Telecom Archives — Page 7 of 9 — Business Bells

Business Bells

Category: Telecom

  • Firm Unveils Roaddo App That Conveniently Connects Buyers, Sellers To The Nigerian Market

    Firm Unveils Roaddo App That Conveniently Connects Buyers, Sellers To The Nigerian Market

     

    – Creates one app for multiple on-demand services
    Roaddo, a digital ecosystem which connects buyers and sellers and also offers instant delivery of goods and services is proud to announce the go-live date of the Roaddo App slated for the 6th of April, 2021.

    The Roaddo App is conceived to ensure the convenience of the shopper and to unlock market access to the sellers and service providers.

     

    Commenting on the Roaddo App, the founder /visioner, Fred Adun revealed that aside the convenient shopping experience for buyers, the Roaddo App will also address widespread youth unemployment by giving Nigerians a platform where they can leverage their skills to sustainably earn a living.

     

    “In addition to unlocking market access, Roaddo had also leveraged technology to affordably make a variety of on-demand services; including cab rides, hourly help, beauty services and artisans readily available to Nigerians.

     

    “Our Mission is To Provide Local Service Providers, and Vendors with a Digital Tool to help create new businesses and help the existing business expand”, Adun revealed.

    L-R: Fred Adun, Founder/Visioner, Roaddo; Joyce Onyegbula, Marketing & Communications Manager Roaddo; Felicitas Obiefuna, Quality Assurance Lead, and Nosa Adun, Operations Manager, Roaddo at the media parley held in Lagos on Thursday 18th March 2021.

    With over 60 products and services available on the Roaddo App, the discerning shopper with an uncompromising eye for quality is assured of convenience, ease of access and prompt delivery to preferred locations, thereby elevating the shopping experience.

     

    Roaddo, a wholly Nigerian brand offers buyers a chance to shop from the comfort of their homes and have the items delivered within one hour.  With our network of partners and service providers, our commitment is to ease logistic challenges encountered by buyers as well as to offer prompt and efficient delivery of goods and services.

     

    “When life gets busier, get back some “me time” with the Roaddo; a multiple on-demand services app”, Adun enthused.

     

    Fred Adun is a certified Microsoft Professional, Senior Technical Consultant, and experienced software Engineer.

     

    He has broad knowledge and skills with Microsoft .Net development tools and other Microsoft products and technologies. With over 10 years experience of in software development and delivery, Fred has strong experience and expertise in technology solutions.

     

    With the current public health challenge, Roaddo app is a timely solution to ensure exposure to crowded spaces remain limited while goods and services remain readily accessible to buyers.

     

    Being a multi-service platform that offers over 60 On-Demand services and connects Customers with local service providers and vendors, Roaddo’s Vision is a Vibrant and Digitally Connected Network of SMEs and Customers across Nigeria and Africa, giving Customers and Providers a Digital marketplace for instant delivery of goods and services.

     

    Roaddo plans to solve three critical problems within the logistics industry in Nigeria and then extend beyond other Africa Countries

     


    L-R: The Roaddo team; Joyce Onyegbula, Marketing & Communications Manager; Chisom Ezeani, Marketing & Communications Associate; Fred Adun, Founder/Visioner, Roaddo; Felicitas Obiefuna, Quality Assurance Lead, and Nosa Adun, Operations Manager at the media parley held in Lagos on Thursday, 18th March 2021.

     

    The Solution

    Leveraging the Power of Technology, Roaddo platform has been designed to be an OnDemand multiservice platform with integrated solutions to facilitate the connections of local service providers, vendors and customers with instant delivery on all services.

     

    Roaddo uses the combination of Location Base Service (LBS) and geographic information system (GIS) to provide personalized services to its customers based on their current position. This also helps give predictive delivery time to customers.

    Roaddo comes with three connected apps. They are User app, Service Provider App and Vendor App.

     

    User App –

    This is for Customers who are interested in services that Roaddo and its partners have to offer.

