Telecom
Nokia: First Ever Android Tablet Hits Market
HMD Global, leading mobile phone manufacturer has unveiled the first ever tablet in the Nokia mobile stable – the Nokia T20.
An amazing device which offers users a suite of cutting-edge functionalities, the device was formally launched in the Nigerian market at a well-attended event held at Yudala Heights, Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday, November 4, 2021.
The Nokia T20 – a portable tool which Adetayo Obinaike, marketing manager, West Africa, HMD Global, says is configured for users to love, trust and keep – comes with a powerful 8200 mAhbattery, offering longer hours for work, play and learning.
In addition, the device comes equipped with two years of Operating System (OS) upgrades and three years of monthly security updates with an optional fourth year for Enterprise customers, ensuring greater security and data privacy for users.
Further distinguishing the Nokia T20 is a 2k screen which delivers crisp, crystal-clear detail, as well as a massive 64GB internal storage.
The 10.4-inch device is powered by an octa-core chip ensuring a faster, more reliable user experience, among other exciting features and will be distributed nationwide by TD Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa’s leading tech, lifestyle, and solutions distributor.
Speaking at the launch of the Nokia T20, Joseph Umunakwe, general manager, West,East and Central Africa, HMD Global emphasized the unique attention to security and safeguard of user information which the device assures for users, notably through the monthly security and Operating System (OS) upgrades, even as he noted that the device is built in compliance with international standards and guaranteed to deliver long-lasting performance.
Earlier in his presentation, Obinaike, marketing manager, West Africa, HMD Global, highlighted the wide range of benefits and unique differentiators which make the Nokia T20 a must-have for all categories of users, especially in line with the new normal occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Specifically, he disclosed that the changes brought about by the pandemic represented an ample opportunity for Nokia to come up with a device that is built to specifications to support virtual work, remote learning and for leisure users as well.
Additionally, he revealed that the device accommodates a wide audience, including kids, with the inclusion of the Google Kids Space, which comes loaded with apps that encourage educational and fun/entertainment-focused content for this specific class of users, along with essential Family Link parental controls.
‘‘The new Nokia T20 comes with 10.4-inch display with high resolution but it is eyes friendly so that you can spend more time using the tablet. It also comes with an amazing battery life that could last a whole day once fully charged,’’ Obinaike stated.
‘‘Unlike other devices, the Nokia T20 Tab comes with three years of monthly security update, which is great for protection of your information. It also runs with Android 11, which can be upgraded to Android 12 and 13 with two years of OS update.
‘‘But that’s not all. The device comes with 4GB RAM and 64GB ROM, 8MP rear camera and 5MP front camera. This is an amazing device. It is a gadget we want Nigerians to love, trust and keep,” the HMD GlobalMarketing Manager, West Africaenthused.
Also endorsing the device, Managing Director, Sales, TD Africa, Mrs. GozyIjogun, attested to the quality, unique selling proposition and competitive pricing of the Nokia T20.
‘‘At TD Africa, we are deliberate about our partnerships and the Nokia T20, one of the latest innovations from Nokia Mobile is a device we are very excited about. In addition to the great features, we are also excited about the fact that it comes at a very competitive price point.
“The device will be available in every retail store or online platform through our nationwide database of channel partners.’’
In his contribution, Emmanuel Ossai, senior business manager, WestAfrica, HMD Global, revealed that the Nokia T20 would retail at N118,000, even as he reiterated the large screen display, big battery, work-life balance and rugged accessories that accompany the device.
Present at the unveiling ceremony were top officials of HMD Global and TD Africa, as well as channel partners and resellers from the ICT ecosystem and the media.
Telecom
Report Says 71 Percent of Nigerians Don’t Have Access to Regular Internet
A recent report by the Groupe Special Mobile Association (GSMA) revealed that a significant 71% of Nigerians do not have regular access to mobile internet.
“While 29 per cent of Nigerians are regularly using mobile internet, there remains untapped potential; 71 per cent are not accessing these services regularly. An improved policy environment has the potential to help the industry boost coverage and adoption, resulting in 15 million additional internet users by 2028.
However, the sector faces challenges to infrastructure deployment,” the report stated.
The details of the study were disclosed during the report’s launch in Abuja, highlighting a critical gap in digital connectivity amidst ongoing discussions about possible tariff increases by Nigerian telecom operators.
The telecom industry is currently advocating for an increase in tariffs to counter various operational challenges. However, the government is pushing for alternative solutions rather than price hikes.
