It is the end of the year. The majority of people are out shopping for Christmas and for the New Year. Some of that shopping is bound to include mobiles; right?

I have been taking a look at the current mobile landscape in Nigeria and I thought I would suggest a few things to our readers in terms of both devices and internet plans.

Service Plan

If you are looking for the best mobile internet deal in the country right now, look no further than Etisalat’s BlackBerry Complete plan.

Details

• BlackBerry Messenger
• Internet Browsing
• One web based email
• One BB email
• Social networks
• Instant Messaging
• BB App World
• There is no data cap i.e. unlimited downloads
• 20k/sec on calls to any network in Nigeria
• Cost: N1,500 per month

While several mobile operators offer monthly bundle plans that cost between N1,000 and N1,600, the data cap of 100-200 MB means that you are pretty limited. Other networks also offer Blackberry Complete plans, but only Etisalat gives you unlimited internet access.

Etisalat’s Blackberry Complete gives you the full BlackBerry internet Suite (though limited to only one email account, which will serve for most people), and no data cap on your usage.

Devices

If you don’t do lots of browsing on your mobile, any blackberry smartphone will do. Get the cheapest, the 8520 Curve (no 3G), and enjoy. Budget: N27,000 – N30,000.

If you do need 3G service, the cheapest is the 9300 Curve 3G. Budget: N40,000 – N45,000.

If you do a lot of web browsing on your mobile, a larger display is indispensable. As such you might want to get a BlackBerry device with a larger display e.g. the Torch 9860 (3.7-inch, 480 x 800 pixel full touchscreen) to use with this plan.

The Torch 9860 is a capable device that runs a 1.2GHz processor, 768 MB RAM and 2.5GB internal storage. There is an excellent web browser on board, and great media consumption features. It supports DivX/XviD out of the box and packs a 5 megapixel, auto-focus camera.

This device will set you back about N80,000.

Other Scenarios

Should you also need internet service on your laptop and other computing device, you can get a modem or mifi and activate one of the available plans ranging from 1.5GB to 6GB monthly for that purpose. I recommend that you get that service from an alternative network just so you don’t have a single point of failure.

However, it is your choice at the end of the day. You can also subscribe to one of the available Easyblaze plans on the same line that your BlackBerry is using – and then use that line and device as a modem with your PC.

Let’s say you have the BB Complete Plan running for N1,500, and also subscribe for a regular internet bundle for N4,000 (1.5GB), that’s a total of N5,500 for your monthly needs.

Each person’s mileage will vary.

If your employers provide a PC and internet access at work, you may not seriously need the regular internet bundle. In which case, with nothing more than the BlackBerry Complete plan and a Blackberry smartphone, your mobile internet needs are fully covered.

Conclusions

The purpose of this piece is not to force a single solution down everyone’s throat. But if you are concerned about the cost of your monthly internet subscription, you may want to consider this.

Disclaimer: Think about your needs and preferences in making purchases. What I have recommended here may not be what floats your boat.

Lagos, November 16, 2011: Nigeria’s fastest growing Telecommunications Company, Etisalat, has announced that in just three years, its high quality network has covered the nooks and crannies of the country. This announcement comes on the heels of the rollout of the 3.75G HSPA+ network and the third anniversary celebration.

Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Steven Evans, said, “We realized early that network coverage and quality of service go hand and hand, and that coverage is a major consideration for subscribers who wish to join our network, so we embarked on an aggressive roll-out campaign to cover 9ja with our quality network. This strategy paid off and has made it possible for us to effectively compete with the older players in this market”.

He further explained that from the initial 7 launch cities, Etisalat has covered 523 major cities and towns; 2716 satellite communities and 111 roads; spreading from north to south, east to west, and all across Nigeria. Locations such as Damaturu, Isiala-Ngwa, Ogbomosho, Jimeta, Amaigbo, Owo, Oron, Shendam, Boki, Sapele, Parakou, Lanlate amongst others have been covered by the Etisalat network.

“We are proud to announce that Etisalat is covering Nigeria with quality service. In just 3 years of operation, we have now reached the magical 10 million subscribers and we are simply the fastest growing telecoms company in Nigeria. We say a big thank you to 9ja for giving us the opportunity to become their network of choice” continued Evans.

