed at transforming its customer care experience. Telenor has decided to serve all its customers through an efficient alternate customer servicing channel comprising of 289 walk-in-centres and will further establish customer experience zones in selected locations across Pakistan.”

For almost two years, Telenor Pakistan has been evolving the conventional retail models to facilitate customers to best. Currently, it has 17 Sales and Service Centres across Pakistan which are established and have been operating to fulfill the needs of its customers.