Airtel, Phase 3 Telecom Partner on 3flix

Airtel, Coverage Broadband Announce Launch of 3flix Mobile TV Service  

Airtel Nigeria, has announced a strategic partnership with Coverage Broadband, a subsidiary of Phase3 Telecom, to launch 3flix mobile TV service in Nigeria.

With this partnership, customers who subscribe to a special bundled data plan on Airtel will now enjoy unfettered access to 3flix live television channels covering music, movies, sports, fashion, entertainment, news, documentary, cartoon, comedy and lifestyle, amongst others.

The 3flix TV app is designed for smart phones and it provides premium television content to Nigerians across the country.

Airtel customers are required to dial *2424# to activate the 3flix mobile TV service or they can log on to 3flix.tv to access the service. The 3flix mobile TV app can also be downloaded directly from Google play store (Android).

The tariff for the service is pegged at N20 for daily subscription and N75 for Weekly subscription.

Acting Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, said the telco is committed to creating and supporting innovative value offerings that will excite, delight and empower more telecoms consumers across the country.

“Airtel is positioned as the mobile Internet service provider of first choice for Nigerians and currently, we have the largest 4G network in the country. We are excited with the partnership with 3flix as we will enable more telecoms consumers to enjoy all the fun mobile TV provides; keep abreast with latest news; follow-up with celebrities and watch their favorite sports team on the go, regardless of location,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer of Phase3 Telecom, Stanley Jegede, said Phase3's foresight to focus on the opportunities in emerging markets led to the creation of Coverage Broadband, and the subsequent partnership with Airtel Nigeria, to offer subscribers a distinctive mobile TV viewing service, which requires minimal data consumption.

“ While 3flix mobile TV would continue to expand its library of great content, we are particularly excited that the product is designed to adapt in features, technology, and aggregation just as the viewing and immersive experience of consumers continue to evolve,” he said.

Executive Director of Coverage Broadband Vikram Bhatnagar said: “The entire team is armed with the required expertise to see 3flix take the lead in the world of bringing affordable, ingenious, and quality digital content which subscribers can watch everywhere on their preferred mobile device.”

Coverage Broadband is a subsidiary of Phase3 Telecom, and has been issued a mobile TV/OTT broadcast license from National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and a VAS license from Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Hence, the creation of its flagship product - 3flix to offer made-for-mobile TV channels, which was built in collaboration with foremost technology, and media partners. The product boast exciting content that is affordable, and runs on ease-of-use features for subscribers to stream live TV on the go.

The 3flix TV App is available for download on Play Store.

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Frost & Sullivan Keen on Africa

Frost & Sullivan shows interest in establishing presence in Africa

Frost & Sullivan, a business consulting firm involved in market research and analysis, growth strategy consulting, and corporate training across multiple industries, is keenly interested in establishing a strong presence in Africa.  Ghana and Nigeria, we can authoritatively confirm, will be among key African countries to benefit from the consulting firm’s presence on the continent.

Specifically, Frost & Sullivan says it will be researching into many and varied sectors in Nigeria, including but not limited to the following sectors: ICT, Metals & Minerals, Energy, Water and Healthcare.

It is sketchy whether Frost & Sullivan will be carrying out the research using her workforce alone or in partnership with both the private and public sectors in the countries it aims to have presence in.

Watch this space for more developments as they unfold.

World’s first carbon-positive data center coming from EcoDatacenter

With data centers expected to consume as much as 20 per cent of the world’s energy within only a few years, the deployment of energy efficient data centers is crucial. Swedish developer of climate-positive data centers EcoDataCenter has taken a global lead in this segment and is now launching the first carbon positive data center in the world, in Falun in central Sweden.

Increased digitalization will lead to data processing at data centers using one-fifth of the world’s total energy production as early as 2025, as calculations from several researchers and experts show. Since fossil fuel sources are responsible for two-thirds of the world’s production of electricity, data centers risk becoming one of the largest sources of carbon dioxide emissions.

Sweden’s EcoDataCenter, a provider of colocation data center solutions, is now ready to give the central Swedich city of Falun the world’s first climate-positive data center. After four years of development efforts, EcoDataCenter has managed to create a data center that is integrated with the surrounding energy ecosystem to reuse the heat generated and create the world’s first climate positive data center; Being climate positive means that not only are there no carbon emissions, but that during operation it even promotes the reduction of total carbon emissions.

