We have come from a time when all we had was a phone company that couldn't function well, thou all they provided was house phones, yet it was very hard to get their services and even harder to maintain them. Paying our bill was very tough and you even have to bribe them to get one of this phones installed for you. Along came M-Tel, the first official company who could provide mobile telephone services with per minute billing and PAYG service. Meanwhile dial up connection was the only possible means of internet network available.
M-Tel acquired so many customers and was doing fantastic when it comes to providing net work coverage in large towns for the mobile network services. Their limitations was that they could not provide internet connection that can also be mobile as their phone services was, they could not also do per second billing, meaning that no matter how many seconds you make calls you ended up pay for a full minute. We needed more to be done, we deserved more to be done and more was done. Then finally we saw the emergence of GLO Telecom.
GLO was able to provide per second billing and was also able to provide mobile internet connection. Along came also MTN, Airtel, Etisalat etc. Competitions were established, the need for each company to do better was forced by this competition. And these companies made their money because of Nigerian population, our quest for information and our desire to communicate with the outside world. The massive gap that existed between us and the rest of the world was now beginning to close. Ways of reducing call cost was now being sort by the companies and ways to better our internet services too was also a major concern to them.
Since then we have seen improved standards. Modems and WIFI services has ben launched and adequately managed, overseas countries are beginning to come in and invest in this sector, work is being provided to thousands of Nigerians, community development and youth empowerment is being made to stand and more ways of doing business using internet and phones are being introduced (Outsourcing and internet banking).
ISP services
Mobile phone service providers
Internet shops
Online businesses
Local phone shops
Networking
Sale of Telecommunication equipment
Repairs and installation offices
Television companies
Cable TV (DSTV and CTL)
Youth empowerment schemes
Companies such as GLO and MTN has done extensive work in developing communities where they are situated. They have also looked for ways to empower youths to do better using the services they provide. Look at the X-Factor program sponsored by GLO Telecom, an excellent way to find the best talents in Nigeria and reward the individual with 24 million Naira and the runners up get to become stars. We know they make money from the show but that bit of business alone is absolutely brilliant. The way they also sponsor stars and tour cities with them so that people will get a certain VIP treatment even in their own local towns, fantastic business ideas.
All we need from this providers now is to be able to get unlimited monthly internet connection at a reduced amount. How we wish that their support could go a bit lower to the grass root, maybe to support agriculture by empowering farmers or if cheaper rates of making international calls will be invented such as the good bit of business done by companies in the UK such as LYCA, LEBERA and NOMI. They concentrated on establishing a network that sees international prices for calls slashed by 70% , that will be a fantastic bit of business to be done by this companies.
We will not be happy if we fail to mention the business that has been done by Nigeria when it comes to providing better television houses and better television channels and shows. We have pass the times when your average TV had just 5 basic channels on it. Now you could have a cable network with over a thousand channels on it. Shows and exciting programs are being aired on TV and cable each day and most of them are being done by Nigerian youths, thereby greasing their elbows to always strive to do more and be better. Most shows are also a source of good business for the phone companies because when the shows are interactive and we get to call in the phone companies also make money from this.
There are so many businesses available under this that we can sink our teeth into and make profit. If you need more help on this please do not hesitate to get in contact and I will be happy to assist you.
Please do not forget that I only support businesses that improve the look and feel of there location. look at this picture and see how this MTN office did just that
By Mike Jacobs
