Samsung Launches New Entry-Level Devices

IN SYNC with its strategy of introducing innovative, smart mobile devices from which consumers can derive optimum value, Samsung Electronics has unveiled its new Galaxy Trend Lite and Galaxy Ace 4 Lite smartphones, two affordable solutions targeted at the new generation of mobile phone users. The devices are already available at Samsung stores and accredited dealers nationwide.

Director of Information Technology and Mobile at Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Emmanouil Revmatas, said that the new devices will ensure that Samsung maintains its dominance in the smartphone market by positioning itself to meet the demands of consumers desirous of optimizing value derivable from their mobile phones.

“At Samsung, we understand that consumer habits and consumption patterns are changing, a compelling reason for providing our consumers with the opportunity to own a device with features of a high-end smartphone at an affordable cost. The Galaxy Ace 4 Lite is a device that provides superior value to consumers based on its features, intuitive performance and design, while the Galaxy Trend Lite will especially delight consumers looking for a device with great, smart dual-SIM capabilities. The smartphones are revolutionary not only in terms of the great mobile experience that they provide but also in terms of their value proposition. We believe that the Galaxy Ace 4 Lite and the Galaxy Trend Lite will further fuel the growth of Nigeria’s smartphone market,” he said.

The dual-SIM Galaxy Trend Lite boasts the Android Jelly Bean operating system which facilitates faster internet connectivity and smoother apps transition. Its vivid 4-inch multi-touch display lets users take photographs, surf the internet, watch movies and view other multimedia content with great convenience and clarity. In addition, the device’s dual-SIM capability offers users the flexibility of having two telephone lines in a single mobile device.

The Galaxy Ace 4 Lite differs from other devices in its category with its in-built Android KitKat 4.4 operating system, the latest and most advanced operating system in the market. This unique feature, which is mostly available on premium smartphones, ensures that users derive greater performance and enhanced productivity from the device. Samsung’s rich ecosystem of exclusive applications including ChatOn, which allows users to chat for free with other Samsung Galaxy device users and S Voice, which lets users control their smartphones with voice commands, are also available on the Galaxy Ace 4 Lite.

As part of its value-added proposition, Samsung is partnering with telecom operators in the country to offer individuals who buy the devices from accredited stores N500 worth of airtime with their purchase. The company is also offering consumers the flexibility of expanding the devices’ in-built 4 gigabytes of storage to up to 32 gigabytes via a MicroSD slot, a feature that is nonexistent in most rival smartphones in the market.

On his part, Head of Business Development of the company’s Information Technology and Mobile Division, Olumide Ojo, highlighted the Galaxy Trend Lite’s durability and dual-SIM capability as two major unique selling points of the device.  “Whether users want to take advantage of different pricing plans from two network operators, or want to keep their business and personal calls separate, the Galaxy Trend Lite’s smart dual-SIM feature provides the convenience of two cell phones within one-mobile solution. Also, there is a perception that entry-level smartphones are not reliable. At Samsung, we are proud to say that our new entry-level devices are not only cost-effective and reliable, but are also ultra-durable,” he said.

He added that Samsung’s 24-month standard factory warranty is available to users of the Galaxy Trend Lite and Galaxy Ace 4 Lite.

Samsung also unveiled Nigerian singer, rapper, and songwriter, Remilekun Abdulkalid Safaru, known by his stage name Reminisce, as a brand ambassador for its mobile division at the event. The company plans to leverage Reminisce in its product advertising for entry-level mobile phones.

According to Revmatas, Reminisce symbolizes the values that Samsung has stood for over the years. "The Samsung brand stands for quality innovation, change, discovery, self-expression and excellence. These qualities are epitomized by Reminisce, whose quality and depth of work as well as versatility as an artiste have endeared him to Nigerians. We are very proud to have him endorse our new entry-level mobile phones," he said.

Revmatas further described the signing of Reminisce as an opportunity for Samsung to reach out to its consumers through Nigeria’s music industry. “We want to further connect with our customers at all touch points, especially through music, which is one of the passions of people worldwide,” he explained.

We Are Passionate About Capacity Building, Says ATCON

THE President of Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON, Engr. Lanre Ajayi, has said that the association is passionate about building capacity in the telecom sector.

In his opening remarks at an International Workshop on Internet Number Resource Management (INRM) and IPv6  held in collaboration with Africa Network Information Centre (AFRINIC)  in Lagos, Nigeria he said apart from the advocacy role, ATCON is playing in the telecommunications space it is also very passionate about building capacity.