From a relatively unknown brand launched on the 23rd of October, 2008, Etisalat has grown to become 9ja’s favourite brand meeting the aspirations of its esteemed customers and challenging the status quo to what had become the accepted standard for mobile operators.

With a promise to deliver innovative and quality services in Nigeria since inception, Etisalat launched with the famous 0809uchoose offering closely followed by the 0809ja brand campaigns which endeared many Nigerians to its brand.

Since then, Nigeria has continued to witness its innovative services including – Homezone, Receiver Pays, Recharge others, You & Me on its easy starter product; Cliq for the day, Cliq for the week, unlimited SMS, facebook updates by SMS and MMS on easy cliq; and Bonus on incoming calls – a unique product feature available to subscribers of its easy starter and easy cliq products. Etisalat redefined speed with the recent roll-out of the unique 3.75G HSPA+ network and launch of the Gaga Android smartphone, an Etisalat customized 3G-enabled device which operates on android 2.2.

Today, Etisalat Nigeria has network coverage in all the states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The company has made a substantial direct investment in infrastructure with a significant portion deployed into the construction of the GSM network infrastructure and the introduction of HSPA+ technology which will deliver reliable high quality service

The Mobility crew was invited to the launch of the gaga package from Etisalat Nigeria. The launch event held at Four Points by Sheraton on Victoria Island, Lagos, and I was there to represent the team.

The Gaga package includes the Huawei U8180 Android smartphone along with several freebies and benefits. It is being pushed to provide subscribers with an affordable smartphone to take advantage of Etisalat’s recently launched HSPA+ network.

Features of this offer:

• Lady Gaga smartphone
• 20k/sec to all networks
• no access fee
• 50MB free data monthly for 4 months
• ONLY N18,999!

The gaga smartphone specs in brief:

• Android 2.2
• 2.8-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen
• 3.2 megapixel camera
• FM radio
• 528 MHz processor, Qualcomm MSM7225 chipset
• 150MB internal memory; 256MB RAM
• Wifi & Wifi hotspot feature
• microSD slot with 2GB card included
• GPS satellite navigation
• 1200mAh battery

After-sales support for the gaga smartphone is available at all Huawei outlets in the country.

Etisalat gave out Gaga smartphones to individuals in attendance at the launch event.

To activate your gaga offer, send “gaga” as an SMS to 8180 or go to any experience centre or dealer outlet.

Yesterday, I reported from the Easyblaze launch event and gave you key info about the service. Today, I present the Easynet data plans, tariffs and subscription codes.

Here is also a quick FAQ for your convenience.

How do I setup the easy blaze USB modem?
All you have to do with the easyblaze USB modems is put in you already registered and activated Data SIM card, install the USB software on your PC and then connect. You only have to install the software once and the modem is auto-detected by your PC every time you put it in.

Can I share my easyblaze Broadband internet with other users?
To share your Easyblaze connection, you need to purchase either a MiFi Router (supports up to 5 users) or our wireless routers (supports up to 20 users). Once you put your data SIM card and set it up, you can share your connection.

How do pre-paid subscribers get these plans?
You can get these plans by simply recharging your prepaid SIM card and dialing the appropriate Subscription Code or via SMS Keywords.

How do post-paid subscribers get these plans?
New post-paid subscribers can be activated by visiting the shops or call the customer care ‘200’ while an existing subscriber can use any of the subscription codes to activate any of the data plans.

Can an existing easynet subscriber’s upgrade to the 3G services?
Existing subscribers need to use the applicable codes in order to subscribe to easyblaze broadband plans.

Do I always need a Data-Only SIM Card and USB Modem to use these plans?
No. You can use easyblaze broadband plans on your phone and regular etisalat prepaid SIM card.

Can I still make calls and get SMS while using the data plans?
This is device dependent. Please note that not all USB modems support Voice Calls and SMS. However, if you are using your phone with the 3G data plans, you may still be able to make/receive calls and SMS.

How can check the amount of data remaining on my data plan?
Simply dial *228# to confirm your data balance.

In case I forgot the subscription code or SMS keyword, what should I do?
Texts “help” to “299”, and then follow through, the instruction.

What happens when my data plan is exhausted?
When your plan is finished you will go back to your Pay-As-You-Go rate at 5kobo/ kb.

The Mobility team was invited to attend the official launch of Etisalat Nigeria’s broadband mobile internet service (branded Easyblaze) at the Lagos Oriental Hotel.

