The standard mobile internet configuration for GloMobile subscribers on a data plan is named GloFlat and has the following parametres:

• APN (access point name): gloflat
• Username: flat
• Password: flat

Once you exhaust your bundle plan though, you will find that you are unable to browse on a pay-as-you-go basis with the above configuration. To be able to do that (and have your browsing session billed from your airtime at 5k per second), you require the GloDirect configuration settings, as follows:

• APN (access point name): glosecure
• Username: gprs
• Password: gprs

You can have both settings saved on your device if you think you will be needing both at one point or the other. Then you can switch as required.

Don’t forget, data bundles use GloFlat. Pay-as-you-browse uses GloDirect.

I have been meaning to write this article for a long time now.

Looking at the mobile services market here in Nigeria, I am both amused and sad (though how that combination is possible is beyond me) at how everything seems to boil down to price.

The operators are in a nasty price war – and I daresay that we all are the worse for it. Here is what may have escaped us – every time a network operator has further crashed tariffs, quality of service (QoS) on that network has followed in tow.

Unfortunately, the consumers, who cry foul every time that happens, are as much to blame for the scenario.

But an industry that is price-driven alone is a dangerous thing. Note that I said “alone”.

I wish that one network operator would dare to stand out and offer significantly higher tariffs and superb, stellar services. For example, I’d like to see a network where I can upload 2GB of data without breaking a sweat in a matter of minutes. Every single time. I wouldn’t mind paying more for that service.

That would be serious differentiation based on value, not just price. People who need that kind of reliability are sure to be willing to pay for it.

Let’s take a look at the device market. Apple introduced a device that offered much less features than the competition, but that also cost significantly more. This was at a time that the global economy was going down the drain. Did Apple fail?

No; they didn’t. As a matter of fact, Apple has performed exceptionally well by refusing to compete on price. The iPhone range offers less features than others, but because it does well those things that it offers, it could be sold successfully at a premium price.

That’s market differentiation. Apple was not trying to produce another Symbian or BlackBerry copy back then. While they have since implemented some more features, they are still not producing just another smartphone.

I hope we get the picture. As consumers, we need to accept that all networks do not have to offer low tariffs – if they can offer superb value. We need options, and right now, those options do not exist.

Paying More for Less

While we now have much lower tariffs than we had many months and years ago, the fact that we have to maintain multiple lines and devices means that we may not necesarilly be spending less.

We are probably just going round in circles.

Options and Choices

I want to see the people’s network – one that offers the lowest tariffs. But then, I wouldn’t expect the most reliable services from such a network in comparison with a network offering premium services.

I also want to see the turbo (premium) network – one that offers the most rock solid connections for both voice and data, but perhaps at significantly higher tariffs.

There would also be room in the middle – for those who want a bit of this and a bit of that.

That way, consumers can make real choices. With a market as large as Nigeria, operators should have no fear of standing out from the crowd.

The Present is Mediocrity

Unfortunately, right now, there is no differentiation in the market. Absolutely none. There is no competition, for competition based on price alone is not healthy competition.

Dear network operators, where are your balls? You are all hiding in your comfort zones.

Right now, all you are offering are the same things at more or less the same prices. You are valueless brands. Waterless wells. Tasteless salt.

Your so-called brands only exist on TV and on the pages of newspapers. I know that your brand managers will blacklist me for saying this, but its been said. Go break a leg.

All you have here in the Nigerian market are business names, not brands. You are all the same.

And when someone dares to attempt to glorify this mediocrity with a statement like, “Only in Nigeria is this possible“, yes; I agree – only in Nigeria can anyone make millions daily from offering such poor, tasteless services like our networks operators offer.

In 2011, and in a country of over 150 million people, that’s shameful.

Last week, an initiative to make people donate money to bloggers and web video creators, in recognition of their freely available work, was announced. Today, November 29, was picked as the launch date, and here’s the message from the Pay A Blogger site: “On November 29, pay a blogger!”

The rationale? A quote from the Pay a blogger website:

Some of the wittiest most insightful content comes from bloggers doing it because they want to, not because of money and fame. That is all the more reason to give something back.

The idea is, If there’s a blog that you like to read and has helped you out in some way, why not take a moment to reward them? Sounds straightforward.

What do you think? If you like the idea and would love to send some cash to the Mobility blog, here are some channels:

PayPal. Send to: billing@mobilitynigeria.com

GTBank. 0009 698 726 / DomainStandard Networks

If you have some other favourite blog, do check them out today to see if they are on to the Pay a Blogger thing so you can send them some cash too.

Want to read more?

Visit the Pay a Blogger Site.

Comments welcome!

We ran a poll asking you to answer the question, “What mobile platform would your next primary smartphone be from?”

Here are the poll results!