 He also said the main reasons ATCON collaborated with AFRINIC to organize this very important workshop was to give the Nigerian telecom network engineers the empowerment required to upgrade their network from IPV4 to IPV6. Engr. Tony Nwosu, Vice President ATCON said the participants would come out better and well informed with the training.

 Engr. Mukom Akong Tamon said ATCON has made it possible for forty network engineers to receive an international training that ordinarily would have cost each participant nothing less than one million naira. He therefore commended the leadership of the Association under Engr. Lanre Ajayi for the good work.

Tamon said AFINIC is leading the effort to create awareness, promote and support IPv6 deployment throughout Africa to all stakeholders such as network operators, mobile operators, academic institutions, banks, government and regulators. Mukom said AFRINIC might not be able to meet the demand for IPv4 as it is already nearing exhaustion so it is important to start the deployment of IPv6.  

AFRINIC is the regional Internet registry (RIR) in charge of the distribution of internet number resources (IPv4, IPv6 and ASNs) in the African region. IP addresses are critical internet resources that allow devices to connect to the internet.

 The President of ATCON, said ATCON would continue to partner with organizations (local and international) that are involved in capacity building as this is one of the ways to sustain growth in the telecom industry. He also used the opportunity to thank organizations that sponsored the events such as NCC, NITDA, Internet Solutions, MainOne, Radial Circle and Junisat.

 At the end of the workshop participants expressed their gratitude to ATCON and AFRINIC for organizing the training workshop and adjudged it to be timely and relevant to their careers in the communication technology sector.

 The event had 40 networks engineers from 24 organisations.

Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim; Samsung brand ambassador, Remilekun Abdulkalid Safaru, a.k.a. Reminisce; Head of Product Marketing, Information Technology and Mobile, SamsungElectronics West Africa, Ms. Olajumoke Okikiolu; Director, Information Technology and Mobile, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Emmanouil Revmatas and Business Development Director, Information Technology and Mobile,Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Daesung Ra at the launch of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S and new entry-level devices, Galaxy Ace 4 Lite and Galaxy Trend Lite, in Lagos.

Microsoft Announces Affordable Mobile Phone

RECOGNIZING the rapid growth of ultra-affordable mobile phones, Microsoft Devices Group on Monday unveiled the Nokia 130, a mobile phone designed to introduce millions of people to new digital experiences. At just 19 euros,* the Nokia 130 combines the everyday essentials that first-time mobile phone buyers expect with the beautiful design, reliability and mobile entertainment they want. Featuring a built-in video player, music player with up to 46 hours continuous playback on a single charge and everyday essentials such as a flashlight, FM radio and USB charging, the Nokia 130 is the perfect introduction to a “mobile first” world.

The Nokia 130 is an ideal handset for first-time mobile phone buyers, or for people seeking a reliable backup phone to complement their existing smartphone. It’s built to last, with a 1.8-inch color display and outstanding battery life of up to 36 days’ standby for the single-SIM variant and 26 days’ standby for the dual-SIM device. In design and quality, the Nokia 130 stands out among devices priced below $35*. Every year, people buy 300 million phones from this category alone.

As one of the most affordable mobile phones with video playback, the Nokia 130 makes new digital experiences accessible to more people. It delivers hours of entertainment with the built-in video player which offers up to 16 hours of playback for video stored on a microSD card, MP3 player and FM radio. With support for expandable microSD storage up to 32GB, alongside the Bluetooth-enabled SLAM application and USB connectivity, it also makes sharing digital content easy, without the need for an Internet connection.

 “As demand in the affordable mobile segment continues to grow, Microsoft remains committed to delivering market-leading mobile innovation at each and every price point,” said Jo Harlow, corporate vice president for Phones, Microsoft. “It is estimated that at least one billion people in the world still do not have a mobile phone, while at the same time there is increasing demand for reliable backup phones in both mature and high-growth markets.”

She continued, “With handsets like the Nokia 130, we see tremendous potential to deliver the experience of a ‘mobile-first’ world to people seeking their first device, and we continue to invest in ultra-affordable devices that will introduce people to a ‘cloud-first’ world through Microsoft services such as Bing, Outlook.com, and OneDrive.”