Find below some key information about Easyblaze.

10 Quick Facts about Easyblaze

1. easyblaze is Etisalat’s high speed broadband internet service
2. It operates on a 3.75G HSPA+ technology that can achive top speeds of up to 42Mbps
3. HSPA+ means – High Speed Packet Access
4. HSPA+ is the latest release of the 3G technology versions
5. Etisalat is the only GSM operator in Nigeria to offer 3.75G HSPA+ broadband internet service.
6. easyblaze enables Etisalat subscribers faster internet browising and downloads, video calling, live video streaming, interactive online games, live music streaming online and more.
7. easyblaze is currently accessible in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Akwa, Nnewi, Warri, Kaduna, Kano, Zaria, Enugu, Onitsha, Aba, and Benin.
8. easyblaze has several data plans including 200MB, 500MB, 1.5GB, Night & Weekend, 3G and 6GB.
9. easyblaze is accessible using 3G enabled devices such as Smartphones, Tablets, USB modems, Routers and MiFis.

There are a number of new features available with this service as follows:

• Auto-renewal: Automatic renewal allows subscribers to purchase any of our data plans, as long as the subscriber has sufficient airtime credit in his account.
• Data Roll-Over: This allows a subscriber to rollover unused MB of the current data plan provided a new data purchase can be made before the end of validity period of the unused or active data plan.
• Product speed cap: Ability to apply cap on the speed per product and PAYG speed cap.

The Huawei U8180 Codename "Gaga" is sleek, and costs only N20,000

Apparently, Etisalat Nigeria is in partnership with Huawei for terminal supply, as a list of Huawei devices were available, including the sexy, budget Android smartphone, the Huawei U8180 “Gaga” phone, and the E5 Mifi device for connecting up to 5 devices via Wifi.

The Mifi also a Huawei product

In the first part of this Lagos-Zaria adventure series, I gave information about the mobile gadgets that I took along for the trip.

In this second part, I will give account of our experiences with the various mobile networks during our trip.

Networks
All along the route, MTN mobile internet was available for the most part, but apart from voice calls and SMS, it was a complete disappointment. We were unable to do anything that required internet access with it. It was Glo GPRS/EDGE that saved the day.

Courtesy of Glo, Dayo was able to moderate comments on Mobility blog all through our ten and half hour drive from Lagos to Abuja. Of course, after Ibadan, we had to make do with just GSM/EDGE all the way to Abuja.

We got 3.5G service on both Glo and MTN back on arrival in the Federal Capital Territory, but in Zaria, especially Ahmadu Bello University where we operated from, getting a stable signal on almost any GSM network was next to mission impossible. At Abuja, both networks delivered fast internet access at our University of Abuja, Gwagwalada location.

By the way, we decided that there was a need to polish up the name from Gwagwalada to “Gwags” or “G-lada”. “Gwagwalada” was just too much of a mouthful for our refined lips. Which is your preference?

Along Kaduna-Zaria Road

We did not get a 3G signal on any network during our stay at ABU Zaria. Etisalat was the most stable for mobile internet, and I had to replace my MTN SIM with one from that network.

Dayo, who took along only a phone with his MTN SIM could access the internet only while we were at Abuja. Before and after that, he was one frustrated mobile traveler for the most part.

Of course, we were able to make and receive calls all through the trip as long as there was a signal. However, again, the ABU Zaria area was just terrible, as we experienced dropped calls again and again.

Our return trip was a straight drive from Zaria through Jebba to Lagos. Glo GPRS/EDGE served us well, though there wasn’t always a signal. There were times we lost the Glo signal but MTN was live and well.

Of course, our trip was not a scientific experiment, so we must have missed out a number of things. We were not looking at the devices for a signal every single moment. I am just sharing in general our observations.

Camels shared the road with us in Niger state, Northern Nigeria!

Because our return journey was a stretch and on an older road, we did less observing, and did more of avoiding craters, potholes and articulated vehicles almost all the way from Zaria to Lagos.

Up Next
How did we find our way through the 800 kilometres to the north and back? Enter: Ovi Maps – plus some streak of wild adventurism!

