On the heels of MTN’s announcement of bundle data packages has come complaints from a wide range of users that the supposedly 50mb package delivers much less than the touted 50mb of data.

The alarm was first raised by a fellow mobile enthusiast. In his words:

I checked the data counter on my P1 and discovered that with MTN settings, it reads;

Total sent : 1.1 MB
Total received: 8.0 MB

After loading and using the N500 One-time option that offers 50 MB, the data counter should be reading 50 MB + . Moreso, since I was cut off 12 hours after loading instead of 24 hours. Did MTN play a fast one on me?

Personally, I had to vertify this, so I installed a 3rd party counter on my device and subscribed to the 50mb package again. MTN’s system terminated my 50mb bundle access when my usage hit 25mb!

Fellow MobilityNigeria.com contributor, Dayo Olutunfese, pretty much confirmed the bad news when in a chat he mentioned that the data counter on his Nokia E71 reads 100mb after using the MTN 50mb bundle package thrice.

MTN’s bundle packages had earned the company accolades from even the most die-hard MTN-haters. But the tide is fast turning again. One such individual who had been full of praise for MTN Niigeria in recent times, said recently in the wake of this new development:

I think my honeymoon affair with mtn is over and reality has kicked back in. MTN ARE CROOKS! (AAHH! That feels better!!)

In the meantime, a few mobile data users are already considering taking this up with the NCC. Is this discrepancy between MTN’s claims and subscribers’ experiences due to a temporary network glitch, or is it an example of “network fraud”? Time will tell.

Yesterday afternoon, members of the Alireta mobility team tried out a video call on the MTN network.

The call was initiated on a Samsung i780 from Ikeja, and terminated on a Nokia E71 at Yaba.

The only issue experienced was a problem with initiating the call. After several dialling attempts, it finally went through. Video was clear and smooth generally. There was a slight momentary jerking, but it didn’t persist. Sound over the connection and the speakerphones of the two devices was satisfactory as well. The call lasted 2 minutes and 3 seconds. In all, it was a good experience.

This afternoon, we tried out two more calls, and we got a straight connection the first time each time. The phones involved this time were: Nokia E61, Sony Ericsson P1i, and Samsung i780.

Last weekend, Alireta Nigeria Limited was in charge of various aspects of a classy wedding ceremony and reception in Lagos. From the design and production of the Wedding invitations and programmes, branding of souvenirs, through to providing and co-ordinating ushers, the Alireta team was on top of things.

Of note is the fact that the co-ordination of activities was highly enhanced through the use of mobile devices and technology. For example, key supervisors were equipped with GPRS/EDGE/3G/3.5G-enabled smartphones, and kept tabs on things across vast distances via instant messaging. Communication was both seamless and cost-saving.

Another example of the application of mobility to business processes, and the benefits.

Alireta helps individuals and organisations deploy mobile phones and mobile technology to increase productivity and to save on costs. Visit the Alireta website today for more information.

MTN has finally released details of its data packages and tariffs. In a pleasant turn, the Yellow network has made provision for both Postpaid and Prepaid subscribers to enjoy its data services.

The different packages also give the subscriber the liberty to choose what type of access device, be it regular phones, smartphones, USB modem or data card. Brilliant, we say.

Because the majority of mobile subscribers are prepaid users, we will give details of the Prepaid packages.

30-day All-Day bundle
Prepaid subscribers simply need to load airtime of N10,000, then send an SMS “101″ to 131. Within 24 hours, their line will be given access for 30 days. There is a data cap of 3GB though.

30-day Nite-time bundle (10pm to 5am)
This is an all-night package that gives subscribers a 3GB data allowance for 30 days. To subscribe to this, load N2,500 worth of airtime, then text “102″ to 131.

1-day All-Day bundle
This package is appropriate for the casual user who has days of heavy usage. It gives a 50MB data allowance for 24 hours for just N500.00. After loading that amount of airtime, text “103″ to 131.

More details from the MTN Nigeria website: MTN 3.5G InfoPack

A few days ago, I posted that MTN data rates had dropped. Tests run by members of the MN team confirmed the reduction, and suggested that the new tariff was something between 14 and 20k per kb.

This morning, I spoke with an MTN official who confirmed that MTN has officially reduced its packet data rates from 60k to 15k per kb. The official also confirmed that this fee applies to GPRS, EDGE, 3G, and 3.5G usage.

This is a good move by MTN Nigeria. Now, GPRS users can browse at broadband speeds over 3G/3.5G when within coverage. In my own usage of the service, MTN 3.5G has delivered up to 600kb per second on a stable connection, and over 1mb in short bursts.

In the beginning, there was Econet Wireless. Then, the operator became Vodacom for a brief stint, before metamorphosing into Vmobile. Not too long after, the operator was acquired and became Celtel. Now, with the parent company of Celtel harmonising its various operations, Celtel Nigeria becomes Zain NG.

Change is the only constant thing in life, it is said. But it is not only in name that subscribers have endured change. Mobile enthusiasts especially have had to endure horrible and epileptic changes in the 0802/0808 network’s ever-shifting policies. Of note to mobile data users is the unreliable, visionless approach of Zain to mobile data over the years.

For a period, GPRS was made available to all. Then full internet was restricted to postpaid subscribers only, leaving prepaid users with basic WAP. Then, all subscribers were yanked off GPRS totally. Thereafter, Celtel required all interested GPRS users to show up in person at their outlets for configuration. Now, with the rebranding to Zain, both WAP and internet via GPRS are officially available only to postpaid subscribers (see the GPRS activation page on the Zain NG website). Here’s a quote from the WAP section on that page:

For further enquiries or assistance on how to activate the service, call customer care on 131 toll free. The service is currently available to postpaid subscribers only

Are these guys serious?

Those who know know that taking on a contract with any GSM network in Nigeria eventually leaves a sour – if not outrightly bitter – taste in the mouth. Those who stay on the contract packages are those who are content to be cheated at every turn.

My advice? Stay away from contract packages like the plague.

A short while ago, a colleague on an online forum mentioned that he had laid down his Celtel SIM months ago, as the network was no longer offering him any special value. Then, I thought he was being hasty. Now, I am sure that he was in his right senses. I expect more subscribers particular about mobile data to follow suit. And that means millions of active young GPRS users who will flock to MTN or GloMobile.

By the way, way back in 2006, Celtel announced that its network was 3G-ready. This is mid-2008, and its 3G services are nowhere to be found. MTN and Glomobile subscribers have been largely enjoying 3G and 3.5G service (on both prepaid and postpaid lines) for months now.

Go figure. I give up on Celtel/Zain. At least for now. Where’s my MTN SIM?