Telecom

Counterfeiters Now Control 10% Phone Market Share in Nigeria

Published

6 months ago

April 18, 2017

Fake phone manufacturers and importers seem to be having upper hand in the current battle with such products’ regulators in Nigeria, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek can report.

According to an impeccable source in the phone manufacturing business, counterfeiters might have taken over more than ten per cent (10%) of the market share, and glaringly displaying the products at different areas like Computer Village- Ikeja and other hinterlands.

“It is affecting a whole lot of things in this market. We hear of people complain about Poor Quality of Network Service (QoS), the activities of these phone fakers contribute a lot to that. So, users of such phones are losers, government is losing revenue, we are losing the market too as original equipment manufacturers and spells doom for the market.

“These guys used to occupy about five per cent of the market, but I can authoritatively tell you that they have gone beyond ten per cent of the market share,” the source who prefers anonymity told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek.

ATCON Had Alerted Constituted Authorities
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek had in October 1, 2016 exclusively reported the discovery by the Association of Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ATCON), which called for urgent measures to curb the increasing rate of dumping fake mobile phones in the country.

Mr. Olusola Teniola, ATCON said that that investigations revealed more than twenty (20) mobile phone brands in the country are not NCC type-approved and contribute significantly to the persistent poor quality of service‎ (QoS).

Although, names of the phone brands are yet to be made public, however, Teniola said that the unregistered/unapproved brands have over one hundred and fifty (150) mobile phone models circulating in Nigeria.

He said that the Association believes more stringent measures should be taken to curb the counterfeiting of mobile phones in the country.

Meanwhile, fresh facts emerged recently, showing that the fakers copy 100% of top phone brands in the market, selling same to end-users as the original.

Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Arrest Alleged Fakers
It could be recalled that in January 2017, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), working with other law enforcement agencies arrested two Chinese nationals over increasing complaints about fake and substandard phones imported into Nigeria.

The Chinese, according to Osita Aboloma, director general of SON, imported fake and substandard mobile phones into the country.

Aboloma, who was represented by Bede Obayi, director Compliance of SON, during a recent enforcement exercise in Lagos by SON, said the Agency has continued to receive numerous complaints about KZG phones from unsuspecting consumers in the country.

Aboloma said “We have information on the activities of these Chinese people who are operating this KZG mobile here in Ikeja Lagos that people are complaining about the quality of their products and SON has to ensure that the quality of products sold in Nigeria is in compliance with the Nigeria industrial standards.

“Their attitude show that they know what they are doing here and they are not ready to talk, they are not ready to give us information about what they are doing here and their major warehouses. Based on the information we have gathered and what we found on ground in the office and the documentation of importation indicates that he is one of the leading suppliers of sub-standard phones in Nigeria,” Obayi said.‎

Fakers Attack Original OEMs
But, our Source at Computer Village, Ikeja, revealed how SON’s clamp down on fakers attracted their (fakers’) wraths on original OEMs. “In fact, when SON concluded the raid here in Computer Village, the fake phone manufacturers were furious and went ahead to invade shops and offices of some the original OEMs whom they believed were the whistleblowers. Staff of the original OEMs were quite traumatized by the incident.

Speaking to Nigeria CommunicationsWeek on the worrying situation, Mr. Teniola said, “We plead with ‎Government to put in place anti-counterfeiting measures such as the facilitation of integrated Web portal based IMEI-IMSI collection to stem the menace of substandard or unregistered mobile phones circulating in Nigeria with obvious consequences of poor quality of service, loss of revenue to the government, loss of business by OEMs‎ and loss of jobs as well as in revenue to the Nigeria mobile market.

“For instance, we have more than twenty mobile phone brands that do not have NCC type approved certificate to operate in Nigeria. This unregistered/unapproved brands have over one hundred and fifty mobile phone models circulating in Nigeria”.

He added that the Association observed 10% of fake mobile phones products of some of the popular mobile phone brands circulating in Nigeria.