The results in text:

1. Android OS – 50 votes (39%)
2. Symbian OS – 37 votes (29%)
3. MeeGo – 12 votes (9%)
4. iPhone – 11 votes (9%)
5. WindowsPhone – 10 votes (8%)
6. BlackBerry – 9 votes (7%)
7. Bada OS – 0 votes (0%)

Thanks to everyone who participated. Comments welcome.

Mobile reviews have been at the core of the mobility blog. This was our primary focus at inception, and you loved it and kept coming back for more. Of course, you love the tips and help articles too, as well as the bits and pieces of information that we provided.

We are renewing our focus on mobile phone and app reviews here. This means that you can expect great articles about devices and apps on your favourite OS platform, or budget range. It means that you will also get more help articles on how to make the best of whatever devices you choose to purchase.

In the last few days, I have made contact with key organisations who can provide us devices. We are hopeful for devices running Android and WindowsPhone. We already have ongoing support from Nokia, so you can expect reviews of devices running Symbian, MeeGo, WindowsPhone and S40. RIM are currently setting up office in Lagos, and we hope to reach out to them as soon as they are on the ground as well.

Have you heard of Mi-fone? I heard that they produce excellent devices for the African market. Their range includes both feature phones and Android smartphones.

We hope that we can connect with Samsung Nigeria (our Android fanbase here would be ecstatic, I can imagine).

We are also trying to reach Huawei and others.

In the meantime, some reviews are already underway. Low-end, mid-range and high-end devices are all covered. It can only get better. And more exciting.

Comments welcome!

Mobile Monday is a global community of mobile industry visionaries, developers and influentials fostering cooperation and cross-border business development through virtual and live networking events to share ideas, best practices and trends from global markets.

This month’s edition of Mobile Monday Nigeria will be holding as follows:

Theme: Get Techie 2.0: Doing Technology Business in Nigeria
Date: Monday, November 28, 2011
Time: 5:30 PM (GMT+0100)

Venue:
Bogobiri House
9 Maitama Sule Street, off Awolowo Road, South-West Ikoyi
South-West Ikoyi, Lagos

Get more details and register (for free) to attend at the events page.

It is no longer news that the mobile phone is a multi-functional device. Mobile phone users all over the world are doing much more with their phones than just making phone calls. To them, the mobile device has become an indispensable part of their everyday lives.

The question however is, ‘How are South Africans using their mobile phones?’

To give us an idea, we refer to a study carried out by a Johannesburg-based research company Synovate.

According to the study, 84% of South Africans say they simply cannot live without their mobile phones and that they use them for all kinds of things. Nothing new there. The question is, what are those things and in what proportions are they used?

Here are key points from the study:
• 87 percent use the alarm-clock function.
• 82 percent use their phone cameras to snap pictures.
• 66 percent listen to or download music on their phones.
• 71 percent play games on their phones.
• 46 percent use their phones for internet browsing.
• 47 percent watch video clips on their phones.

Now that you have an idea, we would love to hear from you. How are you using your mobile phone?

The information above was lifted from the Y’ello magazine, a quarterly magazine published by MTN South Africa.

We already covered the launch event of the Huawei U8180, and Yomi has a review of the Gaga phone here on the blog already too. So, you might be asking, What’s the point of a second review?

What you are to expect from this review is a narrative from someone who is having his first ever experience with Android OS. Yes; that’s me. It is also the first time I am spending a great deal of time with a full touchscreen device. I once bought the Nokia N8, but sold it shortly after.

The Gaga phone is a small, dainty device with Android 2.2 and a 2.8-inch screen. The full specs were already published in the previous review here.

Setting up the phone up was simple. Power on the phone and enter your Google email and password. If you do not have one, you’d do well to create one. Without it, you will not be able to access some basic features of the phone like the Android market.

Take note, the Huawei u8180 that I am reviewing is a loaned device from Etisalat. It is available for offer at N18,999. Bear in mind also that it is locked to the Etisalat network, so forget about trying to slot in a SIM from another network. That won’t work.

What I adore about the device
As someone who is coming from a Symbian environment, there are certain things I immediately loved about the phone.

Integration of third party apps with the Phone – This is a feature that can be found in other Android phones too, not just the Gaga phone. I use Opera Mini browser much, as it helps to conserve amount of data consumed. As soon as you click the option icon on the Opera Mini browser and click on Share, you will be presented with different options depending on the messaging apps you have installed on the device.

In my own case, I had installed Facebook, Twitter for Android, Twitterific, Buffer App, Google+ and Gmail that came with it. The browser gives you option to share whatever you are reading to these locations with ease.

Android Market
In the Android market you can search between paid and free apps. There are lots of free apps in the Android Market. In my case, I was keen to download, Twitter for Android, Twitterefic, Angry bird. Facebook app, Whatsapp, Google plus and some other apps I was playing with. You have to be signed in to your Gmail account before you can access the Android market. After you do that, the rest is easy.

