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Telecom

Thumbs Up for Starcomms’ iZAP

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Starcomms Plc., the only telecommunication company in Nigeria quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange  has cut a niche for itself in the data segment of the telecom market. The company has adopted the performance competition strategy to delight the market and thus lead in the provision of internet access to telecommunications subscribers.
Starcomms is aware of the challenges that data subscribers go through and have worked hard to satisfy its own subscribers better. By providing good products and services, the company endeavours to lead the pack of telecom data providers. Marketing and making the customers aware of their products and company is also done to improve their business performance.
Companies engaging in performance competition are always aware of their competition and their position in the marketplace, so they simply try to do their best to meet their customers’ needs.
Starcomms responds swiftly to new technologies, bringing innovations to the Nigerian subscribers from time to time. From 2006 when the company introduced EvDo services to the market, it has mainly been competing with itself in the data segment having revolutionized it through the introduction of new devices from time to time.
Therefore, internet access subscribers who desire fast internet browsing resort to Starcomms iZAP, the award winning internet service of Starcomms. This has helped the company to seek every way to delight its data subscribers.
Recently, the company reinvented an old marketing strategy to relieve data subscribers who have been struggling with the internet service they had been getting from their telecommunication companies, including Starcomms, because of the fact that their data modems are getting out of step with fast moving technology.
Starcomms began to offer an exchange service in which subscribers can trade in any old internet modems for new ones on Starcomms network. With this plan, Starcomms has been receiving old modems of any kind and replacing them with Starcomms state-of-the-art iZAP modems for half its price.  Internet service subscribers who had been using lower grade or old models of modems now upgrade to Starcomms iZAP, an enhanced version of Rev. A EvDo internet USB modems at such affordable cost.
For Sakina Bello, an Abuja based subscriber who swapped her GSM based modem for Starcomms iZAP, the exchange has been a blessing. “Although I have been too busy to browse these days but I must tell you that I noticed a lot of improvement from what I used to have. iZAP is a lot  better.
The modem trade-in offer is not limited to any particular device. Subscribers exchanged PCIMCIA cards, USB modems or Express cards for the sleek new Starcomms iZAP USB Rev.A modems. These modems are compatible with any computer and are in plug-and-play mode without any need for complicated installation.
This is one of the things that thrilled Ruth Edeh, a Lagos based subscriber who changed her medem from another CDMA network. According to her, “The service I get now is better than what I used to get from my former provider, In fact I am going to change my payment plan at the expiration of this one to get more browsing experience from it than what I get now. I am subscribed to only night browsing.”
According to Tushar Maheshwari, Starcomms Chief Commercial Officer, “The incredible offer is being made so that Nigerians can experience the best of Starcomms iZAP, which is revolutionizing broadband internet connectivity in Nigeria. Data subscribers now have the opportunity to move up to the upgraded version of 3G Rev. A broadband internet facility. Starcomms has stocked state-of-the-art devices to meet the yearnings of people in the area of internet access.”
By upgrading to Starcomms iZAP, subscribers enjoys high speed internet experience as high as 3.1 mbps (in an ideal condition) and flexibility in access plan as well as in payment options. This has really endeared the service to Igboko Ochibuto, another Lagos based subscriber who migrated to iZAP from a CDMA network to Starcomms.
“I cannot compare what I used to have to what I now have. iZAP gives me a better service. I wish I had it all along.”
“We consider the data services that we offer very important and we are aware of the yearnings of people to get the most effective data service available. Starcomms prides itself in the culture of bringing excellent innovative products and services to its subscribers at affordable prices as a continuing business strategy. It has been our plan in Starcomms to make the best of broadband internet access available to everybody,” said Maher Qubain, Starcomms CEO.
The telecommunication sector of the Nigerian economy, having gone through a rebirth about a decade ago has witnessed tremendous growth. The sector suddenly became one of the most active both because of the relevance of the products and services on offer to people’s daily lives and because of its dependence on changing technology.
Gradually, companies, which have been so strong on voice communication, increased competence in data provision because of the increasing demands of subscribers for internet access. Nigerians who used to be holed up for hours on end for slow internet connection in cyber cafés are now been offered opportunity for fast internet connection which portable and personal.
Meanwhile, the data segment of the telecommunication market is still going through a lot of perfection. Telecommunication companies have been engaging in a lot of innovation in product design, customer relations and market strategies to be on top of the data game.
Some companies engage in a lot of publicity and marketing stunts to push their data products and services to the market. But the experience of consumers in the use of these products and services different from what is touted by them. Frustration overwhelms many a data subscriber either as a result of dissatisfaction in what they get in return for their money or as a result of difficulty they go through to get the services.

