TheNewsGuru

Tag: Airtel

  • Internet users in Nigeria hit 108.5m in Nov. — NCC

    Internet users in Nigeria increased marginally to 108.5 million in
    November, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said.

    The NCC made this known on Friday in its Monthly Internet Subscribers Data for December posted on its website.

    According to the data, Airtel, MTN and Globacom gained more internet subscribers during the month under review, while 9mobile remained on the same figure as in October.

    The data also showed that overall internet users increased to 108,457.051 October from the 107,106,975 in August,
    showing an increase of 1,350,076 new subscribers.

    The breakdown revealed that MTN gained more with 707,023 new internet users in November, increasing its
    subscription to 41,678,804 as against October.

    It said that Airtel gained 438,560 new users, increasing its subscription in November to 28,958,253 compared
    to 28,519,693 in October.

    Globacom gained 204,493 new internet users, increasing its subscription in October to 27,761,281 from 27, 556,788
    recorded in October.

    It further showed that 9mobile recorded 10,058,713 internet users in October, same as in November.

     

  • Active subscribers increase to 169m in Nov. – NCC

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says there are 169,104,830 active subscribers on the telecommunications networks in November, as against 165,239,443 recorded in October 2018.

    The telecommunications regulator made this known in its Monthly Subscriber/Operator Data made available on its website on Friday.

    Active subscribers increased by 3.86 million in November, after the 165 million subscribers recorded in October.

    According to the data, 168,729,005 of the 169,104,830 active numbers subscribed to the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network services.

    The GSM operators active customers increased by 3,865,588 in November, after the 164,865,417 subscribers recorded in October.

    The report stated that out of the GSM operators, MTN had 66,974,992 users in November, showing an increase of 1,323,282 from the 65,651,710 it recorded in October.

    Globacom’s figure increased in November by 1,691,133 with 43,273,188 customers, as against 41,582,055 in October.

    Airtel had 43,119,154 subscribers in the month under review, which showed an increase of 849,173 users, from the 42,269,981 recorded in October.

    9mobile recorded 15,361,691 customers in November, which was same in October 2018.

    The Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operators recorded 124,815 subscribers in the month under review, indicating a decrease of 1,217, from 126,032 users in October.

    Visafone which is one of the two surviving CDMA operators had 120,355 customers, showing a decrease of 1,217 from the 121,572 recorded in October.

    On the other hand, Multi-Links had 4,460 in the month under review, same with the record of October.

    The monthly subscriber/operator data showed that the Fixed Wireless network (landline) consumers remained at 26,865 in November.

    One of the two landline networks, Visafone had 26,437 subscribers, while Multi-Links maintained its record of 428 customers in the month under review.

    The report indicated that the Fixed Wired operators (landline) subscriber base decreased by 166, coming down to 108,831 users in November, as against 108,997 recorded in October.

    In the Fixed Wired arena, MTN Fixed moved from 5,422 users in October to 5,499 users in November, thereby increasing by 77 users.

    Glo Fixed had 2,805 users in November, reducing by 401 customers from the October record of 3,206.

    IpNX network moved from 2,404 subscriber base in October to 2,357 in November, hence, its customers decreased by 47.

    It said that 21st Century Network had 98,170 customers in November, recording an increase of 205 users from its October record of 97,965 subscribers.

    The report also showed that the two Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) networks had 115,314 active users in November, as their customers increased by 3,182, from their October subscriber base of 112,132.

    Of the VOIP networks, Smile Communication had 107,366 customers, giving an increase of 3,106 users to its October result of 104,260.

    Ntel had 7,948 consumers subscribing to its products and services in November, showing an increase of 76 users to the October record of 7,872.

    The regulatory body said that Section 89, Subsection 3(c) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 mandated it to monitor and report the state of the telecommunications industry.

    “The commission is mandated to provide statistical analyses and identify industry trends with regard to: services, tariffs, operators, technology, subscribers, issues of competition and dominance.

    “This is with a view to identifying areas where regulatory intervention will be needed.

    “The commission regularly conducts studies, surveys and produces reports on the telecommunications industry.

    “Therefore, telecommunications operators are obligated, under the terms of their licenses, to provide NCC with such data on a regular basis for analytical review and publishing,” NCC said.

     

  • Telephony services: Airtel topples Glo in new market share stats

    Airtel Nigeria has toppled Globacom to become the second largest telecommunications service provider in Nigeria in terms of the number of active subscribers for telephony services.

