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Tag: MTN

  • MTN gets ultimatum to pay $5.2b fine

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has given MTN Group two weeks to pay a $5.2 billion fine imposed on the mobile phone company for failure to cut off users with unregistered SIM cards.

    NCC spokesman, Tony Ojobo, told Reuters that MTN had until November 16 to make the payment, but the two sides were in talks to resolve the matter.

    “The outcome of the discussion may affect the date. That’s why they are having the discussion so that they can reach a solution,” Ojobo said.

    The Presidency and internal security agency were also involved in the talks, a regulatory source told Reuters.

    The NCC imposed the penalty on Monday, hitting Africa’s biggest mobile phone operator’s stock price.

    Nigeria is MTN’s biggest market by subscribers.

    Some analysts have said the size of the fine risked damaging Nigeria’s efforts to shake off an image as a risky frontier market for international investors.

    MTN had said on Monday the NCC imposed the fine for failing to disconnect subscribers with unregistered or incomplete SIM cards, under a directive given to all network operators which the regulator said only MTN had failed to comply with.

  • SIM reg infraction: NCC fines MTN N1.04tr

    SIM reg infraction: NCC fines MTN N1.04tr

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has fined MTN Nigeria N1.04 trillion for alleged breach of subscriber identity module (SIM) registration rules. MTN allegedly pre-registered SIM cards in its systems which made it impossible to verify the personal details of subscribers, thereby compromising national security.

    NCC Director, Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo, said MTN was discovered to be harbouring about 5.2million defective SIM cards on its network which it failed to deactivate.

    President, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Lanre Ajayi, described the fine as “inappropriate”, noting that a fine should measure up to the offence.

    Last month, NCC sanctioned the four leading telecom operators including MTN for having pre-registered SIM cards in their systems. Others are Airtel Nigeria, Globacom Nigeria and Etisalat Nigeria which along with MTN were asked to pay N120.4 million for failing to fully comply with the commission’s directive to deactivate pre-registered and defective customer SIM cards.

    While MTN, which controls over 62 million subscribers, was asked to pay N102.2 million then; Globacom was slammed with N7.4 million; Etisalat N7 million and Airtel N3.8 million. NCC insists that the practice of using biometrics for SIM card verification not only works as a proof of ownership credential, but it also creates a sense of accountability among SIM card owners to not use their mobile phones in any kind of criminal activities.

    Justifying the imposition of the first fine, `Ojobo had said since 2012, the telcos had been directed to correct the anomalies discovered on the biometric data of the SIM cards purportedly registered by the telcos and shipped to the regulator for safe-keeping but they had continued to vacillate.

    He said the insistence that all improperly registered SIM cards be deactivated was informed by the security situation in the country, adding that all the security agencies in the country were carried along in the decision to deactivate all defectively registered SIM cards.

    MTN: We ‘re engaging NCC

    MTN Nigeria last night spoke on the fine, promising to resolve the matter with NCC.

    In an electronic mail titled:

    MTN Engages NCC over SIM registration Sanctions, the telco yesterday wrote: “Leading ICT Company in Nigeria, MTNconfirmed that the NCC has imposed a N1.4 trillion fine ($5.2billion) on MTN Nigeria.

    “This fine relates to the timing of the disconnection of the 5.1million MTN subscribers that were disconnected in August and September 2015 and is based on a N200,000 fine for each improperly registered subscriber.

    “MTN Nigeria is currently engaging with the NCC to resolve the matter.”

  • Abuja Motor Fair partners MTN

    Abuja Motor Fair partners MTN

    Organisers of the Abuja International Motor Fair, BKG Exhibitions Limited, has announced a deal with telecommunication gaint, MTN Nigeria Limited on the forthcoming 17th Abuja International Motor Fair.

    At a meeting between MTN Nigeria and BKG Exhibitions Limited, the Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions Limited, Mr Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, said the partnership was to enhance the development of the automotive sector.

    He urged stakeholders to harness the potential of the growing and viable automotive sector.

    “The Abuja International Motor Fair is the highest strategic business platform where the largest variety of automotive products and services are showcased in Sub-Saharan Africa. Holding the record of being the most consistent and fastest growing auto show in Nigeria, the fair has consistently provided high level business opportunities for participants by positioning them to adequately benefit from the numerous opportunities and potentials of trade and business expectations that abound in Africa’s largest economy,” he said.

