9Mobile: Driving transformational innovation on telecom space
UGO AMADI
Despite the challenges caused by the global pandemic COVID-19 and unpredictable operational environment witnessed by many sectors of Nigeria’s economy, telecommunications companies and most especially the nation’s customer champion, 9Mobile has continued to drive transformational innovation and digitalization in the telecommunications space.
Also, 9Mobile through its creative and innovative products has continued to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country with commitment to boosting individuals and businesses with affordable data connectivity.
No wonder according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), regulators of telecommunications industry, the sector’s performance lifted the country out of recession in the fourth quarter of 2020, contributing 12.45 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to the latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), telecommunications & information services under information and communication grew by 17.64 per cent in Q4 2020 from 17.36 per cent in Q3 2020 and 10.26 per cent in Q4 2019.
Indeed, the telecommunications sector has, in the last five years been a major driver of the digital economy agenda of the Federal Government, as it has continued to provide the needed digital sinews that support the economy, especially during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant restriction period.
It is on record that since the outbreak of the coronavirus, government institutions, businesses and individuals have relied heavily on telecoms services to carry out their daily operations and official routines. In response to the increased demand, the Commission put a number of regulatory measures in place to ensure seamless access by Nigerians to telecommunication services and protect against any adverse impact on the quality of service enjoyed by consumers.
The steady growth of the telecoms sector over the years with its pervasive positive impact on all other sectors of the economy in terms of increased automation of processes and digital transformation in service delivery has been remarkable.
The growth trend since 2015 has reawakened hope that the economic diversification dreams of the country may finally be a reality as the sector continues to energize significant economic activities in the services sector of the economy.
In view of the sector’s contribution, 9Mobile has continued to play a major role in energizing the economy. Moreover, in yet another affirmation of its resolve to continuously enable its numerous customers with more affordable and superfast data, the innovative telecommunications company, has upgraded its MiFi and Router offerings.
In fact, customers can now get up to 380GB for N60,000, plus a free router device valid for 1 year, and up to 200GB at N36,000, plus a free MiFi device also valid for a year. MiFi devices can be connected to a cellular network to provide internet services for up to ten devices, while routers can be connected to a cellular network to provide internet services for up to 30 devices.
Commenting on the offers at their virtual unveiling, the Chief Commercial Officer, 9Mobile, Stjepan Udovicic, disclosed that it demonstrated 9Mobile`s commitment to boosting individuals and businesses with affordable data connectivity.
He said: “We are committed to providing affordable offerings, especially as COVID-19 has altered the world of work. Nowadays, more people are working remotely as they need affordable data to deliver their tasks and stay connected online with colleagues and business associates. Our refreshed MiFi and Router offers will see our customers enjoying more for less. For instance, a customer gets a 20GB instant sign-up data bonus, and additional 15GB data every month for 12 months, plus a free MiFi device at N36,000”.
Also, customers will get 30GB instant sign-up data bonus, and additional 20GB every month for 12 months, plus a free Router device.
Udovicic added that the MiFi and Router devices also come with other variant data offers. For MiFi`s, there are three more variants where customers can get sign-up data bonus and additional data starting from N16,000.
Since entering the Nigerian market, 9Mobile continues to transform lives with its consistent innovation, rolling out solutions that enable Nigerians to achieve their full potential.
As Nigeria’s caring telecommunications company, 9Mobile and 4th leading telecom company in good standing and one of the respected on data networks , Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Ltd (EMTS), trading as ‘9Mobile, is a Nigerian private limited liability company.
EMTS acquired a Unified Access Service License from the Nigerian Communications Commission in 2007. The license enables EMTS to provide Fixed Telephony (wired or wireless), Digital Mobile Services, International Gateway Services and National/Regional Long Distance Services in addition to spectrum assignments in the 900 and 1800 MHz bands.
With a recent name change and rebranding in July 2017, the company launched its new brand identity – 9Mobile, with an unveiling of the new name and logo. The new brand identity reflects the bold and creative attributes which ‘we share with our valued subscribers especially the vibrant youth segment’.
