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Microsoft Lumia 550: What’s In The Box

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Microsoft Lumia 550, to start with, comes in a much smaller box than others more expensive in the range.

Actually, Microsoft’s Windows Phone has been pointed at the low-end of the smartphone market since the Lumia 520 was revealed to have sold 25 million units shortly after its debut.

Recall, ‎in 2014, Nokia attempted to capitalize on this by releasing a successor to the Lumia 520, the 530. ‎Now, what do you get in the box?

Thumbs Up For Lumia 550: with this device, Microsoft retains its history in the Lumia “world”, especially the pocket-friendly mobile devices it’s known for. ‎Simply say, Lumia 550 would be a nice low-end Windows Phone. ‎

Thumbs Down: As if Microsoft does not remember that this is a very competitive market, in Lumia, ‎the 5 MP wide angle lens of the 535 and 540 is gone; the 8 MP camera of the 540, no way; the bigger battery is not there. Even though  there is a LTE to gain in the 550, but that is a benefit of the Snapdragon 210 rather than a design feature; Microsoft should listen.

The Review: The Box
The pack is in a relatively nice looking box that contains the Lumia 550, a battery, a micro-USB charger and the manuals.

Please, there are no headphones or USB cables present, implying a bare essentials box for a bare essentials phone for a bare essentials user.

Design
The Lumia 550 principally, shares design cues with the Lumia 640. In other words,  the flat sides, removable shell at the back complete with a painted on Microsoft logo and the buttons at the side are all there. The white (dull) coloured device I have is cool, but I think Microsoft’s colourers should up their game. To retain Nigerians as fans of the Lumia shell design, Microsoft should further study the market. Nigerians like shinning colours.

Still on design, Lumia 550 ships with a 4.7-inch display unlike the 540 or 535 with 5 inches. Depending on how you feel about size, this would either be a boon or a demerit for you. In terms of usability with either one hand or two, users looking for compact devices will be quite pleased with this one.

Display
With the 4.7 inch paired with a 720 p HD scree, the device’s display quality is worth experiencing.  It is bright, colors are accurate, and the small size of the screen ensures that everything remains crisp as long as you don’t whip out the magnifying glass.

It is also a plus to the device that supports Glance Screen.

Cameras
The Lumia 550 comes with a 5 MP rear camera and a 2MP one for Skype and selfies. No no no! Why the step down from the 540 which featured an 8-megapixel camera with BSI and a 5 MP wide angle lens that was specifically touted as being for Skype? Has Microsoft forgotten that the hardware is a very important means to project the software and cloud solutions. How do I Skype with Lumia 550?
While using the rear snapper on OK pictures, it is somewhat slow to focus and no frills on this camera means that you are pretty much limited to taking bad-average images in good light with some bright spots here and there.

Performance And  Battery Life
Windows 10 Mobile still runs smoothly on the Lumia 550.
Although, snapdragon 210 in the 550 is not one for speed, the revised processor brings goodies like Bluetooth 4.1 and LTE to the low end. Smile Communications needs to partner with Microsoft on this in bring it’s VoLTE to users. It will be very compatible.

The battery life on this device is par for the course, it lasted almost a whole day of medium use (messaging, Reddit, Twitter), only being charged at nighttime. For the price, one shouldn’t have  complaints.

Software ‎
As with all the newer Windows Phones manufactured and shipped since the launch of Windows 10, the 550 comes with Microsoft’s Windows 10 Mobile. Yeah, the OS is highly welcomed by many for its great ideas and unique features like Hello and Continuum, but none of those matter to users of the 550.

They are open to be the basic Windows 10 Mobile.

Unfortunately, the device it isn’t totally free of glitches and odd behavior.‎ “For starters, the first set-up experience of Windows 10 Mobile is horribly broken. The instant you start up the phone and get done with all your accounts and configuration, it starts updating almost every single app on the OS, from the store all the way down to the phone app. While that is going on, it also begins to download and install an OS update in the background”.

An average Nigeria, without iota of idea on what’s going on may rush to return the phone to the seller or to Otigba for repairs, hence we are usually in a hurry! There ought to be a signage such as “Getting Your Device Started” until all the apps and things have finished preparing themselves.

Pricing
Depending on shop, online or offline, Lumia 550 sales between N25,000 to N27,000. *Consider the dollar/naira impasse as you approach the counter to buy. It’s not Microsoft’s making now.

Verdict
Essentially, aside from those few issues mentioned above, the Lumia 550 works as well as can be with Windows 10 Mobile. ‎The Lumia 550 is really a nice low-end Windows Phone. But, this Lumia 550 is part of a series of devices made by Microsoft and cannot be judged in a manner that overlooks its history. ‎The tech giant, seemingly, discarded all the good ideas of the Lumia 540 and 535 and reverts back to cutting costs so Microsoft can give these devices away to people who will hate them. Owing to its position in the market, Microsoft should be targeting “everyman” phone. They have made a name, but let it transform the device out there.


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

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NCC Orders Telcos Inform Subscribers of Data Breach within 48 Hours

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Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecom operators in the country to notify affected customers of any data breach within 48 hours ( that is two day) of detecting such unauthorised infringement.

NCC Orders Telcos Inform Subscribers of Data Breach within 48 Hours

This directive was  contained in the revised Internet Code of Practice 2026 by the NCC, on Friday.