    MTN General Manager Consumer Marketing and Strategy Division Mr Richard Iweanoge, said the company is committed to the progress of the automotive sectors.

    He decried the bad state of the roads, describing them as deplorable.

    “The road transport is so overburdened due to the comatose status of the rail system and the costly nature of the air transport system, which is beyond many Nigerians,” he said.

    Iweanoge promised MTN freebies for the visitors at the fair.

    The fair, the 17th edition, is scheduled to hold between October 27 and November 4 at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

  • MTN Foundation holds 10th anniversary dinner

    MTN Foundation holds 10th anniversary dinner

    MTN Foundation (MTNF), on Tuesday, September 15, treated guests to an evening of music, stage performance, fun, laughter and celebration as it celebrated its 10th year anniversary.

    The event, themed A Decade of Impact… New Hopes, Possibilities, held at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko, Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    On ground to spice up the activities were some MUSON Music Scholars, beneficiaries of MTNF Programme, who opened the stage by entertaining the audience with a brilliant performance. The plays ended when a parent invited his family and friends to rejoice with him after one of his children told him that MTNF has awarded her a scholarship to study in a tertiary institution.

    Vintage Band also thrilled the audience with good music, followed by MTN project Fame Season Winner 7, Geoffrey Oji, who electrified the audience that was wowed at his performance.

    In his welcome address, the Chairman, MTNF, Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi (OFR), began saying that September 15, is a special date in the world as it is also a date MTNF is going into a new decade of making impact in people’s lives.

    MTNF, he said, is now going into a new decade that will make it unparalleled. He thanked MTNF stakeholders for their immense support.

    In his goodwill message, the Chairman, MTN Nigeria (MTNN), Dr. Pascal Dozie (CON), said that in the past 10 years, what MTNF has achieved is overwhelming.

    “Those of you who are interested in statistics, if you try and look at the contribution of this organisation to the growth of domestic product of this country, I am sure you will see that the company, just one company is making a contribution of about 4 to 5 percent to the growth of domestic product of this country,” he said.

    A 155-page voluminous MTNF Commemorative View Book titled The Y’ellow Impact, was launched. Also unveiled was a 20-minute documentary video also titled The Y’ellow Impact, was beamed to guests.

  • MTN offers free incoming calls

    MTN offers free incoming calls

    MTN has announced free incoming calls and SMS while roaming in 15 countries across the world.

    The countries are: United Kingdom, United States, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Netherlands and Belgium.

    Others are: Malaysia, South Africa, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kenya and Ghana.

    Announcing the offer, the General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, Richard Iweanoge, said the offer is an affirmation of MTN’s leadership in innovative provisions that aptly satisfy the need of its subscribers anywhere across the globe.

    ‘’This new offer which allows for free incoming calls, is a solution introduced to address issues of high cost of receiving calls whenever our esteemed subscribers travel out of the country. Driven by world class technology, this package will afford our subscribers an opportunity to constantly communicate with friends, families and business associates whenever they are on international trips, ‘’ he said.

    [ad id=”403656″]According to him, this service requires no registration as the customers’ MTN SIM connects when they switch on their phones at any selected destinations, if they have phones and gadgets that allow roaming.

    To benefit from the offering, he said MTN customers were expected to recharge with a minimum of N2000 (cumulatively or as a single recharge) within the same month of travel or spend N2000 or more the previous month before travelling. Post-paid customers, who have a credit limit of N2, 000 and above, will automatically enjoy the offer.

    While the new package will afford subscribers on the MTN network an opportunity to enjoy free incoming calls and SMS in 15 selected countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, subscribers will also be able to make calls for as low as N60 per minute whenever they are in these selected countries.

    Over the years, MTN has being at the forefront of seeking innovative ways of meeting its subscribers’ needs to enable them stay connected to their friends

  • MTN Foundation marks decade of social giving

    MTN Foundation marks decade of social giving

    TEN years in the life of any organisation is a milestone indeed. For MTN Foundation, looking back 10 years after, the journey has really been eventful.

    As such when the Foundation brought out its drums and cymbals to celebrate its modest success thus far, friends and well-wishers from far and near fanned out en masse to witness the epoch event.

    As would be expected, the Agip Recital Hall of the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos was filled to overflowing during the eighth graduation ceremony of the MTN Foundation-MUSON Music Scholars Programme.

    For the scholars and beneficiaries of the two-year MTN Foundation (MTNF) music scholarship programme, they naturally displayed their mastery in music, as a testament to how far the Foundation has kept faith with them.