Between January and September 2020, the number of 9Mobile subscribers in Nigeria remained stable at 12 million, according to data published by the company . As of September 1, the Nigerian mobile telecommunication operator counted 12.7 million users. In 2019, 9Mobile ranked among largest mobile telecoms operators in Nigeria.
9 Mobile drive innovative eco-friendly space through Eco SIM card
As part of efforts in providing eco-friendly as well as sustainable products and services, 9Mobil has partnered with Oberthur to make available innovative SIM packs called eco SIMs.
The cards successfully cut in half the amount of plastic waste used for the production of a SIM card are manufactured with 50% less plastic, and the environmental footprint of this SIM card is half of that generated by the classic SIM card, from 16g of C02 to 8g of C02 generated per card. This is because the new format uses half the quantity of plastic for production, thus reducing waste generation.
Beyond the eco-friendly products and services, the company is partnering with reputable institutions, organizations as well as government bodies in driving ‘our environment-friendly green initiatives. Our partnership efforts are generally geared towards mitigating the effects of climate change as well as ensuring a sustainable environment’, he stated.
Affirms support for Lagos’ Smart City initiative
However, as Nigeria’s leading innovative telecoms company, 9Mobile, Chief Executive Officer, Alan Sinfield, in a conference in Lagos affirmed the company’s support for the ‘Smart City’ initiative of the Lagos State Government.
Speaking at the panel’s session on ‘Digital Transformation Solutions for Smart Cities’, Sinfield noted the significance of the Smart City Master Plan of Lagos State and how 9Mobile would facilitate its realization.
“At 9Mobile, we are continually innovating, and smart city and smart building and other IoT solutions will be delivered through the deployment of technologies, infrastructure and by collaborating with stakeholders to provide seamless access.
“Telecommunications is the foundation and the critical building block for the delivery of a smart city. It supports the delivery of digital transformation and inclusion and underpins how the goals of full financial inclusion for everyone will be realized,” he said.
Sinfield added that “one additional critical element will be the service management element. We should never lose sight that once envisioned, developed, and implemented, nothing ever works well or is sustainable without the necessary support teams to maintain and keep things working. There is a real need to focus on developing the skills and support framework and not just the appealing AI/ML and technology aspects.”
Sinfield, who highlighted the company’s outstanding service quality, further noted that digital and tech hubs are crucial for building talent stressing “At 9Mobile, we have plans to further support an environment that enables creativity and visions to be realized by using our resources to build ICT development areas and boxes for entrepreneurs to develop their ideas for the future.”
He also highlighted the importance of big data and data mining as the lifeline of a smart city. “Data is the building block of the digital revolution, storing and profiling this for various use cases will support achieving the necessary smart city automation. While discussions continue as to the extent to which humans can participate and provide real-time data input to the collective data feeding automated machine learning, first steps in this journey will rely on sensors and machine-based data which is much more reliable.”
Sinfield commended the Lagos State Government for sustaining the Ehingbeti Summit over the years while highlighting its economic impacts.
Significantly, the thrust of 9Mobile’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy utilizes three platforms – Education, Health and the Environment.
According to the CEO, 9Mobile is committed to facilitating the development of the Nigerian economy, and collaboratively driving this through a number of initiatives such as the 9Mobile Telecommunications Engineering Postgraduate Programme (9TEPP), which is the first taught master’s programme in West Africa. 9TEPP which is run in partnership with Plymouth University UK, and Ahmadu Bello University Zaria recently produced a Ph.D. graduate.
According to him, “Our health initiatives include ‘Fight Malaria’ and our partnership with the Joint United Nations Initiative on AIDS (UNAIDS) and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) aimed at increasing awareness, prevention and control of HIV/AIDS.
On Environment & Sustainability
9Mobile has established an Environmental Management System (EMS), to improve environmental performance. EMS was certified to ISO 1001:2004 Standard for environmental management in the first quarter of 2017, making 9Mobile the first mobile network operator to achieve this certification in Nigeria.
“We are not just a telecom company. We are an enabler of life and of dreams! We are 9mobile- here for you, here for naija’’, the CEO stated.