     

    Key Features

    OnDemand Services

    Stores

    Taxi

    Parcel Delivery

    Track & Trace

    Live Chat

    Notification

    Wallet Payment & Transfer

    Service Request Management

    Provider App –

    This is for service providers who are interested in offering their services through Roaddo platform

    Key Features

    Service Management

    Photo Gallery Management

    Earning history & Dashboard

    Order Statistic & Metrics

    Availability Management

    Live Chat

    Notification

    Map & Navigator

    Wallet Remittance

     

    Vendor App –

    For Vendors who are interested in Selling their product through Roaddo Platform

    Key Features

    Inventory Management

    Order Processing Management

    Earning history and Dashboard

    Store Open hrs Management

    Delivery Options

    Order Statistic and Metrics

    Live Chat

    Notification

    Real Time Updates

    How It works

    A.

    •  Customer Request for a Service or a Product through the app.
    • The Service Provider receives a request and accept. This request can either be Taxi, Plumbing Service, Beauty Service etc.
    • The Service Provider travel to the Customer location to Deliver the Service requested
    • The Vendor receives an order request and accept. This request can be for example Food, Medicine, Grocery, Beauty Products etc
    • The Vendor Request for a Service Provider to pick up the Item for delivery to the customer location.

     

    B. Service Delivered.

     

  • Banks, Telcos Agree Customers To Pay N6.98k For USSD Services

    Banks, Telcos Agree Customers To Pay N6.98k For USSD Services

     

    Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) have reached an agreement to charge bank customers a flat rate of N6.98k per transaction for the use of the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) offered banks by telecoms operators (Telcos).

     

    The agreement was reached at a meeting on Monday, following months of protracted disagreement concerning the appropriate USSD pricing model for financial transactions carried out by bank customers using the USSD code.

     

    Before Monday’s intervention, telecom operators had threatened to suspend USSD services to banks over the unpaid charges that had accumulated to N42 billion.

     

    The USSD is a critical channel for delivering financial services, particularly for the underserved and the financially excluded, offered by telecoms operators to banks.

     

    In order to resolve the lingering issues and ensure uninterrupted services to bank customers on the channel, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, on Monday, chaired a meeting of key stakeholders to resolve the issue.

     

    The various MNOs, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators (ALTON), Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), the banks and the sector regulators, the CBN and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), attended the meeting.

     

    In a communiqué released yesterday and jointly signed by the Acting Director, Corporate Communications at CBN, Mr. Osita Nwanisobi, and the Director, Public Affairs at NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, the parties resolved that with effect from yesterday, USSD services for financial transactions conducted at DMBs and all CBN-licensed institutions will be charged at a flat rate of N6.98k per transaction.

     

    This replaces the current per session billing structure, ensuring a much cheaper average cost for customers.

     

    It said: “To promote transparency, the new USSD charges will be collected on behalf of MNOs directly from customers’ bank accounts. Banks shall not impose additional charges on customers for the use of the USSD channel. A settlement plan for outstanding payments incurred for USSD services previously rendered by the MNOs is being worked out by all parties in a bid to ensure that the matter is fully resolved. MNOs and DMBs shall agree on the operational modalities for the implementation of the new USSD pricing framework, including sharing of Application Programme Interface (API), to enable seamless, direct and transparent customer billing.”

     

    It was then resolved that the impending suspension of DMBs from the USSD channel be vacated.

     

  • Pay-Per-View: Bilesanmi Reads The Riot Act To Pay-Tv Operators as ATCIS Celebrates 2021 World Consumer Right Day

    Pay-Per-View: Bilesanmi Reads The Riot Act To Pay-Tv Operators as ATCIS Celebrates 2021 World Consumer Right Day

    By ADEBAYO Adeniyi
    The National President of the Association of Telephone, Cable TV and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS), Hon Prince Sina Bilesanmi has expressed disappointment with the Pay TV operators in the country over their failure to implement the much desired pay-per-view regime by Nigerians.

     

    Bilesanmi made this known as the association joined the rest of the world to mark the Year 2021 World Consumer/ Subscriber Rights Day on 15th March 2021 in Port Harcourt.

     

    The Association of Telephone, Cable TV and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS) is the nation’s number one subscriber advocacy body promoting subscribers’ interests as well as defending their rights with over 208 million telephone subscriber members across the six geopolitical areas of Nigeria.

