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Broadcasting

Building a Network for Everyone

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By Muhammed Rufai

The impact connectivity has had on the Nigerian economy and the everyday lives of Nigerians cannot be underestimated. Nigerians were first introduced to the potential of mobile connectivity with the launch of GSM services in 2001. Voice services allowed people to connect with each other reliably for the first time, breaking down barriers, and enabling commerce and interpersonal relationships. Simple connections like calling to find out where your taxi driver is, speaking to relatives in another village or trying to resolve a customer service issue were revolutionised, changing the way people live their lives.

Would the consumers benefiting from that revolution have anticipated where we would find ourselves just 21 years later? The 2G network was built for voice and SMS communications; 3G for web browsing; 4G for higher-speed data and video streaming; now, 5G is set to further redefine how we live, work and connect. Its potential to accelerate the adoption of the internet of things and to radically expand the potential for real-time connectivity truly is revolutionary.

With our ongoing rollout, customers with compatible devices are now able to experience what 5G offers for themselves in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, Owerri and Maiduguri. 5G is a giant leap forward in speed, capacity and capabilities, significantly exceeding the advances that were made as we evolved from 2G to 3G and 4G. It will dramatically enhance user experience at all levels making possible a vast array of innovations, such as robotics, and augmented and virtual reality.

This enables the healthcare, mining, manufacturing, agriculture, education, utilities and many other sectors and to apply advanced digital transformation applications to their processes, in order to improve output. Businesses within these industries will benefit from improved connectivity, reduced response times, larger data volumes, faster access to digital services and applications, and improved value for money. Applying these benefits to the Nigerian context and working with our customers to help them to drive service enhancements, bring new products to market and leverage new technologies is truly exciting.

5G will enable new industries, unlock value chains, and open limitless doors for Nigerians. For instance, doctors will now be able to better diagnose patients regardless of their location, businesses will be able to leverage the benefits of connected systems to drive increased productivity, and gamers will have a more enjoyable experience playing immersive interactive games like Fortnite. The possibilities are endless I tell you.

But while we value and are investing in the latest technology, we know that more than 200 million Nigerians demand a range of potential access points, service levels and price points. As the largest operator with the most extensive reach, we take seriously our responsibility to make connections available to as many Nigerians as we possibly can.

Today, the MTN network is the largest in Nigeria and Africa, with more than 30,000 km of fibre optic cable and over 17,000 sites delivering 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G services. This mix of services ensures that we can progressively expand reach and service quality in a way that balances the need to ensure as many Nigerians as possible can access a connection while bringing cutting-edge services into the market. During H1 2022, we also added 370 rural sites, bringing the total to 1,553, as part of our continued work to connect the unconnected.

While we are making good progress in delivering against our ambition to build a network for everyone, we know there is still a lot of work to do. We still have communities to connect and a great demand for faster and better services in communities that rely on 2G and other legacy technologies. The process of network evolution is constant. 2G was deployed progressively to cover over 90% of the population over the years; 3G was deployed in a similar progressive fashion, as was 4G, which today covers three out of every four Nigerians. The evolution to 5G will follow the same pattern. This process drives better services to more people over time.

If you are in an area which has coverage and haven’t yet had a chance to test what 5G has to offer, I encourage you to try it out or, better yet, go to our website get yourself a 5G router so your entire household can experience it. But remember, with enhanced speed comes the potential for increased usage. The 1GB you might have downloaded in 10 minutes on 4G takes less than a minute on 5G, so managing data consumption is vital. To learn more about how to do this, please visit www.mtn.ng

 

Muhammed Rufai is the Chief Technical Officer of MTN Nigeria


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

Broadcasting

Netflix Hikes Subscription Fees Again in Nigeria over “Market Conditions”

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Netflix has increased its subscription fees in Nigeria for the third time since 2024, with the Premium Plan rising by 21.43%, from ₦7,000 to ₦8,500 per month.

Netflix Hikes Subscription Fees Again in Nigeria over “Market Conditions”

This marks the streaming platform’s first price adjustment in 2025.

Other subscription tiers have also been affected.

The Standard Plan now costs ₦6,500, up from ₦5,500—a hike of 18.18%.

The Basic Plan has increased from ₦3,500 to ₦4,000, while the Mobile Plan moved from ₦2,200 to ₦2,500, reflecting increases of 14.29% and 13.64% respectively.

The latest adjustment aligns with Netflix’s broader global pricing strategy, which the company has linked to its ongoing investment in content and platform development. In a previous communication to investors, Netflix stated, “As we invest in and improve Netflix, we’ll occasionally ask our members to pay a little extra to reflect those improvements. Which in turn helps drive the positive flywheel of additional investment to further improve and grow our service.”