The estimated retail price before taxes and subsidies for the Nokia 130 and Nokia 130 Dual SIM is 19 euros. It is expected to begin shipping in the third quarter of this year. The Nokia 130 will be available in select markets including China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Vietnam.​

Samsung Tablets Go High-End With Biometric Scanner-Enabled Galaxy Tab S

SAMSUNG Electronics has announced the availability of its new flagship tablet, the Galaxy Tab S, in Nigeria, adding a new, premium device range to its highly popular Galaxy Tab series. According to the company, the Galaxy Tab S combines an advanced high definition display technology with a full range of premium content, aimed at providing consumers with an unrivalled entertainment experience. The device was unveiled at an elaborate event in Lagos. It is already on sale at all Samsung Experience Stores, Operator Stores and at accredited dealer stores nationwide.

The Galaxy Tab S is Samsung’s thinnest and lightest tablet yet. It features a 10.5-inch screen alongside the most advanced super-AMOLED display on the market, with a resolution that is twice the high-definition standard associated with other devices in its category. The Galaxy Tab S is also powered with enhanced productivity features for effortless multitasking, all elegantly housed in a beautifully crafted premium design.

At the heart of the new tablet range is a fingerprint scanner embedded in the home button, a feature that made its debut in the Galaxy Tab S’s smartphone sibling, the Galaxy S5, the objective being to provide consumers with a safe, biometric screen-locking feature. In addition to this standard phone-locking function, the scanner lets users authorise payments from the device with their unique fingerprints. Up to eight people can use the feature to log into different profiles on the device when it is in multi-user mode.

Speaking at the unveiling, Managing Director of Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim, said the Galaxy Tab S will redefine how technology innovation enhances the quality of life.

“Tablets have evolved significantly in the past few years in function and purpose. Building on the heritage of the Galaxy S smartphone line, the Galaxy Tab S delivers on our commitment to bring meaningful innovation that our customers cherish most. We know consumers want the best screen when purchasing a tablet, and as the undisputed leader in display technology, we have brought our industry-leading super-AMOLED screen to the Galaxy Tab S for an unrivalled viewing experience,” he said.

Kim used the unveiling to underscore Samsung’s growing share of the global tablet market, which has grown from 7.6 percent to 22.6 percent in just three years. “We have made a major commitment to the tablet because we strongly believe in its market. We have devoted substantial resources, not only to hardware excellence, but also to content towards providing our consumers with a wholesome communication experience. With innovation at the core of our mission to lead the tablet segment, our launch of the Galaxy Tab S will further propel us in this growing category and facilitate ground-breaking success,” he said.

The Galaxy Tab S delivers an unmatched selection of enhanced productivity features that provide users with the ability to multitask effortlessly. The device allows its users to surf the web, watch videos, share content and make calls simultaneously without having to worry about closing one application in order to access another. Users can also make and receive calls directly from the device using SideSync, which links the Galaxy Tab S with devices in Samsung’s Galaxy S smartphone series, even when the phone is not within easy reach. Once paired, the tablet mirrors the phone’s screen in a smaller virtual window, letting users take calls via its speakers and microphone. In addition, data can be transferred from the Galaxy Tab S to another device by simply dragging and dropping files via SideSync. With its Quick Connect feature, the Galaxy Tab S is able to quickly find and connect to nearby devices for easy content sharing.

Other key features of the Galaxy Tab S include an Adaptive Display that provides consumers with the best visual experience by intelligently adjusting colour saturation and sharpness based on the application that is being viewed; an advanced outdoor visibility technology that makes on-screen content easy to view even in bright sunlight; a longer lasting battery, an Ultra-Power Saving mode that lets consumers enjoy hours of entertainment without having to worry about recharging their device and a specially designed ‘Kids’ Mode’ with its own dedicated interface and kid-friendly applications. According to Samsung, the device’s battery can power 11 hours worth of video at a go, making it a must-have for business travellers as well as business and enterprise users. The tablet is available in Samsung’s proprietary Titanium Bronze and Dazzling White colours.

On his part, the Director of Samsung Electronics West Africa’s Information technology and Mobile Division, Mr. Emmanouil Revmatas described the Galaxy Tab S as a device that draws the line between the tablets that are currently available in the market and what comes next.

“The tablet is becoming a popular viewing device for enjoying content, which makes the quality of display a critical feature. With the launch of the Galaxy Tab S, Samsung is setting the bar higher for the entire mobile industry. The device will provide its users with a visual and entertainment experience that brings colour to life and also enhance their overall communication experience,” he said.

As it did with the Galaxy S5, Samsung has loaded the new Galaxy Tab S with over $1,000 worth of free premium content via its Galaxy Gifts application, offering consumers a collection of services and tools designed to make their experience more enjoyable and more productive. With the Galaxy Gifts application, users can access up to 50GB of free Dropbox space valid for two years; three months access to LinkedIn’s premium business account; six months subscription to Livesport TV and Hancom Office Suite, alongside subscription to the Wall Street Journal, Vogue Magazine, GQ Magazine and much more, all free of charge.

