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Deepening Data Communication With New Applications(AllAfrica Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Emma Okonji examines the impact of mobile data in telecommunications, vis a vis the introduction of MTN One World, designed to further boost mobile data communication among subscribers Over the last decade, there has been significant growth at the global level in mobile cellular subscriptions relative to fixed telephone subscriptions. This growth has been more pronounced in developing economies where mobile subscriptions have taken over fixed telephony. In developing economies, connectivity in the past was based on expanding fixed lines, but today, this has changed with emphasis now on mobile communications. These trends are likely to continue as indicated by a recent report from the International Telecoms Union (ITU) that access to mobile networks is now available to 90 per cent of the world population, of which 80 per cent are living in rural areas. Today, mobile data communication is gradually taking over voice and SMS communications, as many mobile phone users communicate with themselves using several instant messaging platforms. Internet Penetration Internet subscriber data in Nigeria on the Global System for Mobile Telecommunication (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) platforms was 50,580,711 in 2013. The statistics, which was released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) last year, placed Internet subscription on GSM networks at 50.4 million while that of CDMA networks was put at 168,152. The statistics, which covered up till July last year, had MTN dominating Internet subscription for GSM players with a 25.9 million. This was followed by Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat with 9.88 million, 9.25 million and 5.35 million respectively. Visafone dominated the CDMA figure with 130,257 Internet subscribers, while Starcomms and Multilinks followed with 21,682 and 16,213 respectively, as at last year. But in 2012, the aggregate Internet subscription for GSM and CDMA networks was put at 26.6 million. GSM networks had 26.3 million, while CDMA networks had 239,984, which is an indication that mobile data communication is actually on the increase year after year. In 2014, the figure further increased as statistics released in January 2014, showed that mobile data subscription has reached 55, 930, 391, which represents 32.9 per cent penetration, which is an indication that mobile data communication in Nigeria is on the increase. The challenge, however is on the cost, which according to mobile data subscribers, needs to be reduced further, to enable the over 55 million Nigerian subscribers enjoy the service at a much cheaper rate and also to encourage more Nigerians to subscribe to mobile data that is fast overtaking voice communication. Clamour for Tariff Reduction As the number of mobile data users increases, competition among telecoms operators that provide the service is also on the increase. For this reason, mobile data users have always called for tariff reduction, the reason why MTN introduced the MTN One World, designed to further reduce cost of mobile data communication. With the competition among telecoms operators, tariffs are however, gradually crashing as operators continue to give incentives to woo subscribers. However, many operators are not extending this reduction in data charges to tourist, business men/women, holiday makers, government functionaries and other people who travel abroad. As result of the high charges by operators, many travellers rarely have access to the internet using their mobile phones while roaming. To avoid these charges, therefore, they intentionally switch off their data connection, thus avoid exchanging emails, multimedia messages, surfing the Internet, chatting, uploading and downloading information. While many operators are shying away from resolving the high rates of data roaming charges, only a few are trying to ensure that their medium and high value customers still have access to the internet through their mobile phones while roaming. One of such telecommunication operator is MTN. This is evident in its recent launch of Browse like Home when you Roam with "MTN One World". MTN One World The MTN One World is a new data roaming tariff where MTN prepaid and post-paid subscribers, that travel out of the country, have access to the internet on their mobile phones and send text messages, paying a standard home rate of five kobo per kilobyte and N4 per SMS, as if they were in Nigeria. This service is available in any of 19 MTN operating countries namely: Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, South Africa, Liberia, Cote D'Ivoire, Uganda, Congo, Rwanda, Guinea Conakry, Zambia, Iran, Sudan, Guinea Bissau, Cyprus, Swaziland, Yemen, Afghanistan and Botswana. The Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Larry Annetts, explained that, the key strategic focus for the new tariff plan is to ensure data communication at the most affordable and friendly rate on the go. "We are always committed to deliver a new world of digital experience to our customers and the thrust of this initiative is to ensure friendly roaming tariff , where our customers who travel to any of our 19 operating countries can still feel at home, browsing at a standard home rate of 5kobo per kilobyte," he said. "Our customers traveling to Ghana, Cameroun, Republic of Benin, South Africa and other MTN operating countries can continue to update their profile messages, share pictures and great moments on social networks, as well as send and receive emails, upload and download information and browse the internet without any differential in data cost," Annetts added. Apart from the data rate, customers can also enjoy same SMS home rate of N4, affordable call rates and other friendly roaming services that MTN offers. Speaking on how to enjoy the new MTN One World, Annetts explained that subscribers neither need a migrating code, subscription fee nor airtime deposit, as they automatically qualify to use and enjoy the rates while roaming in any of the 19 MTN operating countries. All that the subscriber need do is to ensure the phone is turned on while roaming. Subscribers roaming on MTN OneWorld can also conveniently check their account balance and recharge via MTN Nigeria's available top up options. With the introduction of the MTN One World, travellers do not need to have multiple SIMs and switch off their data connection. This is because, subscribers travelling to these 19 MTN operating countries will be charged same home rates, thus making them to feel at home while roaming abroad. MTN has continued to go beyond borders in providing exciting innovative initiatives geared at enhancing its customers' whole new digital experience, and has always ensured its subscribers constantly enjoy its friendly innovative products and services. Copyright This Day. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). |