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Tag: MTN

  • Minister to Senate: I know nothing about MTN funds transfer

    Minister to Senate: I know nothing about MTN funds transfer

    Industry, Trade and Investment Minister Okechukwu Enelamah has dismissed as untrue allegation made in the Senate that he was involved in the transfer of funds from Nigeria by telecom giant MTN.

    He said he has never been in a position to transact any such business for the company.

    Reacting to the allegation, the Director of Press in the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Greyne Anosike said while the minister welcomes whatever investigation the Senate deems proper on the activities of companies operating in the country, it should not that:

    “Dr. Enelamah served as the CEO of Capital Alliance Nigeria Limited (CANL) between 1998 and 2015.  CANL is a wholly owned subsidiary of African Capital Alliance (“ACA”), an Africa focused private equity firm with investments in carefully selected companies within and outside Nigeria, including MTN Nigeria.

    “A fund managed by ACA, alongside other minority shareholders, invested in MTN Nigeria through Celtelecom. Dr. Enelamah was never the “owner” of Celtelecom as alleged by the Senator; neither was he ever a Celtelecom shareholder. Instead he was a director of the company, representing the ACA managed fund.

    “Investors do not have responsibility for remittance of proceeds from the company they are invested in. Therefore, at no time was Dr. Enelamah in a position to transfer funds out of Nigeria on behalf of MTN Nigeria, and at no time did Dr. Enelamah transfer any funds out of Nigeria on behalf of MTN Nigeria. As it relates to Celtelecom’s investment in MTN Nigeria, it is important to note that the entire process for applying for and using CCIs was done by MTN Nigeria.

    “Dr Enelamah resigned all his board positions, including from ACA and Celtelecom, consequent to his appointment as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    Anosike branded the Senate allegation as without merit and baseless.

    The Senate resolved on Tuesday to probe the allegation made by Senator Dino Melaye that MTN moved $13.9billion out of the country between 2006 and now in violation of banking rules and regulations.

    He claimed that the telecom provider used the minister in repatriating the amount to floated and incorporated offshore Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) in the Cayman Island, Mauritius and British Virgin Island.

    Some of the SPVs he mentioned and their promoters/shareholders  were  Cel Telephone Investment Limited, Port Louis, Mauritius; Dr. Pascal Dozie and Dr. Okechuckwu Elenemah; $20,749,532; Celtel funded shares SPV (which was renamed NISPV Limited in 2008), Port Louis, Mauritius; Dr. Pascal Dozie, Ahmed Dasuki, Gbenga Oyebode, Babatunde Folawiyo and Dr. Okechukwu Elenemah, $2,019,232.

    The Senate mandated its Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions to investigate the matter and report back to it within two weeks.

  • Visafone’s spectrum not sold to MTN, says NCC

    Visafone’s spectrum not sold to MTN, says NCC

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said it did not approve the sale of the spectrum of former code division multiple access (CDMA) carrier, Visafone, to MTN, adding that it was careful not to further promote the latter’s dominant operatorship status in the country.

    Its Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Prof Garba Umar Dambatta who spoke during a world press conference at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja to mark the one year anniversary of the unveiling the Eight Point Agenda, said the NCC only approved 100 per cent shares acquisition of the distressed telco, adding that its spectrum sale will be brought to the attention of stakeholders when the time comes.

    Dambatta said already, a study commissioned by the regulator had established that MTN was dominant  in voice and ‘upstream market’ segments of the industry.

    According a document titled: Determination ofDominance in Selected Communications Market in Nigeria issued by the NCC about three years ago, the exponential growth of the industry has led to the increased maturity  and  sophistication of  individual networks and has also ushered in intense competition among the industry players. “While  the Commission recognises that effective competition in the various communications markets in  Nigeria will encourage sustainable investment, growth and innovation to the benefit of the entire  Industry  and  its  consumers,  it  also  acknowledges  that  existing  market  conditions  may  preclude  effective competition in certain market segments,” it explained.