The document seeks to define the rights and obligations of telecom operators in handing the rights of internet users to an open internet.

In the move to protect customer information, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are to take necessary measures to protect customers’ data from unauthorised use, disclosure, access or breach.

Telecom operators must now notify affected customers within 48 hours of detecting a compromise through text message, email or any other effective means. As contained in Chapter 3.4 of the regulation titled “Data Breach Notifications,”

The telecoms companies are also directed to notify the NCC of such a breach not later than 48 hours after determining such a breach.

Where full details of the breach are not immediately available, the provider shall issue a preliminary notification within the same period and furnish a comprehensive update within Fourteen (14) days thereafter, or within such extended period as the Commission may approve,” part of the section reads.

The guidelines, according to NCC, are in tandem with the provisions contained in the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023 and Part VI of Schedule 1 of the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations 2024.

The regulation also joins other agencies’ policies, ensuring protection. Agencies such as the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) protect consumers against misuse of personal data, identity theft, financial loss, and reputation damage.

The review comes at a time when privacy becomes core amid frequent breaches and illegal harvest of data such as biometric, national IDs, financial information, traffic and usage, and others.

Regulations are necessary for the proper handling, consent, and regulatory compliance regarding sensitive data, ensuring it is only processed for legitimate purposes.

Under Chapter 3.5, the Internet Code of Practice 2026 addressed the handling of harvesting of transactional data by notifying and getting approval from the NCC of any usage by a third party. It noted that the NCC approval will be defined by a review and assessment of such access and “its potential effects on national considerations, consumer information and personal data.”


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Globacom Promotes Valentine Gifting with Huge Discounts on Smartphones

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Globacom has announced a Valentine Smartphone promotion, which provides incredible savings on a variety of high-end smartphones from top manufacturers including Tecno, Samsung, and Infinix.

Starting on February 9, the promotion provides substantial price reductions on a number of Samsung models, including the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy A07, Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G, and Galaxy A26 5G. Customers who buy any of the phones will also receive a complimentary travel pouch and charger, as well as up to 18GB of extra data for six months, only available on the Glo network.

Along with other Infinix models, Tecno devices are also offered at attractive discounts, giving customers a large range of smartphones to fit a variety of tastes and price ranges.

The goal of the Glo Valentine promotion is to provide customers with the best possible deals on carefully chosen smartphones that are renowned for their cutting-edge technology, stylish designs, and dependable performance. The offer, which includes alternatives to suit a range of budgets and lifestyles, reaffirms Globacom’s dedication to customer happiness, digital adoption, greater data usage, and client centricity.

The company revealed that the promotion aligned with customers’ expectations during celebratory seasons, when demand is highest for quality smartphones at affordable prices. The company added that its partnership with trusted global and regional brands such as Samsung, Infinix, and Tecno ensures that customers enjoy premium features without compromising on value.

“The Valentine season is about connection, and what better way to stay connected than with a smartphone that fits your needs and aspirations,” the company stated. “This promo gives our customers the chance to get their dream smartphones at some of the best prices of the year, along with generous data bonuses to keep them connected,” the company disclosed.

Customers are encouraged to visit Gloworld outlets nationwide to take advantage of the Valentine Smartphone Promo while stocks last.

 


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GBB Expands Broadband to 13 Underserved Communities In 2025

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Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) has recorded a significant milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey by advancing broadband connectivity to 13 underserved institutions and communities nationwide in 2025, reinforcing its position as the nation’s digital backbone and a trusted partner in national development.

Guided by its mandate to enable a digitally inclusive Nigeria, GBB deliberately extended connectivity to locations within reach of its infrastructure footprint, particularly institutions with strong potential for productive use but limited readiness for immediate commercial engagement. Through this effort, the organisation continues to unlock opportunity, stimulate innovation, and support sustainable growth across critical sectors of the economy.

The expansion reached three Federal Universities, two Local Government Areas, and eight Federal Secretariats, strengthening digital capabilities in education and public administration while enhancing service delivery across the country.

GBB also extended reliable broadband connectivity to strategic and cultural landmarks such as the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, underscoring its commitment to supporting national infrastructure that drives economic activity, mobility, and global connectivity.

These deployments highlight Galaxy Backbone’s resolve to bridge the digital divide and empower institutions that shape Nigeria’s future. They demonstrate the measurable national impact of GBB’s infrastructure investments and reflect the tangible progress of the Integrated Digital Transformation Strategy (IDTS), further solidifying the organisation’s role as the platform upon which government institutions and communities can confidently build their digital future.

More importantly, the milestone illustrates that GBB’s work extends beyond technology by enabling education, improving governance, supporting economic participation, and connecting citizens to opportunity.

The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broadband penetration objectives and complements national programmes such as Project 774 – Universities’ Hostel Connectivity, ensuring coordinated, scalable, and sustainable impact across the country. Commenting on the achievement, Galaxy Backbone noted that every new connection brings Nigeria closer to a more inclusive digital economy while reinforcing the infrastructure required for innovation and national competitiveness.

As implementation continues, GBB remains committed to expanding access, pushing boundaries, and delivering on the promise of a fully digital nation, with further updates expected as additional phases of the deployment progress.

Galaxy Backbone Limited is the Federal Government’s digital infrastructure and shared services provider, dedicated to delivering secure, reliable, and scalable ICT solutions that support efficient governance, innovation, and sustainable national development.

 


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