 


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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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Telecom

Celebrating African Creativity: Made by Africa, Loved by the World’ Returns for Its Fifth Year

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The “Made by Africa, Loved by the World” campaign is back for its fifth year, celebrating African creativity and global influence. This year’s theme, “Where Culture Meets Connection,” highlights how social media fosters conversations around cultural moments worldwide.

The campaign features three cinematic films premiering on the Meta Africa page, showcasing the groundbreaking work and personal stories of six dynamic African creatives.

These artists, from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa, represent diverse disciplines, including rap, animation, dance, photography, fashion, and videography.

Here are some of the featured talents:

  • Ladipoe (Nigeria) – A BET-nominated rapper known for blending global hip-hop with African rhythms.
  • Fatboy Animations (Kenya) – An animation studio founded by Michael Muthiga, recognized by Forbes for its original African storytelling.
  • Lisa Quama (Ghana) – A dancer who gained fame after appearing in Beyoncé’s “Already” music video.
  • Gilbert Asante (Ghana) – A photographer and creative director featured in GQ and Glam Africa.
  • David Tlale (South Africa) – A fashion designer whose bold designs have been showcased at major fashion events, including the Met Gala.
  • Ofentse Mwase (South Africa) – A filmmaker with over 24 international awards for his unique visual storytelling.

Kezia Anim-Addo, Communications Director for Africa, Middle East & Turkey, emphasized that the campaign not only celebrates individual success stories but also showcases how culture and social media drive meaningful connections and inspiration.


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Telecom

Telcos Warn of Nationwide Telecom Blackout over Diesel Shortage

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Mr Tony Emoekpere, president, ATCON
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Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), has raised the alarm over a diesel supply crisis caused by an ongoing strike by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).

Telcos Warn of Nationwide Telecom Blackout over Diesel Shortage

Mr Tony Emoekpere, president, ATCON in a statement said that the fuel supply disruption is critically affecting telecom base stations, pushing them to the brink of a shutdown and threatening millions of mobile and internet users in the region.

“This strike, which stems from the persistent harassment of tanker and petroleum product drivers by police officers in Lagos State, has effectively halted all truck loading operations and fuel movements,” Emoekpere stated.

He explained that diesel supply to telecom infrastructure has been severely impacted, leaving critical sites with dangerously low fuel levels.

According to him, if urgent measures are not taken, the situation could escalate into a full-blown network blackout, disrupting essential services, including mobile and internet access, business operations, emergency response systems, and daily communications.

ATCON has called on the governors of Lagos and Ogun states to intervene immediately by facilitating the release of diesel from depots to telecom operators to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

“This is not just a telecom issue—it is a national emergency that could cripple economic activities and compromise public safety,” Emoekpere stressed.

The association also appealed to security agencies and petroleum unions to resolve the crisis swiftly to safeguard Nigeria’s connectivity and economic stability.

ATCON emphasised that a prolonged disruption in fuel supply to telecom infrastructure could have far-reaching consequences for both businesses and individuals who rely on stable communication networks for daily operations.

 

 

 


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Telecom

Nigerians Spend N5.3 Trillion on Telecom Services

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In 2023, Nigerians spent a total of about ₦5.3 trillion on telecommunications services, which includes calls, data, SMS, and other telecom services, according to the Leadership.

Nigerians Spend N5.3 Trillion on Telecom Services

Specifically for voice calls, Nigerians made approximately 408.5 billion minutes of local calls, generating around ₦3.28 trillion from outgoing calls and ₦3.23 trillion from incoming calls, totaling about ₦6.51 trillion in call-related revenue according to projections based on 2023 call volumes and tariff data.

However, the ₦5.3 trillion figure represents the overall telecom sector revenue, with voice calls being a major component but also including data and other services.

For individual spending, MTN subscribers spent an average of ₦2,508 monthly on voice calls in 2023, showing a 14.4% increase from 2022, while Airtel customers spent about ₦1,694 monthly on voice calls.

Total telecom spending (calls, data, SMS, etc.): ₦5.3 trillion in 2023

Estimated revenue from voice calls alone: around ₦6.5 trillion based on call minutes and tariffs

Average monthly spending on calls per subscriber: ₦1,694 to ₦2,508 depending on the network

 

 

 


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