Great interest from around the world

Carbon-positive operation is achieved through green electricity and using the surplus heat from the center in Falu Energi och Vatten’s local district heating networks and a wood pellet factory. During the warmer months, the surplus energy in the district heating network is used for cooling the data center. The facility will have a total capacity of 1.9 mW and will be put into operation in the autumn of 2018.

“The technical design of the data center will be a crucial issue going forward, since it has a tremendous impact on both environment and costs, and we see a very large market for our technology,” said  CEO of EcoDataCenter, Lars Schedin.

The steadily increasing need for processing data in the wake of 5G, the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence are what lie behind the expected rise in the energy consumption of data centers. According to Gartner, a leading Internet analyst, there will be more than 20 billion connected objects by 2020, a figure that in the opinion of some commentators could increase to a full 100 billion as early as 2025.

Digital habits impact the environment

Most of us, however, are likely unaware of the fact that our daily digital habits have a serious impact on the environment, according to Schedin.

“Naturally, one person watching a video on the Internet has a marginal impact, but when several million do it several times, the total energy consumption is very large — something most of us barely think about,” says Schedin, citing the example of the video for the megahit “Despacito,” which has now been shown more than 5 billion times on YouTube.

“This means that viewing this video alone has consumed energy equivalent to an estimated 850 GWh. If we start from the fact that it has been viewed around the globe, it is reasonable to assume that this in turn has involved emissions of approximately 360,000 tons of carbon dioxide — as much as 220,000 taxis release in an entire year.”

Major energy drain

Simply put, data centers consist of a large number of data servers that process data, something that uses a lot of energy since the processing in itself requires energy, but also because the servers must be constantly cooled in order to function. Energy consumption constitutes one of the largest operating costs in a data center, and a facility with lower energy consumption will thereby have less of an impact on the environment and offer lower costs — something that is extremely attractive for both data companies and their customers.

As a result of its low energy prices, Sweden is already an attractive country for investments in new data centers, which is why several major players — Facebook and Google among them — have chosen to establish centers in Sweden. EcoDataCenter expects that their technology for carbon-positive data centers will further strengthen Sweden’s position in the industry.

“Interest in the facility in Falun is enormous, and we have had visits from customers around the world even though it’s not really ready,” says Chairman of EcoDataCenter’s Board of Directors, Lars Thunell. “Everything points to it being a major success, and we are therefore counting on the need to build a large number of facilities of this type, both in Sweden and abroad, to successfully meet interest and demand.”

TRAI cuts spectrum prices to attract bidders

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommended releasing more than 8,500MHz of spectrum across nine bands, including the 3.6GHz 5G frequency, for the country’s next auction.

TRAI didn’t suggest a date for the sale, which could generate as much as INR5 trillion ($73 billion) if all available lots are sold at the reserve price, The Economic Times (ET) said.

The agency called for the 5G spectrum to be sold at INR4.92 billion per MHz in 20MHz blocks and recommended a 100MHz cap on the band per bidder. It said the country’s revised spectrum limits (an overall cap of 35 per cent and a 50 per cent cap on the combined spectrum holding in sub-1GHz bands) should be extended to the 3.6GHz band.

To attract interest and avoid a repeat of a spectrum auction in October 2016, when 60 per cent of the available airwaves went unsold, TRAI reduced the reserve prices of most of the bands. It slashed the base price of 700MHz spectrum by 43 per cent to INR65.7 billion per MHz, ET reported. In 2016 there were no bidders for the 700MHz band due to a high reserve price.

Despite the price cuts, analysts say the 5G and 700MHz base prices remain high by international standards and expect interest in the bands to be weak.

The country’s mobile operators are in the midst of a fierce price war following the entry of Reliance Jio in September 2016, with the top three players burdened by heavy debt and declining profitability.

TRAI’s recommendations need to be approved by the Department of Telecommunications before the cabinet gives the final green light.