    The NCC in exercise of its regulatory function  to  “ensure  fair  competition  in  all  sectors  of  the  Nigerian  communications  industry”  (Nigerian  Communications Act 2003 (NCA 2003   S.1e)) embarked on a Study of the Assessment of the Level of  Competition in Nigerian Telecommunications Industry.

    The study found out that the mobile voice market is not effectively competitive and is still highly concentrated. MTN had a 44 per cent market share of subscribers within the market. There was also a wide differential (of about 300 per cent) between on-net and off-net calls indicative of the likely establishment of a ‘calling club for MTN subscribers.’

    In the upstream market, MTN  and  Glo were discovered to jointly  control  about  62 per cent  of  the  public  terrestrial transmission infrastructure  which is a bottleneck resource in the provision of voice and data services. “There are concerns that operators playing in the wholesale and retail sub segments of these markets have the leverage to “squeeze” the margins of their competitors who are also their customers,” the study noted.

    The Commission then resolved that the Dominant Operator in the Mobile Voice market shall be required to separate account.

    The Commission will enforce and implement  accounting separation on the dominant operator-collapse of on-net and off-net retail tariffs. The differential between the on–net and off-net retail tariffs will be immediately collapsed. The tariff for on-net and off -net will be the same, and subject to periodic review.

    NCC said it may require the dominant operator to submit details on specific aspects of its operations from time to time as the need arises.

    For the dominant operators in the Wholesale Leased Lines and Transmission capacity, NCC promised to come up with price cap for wholesale services and price floor for retail services subject to periodic review while accounting separation will also be implemented.

    Efforts to get MTN to react to the development were not successful but a source familiar with the transaction confirmed that the letter given to the telco by the NCC indicated that the spectrum was also included in the transaction.

  • MTN’s new smartphone users get 100% data bonus

    MTN Nigeria has launched a campaign that rewards its subscribers with 100 per cent data bonus on any data purchased over a period of six months.

    The Drop Dat Kpalasa campaign is aimed at deepening internet penetration in the country as well as improving the lifestyle of customers across the country.

    With the campaign, potential and existing MTN subscribers can enjoy the offer bypurchasing any smartphone device of their choice wherever they reside in Nigeria and once they subscribe to any data plan on the MTN network, they get a 100 per cent data bonus for six months.

    Commenting on the launch of the smartphone upgrade campaign, the General Manager, Consumer Marketing, Richard Iweanoge stressed the need for every Nigerian to work and live smart using their smartphone devices.

    “Smartphones can ease the daily routine of all our customers nationwide. The use of a smartphone enhances our lives in diverse ways. This ranges from communicating with friends, family, and coworkers toconstant internet access, music streaming, watching videos on the go, taking pictures, gaming, getting health tips and much more.

    “While a large percentage of Nigerians are not accessing internet services owing to non- data enabled devices in use, this campaign will inspire more Nigerians to use smartphones and be rewarded with 100 per cent data bonus for six months,” he said.

  • MTN scraps mobile money business in South Africa

    MTN Group (MTNJ.J) has pulled the plug on its local mobile money business, saying it is not viable in a country where around three quarters of the population already has a bank account.

    Mobile money services that allow customers to transfer funds using their phones have proved hugely popular in some other parts of Africa, particularly where people have less access to traditional bank accounts.

    MTN launched its South African service in 2012 after the success of Safaricom’s (SCOM.NR) M-Pesa in east Africa convinced some executives the service was the industry’s next growth area.

    However, MTN, Africa’s biggest wireless phone group, now joins Vodacom (VODJ.J) in abandoning the service in South Africa.

    “The operating costs of providing a mobile money platform has become prohibitive,” MTN said in a statement on Thursday.

    Both Safaricom and Vodacom are controlled by Britain’s Vodafone (VOD.L).

    MTN said its decision did not mean a complete exit from financial services.

    “MTN is still committed to remaining a significant player in the financial services space and we are exploring opportunities in financial services space and other adjacent sectors,” it said.

  • Sallah: MTN gives out millions in Mega Hunt promo

    Sallah: MTN gives out millions in Mega Hunt promo

    Some MTN subscribers have won millions of naira and other gift items in the telecommunication company’s Mega Hunt promo.