    This is contained in Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) industry statistics report published for the month of January analyzed by TheNewsGuru.

    The data showed a marginal difference of 98,561 that an industry expert has said has a lot of significance in the telecoms industry, especially owing to the fact that it is the first time in a period of twenty months Glo would be dislodged from the second spot.

    The statistics showed that while the number of active subscribers on Airtel is now 38,326,579 raking in 26.10% of the GSM market share, the number of subscribers on Glo is 38,228,018 (26.03%) and that of 9mobile is 16,867,579 (11.49%), with MTN retaining top spot with a total of 53,442,969 (36.39%) number of active subscribers.

    NCC subscriber/operator data

    NCC subscriber/operator data1

    TheNewsGuru reports the statistics also revealed that Internet users in the country increase to 100.2 million in January, from 98.4 million in December 2017.

    The data showed an increase of 1.9 million new subscribers in the country.

    Airtel and MTN gained more internet subscribers during the month in review, while Glo and 9mobile were the big losers.

    The breakdown revealed that MTN gained the most with over 1 million new internet users increasing its subscription in January to over 37 million from 36 million recorded in December 2017.

    Airtel also gained 84,269 new internet users in January amounting to about 25 million users as against about 24 million users in December 2017.

    9mobile, however, lost 60,652 internet users in January, decreasing its subscription to 11,278,187 as against 11,338,839 recorded in December 2017.

    The data showed in January, Globacom lost 70,701, showing a loss of 26,927,116, from 26,997.817 recorded in December 2017.

     

  • Airtel pulls out of 9Mobile bid

    Indications emerged that Bharti Airtel, one of the top five firms jostling to purchase troubled 9mobile has reportedly pulled out of the race.

    According to a report by TheCable, the company, which already operates in the country as Airtel Nigeria, did not submit a final bid to Barclays Africa.

    9mobile, formerly Etisalat Nigeria, got into trouble when it obtained a syndicated loan of $1.2 billion from 13 banks in the country to expand its operations.

    However, due to the economic crisis in the country in 2016, the management of the company was unable to pay back the loan and the lenders came knocking.

    In order to avert a major crisis, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) took over the firm and appointed an interim board to oversee its sale.

    This was to be concluded before December 31, 2017, but when the deadline was not met, the date was shifted to January 16, 2017.

    However, one of the shareholders of Emerging Markets Telecommunications Service (EMTS), which owns the operating licence of 9mobile, Spectrum Wireless, obtained a court judgment last Friday nullifying the interim board, making the sale of the company void.

    At a press conference in Lagos on Sunday, Spectrum Wireless, warned the intending buyers of 9mobile to stay off or risk losing their investments.

    A report by TheCable on Friday (today) disclosed that apart from Airtel, two of the five potential buyers of 9mobile, Globacom and Helios Investment Partners LLP, submitted bids, but did not make any financial offer.

    Only two companies from the five were said to have made financial offers by the January 16 deadline to the sellers and these, according to the online journal, are Teleology Holdings Limited ($500 million) and Smile Telecoms Holdings ($300 million).

    On why Airtel could have pulled out of the deal, quoting an insider source, TheCable reports that there were “many things are not too plain with the entire process.”

    It said further that, “Airtel believes too many things are hidden about the health of 9mobile, and that it is too risky for anyone to buy the company.

    “Things became compounded with the court case by Spectrum Wireless. Remember, the Strive Masiyiwa case over the ownership of Econet which hurt the company for a long time.”

  • Encomium as Airtel honours primary school teachers

    Leading telecoms operator, Airtel Nigeria, has been commended by teachers in its adopted public primary schools located in Lagos, Ogun, Kaduna, Kwara, Cross River and Imo States.

    The teachers who were overwhelmed with joy hailed the telco for its focus on education and for organizing a specialized training as well as award platform to honour Nigerian teachers.

    Airtel, through its Adopt-a-School programme, had announced an audio visual and ‘train the trainer’ program for all the 152 teachers in its adopted schools, spread across six States.

    Speaking yesterday at the flag-off of the workshop at the Oremeji Primary School II, Ajegunle, Lagos, Head Teacher, Mrs. Kudirat Kasali, commended Airtel for organizing a special training for the teachers in commemoration of World Teachers’ Day.

    The practical training session themed “Training the Trainer” was facilitated by Mr. Azeez Jamiu Olusola, an Education Consultant.

