Akwa Ibom State government has begun discussion with 3iMobile aimed at transforming the state to be the technology state to watch in 2010. The ongoing talks will lead to Akwa Ibom being the first state in Nigeria where citizens can make free unlimited cellular telephone calls.
3iMobile is negotiating to deploy the first 4Gcapable cellular network that will be available free in two stages. In stage one due in mid 2010, all State civil servants will be able to make free calls between themselves in the State and extremely inexpensive calls within Nigeria to other networks. Due to network architecture and interconnect tariff rates, international calls will be as low as two naira per minute to most European, Asian and North American countries and slightly higher to other regions. In the second phase due early 2011, 3i Mobile will roll out its 4G network across the state with a basket of free minutes to the citizens with extra minutes at a small premium. Asked why 3i Mobile is not making its network 100% free, the company said that this would prevent abuse of its network.
3iMobile has already demonstrated a live system to the Nigerian army for use in times of conflict, enabling it to shut down existing networks and operate a secure network. The system is in use by the London Metropolitan police and was recently used during the last London terrorist bombing. The system has also been demonstrated at the University of Lagos to enable students call each other without incurring cellular charges.
3i Mobile’s network is completely green technology, the base stations to be deployed by Koyanda Company utilizes solar and wind power thereby eliminating the expensive cost of diesel which drives up the cost of service. 3i Mobile’s network is called a disruptive technology because it challenges incumbents with the capability of transforming the entire mobile cellular business.