    Dennis Okoro, a Director in MTN Foundation while commending the graduands for living up to the values of the Foundation, noted that their diligence, dedication and determination made them successful in the programme. So far, the MTN Foundation has invested over N200 million in the MTNF-MUSON Music Scholars Programme, he said.

    Besides, in the last nine years, the programme has produced 212 music scholars who have received exposure in the creating of world class music. Only recently, some of the awardees, who are sought after locally and internationally, got the opportunity to compete with the rest of the world in Europe bringing home laurels.

    Among the talents that have passed through the school is Ayo Ajayi, who is the Music Director for ‘Saro: The Musical’, a stage production that has taken Lagos by storm in recent time. A good number of the band members in that production are made up of the programmes alumni.

    Echoing similar sentiments, General Manager of MUSON Centre, Gboyega Banjo, said in an interview that one of the main ambitions of the centre from the start was to give training in music for the grade examinations.

    “But by 2005, we thought we should be able to do more and we started the programme to award diplomas in music. I was a member of the delegation that approached MTN Foundation then to talk generally about what we were trying to do. It resulted in their decision to partner us by awarding scholarships to all students who are enrolled,” he recalled.

    Now, the Foundation, which he said is interested in providing sponsorship to more students of the school, sponsors a maximum of 30 students per set. The programme which is structured to run two sets currently in a year can produce maximum of 60 students in a one year.

    It is interesting to know that the programme is just a minute aspect of the Foundation’s contract with Nigerians to better their lives. No matter where beneficiaries come from or their status in life, MTNF will give them hope, the gift of life and that of empowerment of a better future.

    It could be a group of children with hearing disabilities who have the need to communicate in sign language at the Demonstration School for the Deaf; it could be the distribution of treated mosquito net for people in the Foundations Partners Against Malaria and AIDS in the Community (PAMAC) project in Kogi State; or the smiling faces of the MTNF Rural Telephony recipients across Nigeria. That is not forgetting others that have benefitted from the MTNF Science and Technology Scholarship and its Universities Connect project. More people will stand up to be counted in the Foundation’s Disability Support project, the Sickle Cell project, the Haemodialysis Centres, amongst other medical intervention projects.

    Amidst several attestations to MTN Foundation’s philanthropy, Mr. and Mrs. Olympas Adeniran from Oyo State will forever be grateful to the Foundation for revamping their lives which hitherto seem to be heading to no course at some point. On the completion of his B.Sc programme, Mr. Adeniran found life so difficult because he could not be gainfully employed. But on coming in contact with the Foundation as one of the MTNF Rural Telephony recipient, his story has changed.

    While the Adeniran family count their gains, Master Great Nkor and his parents will never forget the relief they got through the intervention of the Foundation in resolving complicated case of surgery caused by a sever burnt to Great.

    At one year and three months, Great was severely burned in a domestic fire accident. After undergoing 11 operations with the help of the general public, the ordeal was never over until the family came in contact with the MTN Foundation.

    “The journey with MTNF began when a lady I did not know suggested I write to the Foundation. I wrote the letter and I took it there my self…then we heard from MTNF that the Management had approved that some funds be released for Great’s treatment. MTNF got the doctor, the hospital and did everything,” Mrs Nkor recounted.

    Nonny Ugboma, Executive Secretary, MTNF said that in setting the Foundation up, “MTN conducted an in-depth research to find out the primary needs of Nigerians and how best it can give back, it is there for all to see. From the research conducted by Phillips Consulting, we were able to identify three basic areas: education, health and economic empowerment. With this foresight, we invited key stakeholders from the education, health, and poverty alleviation agencies, to brainstorm and develop a framework for the activities of the MTN Foundation. That meeting was very instrumental in setting the tone for the Foundation.”

    Ugboma explained that the philosophy of the telecommunications company is that people are very important to it, since, without the people the company would not be in business. Over N11 billion spent on the company’s CSR interventions and still counting, that sentiment has not changed. That is no doubt why the total number of the Foundations projects now stands at 21 with 344 project sites in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). What is more, the Foundation has learned well on the job owing to the challenges encountered early on.

    Despite the challenges experienced, Ugboma said, the Foundation has implemented numerous value-adding projects that have earned MTNN commendation from many quarters.

