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Telecom

Open Letter to MTN: Fix Visafone SMS Issue Now

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MTN has today become a huge organisation in all ramifications even though their recent problem with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has certainly slowed down this giant in many ways than one.

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek recently reported that Africa’s biggest mobile phone operator MTN Group flagged lower first-half profit on Tuesday, blaming a hefty fine in Nigeria and sending its shares sliding nearly 4 percent.

Quite frankly, I am one of those Nigerians that have never really used an MTN line, yes I recall buying one or two of their sim cards but just felt that I am better off pitching my tent with other players. One of such players is Visafone, I remember some people asking me what in the world was I doing on a CDMA network?

First, it started as a rumour that MTN was about to take over Visafone, not necessary because it loves the rather off-the-radar Jim Ovia, who founded the CDMA company about a decade ago to compete in the then emerging market where CDMA led by Starcomms and Multilinks were giving GSM operators a run for their money.

At the end of the day, the GSM providers won the battle and the chapter of CDMA ended for good in Nigeria but only Visafone stood in their largely because of the influence of its founder.

Personally, I have used Visafone for close to a decade and I enjoyed it for real, particularly its data services. At a point, when most of the GSM companies were struggling to provide stable data services, Visafone was already doing pretty well in that regards, so, I not only had a Visafone line as my primary number on a blackberry phone that had ‘unlimited’ BlackBerry data subscription, I also had a visafone modem that I used for data services.

Long and short is that Visafone was a decent company that was providing good quality voice and data services. That I can attest to!

Of course, MTN made a smart choice of acquiring Visafone because, with it lies the very juicy 800 MHz spectrum that would help it enter the Long Term Evolution (LTE) space and they are very much on their way to making this happen. Report has it that, but for the fine imposed on them, they would have started some sort of testing of their LTE services which indeed may have started albeit quietly.

The very first move MTN made to ‘appease’ subscribers who took the pain to walk into their shops to swap their old visafone lines and register their new Sim was airtime reward.

In my case, I got 30,000 Naira airtime and a few days after that, I got another 30,000 Naira ‘bonus’ which made me very pleased with MTN, but little did I know that it was nothing but a greek gift. This is because it disappeared after a few days! I wonder how MTN expected me to have used up 30,000 Naira airtime within 5 days?

Be that as it may, this whole “MTN buying over Visafone” issue has brought me more personal pain than joy.

It has been a horrible experience because I have been unable to receive SMS from other networks since I moved to MTN from Visafone. All SMS coming from Airtel, Etisalat, Globacom and International networks never arrive except those of MTN.

This has not just brought me pain; it has also brought me untold losses. Those who know me know that prior to the acquisition of Visafone, I did send an average of 20 to 30 text messages per day and of course received tons of responses. I believe that the open rate of SMS in Nigeria today is far higher than other mobile messaging solutions out there, which is why is remains very strategic for me.

Unfortunately, MTN has terminated that love for my visafone SMS because communication is a two-way activity. Of what use is it, sending a text message when I am dead sure the response will never arrive?

Below is a well-crafted response to one of my numerous emails that I have been sending to MTN customer service in almost 3 months:

“Sir, I will like to inform you that the issue reported is being investigated. Preliminary findings show that there is a connectivity issue affecting most Visafone lines migrated to MTN. We are currently engaging all stake holders (Other Network providers) towards achieving final resolution of this concern. I solicit your patience on this while we resolve the issue.”

In as much as I want to be patient, my personal and business communication is suffering and I still cannot receive SMS from other networks. So, as far as I am concerned, it is totally unacceptable that MTN did not engage with “stakeholders” before moving us to the GSM platform. I have made an attempt to port the line and other networks say that isn’t possible. So what am I supposed to do now?

I write because I am at a crossroads as to what to do. Should I let go a number that I have used for over a decade since I cannot port the number to another network? Should I make an official complain to NCC and CPC or better still, take legal action? For how long will customers suffer from the actions and inactions of service providers?

MTN fix this issue now or let me go elsewhere with my number!

 


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

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Telecom

4 Dead, 20 Others Injured as Fire Engulfs Cairo Data Centre

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Four people have been killed, with over 20 injured after a fire at Cairo data centre disrupted telecom services nationwide.

4 Dead, 20 Others Injured as Fire Engulfs Cairo Data Centre

A fire at a major Telecom Egypt facility in Cairo on Monday has left four workers dead and at least 22 others injured, plunging parts of the capital into a communications crisis.

According to Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, spokesperson for Egypt’s Health Ministry, most injuries were due to smoke inhalation.

