The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Etisalat

  • Etisalat eyes more subscribers

    Etisalat eyes more subscribers

    The introduction of the mobile number portability (MNP) scheme in the country will allow more subscribers to join the Etisalat network, its Chief Executive Officer, Steven Evans, has said.

    Evans said in anticipation of this, the firm has prepared the network to withstand the surge.

    In a statement issued yesterday, he declared that Etisalat is pleased with the MNP policy and the regulator’s decision to flag-off the scheme because it has presented telecommunications services subscribers in Nigeria with a chance to port their numbers and enjoy better services with another telecommunications services provider of choice, while retaining their telephone numbers.

    “At Etisalat, we have been advocating for MNP and so we are pleased with the NCC’s announcement of a kick-off date. MNP will empower customers and force operators to improve on quality of service. With MNP, the customer will be the ultimate winner,” Evans said.

    He said the telco is poised for an influx of subscribers who would be seeking the high quality services and value that his company has become synonymous with in the Nigerian market.

    “Etisalat has a good reputation for the quality of services we offer and the value we give to subscribers, so we are anticipating migration unto our network, so we have had to expand and strengthen our facilities in expectation,” he added.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Etisalat, EDC empower SMEs

    As part of its commitment to continually empower Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and guide them to maximise their potentials for growth, , Etisalat Nigeria, recently hosted SMEs at the 2013 SME Toolkit Nigeria Conference in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), of the Pan African University.

    The conference, which took place at the Lagos Business School (LBS), according to a statement, was held on Wednesday, April 10.

    The SME Toolkit is an international online platform of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank, available in over 35 countries in the world, which offers free business management information and training for SMEs.

    Speaking at the conference, Head, High Value Events and Sponsorship, Etisalat Nigeria, Ebi Atawodi, said that partnering with the EDC in promoting the growth of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises through the SME Toolkit conference was one of the core platforms the company has chosen to drive the development of businesses in Nigeria.

    Speaking in the same vein, Director, Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Peter Bamkole, thanked Etisalat for partnering with the EDC to drive the growth of SMEs.

    The SME toolkit global partner conference brings together about 300 trainers, users, experts, content and service providers to discuss how to effectively deploy the e-learning methods through the onilne platform. The conference was held in Nigeria for the first time which also coincided with the 10th ananiversary of the SME toolkit globally.

  • NCC lifts ban on promotions on Airtel, Globacom, Etisalat

    NCC lifts ban on promotions on Airtel, Globacom, Etisalat

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has lifted the ban placed on promotions on Airtel, Globacom and Etisalat networks, Mr Tony Ojobo, the NCC Director of Public Affairs, has said.

    He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday that the lifting of the ban was because the three service providers met the regulatory body’s December 2012 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

    Ojobo, however, said that the ban placed on promotions on MTN network was still in force.

    ”The ban on MTN still remains in force until the KPIs are met.

    “We expect that the networks will all continue to provide good Quality of Service (QoS),” he said.

    NAN recalls that the NCC, on Nov. 12, 2012, placed the ban on all promotions by telecom operators as well as lotteries on the GSM networks.

    Ojobo then said that the ban, which took immediate effect, would remain in force until the commission decided otherwise.

    He said the ban was introduced because NCC was inundated with many complaints from consumers and stakeholders against the various promotions offered by the operators.

    Ojobo said that the commission carefully evaluated the complaints  to sustain the integrity of the networks.

    He said that the complaints were also evaluated in the general interest of consumers and socio-economic impact.

  • Etisalat to raise $500million for expansion

    Etisalat to raise $500million for expansion

    Etisalat Nigeria has said it plans to raise $500 million (about N78.8billion) from local banks to expand its network this year, its Chief Commercial Officer Wael Ammar, said yesterday.

    Ammar said the facility will enable the mobile phone carrier grow its market share which is 40 per cent owned by its parent company, to 17 per cent this year.

    It aimed to add four million subscribers to its existing 15 million this year, he said. The company currently has a mobile market share of 15 per cent, behind MT’s 43 per cent and Globacom’s 22 per cent. Airtel, a subsidiary of India’s Bharti Airtel, has a 20 percent share.

    Ammar also said he expected average revenues for voice traffic across the industry to continue to decline to around $5 per user over the next 3-5 years, from around $6-7 per user currently. Average revenue per user or ARPU was $10 per user in 2008, he said.