  • MTN chief pushes for naira devaluation

    To attract the requisite foreign direct investment (FDI) for the implementation of the National Broadband Plan of the Federal Government, the Federal Government will need to further tinker with the value of the naira.

    MTN Senior Manager, Transmission Access Planning, Mr Olusegun Salami, who spoke at the weekend, said broadband penetration required huge FDI, which must be deployed in bridging the country’s digital divide.

    He said the issue with broadband penetration is how to make it available for everyone.

    Salami, who spoke during the quarterly seminar of the Nigeria Information Communications Technology Reporters Association (NITRA), with the theme Foreign Direct Investment-An impetus to achieving ubiquitous broadband penetration, said there was a huge funding gap to be filled. Only naira devaluation could do the magic, he said.

    He said in the next two years, there had to be significant investment in long-term evolution (LTE) or 4G to achieve up the target. ‘’The kind of phones that we need is those that are 3g and also LTE so that we can achieve the national broadband plan, he added.

    He said:  “We note that further devaluation of the naira will attract FDI. We commend the anti-corruption campaign of the Federal Government but need an efficient and effective judicial system for crime fighting.”

    Taking a retrospective look at the industry when it all started, he said: “We started with the 2G network in 2001 and today it is at 90 per cent of the population. In 2007, we introduced 3G and, today, it is at 60 per cent. It is the one that is truly giving us the true broadband experience, but it is still not the right capacity that we want; the one we want is LTE in wireless technology in which we will need spectrum, right regulatory frame work and more investments in the telecoms sector so that we can attain 100 per cent broadband penetration.

    He said: “There are two major ways of accessing broadband; it is either through fibre optics or wireless. The fibre optic is the one that we need physical cable to come to your door for you to have the internet connectivity, but, there is challenge to this because of the issue of right of will.

    “On wireless which is also referred to as mobile broad band, its effectiveness will be dependent on lowering of the price of smart phone which will increase broadband use in smart phone and stop the channel of feature phones, because smart phone will give you the right Internet access.

    “When we achieve low price in smart phone, it is going to turn on that credibility, because if the smart phone and the feature phone cost the same amount, people will buy the smart phone since it gives more enablement. In Nigeria, about 40 per cent of internet access is still being done through feature phones, while 30 per cent on desktop and only less than 30 per cent are on smart phones. We need to drive the feature phones out so that smart-phones will rise and 30 per cent broadband penetration will be a reality in 2018.

    “With the use of the internet, you do not have to consult anybody for common questions.Google will give you answers to your questions. Most people are changing their phones because they want to belong to the social network. With the smartphones you can reach people across the world from your bed, you can use the social media, watch movies, listen to news and do whatever you want to do on your device; these are the things that will drive the usage of the broadband, it will become a life style will put in people the desire of broadband.’’

    He said many people can do more now with their phones than going to cue in the bank or at the post office. “You can access health services, by communicating through your device with your doctor. You can also teach a child,by downloading an app to teach the child any subject. This also apples in agriculture; with one device you can target every area of human endeavour.  As a Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) start up, you do not need to have all; you just need a laptop, and you can keep all your company asset online; you can use the cloud as a storage device,” he added.

     

  • Agent ‘defrauds’ 200 people for MTN job

    Agent ‘defrauds’ 200 people for MTN job

    A 32-year-old agent, Ayomide Adewale, has been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ebute Meta, Lagos on charges of stealing and fraudulent act.

    Adewale was alleged to have conspired with others, now at large, to obtain  N627,000 from 200 people.

    The victims are: Sikiru Ahmed, Daniel Olufunmilayo and Bola Esuola. Others have not been listed.

    Adewale was said to have fraudulently obtained the money with the pretence to secure job from MTN office for them at No 40 and 42 Aborishade Street, Lawanson, Surulere, Lagos.

    Prosecuting Inspector Cousin Adams told the court that the accused committed the offence with others still at large on August 7 at Lawanson,  Surulere, Lagos.

    “Adewale posed as a job agent and lure job seekers to pay to him N627, 000 with the promise to help them to secure jobs at a mobile telecoms company, MTN.

    “He collected money from several people including Sikiru Ahmed, Daniel Oluwafunmilayo and Bola Esuola,” Adams said.

    Adams said the offences contravened Sections 285, 312 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    He pleaded innocence.

    Magistrate H.O. Omisore admitted the defendant to N200,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

    Omisore adjourned till November 9.

