The Managing Director of first national carrier, nTel telecoms, Mr. Ernest Akinlola has revealed that contrary to popular speculations that the company is finding it difficult to create a niche for itself within the highly competitive telecoms market, the company is currently on a growing trend that is more than twice its growth rate I 2017.
Explaining corporate issues during a breakfast meeting with members of the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) in Lagos weekend, he said “167% compounded average growth in customer numbers between October 2017 and February 2018 and a record of well over 50% overall growth between October 2017 and February 2018 attest to the fact that nTel is on the growing spree once more”.
He revealed further that “ntel is preparing to roll out National Roaming services (2G and 3G) with two foremost operators, 9mobile Nigeria and MTN Nigeria”, and “Service is expected to go live in Q2 2018”.
On the projected benefits of the current innovative collaboration with other networks, Akinlola averred that the new deal will among other things “guarantee immediate coverage parity; Service backward-compatibility (4G to 3G/2G); grow Handset compatibility; and deepen Speed to scale”
Besides, other business management by objectives strategies currently deployed by the telecoms to grow subscriber base and visibility in the market include enhancing capabilities, visibility and branding, cluster activation campaigns, rapid channel expansion drive, revamping existing channels, and specifically device retail.
Others include customer value management, VAS revenue drive, enhance ROI, and increased Smartphone Support
Apart from the above, nTel boss hinted that whereas the company is coming up with unlimited for as low as N500, WAWU SIM, it has concluded arrangements to grow Nigerian informal sector of the economy by way of raising SME Value Proposition.
On the secrets of rising subscriber base in a keenly competitive telecoms market, Akinlola noted that “A combination of high-impact commercial initiatives brought about an increase in subscriber acquisition and gross revenues in recent months”. Other marketing innovations that contributed to remaining afloat since his arrival as the managing director are anchored on ‘Aggressive Tactical Channel Sales,’ and ‘New and Disruptive Marketing Value’.
In an exclusive chat with one of the top official of the company and Director External Affairs, Mr. Osondu Nwokoro, he said “ntel is currently working on all the issues raised by the managing director to become the most preferred telecoms services provider in Nigeria”.
Explaining more on the presentations of the chief executive officer, the chief finance officer of ntel, Mr. Abhulime Ahiagwina noted that the company is taking its time to avoid mistakes and at the same time deliver credible services to Nigerians.
His views were further corroborated by the Director, marketing and Strategy, Mr. Olajide Matolabomi who added that “As we speak, data services of ntel in areas where we have reached remains second to none and the voice deliveries can be said to be the most crisp network in Nigeria today”.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of NITRA and ICT Editor of ThisDay Newspapers, Mr. Emma Okonji, welcomed the management team of ntel, and explained that NITRA’s monthly Breakfast Meeting with leading CEOs in ICT industry has become a competitive platform where captains of industry come to give update on the performance of their companies and also give their revered opinion on issues of industrial importance in Nigeria.
He recalled that in February, NITRA hosted the trio of managing directors of three leading data centre operators in Nigeria including MDXi, RackCentre and Medallion Communications.