     

    Since it was founded in 2014, ATCIS has been the leading telecom masses advocate.

     

    Speaking with his Excos members and press men at Port Harcourt in River State on his determination to continue to “SORO SO KE”, meaning speaking out and fighting for the rights of Nigerian Telephone, Cable TV and Internet subscribers, Hon Sina Bilesanmi aka OJUEKO, said over the years, in its sustained effort in protecting the interest and right of telecoms subscribers in Nigeria, the association, ATCIS has spent about N370 million since 2014 till date which has basically been on self- sponsored by members without Government agency like NCC, NBC,FCCPC and NIMC input.

     

    The association, he said, has made over 700 newspaper publications, both local and international as well as online news publication, radio and national television stations Interviews with about 98 landmark achievements so far.

     

    The ATCIS National President noted; “You and I have seen that indirectly, the operators of PAY TV control by NBC in Nigeria are doing everything to take us back to the past, when only a few people could afford to use the service. This may not be their direct action, but by implications, it is just more or less the same.

     

    “Today, we say NO to extortion of Nigerians by pay-tv operators in the country who have refused to listen to the laws of the land, pains and cries of the people as all they want is keep milking Nigerian subscribers even at a critical time such as this.”

     

    Bilesanmi said all subscribers in Nigeria are totally ashamed and disappointed with Mr. John Ugbe, Managing Director of Multichoice, operators of DSTV/GOTV based on his response on Pay-As –You Go.

     

    Ugbe had said the company would not be able to implement the policy of PAYGO.

     

    According to him, Pay Per View (PPV), is most times confused for PAYGO model deployed by mobile telecommunication companies.

     

    The PAYGO model as offered in the telecommunication business is a metered service where consumers are billed only for the service they consume and not for a fixed period.

     

    However, the ATCIS President said with whatever figure out there, he believed the time the operators have spent in Nigeria is enough for them to learn how to treat Nigerian subscribers with fairness and empathy, given how much they make yearly from their operations in the country.

     

    He said on the contrary however, they have continued to be insensitive and nonchalant.

     

    “From where we stand, ATCIS can say that these people lack regards for subscribers satisfaction and sense of social responsibility.

    “To clear any doubt, this attribute manifested as the operators insisted on hiking subscription rates in Nigeria, even at the peak of the Coronavirus pandemic which had already wrecked havoc on the means of livelihood of many Nigerians.

     

    “MultiChoice and Startimes, for instance, insisted on collecting more from Nigerians. It was hell bent that Nigerians must pay more for the same service even when they earn less.

     

    Speaking further, Bilesanmi said; “On this matter, we have met MultiChoice and Startimes with a couple of times to iron things out. All our efforts and messages have been falling on deaf ears. In other countries, operators have had to soft-pedal on price increase in order not to burden their subscribers unnecessarily.”

     

    He noted that ATCIS remains resolute to ensure that pay-TV subscribers in Nigeria are treated with fairness by the operators.

     

    “We stand against price hikes that smack of extortion and exploitation. The fact that Nigerians are getting used to the pay-tv services does not mean we should be incurring more cost than necessary, especially as majority of the people spend only few hours to access the content. There should be fairness in pricing.”

     

    According to him, Pay-per-view is the way to go.

     

    “We have said this over and over again. The only thing that we want to say is that, pay-tv subscribers from the jaws of the operators are to start running Pay-per-view model. Years have passed and we are still on this matter. We are not asking the operators to give us the service pro bono, all we are saying is: let us pay only for what we watch and nothing more.

     

    “We are aware that ATCIS, the initiators who pushed pay as you go to Senate/House of Representative Committee on Communications recently summoned one of the operators to talk about the possibility of running pay-per-view subscription model in Nigeria. Of course, the response of the operators will always be predictable. They will keep telling us that technically, pay-per-view is not possible.

     

    “We are not surprised to hear this however. Something similar had happened before when we were made to believe that per seconds billing of GSM voice service was an illusion. But later, the impossibility suddenly became a possibility when another operator introduced per second billing system.

     

    “So, we refuse to buy the idea that pay-per-view is not possible in Nigeria because this same model is being used in some other countries.