    Speaking on the place of instructional materials in teaching pupils, Mr. Olusola explained that instructional materials such as printed materials, audio, visual have become imperative for successful delivery of lessons in 21st century.

    One of the teachers of the school who spoke with the media after the training, Mr. Chinedum Okafor, said the training was much needed to enhance their capacity in the classroom. He stated that the training which was on Instructional Material will guide him in delivering his job.

    Another teacher, Mrs. Obi Eunice, extolled Airtel for organizing the training. She said the training will enable them have more impact on the pupils.

    After the training, the Head Teacher received ‘Airtel Outstanding Contribution to Education’ Award for her dedication and hard work towards the development of the school.

    Some of the teachers of the school: Mr. Bakare Ibrahim Aremu, Mr. Fasasi Adebayo, Mrs. Obi Eunice Chinazo and Mrs. Morogbonwon Bukola Iyabo were also rewarded for their excellent performance with Airtel Solo Aspire smartphones.

    In his opening remarks, Mr. Emeka Oparah, Director, Corporate Communications & CSR, Airtel Nigeria, reaffirmed the telecom giant’s commitment to quality primary education, which according to him, is “a very critical component to building national development and the foundation for a brighter future.”

    Airtel’s Adopt-a-School programme is a robust initiative that offers underprivileged children access to quality education in conducive environment, also providing them with all the materials for learning and study. As part of the programme, Airtel also trains teachers of its adopted schools to ensure that high teaching quality is always maintained.

  • El-Rufai commends Airtel for role in developing Primary Education

    Leading telecoms operator, Airtel Nigeria, has commissioned Yahaya Hamza Primary School, one of its newly adopted schools in Zaria, Kaduna State, in line with its commitment of providing opportunities to underprivileged children.

    Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, commended the telco for its role in the development of primary education across the country, during the commissioning ceremony, which held yesterday (27/9/17) in Zaria, Kaduna.

    He thanked Airtel for adopting a school in the State and for its support to primary education in Nigeria.

    According to him, with Airtel’s intervention, the new Yahaya Hamza Primary School has been transformed – complete with 6 blocks, 12 classrooms, desk and chairs, teachers’ offices, white boards, borehole facilities and toilets for male and female students as well as teachers. Students, today, also got complete set of uniforms, bags and books.

    “I urge other stakeholders in corporate Nigeria to emulate Airtel by partnering with the Kaduna State government in supporting educational initiatives.”

    The governor also expressed delight at Airtel’s choice of Yahaya Hamza primary school, noting that it signifies the preservation of the legacies of a great man, a teacher, a role model, a leader and an inspiration, Yahaya Hamza.

    He also said that Airtel’s intervention is a gift that aligns with Kaduna State’s goal of developing primary, secondary and tertiary education.

    “The Kaduna State Government thanks Airtel for offering its widow mite and contributions in our quest to revamp education in the State,” he said.

    Also speaking at the occasion, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, noted that good education is a human right, describing it as a ticket to prosperity since it creates a level field for everyone to succeed.

    He further noted that Airtel’s adoption of schools is not a one-year wonder but a continuing partnership.

    The CEO also used the occasion to request support for Sadiq Usman, a five year old boy whose eyes were removed by suspected ritualists last year.

    “It is tragic and heart-breaking to see an innocent, vulnerable child suffer and go through such excruciating pains. I and My colleagues were deeply moved by Sadiq’s situation and generously supported the call to provide relief.

    “Our support will not just end here, Sadiq is our adopted son and he will continue to be our priority and in our prayers. A child is a trust and every member of society has a responsibility towards children – this we must take seriously,” he said.

    Yahaya Hamza primary school in Zaria, Kaduna State joins the five other Airtel adopted primary schools spread across Nigeria, namely Oremeji Primary School II, Ajegunle, Lagos; St. John’s Primary School, Oke-Agbo, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun; Community Primary School, Amumara, Imo; Iyeru Okin Primary School, Ilara-Mokin, Kwara and Presbyterian Primary School, Ediba, Cross River State.

    The commissioning ceremony was attended by several dignitaries including the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris and Zaria City representative at the State House of Assembly, Hon. Kasim Iliyasu, among others.

  • Airtel Nigeria bags payment innovation in telecom awards

    Leading telecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria, has been honoured with the Payment Innovation in Telecom Award by Africa’s leading transaction switching and processing services company, Interswitch.