According to Mr. Austin Eze, a phone technician, “an average phone user in the market requires education to distinguish original from fake phones. “Yes. For the fact there are fake phones in the market implies there are originals too. What the manufacturers should be focusing on is educating the customers”.

CAPDAN Confirms The Situation
Mr Ahmed Ojikutu, president of Computer and Allied Product Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN) while reacting to the situation told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek confirmed that the activities of the fakers are threats to OEMs.

Mr Ojikutu, however, said that his administration is completely against the illegalities, while pleading with relevant authorities to partner them in tackling the unsavory situation.

He said that, as part of CAPDAN’s commitment to tacking fake and substandard devices, they are launching a toll-free line that will be available to those patronizing the market.

The CAPDAN President spoke to Nigeria CommunicationsWeek, “Our administration is absolutely 150% against substandard and counterfeit products. We are trying to make sure that anybody that has complaint relating to buying counterfeit product or not exactly what you paid for, we will make sure that such is addressed at our own level. We will make sure the seller in questions provides what the buyer paid for at the point of the transaction. Be that at it may, if the complaint didn’t get to us, we wouldn’t know how to resolve the issue. In a case where the seller refuses to yield to our calls, we hand him over to the police; that is what we have been doing.

“We are also going to launch a campaign with a free-toll line. We are going to display it anywhere for people to call-in and lodge complaints. As they call in possibly during the working hours, we give them reference number to follow up on them. This is for every buyer at Computer Village (CV) to be assured of buying genuine products.

“Already, we have set up an arbitration and disciplinary committee that headed by reputable people in the market. Most of the time, we refer issues to the Committee”.

Involvement of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)
He further sought more commitment of OEMs in the fight against the unwholesome products in the market. Mr. Ojikutu said, “The Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are supposed to work closely with us, because most times, we are the people on ground. Though we are not law enforcement, but the owners, the direct beneficiaries of these interventions, ought to work closer with us. With the joint efforts, the people counterfeiting their products will be apprehended and handed over to the police; that is the way forward, because when the counterfeiters are caught who is going to pay the legal charges? If they really sit with us we will get results”.

Telecom

Kirusa’s InstaVoice Services Surpasses 100Bn Calls

Published

11 hours ago

October 17, 2017

Comms Week

Kirusa Inc., a global leader in communication solutions over data networks for consumers and enterprises, has announced that its InstaVoice® service has reached the remarkable landmark of 100 billion calls handled via its call completion service platform.

InstaVoice, based on Kirusa’s patented technology, is a service that integrates Missed Calls, Voicemail & Voice SMS as a combined call completion suite, enabling a unique telecommunication experience.

Multi-faceted, InstaVoice’s integration with carrier networks reduce call terminations, while ensuring mobile users stay connected always, never missing a call.
This includes when the mobile user is out of coverage area, busy, not answering or when the mobile is switched off.

Working vis-à-vis the InstaVoice service, the InstaVoice App enhances the call completion experience for smartphone users. From the app, users can receive, listen, manage, and respond to their missed calls and voicemails via text, voice, & pictures, all in a unique chat-like user interface. Meanwhile, feature phone users can manage their missed calls and voicemails via SMS.

Commenting on the landmark achievement, Inderpal Singh Mumick, Founder and CEO at Kirusa, said: “With InstaVoice, our aim was to re-think call completion. We are excited that we have been able to do this, providing a valuable service to mobile phone users globally, especially in emerging markets. This milestone is only made possible via our strong partnerships with telecom operators and all InstaVoice users who have continued to see value in our service.”

InstaVoice has a global prescence in 44 countries, deployed with 50 Telecom Operators, reaching 2 billion population.

Commemorating Kirusa’s achievement, Jean-Michel Garrouteigt, CEO, Orange, Democratic Republic of Congo, said, “We are proud to be part of this incredible achievement with Kirusa. InstaVoice is one of the top revenue-generating telecom services in Africa and it continues to gain traction amongst our subscriber base. We congratulate Kirusa on achieving this milestone.”

Celebrating Kirusa’s achievement, Ahmad Mokhles, Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel, Nigeria, said, “Airtel congratulates Kirusa for surpassing the 100 billion calls milestone. Indeed, we are proud to be associated with Kirusa and wish them all the best for their continuing success.