Software
Gaga runs Android 2.2 Froyo. Given the screen estate, there is not so much opportunity for you to enjoy its features to the maximum. But I tell you after spending a few days with the phone, you will be forced to like it and want to take it with you any where you go. It is not as smooth and fast when switching from one operation to the order. For its price range, however, I will say that it is okay.

Entertainment
YouTube is there for you. There is an app that comes pre-installed with the phone. With ease you can search among the numerous videos that are on YouTube.

I was able to stream some videos over Etisalat’s 3.75G network.

Music playback has some nice quality too on the device.

Social Networking
The major social networks have apps that are free for Android, and so available for the Gaga phone. There is Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, Google plus, Facebook, and Skype. They all integrate effectively with your contacts. When downloading the different apps, the phone will prompt you and ask if you will like your Facebook contacts to be synchronised with your contacts on the phone.

I particularly like the way the contacts can synchronise with the other apps. It would sync your Google contacts with your mobile phone for you. While working with Twitter of Facebook, it’ll allow you to decide what browser you want to use to open the link.

Typing on The Touchscreen
Typing on the touchscreen will be a chore for starters. However, as soon as you get more comfortable with it and use the auto-correct feature, you’d be comfortable. I spoke with a few people who are hard core physical QWERTY fans and who say they will not go for any touchscreen phone. I think that’s a sentiment that will last only for a while. Soon touchscreen will become ubiquitous.

I was not happy about a few things
I could not get an app to take screen snaps. After a few inquiries, I was told I would have to root the device to make the screenshot apps that are available work with it. It is most likely that those who will pick interest in the Gaga phone are not geeks. So, they will not be ready to root or hack their phone to perform such a function.

The battery does not last long enough. I do not get a full day use from it. I am a heavy user.

The Gaga phone comes with 50MB monthly free data from Etisalat. I exhausted the 50MB in less than 4 hours. If you do decide to get the phone and will like to know how to manage it to minimise data consumption, be sure to check this piece we did here – Managing mobile internet consumption on Android smartphones.

Opera Mobile for Symbian has received an update to version 11.5.1 with the following features:

- Added predictive text input and language choice in search field
- Improved stability in out of memory situations
- Fixed issues with browser freezing
- Fixed issues with browser when Opera Link is enabled
- Fixed issues with text selection and cut/copy/paste
- Fixed issues with reappearing search engines after deletion
- Fixed issues with selecting text using Up/Down navigation keys
- Fixed issues with third-party input keyboards (QQ, Baidu, Sougou)

This update is available today for download from m.opera.com, and will shortly be available in the Nokia Store.

Source

The Yahoo Messenger app for android has just got a bump up to version 1.5.0. The changelog reads:

• Support for front facing camera on devices with OS 2.3
• Improved performance and stability

If you have marked your apps for automatic updates, yours should be up-to-date already. If not, you will need to login to the Android Market to manually update it.

To take advantage of the camera, the Yahoo Messenger Plug-in 1.5 is required, so you need to get that from the Android Market too.

Until I came across this, I used to think Ocupy Campaigns are strictlly directed towards countries by concerned citizens who want certain changes. Well, a concerned group has launched a campaign againt Adobe’s decision to drop Flash on the mobile platform. They are revolting against Adobe’s move.

The goal of the movement is “to get the world to uninstall the Flash Player plugin from their desktop browsers.” I wonder how possible this is, anyway. They presented their manifesto thus:

Flash Player is dead. Its time has passed. It’s buggy. It crashes a lot. It requires constant security updates. It doesn’t work on most mobile devices. It’s a fossil, left over from the era of closed standards and unilateral corporate control of web technology. Websites that rely on Flash present a completely inconsistent (and often unusable) experience for fast-growing percentage of the users who don’t use a desktop browser. It introduces some scary security and privacy issues by way of Flash cookies. Flash makes the web less accessible. At this point, it’s holding back the web.

Interestingly, when I visited the site, the site detected flash player on my browser and gave instructions on how to uninstall it. They also gave several tips on how everyone can do without flash player.

So, what do you think about this kind of campaign? Will you be uninstalling the Flash Player on your PC? source 

Earlier this year, Visa Inc. acquired Fundamo, a leading mobile money platform. Visa has now created its first mobile payment platform which enables financial institutions and mobile network operators to offer Visa prepaid accounts on mobile phones to unbanked and under-banked consumers in developing countries.

MTN Group, a leading telecommunications provider in Africa and the Middle East, plans to offer the new Visa product to MTN Mobile Money customers across its markets.

Initially, the new collaborative move will be launched in Nigeria and Uganda. This is great news, as the push from Visa is bound to give mobile money the much needed push here in Nigeria and elsewhere.

I really am looking forward to this. In my opinion, most of the existing mobile money options on ground here are too cumbersome and not quite fit for e-commerce use yet.

Perhaps, Visa Mobile can change the playing ground significantly.