Lagos, Nigeria; September 9, 2011: Etisalat Nigeria has once again made good its promise to continue to provide its customers with innovative telecommunications solutions. This followed the launch of its newest service known as DotMe, an sms-based message service that enables etisalat mobile phone subscribers to publish information on their mobile number via SMS while on the go. Etisalat is the only network in Nigeria, and the first in the world to launch such an innovative service.

According to Etisalat, the simple, yet powerful SMS-based social bulletin board acts like a personal bulletin board that enables users to instantly publish information from their mobile via SMS, and which can easily be retrieved by their contacts, or any other persons on demand via SMS.

Explaining how the product works during a media launch in Lagos, Etisalat Chief Commercial Officer, Wael Ammar said that because the service is SMS-based, it is simple to use for individuals, organisations or businesses.

To use this service, a dotter simply sends a message or an update to the service code 8900. This can then be accessed on demand by his or her followers on any network anywhere in the world as long as he/she has the dotter’s Etisalat mobile phone number.

“For a start, the dotter invites his or her contacts to follow his or her posts by asking them to text a dot, that is a full stop (.) to his or her Etisalat mobile number to retrieve his or her status, and updates this status regularly,” Ammar explained. “And if you are a follower all you need to do is to send a dot to the etisalat mobile number of your dotter, and you are able to receive the last post of the person you are following. For instance, sending a dot (.) to 0809xxxxxxx would result in a response SMS with the last post of the dotter.”

The DotMe service was invented and developed by Telsis. “We are delighted that Etisalat is our launch customer for DotMe” said Telsis founder and chairman, Jeff Wilson, “Effective communication is good for business and good for people. DotMe complements the voice and text capabilities of mobile phones by offering a simple and ubiquitous publishing capability. Just as we call and text for many different reasons, people will find their own many and varied uses for DotMe. All Etisalat customers can now post messages and anyone, anywhere can get their status or information.”

Ammar expressed conviction that this innovative new way to quickly share information with more people will prove useful to both individuals from all works of life, businesses, and other organisations like churches, mosques, and government organisations.

“Dotting regularly enables a business like a supermarket, for instance, to update customers on in-store promos and product stock updates. With information just a dot away, shoppers who may have avoided shopping at the supermarket will be encouraged to stop by and shop,” he said.

The service costs one naira for posting one’s status or information using the service. The Etisalat DotMe posts are also accessible to customers of other networks. It cost one naira for etisalat customers to follow while non-etisalat customer in Nigeria and the world can follow at the normal SMS rates. The service is available for both prepaid and postpaid subscribers and does not require any subscription.

Etisalat recently acquired the 3G license awarded to Alheri Engineering, and it seems that they have been hard at work setting things up. My Etisalat SIM now delivers 3.5G service wherever there is coverage.

Etisalat’s 3.5G network is not as extensive as their 2G network yet, but I’m hoping that they will be more ambitous in their rollout than the other networks have been.

Then, we can experience better competition in the mobile broadband space.

Etisalat Nigeria have re-packaged their mobile internet plans.

• 100MB Plan – N1,000 – Dial *229*2*1# to activate
• 500MB Plan – N3,000 – Dial *229*2*2# to activate
• 1.5GB Plan – N5,000 – Dial *229*2*4# to activate
• 3Gb Plan – N6,500 – Dial *229*2*3# to activate
• 6GB Plan – N8,000 – Dial *229*2*5# to activate

Other Plans include:

• Daily Plan (24 hours) – 10MB – N100 – Dial *229*3*1# to activate
• Weekly Mobile Bundle (7days) – 50MB – N500 – Dial *229*3*4# to activate
• Night Time and Weekends (Mon – Thurs; 9pm-7am) (Fri – Mon; 9pm-7am) – 3GB – N5,000 – Dial *229*3*3# to activate

Etisalat are also offering up to 1GB free data depending on the plan you purchase.

Purchasing the 1.5GB plan gives you 500MB to use in the next month. Buying either of the 3GB and 6GB plans, gives you 1GB free to use in the next month. This freebie is a limited-time offer running for three months only.

Dayo first set me on to this. He had gotten a Blackberry and ran an experiment subscribing to both BIS and an MTN bundle plan. The idea is that with the bundle plan, he could tether and browse on his laptop. We both knew that the networks didn’t allow subscribers to tether via BIS.

Initially, I thought he was crazy, but it made sense. Whether it made sense or not anyway, it worked. He has both BIS and a mobile internet bundle plan running on his line – the best of both worlds.