    The cash prizes ranged from N10 million to N500,000, besides other gift items.

    Four subscribers – Tunde Onaleke, Usman Abdulaziz, John Gasper and Maryrose Okeke – were proud winners of N10 million each, while 20 other subscribers won N1 million each.

    Other lucky subscribers won N500,000 while gift items, such as LED television sets, generators and smart phones, were also given out.

    At the prize-presentation ceremony, Country Manager (Upstream) Riaan Abdoll said the promo was aimed at exciting and rewarding customers for their participation.

    He said: “Products, such as Mega Hunt give ordinary people extra-ordinary chance and opportunity to make a difference.”

    MTN Nigeria’s Consumer Marketing General Manager, Richard Iweanoge, who was represented by the Sponsorship and Events Manager Okundola Bamgboye, said the promo “is one of MTN’s ways of appreciating its teeming subscribers who have stayed with the brand through the years”.

    The manager added that it was also to welcome new subscribers.

    He said: “For us, our teeming subscribers are our most valuable asset and we consider it necessary to support them through initiatives like this and many others. The Mega Hunt promo is one of the ways of appreciating them for staying with the brand through the years. It is a life-changing opportunity and we encourage all Nigerians to take advantage of this offer.”

    Many of the subscribers were excited.  Rosemary Okeke from Enugu said she was in shock when she got a call from MTN’s 180 on her winning.

  • MTN unveils brand ambassadors for 2016-2017

    In its quest to support Nigerian musicians by providing alternative platforms through which they can receive lucrative value for their intellectual property, MTN has announced brand ambassadors for 2016-2017.

    According to MTN’s General Manager Consumer Marketing, Richard Iweanoge, this is designed to enable the company continue to support the development of the entertainment industry by financially empowering Nigerian artistes and musicians through the promotion and monetisation of content on its various digital platforms – MTN Music+, Caller Ring Back Tunes (CRBT) and Value Added Services (VAS).

    Music ambassadors for 2016-2017are: Praiz (Praise Adejo), Iyanya Mbuk aka Iyanya, Chidinma otherwise known as Chidinma Ekile, Falz (Folarin Falana), Tekno Miles(Augustine Kelechi) and Skales(Raoul Njeng-Njeng).

    Four other ambassadors are – Saka,(Hafiz Oyetoro); Nedu (Steve Onu); Osuofia (NkemOwoh) and Adamu Zango.

    Speaking on this, MTN Executive, Amina Oyagbola said, “MTN remains proud to be associated with the growth and development of the careers of all our ambassadors, past and present.

    “We specially thank all our former ambassadors for their immense contributions to building our brand and making us the network of choice in Nigeria. We will definitely continue to maintain the strong and mutually beneficial relationship with them through the monetisation of their content on all our digital platforms – MTN Music+, CRBT and VAS.”

    Iweanoge, however, posited that for the purpose of keeping alive the original concept of music brand ambassadorship, MTN decided to retain the services of past winners and participants of its Project Fame music reality TV show, which include: Iyanya, Chidinma and Praiz.

    “MTN is particularly proud of these musicians because we not only gave them the platform to express their talent through Project FAME, we have consistently supported them over the years by making them our ambassadors. We are proud to have been able to contribute to some of Nigeria’s biggest music acts.”

    Beyond the Project Fame alumni, Iweanoge also said that in order to nurture other artistes so that they too could attain greater heights, MTN would still retain the services of some of its newly-signed brand ambassadors like Falz, Skales and Tekno who are the faces of its youth segment proposition – MTN Pulse.

  • Infinix partners Jumia, MTN

    Infinix partners Jumia, MTN

    Infinix has unveiled a five-minute fast charge Smartphone ‘NOTE 3’ in Nigeria, partnering with  Jumia and MTN. TONIA ‘DIYAN writes.

    Infinix has ushered ‘NOTE 3’ into the market with a launch event themed #JIMSbigthing in partnership with Jumia and MTN at Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The smartphone comes with more remarkable features which will delight all mobile phone lovers. Its features are: 6inch screen, 4500mAh battery, Finger print recognition, XOS and more.