  • MTN brings Android One to Nigeria

    MTN brings Android One to Nigeria

    MTN Nigeria in collaboration with Google has launched the Android One programme in Nigeria. Android One is designed to help bring high-quality and affordable devices to all.

    The telecoms giant is offering the Infinix Hot2 Smartphone.

    This is the first time the Android One is coming to Africa, with Nigeria as the first market and MTN the first partner.

    Speaking at the event, MTN’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. Michael Ikpoki said the company was proud of the deal given that many Nigerians are not connected to the internet.

    He said: “MTN has offered a very affordable data plan to enable customers get the best experience on the new Infinix Hot2 Smartphone. The bundle plan is for 1Gigabyte monthly data for just N500 for a 12 months period.”

    “Sixty-eight per cent of Nigerians are still not connected to the internet. The introduction of the Android One programme will enable more people to get connected to the internet. This large data bundle will definitely enhance entrepreneurship and innovation among Nigerians. More so, it is quite interesting that Nigeria will be the first country in Africa to experience this new product and that puts us at an advantage.”

    He continued: “MTN sees this collaboration as an opportunity to actualise our vision of empowering more of our people, whom we are so passionate about. We will continue to roll out data coverage aggressively and we are adequately prepared to meet the demands of our subscribers.”

    Through Google Play, Android One phone users have access to over one million apps that allow them to message friends, make video calls, socialise, check news and weather, and play games. Google apps such as Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, Google Search, and Google Translate come pre-loaded on the phones.

    Vice President, Product Development, Google, Caesar Sengupta, said: “Google is pleased to collaborate with MTN on Android One – a programme designed to help bring high-quality, affordable Android devices to everyone. We’re looking forward to working with MTN to empower people in Nigeria.’’

    Infinix’s Managing Director, Ben Jiang, explained that the project was the company’s way of getting closer to its customers, expressing satisfaction at its successful launch.

     

  • NCC, MTN, Samsung, Galaxy Backbone, others for NITRA’s confab

    The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Samsung Electronics West Africa, MTN Nigeria and other stakeholders in the information communication technology (ICT) industry have expressed willingness to  be part of an industry-wide forum that will tackle important issues in the industry.

    The seminar, a brainchild of the Nigeria Information and Communication Technology Reporters Association (NITRA), holds on Friday at Westown  Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos.

    With Foreign Direct Investment: An Impetus to Achieving Ubiquitous Broadband Penetration as its theme, regulators, industry leaders and other key stakeholders will share their thoughts on the subject matter.

    Sponsored by MTN Nigeria, Samsung Electronic West Africa, and Galaxy Backbone, the forum has also received the backing of the NCC, National Information Technology Development Agency of Nigeria (NITDA), and other industry stakeholders such as Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), ISPON, NCS, as well as other players in the industry.

    As the lead discussant at the forum, MTN Nigeria will examine the imperatives of Federal Direct Investments (FDIs) for further development of the nation’s ICT sector with a particular focus on broadband while Galaxy Backbone will give details of its activities in the area of e-Government strategy, Samsung will speak of innovation in mobile phone devices, as well as capacity building and skills acquisition.

    With an investment profile of over $13 billion (over N2 trillion) in Nigeria, MTN Nigeria is a market leader with over 62 million subscribers on its network, a total market share of 46 per cent as at June this year.

    Panel sessions will feature specific discussions on regulatory activities, operational activities, investment potential, as well as impediments to the ongoing move to attract further investment into the sector, which has been identified as an investment haven for telecom business by Pyramid Research.

    NITRA President, Mr. Emma Okonji, explained that the ‘NITRA Quarterly Seminar Series,’ which started this year, the third quarter edition has been packaged to highlight the imperatives of ICT investment in the country.

    “With over $32 billion local and foreign direct investment (FDI) and $10 billion needed over the next five years to build a robust Next Generation broadband network as the next growth frontier, the forum provides a veritable platform to tackle constraints to ICT investments.

    “So, the theme of the event could have been more apt and timely, as the forum is coming after Nigeria just entered into a new government and, of course a new chief telecoms regulator, that need to have first-hand opportunity to know what the industry feel about investment drive to further grow the industry,” he said.

    “It is our belief that a forum such as this will make us contribute to the development of ICT industry and would create a meeting point for both private and public sector stakeholders and experts to dialogues as well as being a melting point for cross fertilization of their ideas toward contributing to the policy roadmap to furthering universal access to ICT in the country,” he added.