     

    “We insist that there must be a new subscription regime for pay-tv operation in Nigeria. Even if the current subscription model would be retained, we need pay-per-view model to be another option. This will give people a choice.

     

    Speaking on NBC, Bilesanmi said ATCIS is worried to see that after the Nigerian authorities gave directives to the operators, Startimes, especially MultiChoice, the owner DSTV/GOTV to reduce subscription rates and introduce pay-per-view model, nothing has changed despite the clamour of the people’s.

     

    “To our utter disbelief, nobody has been sanctioned or called to face the music. We sometimes wonder if our government authorities are truly for us; or if at all they even possess the nerve to face those that are violating the laws of the land. Extortion of the people via pricing is not just a subtle offence; it is a serious issue that must be addressed.”

     

    “At this point, We demand that Nigerian authorities, such as the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Ministry of Information and Culture, Ministry of Telecommunication and Digital Economy, Nigerian Communication Commission.(NCC), Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission and the National Assembly work together to carry out a cost-based research of the pay-tv market to be able to set floor and cap for subscription rates in the country.

     

    “Secondly, in respect of pay-per-view, ATCIS urge the authorities again to stop depending on only what they are told by operators as regards the technical possibility of the pay-per-view model. This is nothing but laziness on the part of the Nigerian authorities. We still remember vividly how such indolence in telecoms sector cost Nigerians billions of naira two decades ago because the authorities simply believed what they were told that per-second billing system was not possible.

     

    “Let the authorities do their thorough research regarding pay-per-view model and how it is being used in other countries and why Nigeria cannot be an exception. If they can do this, they would not need to be ladled by the operators whose primary intention, if not only interest, in Nigeria is to make money even at the expense of subscribers’ welfare.

     

    “To President Muhammadu Buhari , we believe now is the right time for this administration to fire leaders of those agencies that are not ready to work with him to promote the rights of subscribers through the agencies. So much is expected from National Broadcasting Commission, Nigerian Communication Commission, Orientation Agency, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC and others. The failure of the agencies will be blamed on the Buhari’s administration. The President must rise up and do something.

     

    “We can see that, through ATCIS the Nigerians have awakened to defend their rights and interests because they have waited for too long for the authorities to do the right thing but with no hope in sight.

     

     

    “Late Chief Awolowo said that, Nigerians will rise to fight for themselves because nobody will fight for them. Oppressor are Network Providers, Pay Tv investors like DSTV, GOTV, STARTIMES, the bad one’s among Govt agency, Lawmakers, Policy makers, who do not give freedom willingly for example ATCIS have demanded since March 10, 2020, today make it one year ago we demanded all this items listed from Govt agency in Nigeria (NCC, NBC & FCCPC ) they’re the major problem to 208 Million Subscribers from NCC & NBC to MNOs that;

     

    (1) As stakeholders; ATCIS must always be carried along.

     

    (2) Any products by Mobile Network Operators / Service Provider’s for Subscribers interest must seek ATCIS endorsement.

     

    (3) Improved quality of Telecom Services.

     

    (4) Reduction in the tariff’s of Data & Voice.

     

    (5) Drop call should be uncharged for.

     

    (6) Borrowing of funds at 15% interest rate is a high rate, ATCIS call for 5% charge’s

     

    (7) Affordable & Reliable internet service should be provided for Subscribers

     

    (8) Free data & call’s on every Nigeria independent day October 1st, just one day to all my members with over 200 million Subscribers yet to be implemented, NCC should take note,

     

    (9) Oppressor are those from NBC who are against Pay Per View or Pay As You Go (PPV or PAYG).

     

    “Until we Telecom Subscribers, Concerned Lawmakers, Policy makers, Govt. agency in Nigeria stand up together and demand for our rights as a King not a slave. Know your Rights as a Subscribers, Be Respected & Be protected. ATCIS is watching, ATCIS number is our Strength.

     

    Bilesanmi said the ATCIS Success Story achievements so far would be unveiled to all Subscribers at a Press Conference which will come up by next Month April 2021.