The blaze, which broke out at a key data centre operated by Telecom Egypt, the country’s primary fixed-line and internet provider, was brought under control later that day.

However, it caused widespread disruptions, halting phone services, affecting internet connectivity, and even interfering with digital banking operations.

Internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported that national connectivity dropped to just 62% of normal levels following the incident.

Residents across Cairo struggled with poor network access, and banks—although already closed for the day—reported interruptions in ATM services and online transactions.

In a statement on Tuesday, Telecom Egypt mourned the loss of its employees and pledged support to their families.

Amr Talaat, Egypt’s minister of Communications and Information Technology,  assured the public that service restoration was underway and expected to be completed within 24 hours.

To address the disruption, the Health Ministry released alternative emergency contact numbers across Egypt’s governorates, in case its primary ambulance hotline remained unreachable.

The state-run MENA news agency reported that the fire was prevented from engulfing the entire building and nearby rooftops, thanks to the efforts of emergency responders.

A preliminary investigation suggests the fire was likely triggered by an electrical short circuit, according to a security source cited by MENA.

As the nation works to restore full connectivity, the incident has raised fresh concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and the need for enhanced fire safety protocols in sensitive tech facilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Globalcom Thrills Subscribers with 3 New Digital Products

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Tech faints, Globalcom, on Tuesday unveiled three exciting digital products aimed at rewarding customers. The products, Animation World Promo, Treasure Spin and Sport Brain, also provide subscribers with the opportunity to play and win instant prizes.

Globalcom in a statement in Lagos said that the company is dedicated to providing value-added service to its ever-growing customers.

The first digital product, which is Animation World Promo, is an innovative trivia-based service aimed at challenging customers culinary knowledge of Nigerian food. With it, subscribers engage in answering food related questions, earn points and win delicious prizes.

For Treasure Spin, customers are availed the digital treasure spin experience. With each spin Glo subscribers stand a chance to win instant prizes, making every participation exciting and rewarding.

In addition, Globalcom captures the heart of football lovers with Sport Brain. Subscribers are allowed to predict football scores in matches across top leagues all around the world. Customers get to select their preferred leagues. “It’s a fun and competitive way for football lovers to test their instincts and knowledge,” the company noted.

Customers who subscribe to any of the three services stand a chance to win fantastic daily, weekly, and monthly prizes. Every day, 20 participants will receive ₦1,000 cash, ₦1,000 airtime, and 3.5GB data. On a weekly basis, five lucky winners will walk away with ₦100,000 each, while one grand prize winner will receive ₦1 million every month.

To participate, customers are required to dial *13055*2# for Animation World Promo,*13199*3# for Treasure Spin and  *13199*2# for Sport Brain. Each plan can be activated either as a one-time purchase or Auto Renewal.

Globacom further explained that all products are available at an affordable subscription rate of ₦100 for a daily plan, ₦300 for weekly plan and ₦500 for monthly plan.

In concluding, the company disclosed that the services are available to all Glo prepaid and postpaid subscribers nationwide.

 


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SiBAN Applauds Interstellar’s Groundbreaking Role in Africa’s Blockchain Future

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The Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SiBAN) has lauded Interstellar, one of its prominent members, for spearheading a major breakthrough in Africa’s financial technology space.

This follows Interstellar’s strategic partnership with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) to roll out the PAPSS African Currency Marketplace (PACM), a blockchain-based platform designed to address the continent’s long-standing currency inconvertibility challenge.

The initiative is already being hailed as a game-changer capable of eliminating the $5 billion annual trade friction currently plaguing intra-African commerce.

According to SiBAN President, Mr Obinna Iwuno, the development affirms Nigeria’s leadership in blockchain innovation, stating that Interstellar’s PACM is not only a technological feat but also a timely response to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) mandate of seamless and cost-effective regional trade.

PACM operates on STARGATE, a blockchain-agnostic system developed by Interstellar, and leverages the Bantu blockchain network to facilitate real-time, peer-to-peer exchanges of African currencies.

The solution ensures financial inclusion by allowing businesses, SMEs, and informal traders to transact in local currencies without relying on foreign intermediaries, all while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Mr Ernest Mbenkum, CEO of Interstellar, described the solution as Africa’s roadmap to financial sovereignty. “Blockchain is not just innovation; it is empowerment,” he said.

SiBAN reaffirmed its commitment to supporting policies and partnerships that promote secure, transparent, and inclusive digital economies.

The association further called on stakeholders in government and the private sector to prioritise blockchain adoption as a driver of national development.


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