    Customers can purchase the phone on Jumia.com.ng. As strategic partners for Infinix NOTE 3 launch, the Jumia team will ensure prompt delivery to customers anywhere they are in Nigeria.

    Infinix Mobility is said to be Africa’s leading mid-ranged smartphone brand with the most innovative product portfolio this year. The brand received 2 awards in Nigeria for best smartphone brand of 2015/2016 from Beacon of ICT and also Titans of Tech. The brand unveiled its latest smartphone ‘Infinix NOTE 3’ as the first ever smartphone with the remarkable five minutes charge function for users.

    Apart from the highlighted five minutes charge for 200 minutes talk time, it also comes with 6-inch HD screen, 4500mAh battery, Finger print recognition, 13MP back camera, 5MP front camera, water-cooling technology to prevent battery overheating. The Fast charge feature is specially tailored to suit the unique needs of the African market, where customers need fully charged phones at all times to connect with family and friends!

    The Infinix Note 3 is also preloaded with the latest Infinix User interface ‘XOS’. XOS comes with fast RAM speed, stylish wallpapers, efficient gestures, which allows users to optimise their Infinix smartphone.

    Regional Country Manager, Infinix Mobility, Bruno li, said: “We are very proud of our latest smartphone NOTE 3 and also the partnership for JIM with Jumia and MTN second year in a row. We intend to make history with Infinix NOTE 3’s 5 Minutes fast charge technology and we are sure the product will be welcomed by our users and fans in Nigeria.”

    On the partnership, Thomas Simonet Head of Vendor Management, Jumia “Today, Jumia is incredibly proud to team up again with Infinix and MTN, offering Note 3 with MTN data bundle exclusive to Jumia. More than ever, we want to help our customers and fans to afford top quality product and data at unbeatable prices through an effortless shopping experience.”

    On its part, Nigeria’s leading network, MTN continues to offer fast and reliable internet to its customers and this will enable Infinix NOTE 3 users to optimize their smartphone use with a 7GB data bundle for N2,000 or a 3GB bundle for N1,000 only. The offer is exclusive to Infinix Note 3 users and it is part of the MTN 100% bonus offer.

    Consumer Marketing General Manager, MTN Nigeria, Richard Iweanoge, said: “The launch of this phone is coming at a time we have commenced the roll out of 4G/LTE services in the country. As such, we are excited about the possibilities that this phone brings to our customers. We also look forward to providing users with quality service and internet speeds that will enrich their digital experience.”

  • ‘MTN is Africa’s largest music distributor’

    MTN said it has become the largest music distributor in Africa.

    Its General Manager Consumer Marketing, Richard Iweanoge said through its Caller Ring Back Tunes (CRBT), the telco is now the largest music distributor in Africa.

    Iweanoge who spoke against the backdrop of the announcement of the telco’s brand ambassadors for this year and next year said:

    “Through the platform, we ensured that Nigerian musicians would no longer suffer the scourge of piracy. They are able to make good money as a result of their hard work.

    “Also, as Nigeria’s most innovative telecoms company, we have been able to deploy music as a platform to give other value added services to our teeming subscribers, which have also proved to be a significant source of revenue for the artistes such as the MTN Music+ app and a host of other platforms.”

    He said it is in line with its commitment to supporting Nigerian musicians by providing alternative platforms through which they can receive lucrative value for their intellectual property, .

    According to him, this is designed to enable the company continue to support the development of the entertainment industry by financially empowering artistes and musicians through the promotion and monetisation of content on its various digital platforms – MTN Music+, Caller Ring Back Tunes (CRBT) and Value Added Services (VAS).

    Music ambassadors for 2016-2017 are: Praiz (Praise Adejo); Iyanya (IyanyaMbuk); Chidinma (ChidinmaEkile); Falz(Folarin Falana); Tekno Miles(Augustine Kelechi) and Skales(Raoul Njeng-Njeng)

    Four other ambassadors are – Saka, (Hafiz Oyetoro); Nedu (Steve Onu); Osuofia (NkemOwoh) and AdamuZango.