     

  • N42bn Debt: Telcos To Shutdown Banks’ USSD Services From Monday

    N42bn Debt: Telcos To Shutdown Banks’ USSD Services From Monday

     

    The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, ALTON has said telcos will disconnect Financial Service Providers from Unstructured Supplementary Service Data services from March 15 until they pay their over N42bn debt.

     

    The association announced this in a statement titled ‘Withdrawal of USSD services to financial service providers due to huge indebtedness to telecom network operators’.

     

    The statement was signed by ALTON and Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, and Head of Operations, Gbolahan Awonuga.

     

    ALTON explained that the service withdrawal had become necessary due to the lack of agreement on a payment structure with the banks that did not involve the end-user being asked to pay.

     

    It noted that following the issuance of the USSD pricing determination by the Nigerian Communications Commission which resulted in a price review of USSD service by the telcos, the banks decided that they would no longer pay for USSD service delivered to their customers and requested the telcos to charge customers directly for use of the USSD channel.

     

    The telcos complained that the banks, however, provided no assurances that such service fees charged to customers’ bank accounts for access to bank services through the USSD channel would be discontinued post implementation of end-user billing by the telcos.

     

    The statement said, “It has been more than eight months since the NCC issued an updated pricing methodology for USSD services for financial transactions in Nigeria.

     

    “The methodology explicitly restricts Mobile Network Operators from charging the end user for the services and mandates the banking sector to enter into negotiations to settle outstanding obligations and agree individual pricing mechanisms to be applied going forwards

     

    “During this time, MNOs have continued to provide access to USSD infrastructure and our members have continued to pay all bank charges and fees to access the banking industries assets and customers, despite the fact that obligations due from banks to telecoms companies for USSD services has reached over N42bn.”

     

    The telecom operators said this was in consideration of millions of Nigerians who had become more reliant on accessing financial services through the USSD infrastructure due to COVID movement restrictions.

     

    They noted that due to the inability of the banks to agree on a payment structure, the government had been forced to intervene to ensure a sustainable cost-sharing solution was agreed that did not disadvantage the consumer in the long-term.

     

    The association said the removal of the service fees by the FSPs would have meant that if bank customers were charged only the USSD costs communicated by telcos per USSD session, bank customers would be paying far less than what they were currently being charged by the FSPs, which in some instances were as high as N50.

     

    They added that both the banks and telcos would be applauded for collaborating towards the financial inclusion objectives of the Federal Government.

     

    ALTON said, “We deeply regret that we have reached a point where the withdrawal of these services has become unavoidable. However, we remain committed to working closely with the relevant ministries and regulators to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

     

    “To minimise the disruption to customers, and with the concurrence of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy and the Nigerian Communications Commission on the huge debt to network operators; MNOs will disconnect debtor FSPs from USSD services until the huge debt is paid.

     

    “Therefore, our members are initiating a phased process of withdrawal of USSD services, starting with the most significant debtors within the FSPs effective Monday March 15, 2021.”

     

    They encouraged subscribers to explore alternative channels with their banks.

  • Banks Owe Telcos N42bn For USSD Services, Says NCC

    Banks Owe Telcos N42bn For USSD Services, Says NCC

     

    Deposit Money Banks owe telecommunications companies N42bn for services provided by the mobile network operators through the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, the Nigerian Communications Commission has announced.

     

    Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, announced this during his lecture at the virtual 2021 edition of the Bullion Lecture.

     

    He explained that the indebtedness of the banks to mobile network operators had been an issue over time, but stressed that the NCC was working hard to address the concern.

     

    Danbatta said, “The issue of the USSD has become an issue between the telcos and the banks. The telecommunication companies provide the infrastructure which the banks leverage on to provide banking services of all kinds.

     

    “Therefore it is expected that for this service someone should pay. No service is free. The investment in infrastructure that is driving the USSD service is a huge investment that the telcos made.”

     

    The NCC boss added, “It is expected that they (telcos) will recoup their investments in order to continue and to expand the service. About N42bn that is owed the telcos has not been paid by the banks for the provision of this service.”

     

    Danbatta said the telecommunications firms could not withdraw their services to the banks because such action would not go down well with the Federal Government.

