Telecom
Things to Consider Before Choosing an IP VPN Service Provider
You want secure networks for your organization. Currently, you’re using VPNs. But you’ve been told that IP VPNs are an even better option, as they offer extra protection against security risks.
Now you’re wondering whether you should transit to IP VPN or stick with what you currently use. Maybe you don’t know much about the new option, and you’re not conversant with your existing solution either. What’s the superior alternative? What should you go with?
This article is a guide to answering these questions.
Let’s begin by explaining some of the terms involved.
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a number that is given to every device that connects to the internet. It’s like a ‘name’ or means of identification for each device; no two devices bear the same number.
Besides identifying the device (and, by extension, its user), it also indicates the location of the user and their device. For instance, you can tell what country a person is in through their IP address.
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a network setup that lets its users connect to their organizations’ internal network remotely via the public internet. It makes it possible for employees to access their company’s shared files from locations outside its physical offices.
An IP VPN functions in a similar way to a regular VPN. But there’s at least one difference: IP VPN connects to internal networks via private gateways, rather than the public internet.
How IP VPN Works
IP VPN utilizes something called Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) to allow the user to get to their organization’s intranet while avoiding the public internet.
The MPLS sorts the bits of data passing through the World Wide Web into appropriate groups—video, voice, or images for instance. It also speeds up the transmission of these data to their destination.
Why Choose an IP VPN Instead of a VPN?
An IP VPN can help you expand your bandwidth and increase uptimes for your applications. It’s not as susceptible to DoS (Denial of Service) attacks as a regular VPN. Because it functions away from the public internet, it’s not vulnerable to many of the threats that come through the broader web.
What to Consider Before Choosing an IP VPN Provider
Many firms offer IP VPN as a product. But they won’t all give you the same quality of service. That’s why you need to know what to look out for when prospecting for a service provider in this area.
Here are some things you should consider.
- Security
This is one reason why you want to get an IP VPN in the first place, so you should be sure that your vendor’s offering will guarantee it. If you find that the details related to this are too technical, you should ask your IT team to look at what’s being offered. They may spot defective aspects of the product, or give it an all-clear, depending on the results of their assessment.
- Speed
Your IP VPN should give you the advantage of a higher speed connection, compared to the public internet. Several factors will affect the speed of your network, including some localized to your organization or location. But it may be a function of the quality that a vendor can provide. So you should consider the reputation of various vendors in this area before deciding which one you will go with.
- User Friendliness
Can you use the service without much help? Or is it so complex that you require a technician to help you with it?
Your IP VPN should give you good user experience. The fact that it’s somewhat advanced technology isn’t an excuse for complexity. If you can’t navigate it yourself after a few tries, it’s probably not worth your while.
- Access
This service lets you connect all your business locations to your organization’s internal files and other resources. A high-grade IP VPN should enable you to achieve quick access to your business’s intranet regardless of where you are.
- Price
It’s important to compare prices too, where you can. Look for an IP VPN provider that gives the best balance of price and quality that matches your needs. On one hand, unusually low prices may indicate less than optimal product quality. But there may be a less expensive option than the pricey IP VPN services that are just as effective.
- Support
What happens if you run into some difficulty while using an IP VPN? Is the service provider always available to take on your requests for help?
Support is an important part of any IT vendor’s package. They should have resources that cover the issues you are most likely to encounter while using their service. You should also be able to speak with their agents when this is the more helpful thing to do.
Should You Choose a VPN or IP VPN?
You can settle with a regular VPN if:
- You are a small business with little need for the sort of expanded bandwidth that IP VPN gives.
- You don’t have a lot of staff working remotely.
- There’s no significant IT security threat.
Consider using an IP VPN if you meet these criteria:
- You are a medium or large scale business that has to deal with a lot of traffic on your networks.
- A lot of your employees work remotely.
- There’s a potential but significant IT security threat to your organization.
Final Words
There’s a lot that Virtual Private Networks can do for your company. With IP VPNs you can achieve even more. Whether it’s securing your banking details or raising the efficiency of your VoIP systems, this technology can make your operations much easier and more secure.
When you weigh up your options for an IP VPN service provider, you’ll certainly prefer one that’s been around for a while. You will also want them to know the peculiarities of the environment you work in.
That’s what you get with Layer3. For over 14 years, we have helped organizations in the public and private sectors with IT solutions they need to function optimally. We bring this experience to bear in our delivery of IP VPN services. Our team can deploy one that suits your specific needs, and provide expert management and support along with it.
If you would like to find out more about our access solutions, you can contact us here.
9mobile, Nigerian operator, has reportedly gained approval for roaming on the MTN Nigeria network in a deal that some commentators suggest could improve its position in the market and, more specifically, tempt back lost subscribers.
After finally gaining regulatory approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), 9mobile plans to launch national roaming services on the MTN network from this month.