The GSMA report underscored the challenges hindering the expansion of telecom coverage, which include cumbersome and costly rights-of-way acquisition processes and a complex tax environment. These factors collectively make it difficult for the industry to sustain investment levels.
Despite these hurdles, the report optimistically noted that Nigeria could add 15 million internet users by 2028 with appropriate policy adjustments. It emphasized that achieving universal access to digital connectivity hinges on a wider digital transformation of the Nigerian economy.
The report details the sector’s challenges, stating that “An improved policy environment has the potential to help the industry boost coverage and adoption, resulting in 15 million additional internet users by 2028. However, the sector faces challenges to infrastructure deployment.”
The report also identified key obstacles, such as the rigorous process of securing rights of way and a layered tax regime, which together increase operational costs and stymie sustainable investments. Added financial pressures from rising fuel prices and increased governmental fees further strain telecom operators’ ability to maintain healthy investment flows.
The GSMA report recommended several policy measures to foster a more enabling economic and regulatory environment for the mobile industry.
These include establishing a legal framework to protect critical national infrastructure, simplifying rights-of-way issuance, reducing the tax burden, and cultivating a regulatory climate conducive to robust investment.
“Future policies should be geared towards reducing the cost and complexity of infrastructure rollout to encourage investment and boost the adoption of mobile broadband,” the report advised.
It further highlighted the far-reaching implications of such policy enhancements, noting, “The impact of such actions would go far beyond mobile, driving productivity gains across the economy and creating millions of new jobs in Nigeria.”
Telecom
MTN Group Weighs Down by Nigerian Operations
MTN Group (MTNJ.J), Africa’s biggest telecoms operator, reported on Tuesday an 18.8 per cent fall in first-quarter service revenue, weighed down by the performance of MTN Nigeria
MTN, with 288 million subscribers in 18 markets across Africa, said its reported group service revenue fell to 42.9 billion rand ($2.34 billion) in the quarter ended March 31, from 52.8 billion rand in the same quarter last year.
In constant currency, service revenue, which excludes device and SIM card revenue, rose by 11.1%.
MTN’s service revenue from South Africa surpassed that of Nigeria, its biggest market by revenue, growing marginally by 3% to 10.4 billion rand, while Nigeria tumbled by 52.8% to 10.2 billion rand.
“The macro environment in the first quarter of 2024 remained challenging with ongoing high inflation as well as local currency devaluations in some of our key markets,” Ralph Mupita, group president and CEO said in a statement.
Mupita also cited global geopolitical tensions as a factor impacting the operator’s performance, including the ongoing civil war in Sudan, which severely affected network availability and revenue generation in that business.
MTN was also impacted by subsea cable cuts that resulted in downtime.
Overall reported group earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) fell by 28.7% to 17.2 billion rand and rose by 3.9% in constant currency.
Reported EBITDA margin declined by 5.8 percentage points to 37.9% due to rising costs and currency depreciation mainly in Nigeria.
The group revised down its anticipated capital expenditure (excluding leases) deployment for 2024 to about 28 billion rand to 33 billion rand from a target of 35 billion rand to 39 billion rand, largely due to a reduction in expected spending by MTN Nigeria.
Telecom
Airtel Excites Business Owners with Unlimited Speed Plan
Telecommunications network, Airtel Nigeria has introduced a groundbreaking new service for business owners called the Enterprise Business Broadband (EBB) Speed Based Plans 3.0. This specially designed plan offers unparalleled connectivity and flexibility with unlimited monthly plans.
Tailored to meet the diverse needs of enterprises, the new EBB plans feature unlimited internet connectivity options, providing the opportunity to without data limitations. Customers also get a chance to select from three dynamic options, from as low as N20, 000 to N60, 000.
The N20, 000 monthly subscription delivers internet speeds of up to 20Mbps, the N35, 000 subscription offers up to 40 Mbps, and, with the N50, 000 monthly subscription users can experience ultimate reliability and speeds of up to 60Mbps, which is perfect for large organizations with high bandwidth requirements.
Speaking on the new unlimited plan, Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Femi Oshinlaja emphasized the transformative impact of the new unlimited plan.
“We have seen the early adopters of the Speed Based Plans 3.0 express their satisfaction after using this service and we are confident to say that the uninterrupted internet service is a game-changer for business owners.
“We are committed to continuously providing innovative solutions that empower businesses to thrive in the digital landscape, ensuring unparalleled connectivity and reliability for our valued customers,” he said.
According to Airtel, customers get a complimentary router upon purchase. The speed plan also allows customers to have the flexibility to set data usage limits and control access to specific websites on the router, promoting responsible internet usage.
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