Alec Barton, Founder of Developing Telecoms, said, “This is a remarkable landmark for a brand, which has been relentless in its pursuit of transforming telecom experiences in emerging markets. This shows the experience and expertise of Kirusa in call completion services for mobile networks.”

The 100 Billion mark was captured on Kirusa’s internal analytics platform, a tracking system that traces the total number of calls that comes into the Kirusa platform.

Telecom

Ericsson Group Reaffirms Interest in Nigeria’s Telecom Market

Published

11 hours ago

October 17, 2017

Chike Onwuegbuchi

Mr. Shitlesi Makkhofane, the Head, Government and Industry Relations of Ericsson Group has expressed interest in the deployment of broadband to un-served and underserved areas in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) made this known on Monday in Abuja.

Makkhofane was quoted as saying this when he visited NCC along with Mr Peter Olusoji of Ericsson Nigeria and were received by Mr Sunday Dare, the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management on behalf of the management of NCC.

He said that Ericsson had studied the Nigerian telecom market and had speculated that the vast potential of the market was yet to be fully harnessed.

He said that Ericsson had expressed interest in the deployment of broadband to un-served and underserved areas in Nigeria.

According to him, the company will also deploy the latest innovative technology in the sector.

He said to this end, it was paying emphasis on the tripod of availability, accessibility and affordability of broadband – the leading item of NCC management’s Eight-Point Agenda.

Makkhofane said that the team would seek clarifications on licensing requirements for businesses it would engage in.

“Including types of approval procedure for certain equipment because of our interest in exploring the realities of the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G networks as well as huge data management.

“It is also to provide cyber security solutions to enable network trace ability to check the use of cloned devices that pose threat to security.

“However, the Ericsson team expressed concern on dearth of FOREX and its implications for the development of telecommunications infrastructure and market.

In his response, Dare expressed NCC management’s appreciation for the team’s visit as well as its knowledge and interest in the Nigerian telecom ecosystem.

He also expressed delight on the issues raised by the Ericsson team and assured that the NCC would continue to do the right thing to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for the development and growth of the telecom industry in Nigeria.

Dare promised to convey the interests and concerns of the team to Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of NCC for management’s consideration and necessary action.

Telecom

Farmer to Die by Hanging for Stealing Nokia Handset, Others

Published

1 day ago

October 16, 2017

Comms Week

A Delta State High Court sitting at Ozoro has sentenced a 38- year old farmer, Francis Williams to death by hanging for robbing his victims of a Nokia handset valued at N5,000 and a cash sum of N170.

The Court, presided over by Honourable Justice A.O. Akpovi, on Wednesday sentenced the 38- year old farmer to death having found him guilty of the charge of armed robbery punishable under section (1(2)(a) of the robbery and firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap RII Volume 14 Laws of the Federation , 2004.

The Court also found the accused guilty on the charge of wounding with intent which got him a life sentence and illegal possession of firearms with a sentence of 10 years imprisonment respectively.

An Assistant Director in the Ministry of Justice T.R. Anuhwin Esq. through prosecution witnesses had told the court that on the 4th day of June, 2014 at a Palm Kernel Farm located at Ewu in Ughelli South Local Government, the accused robbed one Hon. Noah Ovie and his assistant of a Nokia handset valued at five thousand naira and a cash sum of one hundred and seventy naira (N170.00) while armed with a cut to size locally made gun.

Prosecution witnesses further told the Court that nemesis however caught up with the armed robber who was on a solo mission when he was in the process of trying to rob them of other valuables as the two victims summoned courage and overpowered their assailant. In his desperation to escape after being apprehended, he bit off one of the fingers of the former Councillor, Noah Ovie but his escape bid was foiled by passerby who rushed to the scene and held him down and later handed him over to the Police.

The accused who made a voluntary confessional statement to the police admitted to have committed the offense but retracted same during trial, called no witness but testified for himself while the prosecution called four witnesses in proof of its case.