Samsung also unveiled a comprehensive suite of mobile accessories to maximize the capabilities of its latest tablet. These include the Book Cover accessory, which can be configured to three different display angles to provide the most comfortable position to read, type or watch videos; the Simple Cover accessory for users that are desirous of the same protective structure of the Book Cover but also require a slimmer design, and a new, ultra-slim Bluetooth Keyboard, made specifically for the device.

Samsung Electronics Co. Limited is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, the company is transforming the worlds of televisions, home appliances, LTE systems, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, semiconductors and LED solutions. The Group employs 236,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales of US$187.8 billion.

More Entry Received For Etisalat’S Pan-African Prize for Innovation 2014

THE hunt is still on for the best and brightest African innovators as Etisalat Nigeria is still receiving entries for the 2014 Etisalat Pan-African Prize for Innovation. The prize is awarded in two categories; the most innovative product/service and the most innovative idea. Winners will receive cash prizes of $25,000 and $10,000 respectively.

Director, Brands & Communication at Etisalat Nigeria, Enitan Denloye explained that the Pan-African prize reflects the character of innovation that Etisalat is known for, by motivating Africans to showcase their creative talents for the overall socio-economic benefits of mobile telecommunications services consumers.

"A core value we pride ourselves of is that we are the leading cursor of innovation in the telecommunications industry. As a result, the Etisalat business is constantly developing innovative initiatives, products and services and to expose Nigeria and Africa in general to the opportunities that abound with broadband. Etisalat recognizes the importance of broadband in healthcare, education, business, security beyond communication through voice and data; and the Pan-African Prize for innovation is designed to reward corporate organisations, small and growing businesses, and individuals for developing advanced mobile broadband solutions and platforms in Africa,” he said.

The winners of the Etisalat Pan-African prize for innovation will be announced at the 17^th Annual AfricaCom Conference and awards gala dinner scheduled to take place in Cape Town, South Africa in November 2014.

Introduced in 2012, the Etisalat Pan-African Prize for Innovation is strategically designed to celebrate and reward the best and brightest innovators of African descent with the most innovative mobile broadband product, idea or service that positively impacts African mobile users.

Microsoft Brings BBM to Lumia Smartphones

Microsoft Mobile has announced that popular mobile messaging application, BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) is now available for download on its Windows Phone based Lumia smartphones.

Microsoft made this announcement following BlackBerry’s announcement recently saying that  BBM is now open to those using the Windows phone platform, a move that potentially makes the messaging service more appealing to its enterprise clients

Speaking on this new development, Partnership Manager, Developer Experience, Nokia West and Central Africa, Emmanuel Oluwatosin stated that it is a relief to finally have BBM on the Lumia smartphones, which will create more fun experiences for our customers. “We are extremely delighted about this news and we know our customers are excited as well. We finally have one more to boost our presence in the smartphone market. This will also expand various chat applications available on the Lumia smartphone for customers to stay connected with their loved ones”.

“BBM app is available for all Lumia smartphone running Windows Phone 8 and Windows Phone 8.1 operating system.  To download the BBM app is absolutely free and easy; customers should go to the Windows Store on their Lumia smartphones, search for Blackberry Messenger and BBM Beta app and download” he added.

The app has been tailored for Microsoft's Live Tile user interface, and users will find three sections in BBM - Chats, Contacts and Feeds - which can be accessed by swiping through the app.

Glo Easy Recharge Process With 3-in-1 Option

GLOBACOM, Nigeria’s National Telecommunications carrier, has unveiled a unique 3-in-1 Recharge Option to make the process of loading regular airtime credit, international calling packs and data bundles more convenient for its subscribers. 

 The telecoms company said the 3-in-1 recharge option gives its customers the convenience of topping up their airtime credit for various services directly without going through the process of first topping up their prepaid accounts before‎ allocating the airtime for data bundles or international calls.

 Launching the 3-in-1 recharge option at the Mike Adenuga Towers in Lagos, Globacom’s Head of Operations, Mr. Bisi Koleoso said the company decided  to simplify the airtime recharge process in order to provide customers with more convenient options in line with its avowed commitment to put subscribers first in everything.