    “We are investing $500 million this year to expand our network and services to Nigerian consumers,” Ammar said, adding that Etisalat aims to increase its existing 3,000 cell sites by an undisclosed number,” he said at the Reuters Africa Investment Summit.

    Ammar said Etisalat entered Nigeria’s fast growing market as a start-up operation with a $2 billion investment seven years ago, facing more established rivals like South Africa’s MTN and Globacom, owned by billionaire tycoon Mike Adenuga.

    Ammar said Etisalat would be able to grow its subscriber base without having to poach large numbers of customers from rivals because some 40 per cent of Nigerians — tens of millions of people — still did not own a phone.

    “We see the second wave of growth coming from the youth segment. It is a huge segment that will … turn into future consumers and the growth will happen across multiple years,” he said.

    The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) forecasts Nigeria to have 120 million mobile subscribers by end 2013, out of a population of 170 million. The country currently has a subscriber base that is slightly above 113 million.

  • Etisalat partners Total Nigeria

    Etisalat Nigeria has unveiled its state-of-the-art mini experience centres at Total Nigeria’s Sura Service Station on Lagos Island.

    The centre, which is one of 45 launched is the result of a partnership deal between Etisalat Nigeria and Total Nigeria Plc. The two companies had in June 2012 formally signed a Master Lease Agreement to establish retail sales outlets in select Total service stations nationwide.

    The agreement was signed in Lagos between the Chairman of Etisalat Nigeria, Mr Hakeem Bello-Osagie and a team of Total Nigeria staff, led by its Managing Director, Mr Francois Boussagol.

    Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr Steven Evans said the mini experience centre concept has further reinforced that the customer is at the heart of everything the company does. “For us at Etisalat, customer focus simply means putting customers at the centre of all business decisions, ensuring that our customers can access our products easily and can easily deal with any issue that they have experienced with our service.

    “It has always been our strategic objective to deliver world class telecommunications services that are relevant and aligned to the needs and lifestyles of our respective customers. It is for this reason that Etisalat has decided to partner with a global and reputable organisation like Total with the relevant expertise and experience in delivering world class products and services. Choosing the right partner is important, and we feel that both brands represent quality and will reinforce each other’s values,” he said.

    The Managing Director, Total Petroleum Nigeria, Mr Francois Boussagol, who was represented at the occasion by the company’s General Manager, Marketing, Mr Yahaya Yunusa, said his company couldn’t have chosen a better telecom partner for such an initiative. According to him, apart from being the fastest growing telecom operator in Nigeria, Etisalat has so far displayed dynamism, ambition and customer focus in the course of its relatively short time in the country.

    Boussagol said: “Our partnership with Etisalat is to further enhance our customers’ experience. We strive to build and sustain trust, so our passion for quality is unyielding, and we could not resist the chance to partner with Nigeria’s fastest growing and most innovative telecommunications network to further enhance our customers’ experience.”

  • Etisalat, Huawei hold OEM week

    Etisalat, Huawei hold OEM week

    Etisalat Nigeria has hosted its customers at its ongoing Etisalat-Huawei Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Week, targeted at reaching old and prospective subscribers who bought or made enquiries about Etisalat products manufactured by Huawei.

    The initiative organised by Etisalat’s Geek Force is designed for Etisalat Experience Centres to create greater emphasis on selected original equipment manufacturers (OEM) products and offerings while also encouraging customers to purchase original devices at authorised dealer outlets like the Etisalat experience centers nationwide.

    Director, Products & Services, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr Lucas Dada, said the firm will not relent in satisfying the needs of its customers. “As a brand that is always attuned to the needs of its customers, Etisalat has shown over the years that it takes customer satisfaction serious. The Etisalat OEM week is one of the innovative ways we at Etisalat seek to enhance our subscribers’ experience using our products and services,” he said.

  • Etisalat endorses award at NMMA

    In line with its reputation as one of Nigeria’s innovative telecommunications brands, Etisalat Nigeria, has endowed a brand new award category in the annual Nigeria Media Merit Awards (NMMA).

    The company announced the new category known as the ‘Etisalat Nigeria Prize for the Most Innovative Reporter of the Year’ at the 22nd edition of NMMA held at Eko Hotels & Suites, presenting a N10,000,000 cheque to the NMMA lifetime endowment fund for the award category.

    According to the company, the new category was inspired by its vision to encourage, celebrate and invest in young journalists and broadcasters who worked distinctively and creatively. It was also stated that the first recipient will be rewarded in 2013.