     

    He said, “The telecommunications companies cannot unilaterally withdraw this service because it will be seen as a subversive act, undermining the digital inclusion strategy of the present government.

     

    “And no government will sit back and watch while services that empower citizens are being tampered with or withdrawn. No government will standby and watch this to happen.”

     

    To address the situation, Danbatta said the NCC would soon engage the DMBs and ensure that the matter was resolved.

     

    “So in the next couple of days, we are poised to engage the banks and ensure we reach an amicable resolution where the first item on the agenda that will feature is the payment of this N42bn accumulated debts to the telecommunications companies.

     

    The NCC boss further stated that it was important for the country to meet the critical requirements needed in order to succeed in its drive towards digital inclusion in Nigeria.

     

    He said digital financial services were offered through the use of a mobile phone, which many residents in rural areas could not afford.

     

    “They (rural residents) need phones that are affordable and therefore we must direct our resource in a manner that will bring affordable handsets to the rural population,” Danbatta stated.

  • Vbank Debuts #Growwithv Webinar With Branding Edition

    Vbank Debuts #Growwithv Webinar With Branding Edition

    Nigeria’s leading digital bank, V bank, has debuted a webinar series to further its #GrowWithV campaign.

     

    Throughout the month of February, V bank, a product of VFD Microfinance Bank, has ran series of free advertising campaigns on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to promote small businesses under an initiative it calls ‘Grow with V.’

     

    The bank also kicked off a webinar series where the first edition featured celebrity influencer and CEO/Founder of 360 Nobs, Noble Igwe, spoke to participants on ‘Branding Your Business for Success,’ as a part of the initiative.

     

    “At Vbank, we pride ourselves on knowing our customers and having a good understanding of their needs. And that is why we are focused on creating value in different ways that make life easier, whether indirectly via a feature on the app, or directly like publicizing your business on our social platforms or getting you into the room with experts. It’s simple: we grow when you grow, so why not help you grow,” said Ebere Ahaotu, Senior Product Manager for Vbank.

     

    The #GrowWithV initiative is an avenue to give back to micro, small and medium entrepreneurs, struggling hard to keep afloat in the Nigerian business environment, as well as to invest in the human capital of the country, by facilitating the sharing of relevant local knowledge in areas of interest selected by the webinar attendees. Some of the businesses that have benefitted from the #GrowWithV free digital advertising promotion for entrepreneurs include: Pronino Classics, Regclass clothing and Shades by AYOMIEPAT.

     

    At the debut webinar attended by more than 100 participants, Noble Igwe shared industry secrets that have kept him relevant for more than fifteen years and why it is important to brand your personality away from your business.

     

    “Being a celebrity or influencer gives good mileage to your business, no doubt. But it is important to focus on the business that will sustain the celebrity status. Your number of followers (on social media) is an indication of popularity and not necessarily a measure of your influence. Your branding determines how people perceive you or your business and that guides how they interact with you. So, it’s not just about making a good impression; it’s about letting customers and would-be clients know what to expect from the business. Building a brand’s personality is about focus,” he counselled.

     

    The one-hour conversation was moderated by Deola Aromiwura, Branding and Digital Manager, VFD Tech.

     

    V bank is an end-to-end virtual bank focused on providing simple, quick, convenient, secure, and seamless banking experience with zero transfer and sms notification charges.

     

    The app is available on android and iOS stores. It is powered by VFD Microfinance Bank.

  • MTN Unveils Revamped Pulse

    MTN Unveils Revamped Pulse

    MTN has unveiled a range of features and offerings giving subscribers access to affordable data rates under its recently revamped Pulse proposition for Nigerian youth.

     

    This is part of the company’s commitment to support Nigerian youths with platforms that will ignite their passion and creativity.

     

    A statement by the telco explained that the new Pulse plans include Instagram and TikTok bundles of 350MB for N100, valid for 1 day and 1GB for N200, valid for seven days respectively.

     

    It stated that the nightlife bundle of 250MB for N25 also allows subscribers to buy up to 2GB usable between 11 pm – 6 am daily.

     

    In addition, subscribers will also earn Pulse points when they buy IG/TikTok bundles, subscribe to MusicTime, or buy data via myMTNApp.