As part of efforts to encourage students, the company instituted Merit Award Scheme. Since inception of this scheme in 2009, over 1200 undergraduate students of electrical electronics engineering, computer science and business management have been awarded with these prestigious scholarships instituted by Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited (now trading as 9Mobile)
It is also note worthy that criteria for selection for this award include academic excellence and indigenous relationship to the location of each of the recipient tertiary institutions.
As a matter of fact, by providing an educational fund to Nigerian students from all social classes, 9Mobile has given them freedom from financial concerns enabling them to focus fully on their studies and ultimately contribute to the growth of the nation’s economy.
For instance last year, the company awarded best performing students in 12 selected institutions, based on their 200 and 300 level results, the sum of N200,000 each. These students had the highest CGPA from electrical engineering, computer science and management. It also extended the scope of beneficiaries to include physically challenged scholars which is an ongoing initiative.
Also, the 9Mobile telecommunications engineering postgraduate programme is a flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of 9Mobile Nigeria, launched on the 16th of May 2013.
The programme, a first of its kind in West Africa, is a one-year taught master’s course in telecommunications engineering located in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria.
According to the CEO, “In instituting this we have collaborated with Plymouth University UK, Etisalat Academy UAE and Huawei Technologies. To ensure a holistic and practical learning experience, Huawei provided the equipment in the Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited sponsored laboratory, and the Etisalat Academy, UAE and Plymouth University are providing tutelage on technical courses specific to the telecommunications sector.
‘’Our commitment includes the provision of access to world class e-resources for the programme, sponsorship of lecturers of ABU to undertake PHDs at Plymouth University, and facilitation of internships with 9Mobile for the intakes of the programme in partial fulfillment of the course requirements”.
As a caring company M- health Initiative is another wonder CSR of the organization that has helped in reducing high infant mortality rate in the country. According to UNICEF, Nigeria is the global second largest contributor to the maternal and infant mortality rate.
To reduce this, 9Mobile said “We support the M-health initiative as part of our growing efforts to uphold good health practices and eliminate causes of maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria, with mobile technology. Through our M-health platform, we have distributed phone lines and data to health care providers, to enable them correctly examine and diagnose conditions that cause maternal and infant mortality. We have partnered with Instrat global health solutions for a smooth registration and data collection process.
“The platform powered by 9Mobile 3G services, the mobile partner solution Clinipak wirelessly captures patient data and delivers real time reporting. It helps health care workers increase productivity and modernises the clinical experience, creating a huge impact on health management.
“Also, adopt a school initiative has energized the educational sector. 9Mobile has partnered with Lagos, Kaduna and Kano state governments to bring about sustainable change and development to public primary and/or secondary schools in these states, by adopting schools and refurbishing them”.
To date, the company has built classroom blocks, donated fully equipped information and communication technology (ICT) laboratories, physics, chemistry and biology laboratories, provided potable drinking water, renovated hostel living quarters; amongst many other projects designed to create an enabling learning environment for these future leaders of tomorrow.
Similarly, as part of its expansion drive, 9Mobile has launched 4G LTE Service in Ilorin Kwara state capital. This latest addition to the ever-expanding 4G coverage from 9Mobile will make it possible for Nigerians in the historic city to join a growing number of 9Mobile customers across the country already enjoying fast and reliable 4G connectivity for their smart phones. With this development, 9Mobile’s 4G LTE will power digital experience in Ilorin and accelerate Nigeria’s broadband penetration target.
As a way of celebrating hard work and boosting morale, 9Mobile has paid glowing tribute to Dr. Ayodeji Falana and other health workers who have been outstanding in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in the last one year. Dr. Falana was adjudged most outstanding health worker for his leadership and dedicated service.
The commendation came when a delegation from 9Mobile visited health workers on Saturday February 27 at the Lagos State Government isolation centre of Mainland Hospital, Yaba otherwise known as Infectious Disease Hospital.
The 9Mobile initiative is designed to appreciate the efforts of health workers who have been at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19 across the country. During the visit, a minute silence was observed in honour of health workers and Nigerians who lost their lives to COVID-19.
Given its outstanding performance, it is expedient to affirm that 9Mobile has and still drives creativity and innovations that will better the Nigerian society.
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