-https://www.mobileworldlive.com/asia/asia-news

Fidelity Bank partners  WorldRemit on mobile money

Digital money transfer service WorldRemit has joined forces with Fidelity Bank, one of Nigeria’s top financial services providers, for instant money transfers to four million Fidelity Bank accounts in Nigeria.

The new partnership further expands WorldRemit’s footprint in the country and allows the 15 million-strong Nigerian diaspora living in over 50 countries - including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany - to send money directly from their phones to recipients in Nigeria. The deal supports WorldRemit’s plan to serve 10 million customers connected to emerging markets by 2020.

Fidelity Bank is one of the largest banks in Nigeria with an extensive network of branches across the country. The bank is committed to innovating its digital products to provide convenience and ease of banking for its customers. The collaboration with WorldRemit supports Fidelity Bank’s dedication to innovation and increasing financial inclusion.

Remittances play an increasingly important role in Nigeria’s economy. The World Bank estimates that in 2017 alone Nigeria received over $22 billion in remittances, making it the largest recipient in Africa and fifth largest recipient globally.

Regional Director of Africa and the Middle East at WorldRemit, Andrew Stewart, says: “Nigeria remains our largest and fastest growing market in Africa, and WorldRemit’s second biggest market globally. We are delighted to be partnering with Fidelity, a leading bank in Nigeria and a major player in the remittance business, to introduce its customers to our best in class online money transfer service, which offers a safer, faster and more cost-effective way to send and receive funds.”

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, comments: “WorldRemit offers a low-cost way to send and receive money. The opportunity for our customers to receive money from over 50 countries in a quick, affordable and convenient manner with WorldRemit is in line with our promise to deliver a new standard of service in the financial services industry.”

Last year, WorldRemit became Arsenal FC’s first-ever online money transfer partner in a global sponsorship deal. WorldRemit customers complete one million transfers every month from over 50 countries to over 145 destinations. More than half of its transfers go to Africa.

9mobile Acquisition on Course as Parties Agree to Extension of Timeline

 The Board of 9mobile has announced the extension of the timeline for closure of the acquisition process, a company statement inked by CEO, Boye Olusanya, said.

The timeline extension, we understand, was considered necessary to enable parties involved in the sale process to finalise the requisite transaction documentation to facilitate a smooth closure and transition to the new investor.

“The Board of 9mobile is pleased with the progress made thus far and expects the acquisition process to be completed as soon as possible. Further updates in this regard will be provided in due course.

We hereby thank our invaluable customers for their support and reiterate our continuing commitment to providing best-in-class telecommunication service,” stated Olusanya.

…Partners Girl Effect, iSON to Empower Girls

Meanwhile, 9mobile, has reiterated its commitment to the development and empowerment of the girl-child by partnering with Girl Effect, a not-for-profit, and iSON Group, an IT company, to facilitate delivery of a unique service that enables girls to listen to pre-recorded inspiring stories on their mobile phones and then connect to a specially trained role model who provides answers to their questions.

Tagged Girls Connect, this initiative is a pioneering partnership created by Girl Effect - a Non-governmental organisation (NGO) that uses media and mobile technology to empower girls, and IT company, iSON Group. Together they developed the innovative service that enables girls to draw inspiration using an interactive voice response platform on their mobile phones, and also learn more from qualified women that talk through the stories they have heard to make them more meaningful to the girls’ lives.   

With 9mobile’s support for the initiative, girls and young female adults will be able to access on-the-go and free of charge, information that can enhance their economic wellbeing, state of health and wellness as they interact with the specially-trained role models on their mobile phones.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative in Kano on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 the Chief Human Resource Officer, 9mobile, Abigail Isokpan, said the partnership was borne out of the telecom company’s passion for development of its customers, host communities, and indeed Nigeria.

“We are constantly on the lookout for opportunities to create value; and one of the ways we are achieving this is by aligning our business agenda with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We have been consistent in seeking ways to drive sustainability of our business through platforms and programmes that ensure progress of our critical stakeholders, in recognition of the fact that their success is our success. Girls Connect is one of such platforms”, she stated.

Describing the initiative as ground-breaking, she said Girls Connect is designed to improve the lives of girl-children in Nigeria in line with the key objectives of the SDGs, which include elimination of poverty, promotion of good health and wellbeing, economic growth, and bridging inequalities especially for the girl-child.