 “Under the new arrangement, customers who want to directly top up and add to their main balance should dial *123*PIN#, while those interested in directly buying a data bundle without cramming codes should dial *223*PIN#. Similarly, subscribers wishing to load International Direct Dialing (IDD) packs should dial *323*PIN#,” Mr. Koleoso added.

He said the introduction of the new 3-in-1 recharge option is particularly timely for subscribers who make international calls because Globacom only last week crashed the cost of making calls to key destinations like United States, Canada, India, China and UK to as low as 10k per second‎.

 Koleoso also disclosed that customers who use the *223*PIN# option to load a data bundle will get an extra 385MB of data when they load a N1000 credit instead of the 350 MB of free data they would have received if they had used the conventional recharge option to load the same N1000 recharge credit.

 He noted that the launch of the 3-in-1-recharge option was in sync with Globacom's relentless desire to make recharge very convenient and accessible to all and sundry on the different call platforms of the company's network.  

"By  virtue of our well-established pedigree as always the first network to initiate wonderful innovations in the telecommunication industry since we came into operation on 29th of August, 2003, Nigerian telecommunication subscribers have graciously nicknamed Glo the King of Innovations.

As a proudly Nigerian company, we are happy to blaze trails and set the pace for the industry. With all modesty, Globacom entered the industry as the game changer with Per Second Billing and followed it in quick succession with other innovations. It was on the Glo network that Nigerians for the first time were able to browse the internet on their phones in 2004.

It was also on the Glo network that Nigerians for the very first time were able to use the Blackberry service on their phones in 2006", he added.

Samsung West Africa Partners Nigerian Coy to Deliver Smart Homes

SAMSUNG Electronics West Africa is partnering with a local company, Home and You Interiors to showcase the future of interior decoration that will create the ideal home environment where innovative technology meets cutting-edge design

The initiative is the first of its kind in Nigeria and underscores the partners’ commitment to delivering products that meet consumers’ needs while enhancing their passion for entertainment, cooking and maintaining beautiful homes. Similar partnerships between Samsung and other interior design companies across the country are slated for the months ahead.

According to Samsung Electronics’ Director of Consumer Electronics, Mr. Sunil Kumar, the initiative aims to provide Nigerians with the opportunity of experiencing the integration of Samsung’s newest consumer appliances, including its curved ultra-high-definition televisions and digital appliances such as the newly launched WW9000 washing machine, with everyday lifestyles.

 “Our partnership with Home and You Interiors reinforces our continued commitment to offering home-owners the very best in innovative and stylish design. Through this channel, Nigerians can experience the elegant design and interoperability of Samsung’s latest consumer appliances in a tastefully-furnished home setting. The initiative will also enable our consumers elevate the look and design of their homes with a blend of quality furniture and consumer appliances towards making their living spaces more stylish, energy efficient and sustainable,” he said.

 Kumar urged Nigerians to visit Home and You Interiors’ showroom in Lekki, Lagos in order to interact first-hand with the companies’ lifestyle and technology innovations as well as obtain a deeper understanding of the partnering organisations’ commitment to creating a smarter life through quality design and innovative eco-friendly solutions. He added that Samsung will be furthering its commitment to promoting smart living by partnering with other interior designers in Nigeria’s residential market.

On her part, Chief Executive Officer of Home and You Interiors, Mrs. Feyisola Abiru said “Since inception, our company has delivered top quality furniture, accessories and designs that create interiors that wow. Through this partnership with Samsung, our clients will get to see how effortlessly integrated technology solutions blend into our creative designs and ultimately enable them to enjoy style and optimal convenience at all times.”

Samsung Electronics Co. Limited is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, the company is transforming the worlds of televisions, home appliances, LTE systems, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, semiconductors and LED solutions. The Group employs 236,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales of US$187.8 billion.

Group Challenges SON’S Cement Policy, Threatens Court Action

A non-governmental organisation, Alliance Against Monopoly,(AAM) has faulted the claim that the quality of cement used in the country was responsible for the incessant building collapse recorded so far across the nation.

It blamed it rather on the use of the wrong type of iron rods, use of unqualified personnel and the bribing of government official to get approval for building plan.

The group at press conference in Lagos, South West Nigeria made the observation while reacting to the latest guidelines by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, (SON) to regulate the cement industry in Nigeria.

President of the AAM, Mazi Omife Omife queried the new set of guidelines which gave a 60 ultimatum to cement manufacturer to comply with its directive on product labelling and traceability requirement.

Describing the policy as an attempt to introduce monopoly through the backdoor, the group said that the new policy will create division in the cement industry and that it is capable of creating monopoly.