Under the agreement, 9mobile subscribers will gain access to MTN’s infrastructure for calls, texts and data in areas where 9mobile’s coverage is weak or unavailable.
For 9mobile, the deal offers a cost-effective way to expand coverage without the heavy investment required for nationwide infrastructure.
According to ITWeb Africa, the decision comes nearly five years after initial discussions – much longer than expected due, the Techloy news service said, to regulatory bottlenecks, shifting market conditions, and unclear execution timelines.
It may, however, prove pivotal for 9mobile, whose market share has dwindled to 1.72% in April 2025, down from 6.6% in 2020 when the proposal was first submitted. Indeed, in 2015 the company once known as Etisalat Nigeria had over 23 million subscribers and a 15.7% market share.
Of course, there’s also something in this for MTN. In exchange for network access, MTN gains utilisation rights to 9mobile’s underused spectrum in the 900MHz, 1800MHz, and 2100MHz bands – key frequencies for expanding coverage and improving data capacity.
For MTN, which serves over 84 million subscribers, this additional spectrum could reduce congestion and improve service quality.
The company has also had financial difficulties in the Nigerian market due to the naira’s substantial depreciation; this deal could support better service provision at a reduced cost.
That said, MTN Nigeria’s results for the first quarter to March 31 2025 were apparently much improved, and the company recently announced a massive capital expenditure drive for 2025 of some NGN900 billion (US$568.5 million) as it seeks to significantly enhance network service quality in major cities like Lagos and Abuja and extend improvements to other areas.
Banks and telecom companies will begin deducting USSD banking charges directly from customers’ airtime instead of their bank accounts beginning from today, June 3.
USSD, otherwise Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, is a communications protocol used by GSM cellular telephones to interact with a mobile network operator’s computers.
First City Monument Bank (FCMB) announced this change in an e-mail message to customers, following a directive from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Key details:
Each USSD session will cost ₦6.98 per 120 seconds, charged by your mobile network.
You will be asked to approve the charge before it’s deducted from your airtime.
If you prefer, you can use other banking channels like ATMs, mobile apps, or internet banking.
This change is part of a move to end the long-standing debt dispute between banks and telecoms over unpaid USSD fees.
As of late 2024, banks owed telecom companies ₦160 billion. For example, MTN was owed ₦42 billion by Nigerian banks.
By shifting USSD fees to customers’ airtime, the telcos aim to recover these debts and avoid future issues.
Telecom
IHS Nigeria Moves to Enhance G4S Secure Solutions Site Patrols and Increase Operational Efficiency with Patrol Vehicles
IHS Nigeria, a subsidiary of IHS Holding Limited and one of the largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared telecommunications infrastructure in the world by tower count, has formally commissioned 65 Response, Patrol, and Escort (RPE) vehicles to G4S Secure Solutions Nigeria Limited, its long-standing security partner.
The commissioning ceremony which held in Ikeja GRA, Lagos, underscores IHS Nigeria’s commitment to operational excellence, safety, and strategic partnerships.
The fully equipped vehicles, customized with radio systems, public address systems, medical kits, ladders, and amber lights, are expected to significantly enhance G4S’s patrol capabilities and enable proactive risk mitigation across IHS Nigeria’s infrastructure footprint in the country.
Speaking at the event, Jubril Saba, Vice President, Operations at IHS Nigeria, remarked: “IHS Nigeria is delighted to formally hand over these Response, Patrol and Escort (RPE) vehicles to our valued security partner, G4S Secure Solutions Nigeria Limited. As a company, we recognize that the success of our operations lies not only in our technology and infrastructure but also in the strength of the partnerships we build and sustain.
G4S has been an essential partner in protecting our sites, supporting our teams, and ensuring operational continuity across the country. This initiative is more than just a commissioning of vehicles; it is a reaffirmation of our commitment to the safety of our people and assets, our drive for operational excellence, and our belief in strong partnerships.
We understand that securing our infrastructure and communities is critical to sustaining high-quality services nationwide, and we are confident this fleet will enhance G4S’s capacity to support us.”
Also speaking at the event, Jonas Ahl, Managing Director of G4S Secure Solutions Nigeria Limited, expressed his appreciation for the partnership:
“We are proud to receive these 65 custom-built patrol vehicles from IHS Nigeria. Each unit is fully outfitted to meet the specific security needs of our operations, equipped with communication systems, emergency response tools, and visibility-enhancing features. These vehicles will not only improve our response times and field presence but also enable us to reduce risk and deter criminal activity more effectively.
I would like to thank the IHS team for their excellent collaboration throughout this project. We are proud to serve IHS and remain committed to protecting the assets that power connectivity across Nigeria.”
This strategic gesture reinforces IHS Nigeria’s position as a socially responsible and security-conscious industry leader, while highlighting the value of operational synergy with trusted partners like G4S.
The deployment of these vehicles marks another milestone in IHS’s mission to secure its infrastructure and deliver uninterrupted service to millions of users across the country.
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