San Francisco, CA – Spinlet is a company dedicated to meeting the needs of music lovers and artists. The company will become the premier digital distribution service to enter the African market and is focused on promoting music as the catalyst for positive social engineering. San Francisco based Spinlet is committed to ensuring they have their finger on the pulse in the Nigerian and African entertainment industries and have recently set up a location in Lagos, Nigeria. The company has hired a local team to assist in the launch of the new Spinlet service set to release this November.

As Africa’s premier digital distribution service Spinlet will assist artists and musicians in capturing revenue streams often lost to the piracy markets. Spinlet began exploring African markets after noticing gaps in distribution of media content in Africa. Spinlet’s move to fill this void was made to revolutionize the distribution and purchasing behavior in the booming African markets.

Spinlet will work together with labels, artists and musicians to produce world-class music that can be marketed and sold throughout Africa and in international markets. The achievements already made within the African Entertainment Industry are monumental with first rate recording studios, international recognition on the rise and commercial opportunities becoming available to artists. “Through digital distribution and artist development we can help to generate economic growth, create jobs in the entertainment industries and help raise international awareness of African artists’ increasing live performance and publishing revenue” says Spinlet’s Mark Redgard.

In addition to the many benefits of working with Spinlet, the company will focus on helping artists connect with and grow their fan bases through film and tv soundtrack placement, multi-national endorsements and commercial opportunities. ”The domestic market is huge and can sustain artists singing in regional languages and experimenting with indigenous styles,” says Redgard, “we want to encourage the youth of Africa to continue to make and market their music and see that they are adequately compensated for it. They deserve commercial success just as anyone else would.”

Artists and record labels can join the Spinlet service and begin selling their music immediately upon launch of the service by contacting a Spinlet representative or submitting their music through an online process. Spinlet does not discriminate on any artists and encourages all rights holders to submit their music or contact Spinlet as soon as possible to begin the process of joining the global Spinlet brand.

You can learn more about Spinlet at www.spinlet.com.

Johannesburg, November 3, 2011, Nigeria is the fifth-largest country in the world for Opera Mini browser usage and that is expected to increase even further with the recently-released co-branded MTN and Opera Mini offering. Nigeria is far ahead of major players like China, the United States and Brazil for the number of Opera Mini browser users.

In the past year, Nigeria experienced 634.3% growth in the number of Opera Mini users and 547.7% growth in the number of webpages viewed each month. Nigerian mobile web users are busy too, with the average user viewing 345 pages each month.

Around 90% of Nigerian mobile surfing is done using Opera Mini.

The top four sites for Nigerian mobile surfers are Facebook, Google, Yahoo! and the BBC. Opera Mini is the most popular mobile browser in Nigeria and the browser of choice for 73% of all mobile web users in Africa.

Not only does Opera Mini deliver a faster Web to almost any phone, it also cuts data costs by compressing webpage data before pages are delivered, while retaining all the functionality of a normal webpage. In a nutshell, this gives Nigerians the ability to view almost nine times as much content on their phones as with their existing browser – for the same price.

Opera Mini works on more than 3,000 different mobile-phone models, from basic feature phones to the latest smartphones.

Existing Opera Mini users on the MTN network in Nigeria will be automatically updated to the new version when they run Opera Mini. Users can also download Opera Mini directly to their phones at m.opera.com.

From the break of today the first day of November 2011, the clock began to tick as the countdown begins to the 30 days ultimatum issued by NCC (Nigerian Communications Commission) to Globacom, MTN and Airtel.

The Nigerian Communications Commission has said that it would penalize the three major network operators to the tune of one million naira if they failed to improve service qualities at the end of this month.

The commission carried out independent monitoring exercises of the three networks across the country and found them lacking in performance.

According to a statement by Mr Reuben Muoka, Head, Media and public relations NCC, the commission will stop these operators from further sales of SIM cards by the end of November 2011 if they failed to meet the key performance indicators set by the commission.

These key performance indicators are:

- Call set up success rate

- Call completion rate

- Stand alone dedicated control channel

- Hand over success rate.

Editor’s note: One wonders why data services are never included in NCC’s performance metrics.

I was a participant at MTN Nigeria’s Ideas Forum held at the Southern Sun, Ikoyi yesterday. It was a very engaging time during which we discussed mobile apps development in Nigeria and MTN’s proposed mobile app store, as well as ways that the ecosystem can be enhanced.

I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with a number of great guys from strategic companies, including Opera and Microsoft.

I have it on good authority from the Microsoft official that Windows Phone is coming to Nigeria officially – and soon. So many people have been asking me this question, so I guess your blood pressures can return to normal now – or go up even more from the anticipation.

Oh, and I was told that the Nigerian launch is not going to be soft, so expect a lot of push from Microsoft here.

Meanwhile, do not forget that my written review of Windows Phone 7.5 Mango is on the way.