     

    The points are accumulated and can be exchanged for free data.

     

    Commenting on the Pulse revamp plans, Acting Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Anthony Obi said: “Nigerian youths are diverse, with varying interests. They are constantly seeking platforms, plans, and opportunities to enable them to do more.

     

    “In addition to the important need for our youth to socialise, especially in these unusual times, many of them now use the platforms as their digital office to earn a living.

     

    “We have created the new Pulse to support them in their quest to stay connected and live their dreams”.

     

    MTN Pulse is a prepaid tariff plan that allows customers to enjoy low call rates across all local networks, nightlife bundles of up to 2GB for N200, and accumulate points, which can be exchanged for free data.

  • We Didn’t Allocate 383 Million New Phone Numbers To Operators In Q1 2021 — NCC

    We Didn’t Allocate 383 Million New Phone Numbers To Operators In Q1 2021 — NCC

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has denied media report that the commission has allocated 383 million new telephone numbers to operators.

     

    NCC, in a disclaimer signed by Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director, Public Affairs, said the news story published by a national daily wrongly interpreted an update report on National Numbering Plan, posted by the Commission on its official website.

     

    The commission stated, “Specifically, the report published by the media outfit with the headline: “NCC allocates 383 million new telephone numbers to operators,” purported that the Commission allocated 383 million new telephone lines to telecoms service providers in the first quarter of 2021 alone.

     

    ‘’For the avoidance of doubt, the update report posted on the Commission’s website on Friday 19th, February, 2021, under the heading: National Numbering Plan (2021 Q1), was the Total Number of Telephone Numbers allocated to all the telecommunications services providers since the inception of digital mobile services in the country in 2001.

     

    “The update report is, therefore, by no means, either an indication of new allocation or new activation of telephone numbers in Q1 2021, as wrongly interpreted by the media outfit.”

     

    According to NCC, “rather, the report on the Commission’s website titled: ‘National Numbering Plan (2021 Q1)’ is a routine periodic report issued as part of the Commission’s regulatory mandate to publish and update all telephone numbers allocated to service providers for the benefit of stakeholders.

     

    ‘’The purpose of the National Numbering Plan in the telecommunications sector is to set up a uniform numbering scheme and the associated dialing procedures to be used in the networks to allow the subscribers and operators to set up calls.

     

    “The general public and all our stakeholders are advised to disregard the said report in the national daily and be guided accordingly.

     

    “While we appreciate the good intention of our media stakeholders in terms of timely reportage of NCC and its regulatory activities, we, however, encourage them to always fact-check their stories with the Commission for accurate reporting.

     

    “We also use this opportunity to remind our esteemed media stakeholders that the Commission runs an Open-House system. We encourage them to always feel free to contact the Commission for necessary clarification on NCC’s regulatory activities and reports published on its website before going to press.”

  • NCC Assigns 383 Million New Telephone Numbers to Telcos

    NCC Assigns 383 Million New Telephone Numbers to Telcos

    The Nigerian Communications Commission has provided 382.94 million new telephone numbers for the use of telecommunications operators.

    The commission assigned the numbers to 34 licensed telecom operators in the first quarter of 2021, as contained in the NCC’s Q1 2021 National Numbering Plan released on Friday.

     

    The numbering plan is used to allocate a unique national number to each subscriber connected to the national telephone system.

     

    According to the NCC, the purpose of the NNP is to set up a uniform numbering scheme and the associated dialing procedures to be used in the network to allow subscribers and operators to set up calls.

     

    Some of the operators with national and state licences listed are 21st Century Technologies, Airtel Networks, Big Picture Nigeria, Intercellular Nigeria Limited, EMTS Limited (9 Mobile), Globacom, iPNX Nigeria Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications.

     

    The states and cities where some of these telephone lines would be used by the operators include Lagos, Abuja, Abeokuta, Warri, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt, Uyo, Ijebu-Ode, Benin, Asaba, Zaria, Ibadan, Onitsha, Akwa, Aba, Owerri, among others.