While the company did not explicitly cite inflation in its most recent update, its website indicates that local economic factors influence its pricing structure.

“Price changes are made to respond to local market changes, such as changes to local taxes or inflation,” the statement read.

The move mirrors similar pricing shifts among other major digital and entertainment services in Nigeria.

Companies including Google, DSTV, GOtv, and Microsoft have also raised subscription rates, attributing their decisions to continued inflationary pressures and a weakening naira.


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NBC, Nigcomsat Launch Satellite Plan to Transform Broadcasting

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National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) have jointly introduced “The Big Picture’, a flagship initiative under Nigeria’s renewed Digital Switchover (DSO) project.

NBC, Nigcomsat Launch Satellite Plan to Transform Broadcasting

Under the project,  Nigerian households will for the first time, gain access to high-quality digital broadcasts via affordable satellite dishes, hybrid devices, and internet-enabled set-top boxes.

Backed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda, this strategic shift marks a significant step toward transforming Nigeria’s broadcasting landscape by leveraging the country’s sovereign satellite infrastructure.

At the heart of the initiative is NigComSat-1R, Nigeria’s only communications satellite in orbit, which will play a critical role in delivering Direct-to-Home (DTH) broadcasts across the entire Nigerian territory.

This satellite-first approach eliminates the traditional dependence on terrestrial transmission towers, accelerating the nationwide rollout of digital broadcasting by over 65%.

It also offers a scalable, cost-effective, and future-ready model for expanding digital access and promoting national storytelling.

Key figures, including: Charles Ebuebu, director-general, NBC; and Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, managing director, Nigcomsat, have welcomed this forward-thinking strategy, emphasising its importance in maximising the use of national satellite assets and ensuring inclusive access to digital content.

An estimated 10 million homes equipped with DVB-S2-compatible televisions or decoders will have immediate access to free-to-air channels, while others will benefit from next-generation hybrid devices that combine satellite feeds with online streaming capabilities.

These new branded devices are designed with the country’s youth-dominated demographic in mind over 60% of the population is under the age of 25.

They will feature pre-installed apps, voice search functionality, parental controls, and seamless integration with NigComSat’s Electronic Programme Guide (EPG), offering an intuitive and engaging user experience.

In a data-driven upgrade to Nigeria’s  broadcasting ecosystem, NBC is also partnering with global analytics firm GARB to introduce real-time audience measurement technology.

This will enable broadcasters, advertisers and content creators to analyse viewership trends across regions and devices, helping to tailor content more effectively and drive higher audience engagement. The introduction of this system is expected to boost advertising revenue by as much as 300% by 2026.

The success of “The Big Picture” will rely on robust collaboration between public and private stakeholders.

The Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and other content partners are expected to supply 60% of programming for the new 120-channel platform, using both original and repurposed content.

Meanwhile, local manufacturers will contribute by producing around 5 million compliant devices annually, a move projected to create over 20,000 jobs in assembly plants nationwide.


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ACAMB Champions Bankers Wellness with Aerobics Fitness Session

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As part of its commitment to promoting a healthier and more resilient banking workforce, the Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB) is organizing a special Aerobics Fitness Session on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at the Lagoon Front of the Eko Atlantic City.

The session is open to all bankers and marketing communication professionals within the industry and will feature a lineup of fun and energizing activities aimed at boosting physical and mental wellbeing.

With stress levels and burnout on the rise in high-pressure sectors like banking, ACAMB is taking, as it has done over the years, proactive steps to encourage lifestyle habits that support overall wellness and productivity.

Participants will begin the morning with a body warm-up and short walk to get their energy flowing, followed by an exciting dance aerobics session designed to elevate heart rates and lift spirits.

The day will continue with interactive fitness games that promote movement and team bonding, and will wrap up with a friendly but motivating fitness challenge to inspire healthy competition and personal bests.

“Bankers are vital to the financial ecosystem, and their wellness must be a priority,” said Rasheed Bolarinwa, President of ACAMB.

“This aerobics session is a powerful way to foster a culture of health, team bonding, and preventive care. It reflects our belief as ExCO that a strong mind and body, are essential for long-term professional excellence.”

The session is expected to kick off early in the morning to take advantage of the fresh morning air, allowing participants to start their weekend with energy, movement, and connection. It also presents an opportunity to unwind and build camaraderie amongst colleagues outside the traditional office setting.

This initiative is one of several wellness-focused programms ACAMB is rolling out to reinforce the importance of employee wellbeing in corporate and marketing communication and the broader banking ecosystem.

The Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB) is the recognized professional association for marketing communications and public affairs executives in Nigeria’s banking industry.

ACAMB drives ethical communication standards, promotes internal and external stakeholder engagement, and supports member banks in advancing reputation, trust, employee growth and wellbeing.


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