Are you the mobile/internet enthusiast out there who believes/plays in the industry but doesn’t fully understand the language? Are you are a potential investor and you know there are prospects in this industry but you just dont understand most of the basics?

Are you a student who has many questions on how to become a mobile/internet enterprenuer? Or you are a professional who is looking at a career change or business in our industry but you have been finding it difficult to understand the basics on the internet and mobile business?

The knowledge required to get techie is not written in any training school syllabus nor most textbooks. It is more of a culture and language that have evolved over the years.

October MoMo meet-up is therefore setup to help you on this journey. It will be an interactive session where you can network, learn and ask questions about the mobile internet industry. Our panelists will try to answer as many questions as possible.

Topics to be covered will include:

– Cloud Computing
– Start a technology business
– relevance of mobile applications to my business
– How to recorgnize a good developer
– Plus the ones on your mind!

Panelists will be answering all of them in a very interactive and networking free settings.

Date: Oct 24, 2011
Time: 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Venue: Robert’s Cafe, 16B, Akin Olugbade Street, Victoria Island, Lagos

Come and get more Techie! Go register now to reserve a spot.

Mobile number portability (MNP) is a subject that Nigerians have been passionate about. Having been at the mercy of poor QoS (Quality of service) from operators, many have turned to demanding for MNP as a way out. With MNP, a subscriber can cross over to another network but retain his/her number.

The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has now taken concrete steps towards the proposed number portability by appointing a consortium of three companies to implement the proposed number portability services.

Below is an except of the news item from the NCC website:

Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, weekend, said it had appointed a consortium of three companies to implement the proposed number portability services which will allow Nigerian phone users move from one network to another without losing their numbers.

The consortium of Interconnect/Saab Grintek/Telecordia was announced by the commission as the preferred vendor for the service after the technical, financial and demo presentations by the bidding vendors.

Number portability will allow subscribers move to alternate networks when they are no longer enjoying the quality of services being obtained from their current operators or when they are no longer happy with the tariffs offered by their current subscribers. They will still retain their original numbers irrespective of the new network from which they may be obtaining their services.

Source

I am hoping that the implementation comes fast. With the different juicy offers from different networks, there is the pressure to switch. However, switching now would mean a change of my mobile number. With MNP in place, you wouldn’t have to worry about losing your number when you switch.

What do you think of this project? Will MNP solve our QoS problems? Which network will you be switching to and why? Let’s have your comments.

Lagos, Nigeria; October 13, 2011: In line with its corporate vision of creating innovative, exciting, relevant and affordable telecommunications solutions, leading Mobile Operator, Airtel has introduced a special package for Nigerian youth.

The new package, Airtel Club 10, will enable Nigerian youth as well as the young-at-heart to create their own clubs of 10 members and communicate freely through voice, SMSs and data at very affordable rates.

Airtel Club 10 will enable youngsters and the young-at-heart to connect to nine people which may be close friends, school mates and family members at an attractive rate of 10kobo per second; send SMS at N1 per SMS and benefit from a posy of exciting complimentary offerings including free music download, data bundle, caller ring back tone (CRBT) and games.

Speaking on the new offer, the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of Airtel Nigeria, Deepak Srivastava said Airtel Club 10 is a very distinctive different and germane offering that will further revolutionize the telecommunications industry in Nigeria as it gives young Nigerians the power and freedom to enjoy innovative telecoms packages at pocket friendly rates.

He said following the launch of the highly successful telecoms offerings such as 2Good, Big Family and 2SIMs, there was a need to design an exclusive and exciting package that will meet the needs, demands and aspirations of Nigerian youth.

“Airtel Club 10 is a result of painstaking research. We understand that Nigerian youth are trendy, social, hardworking and innovative. So, we created a package that will meet all of their needs without an adverse impact on their pockets.

“With Club 10, it is fun all the way as young Nigerians can now build a wide network of friends, enjoy complimentary data access and benefit from a wide range of free Value Added Services,” Said Srivastava.

Existing customers can subscribe to the Airtel Club 10 package by dialing *101#. Non Airtel customers are expected to purchase and register their SIMs and then dial *101# to connect to the package. To register friends, school mates and associates, customers are expected to dial *101*2* phone number #.

Under the Club 10 package, customers can make calls at 10k/sec for registered numbers; calls to other service classes within the network are billed at 20k/sec while calls to other networks are billed at 30k/sec. However, customers will be billed 60k/sec for the first minute.

For Short Messages Service, customers’ group’s SMS are billed at N1; other on-net SMS are billed at N3 and off-net SMS at N5. Free 10MB data valid for 1 week after N200 usage within 1 week. Free on-net mid night calls apply within 12:30a.m to 4:30a.m.

It is October 1, 2011, the 51st independence anniversary of the home country of Mobility blog.

We have come a long way as a nation. We have our struggles. We have our frustrations – all too well documented. Let us keep hitting at those.

But we have our pride. Our hope. Our aspirations. Our dreams! Let us keep our eyes on these.