I currently have a N5,000 Always Min internet bundle active on my line, and I may be reviewing Blackberry OS version 6.0 and so will need a BIS subscription. Afraid that activating BIS would make me lose my precious N5,000 investment, I decided to ask.

Here is an excerpt from Glo’s response:

These services are actually different and will not affect each other in any way. You can as well activate the BIS on that same sim.

Well, that is comforting.

I did try it out later and it works just like Glo customer care said it should.

So, now you know (or you had known before now and I was the one living in ignorance and the joke is on me!), you can use your BB and still enjoy tethering at a modest cost by subscribing for a bundle plan. At least on MTN and Glo. Anyone have any info on Airtel and Etisalat? Of course, I am expecting that it will pretty much be the same on those operators as well, but you never can tell.

A year ago, we had published here that Etisalat was reported to be in talks to acquire the 3G license that was awarded to Alheri Engineering back in 2007.

Good news to all Etisalat subscribers – your network now has the coveted 3G license in its kitty and hopefully you should be enjoying broadband speeds shortly.

From a Vanguard news item:

EMTS, Etisalat Nigeria, announced the agreed purchase of Alheri Mobile Services Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of the Dangote Group in Lagos. Alheri Mobile is a holder of a 3G licence for Nigeria . Management sources said that the acquisition will put Etisalat Nigeria in the position of having immediate access to and full use of a 3G licence in line with the other three GSM operators in Nigeria.

CEO of Etisalat Nigeria, Steven E. Evans, said, “we are delighted to acquire the 3G licence, which is an essential element of our plans for further developing the market for mobile broadband in Nigeria.
We have placed a strong emphasis on offering data services to all our customers from launch through enabling edge on all our cell sites throughout Nigeria . Now with 3G, we can further develop our data and mobile broadband portfolio and offer our customers even higher levels of service. There is pent-up demand in Nigeria for broadband and we intend to be leaders in satisfying it.”

Here’s to more competition for the other GSM operators already running 3G networks, and in particular Airtel whose 3G coverage has been very limited, to say the least.

Full news item: In two years of operation, Etisalat Nigeria acquires 3G Licence

Thanks to Keweno for the tip-off.

Great things are happening in the Nigerian mobile space indeed. While we were all still waiting for the iPhone to come to a GSM network, Etisalat snuck up behind us all and brought us the Galaxy Tab.

The Tab is a 7-inch Android-powered tablet with the following specs:

• 2G – GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE
• 3G (HSUPA 5.76Mbps, HSDPA 7.2Mbps)
• OS: Android 2.2 (Froyo)
• Display: 7.0 inch TFT-LCD, WSVGA (1024 x 600)
• Processor: Cortex A8 1.0GHz Application Processor with PowerVR SGX540
• Camera: 3 MP Camera with Auto-Focus and LED Flash
• 1.3MP front camera for Video Telephony
• Adobe Flash 10.1 player support
• Full HD video playback supporting MP4/DivX/WMV/H.264/H.263
• Up to 7h movie playback
• TV-out
• Thinkfree Office Suite
• 30 pin connector
• WiFi 802.11n
• Bluetooth® 3.0
• GPS, with A-GPS support
• 16G / 32G internal memory with up to 32G external memory slot
• RAM: 512 MB
• Size: 190.09 x 120.45 x 11.98mm
• Weight: 380g
• Battery: 4,000mAh

The Etisalat Galaxy Tab offer gives you:

• A free Etisalat SIM card
• Free monthly voice [25 minutes], Text [25 SMS] and data [250MB] bundles for a 12-month duration. The bundle is awarded on the first day of every month for 12 months beginning from the day of activation. This way, you get the feeling of availability of free services every month for 1 year.
• Free platinum 0809 special number
• Access to installmental payments and consumer loans (terms and conditions apply)

Source

According to today’s edition of The Vanguard newspaper, the package is available for N125,000.

I just put up my X10 Mini Pro for sale earlier today. This humongous device – the Galaxy Tab – is what I need for my mobile office and entertainment needs. For telephony, I’ll get a non-smartphone with stellar voice/SMS capabilities (perhaps a Nokia C3?).

Kudos, Etisalat!

Hats-off to Afewgoodmen for the tip-off.