Isokpan added that, “All these goals tie-in to the ideals and objectives of Girls Connect, therefore we are pleased to be partnering on this initiative. At 9mobile, we are mindful of our responsibility as a corporate citizen, and as such we are appreciative of opportunities such as this, that enable us to build on our work in making the Nigerian society healthier, safer, and more productive.”  

She also revealed that the Girls Connect initiative further enables 9mobile to utilise its core competence as a telecommunications company and to affirm its position as a leader in leveraging technology to promote social good.

Girl Effect and iSON Group ran a successful pilot of Girls Connect across five locations in Kano last year.  44,000 calls were made to the service during the eight-week campaign, five times more than originally expected. With the support of partners including 9mobile, Arewa24, and respective State Governments and Ministries of Women Affairs, the initiative is now live in Kano state and will be launched in Edo State later this month. The service is accessible in Hausa language and Pidgin.

9mobile over the past nine years has been at the forefront of promoting and supporting initiatives that make positive impact on its stakeholders across Nigeria. It instituted the first taught Master’s Programme in Telecommunications Engineering in West Africa at the Ahmadu Bello University; and has awarded scholarships to undergraduates in more than 30 universities across Nigeria under its Merit Awards programme.

Through its Adopt-a-School initiative, it has built and renovated educational structures as well as provided ICT equipment to primary and secondary schools, and conducted teacher’s training programmes in three states. It has also distributed tens of thousands of insecticide-treated nets to communities most affected by the malaria scourge; and continues to tackle HIV/AIDS by enabling subscribers make toll-free calls to receive information on its prevention and control.

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Kwesé TV, 9mobile Ink Distribution Agreement           

Kwesé TV, Nigeria’s newest satellite pay-TV network, and 9mobile have signed a distribution agreement for the sale of Kwesé TV decoders through 9mobile Experience Centres across Nigeria.

With this strategic partnership, prospective Kwesé TV customers can easily walk into any participating 9mobile stores and purchase a Kwesé kit comprising a dish, decoder, including one-month free subscription, and installation for N10,960.

This partnership which will be rolled out through a phased approach has been launched in key 9mobile Experience Centres situated at The Palms Shopping Mall, Ikeja City Mall, Adeola Odeku Street on Victoria Island, Mushin, Surulere and Festac Town; all in Lagos.

Kwesé TV offers 70+ premium channels for family viewing with an extensive programming line-up including wholesome children’s programs, live sports, lifestyle shows, movies, series and so much more! Kwesé’s appeal is not only its world-class content but its innovative industry-first ‘pay as you watch’ payment model which gives customers the choice between purchasing 3-day, 7-day and 30-day subscription packages to its full entertainment and sports bouquet.

The partnership with 9mobile will also see 9mobile subscribers access the Kwesé iflix app through exclusive video data bundles for the Kwesé iflix 1-day, 3-day, 7-day and 30-day VIP passes.

Speaking about the partnership, General Manager, Kwesé TV Nigeria, Elizabeth Amkpa, said: “This partnership extends our distribution network and makes our products accessible to even more Nigerian consumers. We are currently operating in select 9mobile Experience Centres in Lagos, and we will soon be available in other major cities across the country in partnership with 9mobile.”

Also commenting, Vice President, Marketing, 9mobile, Adebisi Idowu, said, “We are excited to be working with Nigeria’s newest pay-TV provider to offer premium TV and video content to our customers. This newest partnership is a further demonstration of our commitment to continuously deliver innovative services that enable Nigerians to enjoy more, across all our brand touchpoints.”

Adebisi added that 9mobile will continue to forge partnerships and build bridges that enrich the lives of its teeming customers and enable them to enjoy best in class quality of service (QoS) at all times. “9mobile is determined to continue meeting the passion point of Nigerians, especially, customers on the network; and Kwesé TV offers yet another major platform to do so”, he enthused.

9mobile has been acknowledged as Nigeria’s most innovative and customer-friendly telecommunication company, and through its revolutionary fastest data package, Moreblaze, it has consistently offered its tech-savvy customers functional innovations thereby setting the market pace for competitive offerings in meeting the clients’ wants and needs.