    The Award, which held on Friday September 15th, 2017 at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, recognized leading financial institutions, mobile financial players, processors and retailers, for their innovative and transformative use of mobile financial solutions to solve real-world customer and business issues.

    In the citation by Interswitch, Airtel Nigeria has continued to revolutionise telecommunications service as well as support smart payments that create seamless experience for customers, adding that the telco has demonstrated commitment in providing innovative, reliable, affordable and convenient solutions to telecoms consumers across the country.

    Airtel’s Regional Operations Director, Lagos, Olusina Adegoke; Vice President, Mobile Financial Services, Veronica Onoja and Head of Corporate Communications, Erhumu Bayagbon, received the award on behalf of the company.
    The award follows recent recognition of the telecom giant as the ‘Most Outstanding Customer-Centric Telecoms Brand of the Year’ by Marketing Edge and Service Excellence in Telecommunication Award at the 2017 Commerce & Industry Awards organized by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

    Interswitch Limited is a leading transaction switching and processing Services Company, which is committed to providing the Nigerian public with safe and dependable solutions for interactive commerce whereby payments for services can be received via multiple channels.

    Interswitch has initiated a change in the financial services sector by enabling the conduction of safer, cheaper and faster transactions and has quite a number of reputable banks on its network.

  • The Voice Nigeria: Airtel hosts first live show in Lagos

    Following the successful session of the battle rounds, Airtel Nigeria, sponsor of The Voice Nigeria in partnership with DStv hosted a star-studded executive screening of the first Live Show in Lagos on Sunday, 27th of August, 2017.

     

    The event anchored by Ozzy Agu, had in attendance season one finalists: Patrick, Cornel, Viveeyan, Chike and Bassey who performed the popular “Till the World Hears Your Voice”; bringing back the memory of the first edition.

     

    The night also saw comedic acts from Funny Bone and Akpororo.

     

    The Live Show commenced with an electrifying performance by #TeamPatoranking’s KessyDriz. He performed Tina Tuner’s “What Love Got to Do With It.” Afolayan then took over the stage to perform P-Square’s “E No Easy.” The third performance was from Hightee, who performed Lauryn Hill’s “That Thing.” Concluding the performances from Team Pato was Voke with Sean Tizzle’s “Ladies and Gentlemen.”

     

    Patoranking saved Hightee, which means KessyDriz, Voke and Afolayan need public votes to remain in the competition.

     

    Chris Rio kicked off the Lives for #TeamYemi with his rendition of Shawn Mendes’ “Stitches.” Up next was Jahnomso, who delivered a rendition of Robin S’ “Show me Love.” The third act was Ifeoma with her rendition of Andra Day’s “Rise Up.” Finally, Bunmi performed Yemi Alade’s “Want You.” Coach Yemi Alade chose to save Ifeoma, putting Chris Rio, Jahnomso and Bunmi up for possible eviction.

     

    Leading #TeamWaje was Efezino. She delivered a rendition of Clean Bandit’s “Rock A Bye.” Glowire delivered her rendition of Yemi Alade’s “Hello” while Favour, who was stolen by Waje during the Battles performed Tiwa Savage’s “All Over.” Wow performed Kool and The Gang’s “Get Down on It.” After their performances, Waje saved Glowire. This means that Wow, Favour and Efezino need public votes to remain in the competition.

     

    The night ended with performances from #TeamTimi. Bada kicked it off with his rendition of Sean Kingston’s “Beautiful Girls.” Amarachi, who was stolen by Timi from #TeamYemi, performed ‘No’ by Meghan Trainor. Another talent stolen from #TeamYemi, Wolei delivered his rendition of Brymo’s classic, ‘Ara’ While Precious wrapped up the first Live show with Whitney Houston’s “I have Nothing.”

     

    At the end, Coach Timi saved Precious. Wolei, Amarachi and Bada are currently up for possible eviction and need public votes to remain on the show.

     

     

  • Airstrike kills 22 insurgents in northern Afghanistan

    As many as 22 armed insurgents have been confirmed dead after army helicopters targeted Taliban oppositions in Afghanistan’s northern Badakhshan province, Bakhtar news agency reported on Thursday.

    The helicopter gunships, according to the state-run news agency, pounded Taliban hideouts in parts of Tagab district late Wednesday, killing 22 insurgents on the ground and injuring several others.

    Taliban militants who are active in parts of the mountainous Badakhshan province over the past few years haven’t commented.