    Iweanoge again said: “With the significant investment made so far in Nigeria’s music industry, MTN remains and will continue to be one of the biggest supporters of the music industry. We have a track record of consistently providing the stage for some of Nigeria’s biggest artistes to shine and express themselves.

    “For MTN, we see the growth of the music industry as a continuum and not a destination. That is why we will continue to engage and support our local artistes so that they can find full expression for their talent. We will also continue to explore other areas of collaboration with all artistes through these platforms and many more, as we work to fulfil our vision to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world.”

    Iweanoge, however, posited that for the purpose of keeping alive the original concept of music brand ambassadorship, MTN decided to retain the services of past winners and participants of its Project Fame music reality TV show, which include Inyanya, Chidinma and Praiz. “MTN is particularly proud of these musicians because we not only gave them the platform to express their talent through Project FAME, we have consistently supported them over the years by making them our ambassadors.

  • MTN partners Rhodes varsity on media confab

    MTN Group is collaborating with Rhodes University to hold a conference as part of activities marking the 20th Anniversary of the Highway Africa this weekend in Grahamstown in Eastern Cape, South Africa.

    Highway Africa is the continent’s yearly journalism conference, which drives conversation and debate on key issues in the media and Information Communication Technology (ICT) on the continent.

    With the theme The internet and media – Celebrations, reflections and the future, Highway Africa 2016, the two-day event is to explore the impact of the internet on journalism and media, including film, music and books.

    “This year’s theme is one that resonates with MTN. As an organisation that is extending connectivity and providing digital services across Africa, we know that ICT is changing how we consume media. In addition, it is enabling greater access to information and to services in our communities, which is part of the positive narrative around this continent. We believe that Africa has many good news stories to tell and that platforms like Highway Africa go a long way to boost the media sector so that these stories can be shared. We have been part of this conference for the past fifteen years and our continued support is based on our commitment to the development and advancement of journalism on the continent,”  General Manager for Corporate Communication and Stakeholder Management, MTN Group, Xolisa Vapi, said.

    As part of its support of Highway Africa 2016, MTN pledged to sponsor journalists from media houses in seven of its markets to attend the conference.

    “We are humbled and grateful that MTN is once again partnering with us on this journey of development for African journalism. We have seen many changes and immense growth of the conference over the years. However, it is thanks to the support of our partners, that Highway Africa has been so successful and remains relevant to our media stakeholders across the continent,” says Chris Kabwato, Director, Highway Africa.

    Using keynote addresses, plenary sessions, panel discussions, workshops, book launches and networking dinners, Highway Africa 2016 will be at one level a celebration of 20 years of the existence of Africa’s premier journalistic assembly, and at another level an occasion for reflection on internet and society.

  • Lawyer sues MTN over line disconnection

    A lawyer, Mr. Bennett Igbani, has sued MTN Nigeria Communications Limited at the Federal High Court in Lagos for N200milion for allegedly compromising his mobile line.

    The plaintiff, based in the United Kingdom, said he had been using his SIM card with the number 08067251116 for over eight years, adding that he duly registered it.

    Igbani, a PhD student, said he roamed his line while abroad, but it became inoperative, adding that he noticed that his e-mail account had been hacked into by a third party using his MTN number.

    The lawyer said his bank also informed him that a lady named Nora who claimed to be his younger sister called with the line asking to withdraw N5million from Igbani’s account because he needed urgent medical attention overseas.

    The plaintiff said he had no sister named Nora, nor was he sick, adding that the line was linked to all his six bank accounts.

    Igbani said he petitioned the police following the attempted fraud on his account, and contacted MTN.

    The plaintiff said MTN informed him that the line had been reclaimed by another user, but did not disclose his particulars.

    Filing the suit through his lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo, Igbani said he was kept incommunicado for over five months, lost business opportunities, suffered psychological stress, financial loss, and infringement on his privacy.

    Among others, he is praying for an order mandating MTN to return his number to him and restrain the telecoms company from further tampering with his line.

    The case will be heard on September 23.