Telecom
Angst as OTTS Bite N370Bn off Telcos Revenue
Over-the-top (OTT) services are now comfortably eating lunch of the telecommunications industry by de-layering that space and at last count have bitten off about N370 billion from the revenue of telecommunications operators in the country.
YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Blackberry Messenger and many others are the so-called over-the-top services.
They carry services over the networks, delivering value to customers, but without any carrier service provider being involved in planning, selling, provisioning, or servicing them must be checked.
According to a recent investigation by the Guardian, the activities of OTTs led to revenue losses put at N370 billion in 2019 as MTN, Globacom, Airtel, 9Mobile earned about ₦2.78tr from airtime sales and others.
The figure compared to N3.15tr in the corresponding period of 2018.
Also Average Revenue Per User (ArPU) fell by 20 per cent from $4.87 (N1,490) to $3.85 (N1,182) going by the official exchange rate of N305 to N306 per dollar in the period under review.
ArPU is used primarily by consumer communications, digital media and networking companies and is defined as the total revenue divided by the number of subscribers.
Association of Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), the umbrella body of telecom operators in the country, has consistently insisted that it is not right that a company providing traditional telecommunications services has to meet certain regulatory requirements, like those concerning data protection, while a company providing comparable services over the web does not.
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON, recently said that “We are beginning to see the need for regulators to look at regulating technology instead of services.
“For example, the likes of YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Blackberry Messenger and many others are called over-the-top services that are not part of the core services for which operators are licensed.
“These over-the-top services have social, economic and security implications. If they are not licensed, it means they are not regulated, and in that case, there is no limit to the scope of what they can do. There is also no control over services and content they may provide,” he said.
But Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said that it has no plans to regulate OTT services.
Professor Garba Danbatta, executive vice chairman, NCC, last year, while acknowledging the impact of disruptive technology in the sector and the challenges it poses to telcos in terms of competition for market share, encouraged network providers in Nigeria to innovate.
Human rights activists however, said that though regulation can be necessary to protect users’ rights – like it is to ensure data protection – some regulatory proposals risk our right to freedom of expression and can also thwart economic, social, and cultural rights.
Nelson Ceasar Obidile urged that regulator to be mindful of right-harming policy if it decides to regulate OTT.
Telecom
MoMo PSB, LSSBI Advisory Partner for Seamless Tax Payments
MoMo PSB has announced a partnership with Leadership Strategy Sustainability Business Innovation (LSSBI) Advisory to enhance financial inclusion and streamline tax payments in Ekiti, Nasarawa, and Rivers states.
This collaboration introduces MoMo as the official payment platform for taxpayers, enabling easy and convenient payments via the USSD code *5229#.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek report that the partnership aims to boost compliance, drive revenue development, and promote financial autonomy for marginalised communities. Key stakeholders highlighted the significance of this collaboration in closing the financial gap and promoting economic growth.
Read Also: MTN Nigeria takes full control of MoMo bank for $4.6m
With this initiative, MoMo PSB reaffirms its commitment to providing accessible and user-friendly financial services to all Nigerians, particularly the unbanked and underbanked populations.
The launch of the USSD code *5229# demonstrates MoMo PSB’s dedication to expanding financial inclusion and promoting digital payments.
Ekiti State officials lauded the partnership, commenting on the convenience of using the MoMo payment platform, while emphasising its potential to increase tax compliance and benefit local communities.
The collaboration is part of a broader initiative to empower citizens with financial autonomy, encourage saving, and promote responsible money management.
As the rollout begins in Ekiti, Rivers, and Nasarawa, MoMo PSB and LSSBI Advisory aim to expand the initiative nationwide, encouraging other states and private sector partners to explore similar collaborations, leveraging technology to improve access to financial services. This partnership marks a new era in tax payment solutions, prioritising efficiency, inclusivity, and financial empowerment for all Nigerians.
MoMo PSB, established in May 2022 as the fintech division of MTN, continues to focus on delivering user-friendly, accessible, and affordable financial services to both new and existing customers across Nigeria.
Telecom
Glo Introduces Instalment Payment Scheme for Purchase of Smartphones
Globacom has unveiled a new device acquisition scheme to enable Nigerians own smartphones and pay conveniently over several months. The scheme is dubbed: “Buy Now, Pay Small Small” and is available in Gloworld shops across the country.
The scheme aims to bridge the digital divide by enabling individuals and businesses have access to the latest smartphones and devices more conveniently. This, Globacom claims, will make customers more connected and more productive.
A press statement released by Globacom explained that it is offering flexible payment options to its customers so they can acquire devices of their choice and spread the cost of these new devices over several months through instalment payments that is manageable for them.
The scheme has a wide range of smartphones and other smart devices from top brands that customers can chose from.
This device financing is available to all new and existing Glo customers who can avail the benefits of the programme when purchasing new devices from Gloworld stores across Nigeria.
Moreover, customers can choose from various payment plans to suit their budget, with tenures of up to six months and special interest rates on all flagship devices.
Globacom said customers who purchase devices under the programme will also be given a data bonus of 18GB for six months, adding that it is focused on customer satisfaction, through ensuring a convenient system of smartphone acquisition for Nigerians.
Telecom
Here’s Your Last Chance to Secure Discounted Starlink Kits @ Konga
Starlink Week at Konga, an exceptional opportunity to acquire reliable satellite internet at a significantly discounted price, ends tomorrow, Saturday, August 31, 2024.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered that customers now have chance to secure a Starlink kit at an exceptional price and experience the transformative power of high-speed internet.
Throughout the week, Konga has been dedicated to making Starlink’s cutting-edge technology more accessible to Nigerians.
Read Also: Konga Announces Starlink Week: An Opportunity To Own High Speed Internet Kit
The e-commerce giant offered Starlink kits and accessories at reduced prices, along with perks that have made this offer hard to resist.
In addition to the unmatched prices, Konga included free nationwide delivery to ensure that customers from every corner of Nigeria benefited from this offer.
Konga also provided free same-day delivery in major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, ensuring that customers can start enjoying their Starlink experience almost immediately.
As Starlink Week draws to a close, this is the final call for those who still need to take advantage of this limited-time offer.
The discounted prices, combined with the exceptional delivery options, represent a rare opportunity to invest in a technology that has revolutionized internet accessibility across the globe.
Konga’s Starlink Week has been more than just a promotional event; it has been a gateway to connectivity, offering Nigerians a reliable solution to their internet needs.
Starlink provides the service you need to stay connected wherever you are in Nigeria.
Take advantage of this exclusive opportunity. Visit Konga.com today or walk into any of Konga’s retail stores to secure your Starlink kit before the campaign ends.
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