“We therefore state categorically that the Standard Organisation of Nigeria 60 day ultimatum to cement manufacturers on product labelling and traceability requirement is wrong headed and designed to serve only the narrow interests of a cabal determined to hoist the monopoly in the nation’s cement industry. Such monopoly if left unchallenged will be detrimental to the Nigerian buying public and will ultimately stunt the growth of an otherwise vibrant cement market”, Omife said.

Omife stated: “The genesis of this macabre cement industry dance of SON was teh unwholesome cement standardization policy that pitted the three major grades in the cement industry: 32.5mpa, 42.5mpa and 52.5mpa against each other”.

The group explained further:”The SON inspired policy deliberately diluted the importance of the commonly used 32.5mpa grade thereby relegating it to the background and of the least importance in the buyers shopping list. This is in a market that has wholeheartedly embraced the 32.5mpa grade and had deployed that cement grade to good use most structures in Nigeria today stand to the credit of the 32.5mpa cement grade.”

Omife added:”The National Assembly complex, Abuja was built mainly with the 32.5mpa cement, the Cocoa House Ibadan and the Oriental Hotel Lagos saying that “the Cement standard in Nigeria prior to 2003 was an adaption of the British Standard, BS 12 (1989), BS 12 had no specifications corresponding to 32.5mpa.”

The group noted that there was no way any cement company least of WAPCO would have been producing 42.5 grade cement prior to 2003 as that grade was not exist as at then stressing that “all cement manufacturers were producing 32.5mpa grade cement on the introduction of the new standard in 2003.

The Group while attributing the introduction of the new policy to the Dangote Group said that the Dangote  Cement is trying to create a monopoly of the market saying that “Even in South Affrica, which has Africa’s most developed economy, the 32.5mpa grade is still pervasive. Indeed, the Dangote Group has significant interest in South Africa’s Sephaku, which is famous for its production with the 32.5mpa grade.”

The Group called on the government not to all the interest of an individual to kill the cement industry in Nigeria, which is a major employer of labour in the country stressing that the Nigerian Labour Congress is opposed to the new policy and has called on the SON to reverse it.

Group threaten to challenge the policy in court if its demand that the policy be reversed was not accented to stating that 60 day ultimatum was insufficient for manufacturers to retool its machinery to meet the SON new policy. 

ETISALAT , IHS SIGNS NEW INFRASTRUCTURE AGREEMENT

Etisalat Nigeria has announced the sale of 2,136 of its towers to IHS Holding Limited (“IHS”) as part of a broader strategy to drive improvements in the quality of its network performance and to accelerate roll out of 2G & 3G coverage and new services to its customers. The transaction, the first by a major GSM operator in Nigeria, is expected to close later this year.

Etisalat currently has the highest quality network in Nigeria and the partnership with IHS is designed to promote network sharing, ensure higher quality, sustain reliable mobile services, lower overall costs and also promote a cleaner environment through reduced diesel usage and increased investments in alternative energy solutions.

Over the past 18 months, IHS has installed a large number of alternative energy sites in Nigeria.  These investments in addition to further investments in its state-of-the-art Network Operations Centre mean that uptimes of over 99% are achieved on its owned sites. Under the terms of this transaction IHS has committed to investing a further USD100 million in the towers acquired, on advanced generators, efficient batteries and alternative energy solutions to reduce diesel consumption and improve efficiency of grid use.

Matthew Willsher, CEO of Etisalat Nigeria, said: “Continued demand for mobile connectivity along with increased consumption of data requires reliable and effective networks that are also cost efficient for network operators.  The decision to sell our passive infrastructure to an experienced commercial partner, such as IHS, is part of our strategy to increase network coverage and capacity which is already rated number 1 for quality of service by the NCC.

Issam Darwish, CEO of IHS, added: “We are delighted to have been trusted by Etisalat Nigeria with their passive network infrastructure. Our market leading operations team, managed through a state-of-the-art network operations centre and our continual investment in better, more efficient systems and technologies will ensure that that trust is well placed.  This partnership will provide significant long-term benefits to Etisalat Nigeria, allowing them to focus entirely on marketing new customer propositions to a wider market.”

On the conclusion of this transaction, IHS will own and manage over 6,540 towers in Nigeria all of which will be managed by the most advanced Network Operating Centre (NOC) in the country, providing customers with market and industry leading levels of passive network uptime. IHS will market services on the towers promoting tower sharing and colocation to help drive network improvements, better service to subscribers and economic growth.