It seems that some telecoms firms in Nigeria can’t hold on to their brand name and build that brand to compete with other telecoms companies like MTN Nigeria and Globacom Nigeria. Just recently, Celtel Nigeria changed its name to Zain Nigeria as a result of a rebranding effort by the Zain Group.

Now, as a result of its new strategy which will place it on a leading role in the telecom industry in Nigeria, Reliance Telecommunication Limited (Reltel Wireless), has changed its name to ZOOM Mobile and acquired a 0707 GSM line which comprises an additional 10 million lines from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Mr. Ken Aigbinode, Executive Vice-Chairman, ZOOM Mobile , said the 0707 lines would drive the ZOOM brand and that all the company’s products and services would continue to bear Reltel until the launching of the ZOOM mobile has been actualised.

Aigbinode also stated that the company is making progress to be listed on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Meanwhile, Starcomms is the first telecoms company to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE)

The company’s new numbering plan makes it the first CDMA operator in the country to clearly identify itself with a 4-digit prefix, alongside GSM operators as the new name honours the company’s 10th year anniversary.

The new logo ‘ZOOM’ is boldly written while the ‘mobile’ is placed underneath it in a small size. The black, white and orange colours are also utilized to unveil the brand attributes which include enhanced speed in both voice and data services as well as clarity and transparency.

Other features of the ZOOM mobile brand are the brand pillars which means affordability, dependability, innovation and service; brand promise means the wind beneath your wings full speed ahead; the core values means professionalism, integrity, innovation, customer-centric, one-family orientation and brand personality meaning youthful, determined, zestful, ambitious and distinct.

Via: NigerianBulletin

Visafone, the newest mobile phone company that is wholly Nigerian-owned has been voted the Best Telecom Brand in Nigeria at the 2008 edition of the Nigeria Telecom Awards.

Visafone unveiled its brand and services less than 6 months ago on February 22, 2008 and became the first telecoms company in Nigeria to roll out commercial operations in 12 states and over 40 cities from day one. It has since spread its coverage areas to 17 states and over 150 cities and is set to garner an unprecedented 1 million subscribers in less than 6 months of operations.

The company has also unveiled a new and innovative product that extends its value added services to its subscribers. The product, called the RC Data Pay, allows data users (internet subscribers) on the Visafone network to recharge or pay for internet subscriptions through their handsets, using recharge cards. The service can be used from any Visafone phone handset on any tariff plan, and the data subscription is automatically updated within seconds at the dial of a short code if the subscriber has sufficient balance.

The company’s promise to enable Nigerians experience the joy of communication has been exemplified in its introduction to the market of some of the classiest, most stylish and lowest priced phones that subscribers have seen in the history of the Nigerian telecom sector.

The company’s vibrant red colour and aesthetically pleasing shops and Visafone zones have also raised the standard in telecom outlet branding across the nation.

The telecoms company emerged triumphant out of a crowded field of older telecom companies in a poll conducted by Phillips Consulting. The company was founded by Jim Ovia, the MD/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc- one of the most respected banks in Nigeria.

Congratulations to Visafone!

Via: NigerianBulletin

Globacom has received three awards at the annual Nigeria Telecoms Awards, organized by Logica Communication, publishers of Telecom News, an industry review magazine.

The awards are:

• Best Telecoms Company of the Year
• Best Mobile Company of the Year
• Best Telecoms Investor of the Year

With these three awards, Globacom, which operates in the fixed, mobile, broadband and international gateway communications sub-sectors, sits atop the industry in terms of overall performance.

According to the report compiled by Phillips Consulting, Globacom was named Telecoms Company of the Year because of its integrated operations, which have seen the company consolidating on its mobile and fixed services, while laying optic fibre cables across the country to provide infrastructure for broadband data and voice communications.

As Telecoms Investor of the Year, the company was rated high for its recent international rollout in Ghana and Benin Republic. Also, its submarine cable project running from Lagos to the United Kingdom through the West African coast, was also listed in the consideration.

As Best Mobile Company of the Year, Globacom was noted for its value-added services, fast rollout and quality of service, which is attested to by the industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission.

Via: ITNewsAfrica

At last, Google has launched a google news site for Nigeria, thus allowing users to search and view news in localized editions, and helping dozens of African news sites make their stories available to users worldwide. Now, users can make local searches for a specific country and find them easily. 

Google News helps online news publishers take advantage of the huge opportunities the Internet offers. With more than one billion people on the Internet looking for information, it is easy to see why Google News brings real benefits to both publishers and users.

Google News also makes it easier for users to discover your site, it drives additional traffic to your site, and also provides new opportunities for online revenue. If you would like to make your news site more searchable, you can use tools such as Robot.txt and Sitemaps. Note: The technical requirements for inclusion in Google News are the same as inclusion in Google’s general index.

According to the Official Google Africa Blog, the technology company is excited about launching the first localized product for Nigeria, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Ghana, Uganda and Botswana, beyond their home page.

See the Google News for Nigeria at news.google.com.ng

The Technology Times 2008 Mid-Year Review of the Nigerian Telecoms Market, a report of an in-depth survey into trends and developments that have shaped the telecoms market in the first half of the year will be unveiled for the global audience on Tuesday August 26, 2008, according to the technology news provider’s website.

The survey will highlight the fundamental changes under way in the telecoms market through the eyes of the Technology Times Intelligence Unit complemented by analysts drawn from media, academia, ICT sector, financial services industry, government, regulatory agencies, NGOs, development agencies, among others.

The first edition of the review was published in 2007 in alliance with Nigeria’s BusinessDAY Newspaper. The 2008 edition will be expanded to be available in other newspapers, magazines, as well as digital and online formats of Technology Times on August 26, 2008 for free distribution to qualified recipients.

The title is: Inside The Teledensity Race: Review of the Post-Unified Telecoms Market.

The report will analyse current market developments, regulatory environment, trends and provide guidance on future outlook through the eyes of decision makers in the telecoms market, service providers, market watchers, regulatory agencies, lawmakers, consumer rights bodies, consumers, among others.

The Telecoms market in Nigeria has witnessed an impressive growth in the last few years. The second edition of the annual survey will also feature a spotlight on West Africa’s emerging telecoms hotbed, Ghana.

Via: Technology Times