     

    A 100 million new lines were assigned to Airtel Networks to be used nationally, while 50 million new numbers were assigned to EMTS Limited (9Mobile) nationally as well.

     

    Globacom Limited was allocated 46,000 new telephone numbers to use in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Ode, Abeokuta, Benin, Warri, Asaba, Kaduna, Kano, Minna, Zaria and Port Harcourt. Glo Mobile, a subsidiary of Globacom, was given 70 million new lines for nationwide use.

     

    MTN (Mobile Lines) was assigned 123 million new telephone numbers for national use, while MTN (fmr Visafone) was given 9.05 million new numbers for different states. MTN Nig. Comm Plc (Fixed Lines) had 25,000 lines for Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Ilorin, Warri, Kaduna, Aba, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Yenagoa.

     

    Earlier this month, the NCC reported a loss of 3.30 million active subscribers in December 2020.

     

    The regulatory agency had directed telecommunications companies in the country to suspend the sale and reactivation of new SIM cards.

     

    The number of subscribers to Nigeria’s mobile telecommunications services reduced to 204.22 million in December, against 207.53 million GSM users recorded in November.

     

    Also, the number of connected telephone lines in the country was 286.52 million as at the end of July 2020, of which 199.30 million were active lines.

     

    The NCC recorded 198.96 million active GSM lines, 107,860 active fixed wired/wireless lines and 238,575 active VoIP lines. The commission also put Nigeria’s teledensity at 104.41 in July 2020.

  • NIN-SIM Linkage: Pantami Commends Airtel for Compliance with ongoing NIMC Enrollment Exercise

    NIN-SIM Linkage: Pantami Commends Airtel for Compliance with ongoing NIMC Enrollment Exercise

    The Minister of Communication & Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, has commended leading telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, for its compliance with the ongoing National Identity Number (NIN) verification and enrollment exercise during a visit to one of the telco’s enrolment centers in Abuja on Monday, February 8, 2021.

     

    The Minister led a delegation of key government officials including Engr. Aliyu A. Aziz, Director-General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), amongst others to the Airtel showroom, situated at Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.

     

    During the visit, Isa Pantami expressed satisfaction with Airtel’s compliance to the ongoing exercise, extoling the company for partnering with the Government and taking  definitive steps in ensuring a smooth NIN verification and enrolment process.

     

    Specifically, the Minister profoundly thanked Airtel for its cooperation with Government in making adequate preparations for the exercise and asked that his appreciation be extended to the Chief Executive Officer and the entire Airtel Management.

     

    The Minister was received by Airtel Nigeria’s Regional Operations Director, North West Region, ThankGod Otorkpa and General Manager, Government Relations, Kehinde Sanusi.

     

    Other government officials in the company of the Minister during the visit were Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General, National Information Technology and Development Agency (NITDA); Engr. Ibrahim Nguru, Special Assistant to the Minister; Mr. Adeleke Morounfolu Adewolu, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, NCC, amongst others.

     

    Airtel became one of the first telcos to partner with the Government in expanding the NIN registration footprints following its announcement of enrolment centres across Lagos and Abuja.

     

    The Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya in a statement released by the telco stated that Airtel is always seeking opportunities to partner with the Nigerian Government on initiatives that will make life easier for Nigerians; hence the company’s collaboration with the NIMC to register citizens in the ongoing exercise.

    NIN-SIM Linkage exercise: On-the-spot assessment visit by Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim, Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy to Airtel Showroom in Abuja on Monday, February 8,2021

    Other fully operational Airtel NIN enrollment centres in Abuja include Transcorp Hilton, situated in Mataima and Airtel showrooms at Carpet Plaza and Kano Crescent in Wuse 2, while those in Lagos include, Airtel Express Point, VI; Airtel showrooms in Adeniran Ogunsanya, Surulere; Tejuosho, Yaba; Isheri Road, Ogba and Oba Akran, Ikeja.

     

    Customers are advised to visit any of the centres nearest to them to complete their verification and enrollment exercise.

     

    Those without NIN can fulfil the requirement at any certified NIMC enrolment centre, while those who already have NINs have the option to send their NINs to Airtel via USSD, SMS or through the Airtel Self Care app or website to update their SIM registration details.