    Speaking on the development, Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr Steven Evans said: “As innovation is core to Etisalat’s business strategy, we seek to promote innovation among our various stakeholders including the media. Creativity and innovation drive development, so we believe creative talents should be nurtured and innovation celebrated. Skill and innovation are also distinguishing virtues of excellent journalists and broadcasters. The Etisalat Prize for the Most Innovative Reporter of the Year aims to promote excellence in journalism”.

    He emphasised the importance of the media to society, and restated Etisalat’s commitment to recognising reporters who have put creativity, freshness, hard work, honesty and insight into their work, in order to stand out as most innovative.

    He said the telecom provider’s effort to foster innovation has driven it to recognise professionals who excel innovatively in their fields, both nationally and in the continent. “In the same way that we are promoting innovation among the media, in August this year, Etisalat launched the Etisalat Prize for Innovation aimed at promoting innovative products and services or ideas that drive the adoption of broadband in Africa. The winners were awarded their prizes during this year’s Africa Com which took place in Cape Town, South Africa, he said.”

  • Etisalat backs Lagos Governor’s Cup

    Etisalat backs Lagos Governor’s Cup

    As part of its commitment to support the development of sports in Nigeria, Etisalat has thrown its weight behind the 12th edition of Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis tournament for the fourth consecutive year. The company has also restated its commitment to uplifting and share in the passion of Nigerians in the area of sports.

    Speaking at a press conference to kick start the tournament, Head, Events and Sponsorship, Etisalat Nigeria, Ms Modupe Thani, said the company was proud to be associated with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the tournament, expressing the belief that the relationship will help to develop the game of tennis. She praised the LOC for organising the tournament, and described sports as a unifying factor which brings people together.

    “Etisalat Nigeria has been a supporter of the Governor’s Cup since 2008 and in doing so, aims to not only improve the quality, flare and passion for the game in Nigeria but also extend the reach of talented Nigerian players by exposure to their international counterparts. We are also committed to promoting and developing other sports activities in Nigeria including football, through our official partnership with FC Barcelona European football Club,” she said.

    She praised the planned participation of this year’s tournament which will involve 55 countries, saying that efforts in promoting the tournament so far have been effective. She also added that the company was ready to give its support in whatever measure to ensure the success of this year’s tournament.

    Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis, Chief Pius Oluwole Akinyelure, noted that this year’s tournament will involve players from 55 countries as against 35 countries which played in last year’s tournament. The countries playing this year include; the United States, Spain, France, Russia, Britain, Slovakia, Poland, South Africa, Ukraine, Italy, Cameroon, Ghana, India, Sweden, Tunisia, Denmark, Bulgaria and Pakistan, amongst others.

    Speaking on behalf of the President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Sani Ndanusa, the Vice President, NTF, Mr Adeyemi Owoseni praised the efforts of the sponsors as well as the LOC. He said the championship has over the years provided a solid platform for tourism in Nigeria and an easy avenue for players to meet and contest with top tennis players from across the world.

     

  • Etisalat begins N1b monthly promo

    Etisalat has unveiled the biggest airtime promo to celebrate the country’s 52 independence and reward its over 14 million subscribers with free airtime worth over N1 billion monthly to call all networks. The promotion, which gives new and existing subscribers 50 per cent and 20per cent of their recharges for 30 days, began on October 2. It will run till the end of the year.

    Speaking at the briefing to announce the offer, Director, Products and Services, Lucas Dada, said the revamped 9ja free credit promo is the company’s way of offering freedom to its customers to celebrate the country’s 52nd independence anniversary.

    “We pride ourselves as being a network that gives its subscribers the freedom to talk without any limitations and this was marked by our launch into the Nigerian market in 2008 with our famous 0809uchoose campaign, offering our customers the freedom to choose their unique set of phone numbers and since then we have kept to our promise of delivering innovative and world class products and services, promotions and events which continue to change the lives of all our customers,” he said.

    Director, Marketing Segments and Strategy, Oluwole Rawa, said having spent about four years in Nigeria, the support and encouragement Nigerians have given the company has been nothing short of inspiring. He said: “Within a span of almost four years, Etisalat has grown an impressive subscriber base of over 14 million which is remarkable in terms of growth compared to any networks in Nigeria.”

    He added that as a result of the achievements of the past four years, Etisalat seeks to reward its subscribers with the biggest airtime offer in the country.