We have our country: Nigeria.

Here is wishing every Nigerian and every friend of our country a happy celebration. God bless Nigeria! God bless Nigeria’s flagship blog, Mobility blog!!

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.

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.

Easyblaze is currently the fastest mobile broadband internet service in Nigeria.

I must admit, to my shame, that I am one of those Nigerians who think that the price we pay for internet access is exhorbitant. Of course, this kind of thinking is based absolutely on ignorance of what is happening in other parts of the world. Had we been properly informed and educated, we would know that we are in Heaven in Nigeria as far as internet access is concerned.

For example, when you recharge with N200 on Etisalat, you get 15MB of data free to use for the monthweek. We should simply ask ourselves, Does this happen on Etisalat in other parts of the world? While I haven’t done my research, my guess is that the answer to that question will most definitely surprise us.

I recently came to South Africa to live and work. Naturally, I would need to choose an internet plan to use so I can continue to represent Mobility and keep in touch with the world. I had been told that as far as tarrifs go, MTN is the network to look at. So I decided to continue the tradition of “Every Where You Go”.

You can imagine my surprise when I checked out their prices for the different range of internet bundles they offer, and compared it with what obtains on MTN in Nigeria. The difference was too clear. The tariffs for internet access on MTN South Africa are certainly higher than that of MTN Nigeria.

Here Is The Comparison
For starters, Pay-as-you-use internet on MTN SA cost R2.00 Per MB (N40.00).
On MTN Nigeria, it cost 155kobo per KB which translates to N50.00 per MB

1day plan with 150MB data cap on MTN SA cost R50.00 (N1,000.00).
The same plan on MTN Nigeria costs N500.00

1GB data plan on MTN SA cost R289.00 (N5,780.00)
The same plan on MTN Nigeria costs N5,000.00

2GB data plan MTN SA cost R389.00 (N7,780.00)
5GB data plan MTN Nigeria cost N8,000.

As we can see, the figures speak for themselves. In my uneducated opinion, I would expect that internet tarrif in SA would be cheaper as they don’t need to power their cell sites with generators, and they do not need to spend money on diesel to keep those generators running like their Nigerian counterparts do.

For all it is worth, MTN Nigeria and other networks are working miracles to bring us internet access at the price they do, given all they have to deal with in our environment.

Be warned upfront that this article is a little self-promoting. Still, I find a need to write it, so bear with me. It has been said that if you do not blow your own trumpet, who will do so for you?

This morning, I woke up to a tweet by BabseAketi, a follower of both my personal and MobilityBlog accounts. Here is what it said:

You can’t write for everyone but if i was in another life, i’d love to write for @mobilityblog … their head dey there!

PS: The broken English phrase, “their head dey there,” loosely translated means “they’ve got it together”. It was a sincere compliment, as I have followed BabseAketi for a while, and know that he tells it the way he feels it.

Now, here is what made his tweet really striking. For months now, we have been inundated with requests from individuals around the world – North America, South America, Africa, and Asia – wanting to guest write for Mobility.

We have also had streams of requests to join our official team. We are also getting streams of requests for sponsored articles (these are articles with links to the sponsor’s website embedded, or articles helping to push a client’s products/services).

Lastly, it has been exciting to be approached by some of the world’s top brands in mobile for our expertise and/or traffic. Some of these brands include: Nokia, Opera, InMobi, Goethe Institut, RIM, Airtel, and most recently Eskimi.

I want to say a big thanks to everyone who has believed in us in one way or the other – and followed it up with action.

In the Beginning
When I started MobilityNigeria in 2008, I had a clear goal – to present useful information to mobile users in my country. However, the quality of content that we put out began to speak for us, and we soon gained an international following.

I’d like to quote from a comment that Dennis Bournique of WapReview made back in May this year:

I think broadening Mobility Nigeria’s focus is good. The web and mobile are global and limiting yourself to one nation is unnecessarily restrictive.

The quality of the writing and content on the site is world class and the site has an international following.

By the way, I’d love to specially thank Dennis for his support for us here. He is a veteran in the mobile space and has consistently recommended us. Please bookmark his site at WapReview.com.

While it may sound like a small feat, developing an international following for a website from a country with a badly maligned image on the global front is anything but easy. Building a global brand from Nigeria is a daunting task. But we are committed to doing it.

When Island Explorer magazine ran a feature on Mobility recently, I made the following statement:

“We have achieved so much in three years that we could be running the number one mobile website in the next five years.”

I meant that. It is a tall order, but I daresay that we are up to it.

Mobility is an example of the can-do Nigerian spirit. When we latch on to something, we excel at it. Hopefully, we can be a shining star of what anyone can achieve if they are committed.

Our Community
In closing, I want to say a big thank you to our regular readers and our vibrant community of commenters. Thanks for being a part of this community. Thanks for your criticisms, your encouraging words, and regular contributions. You guys rock! Let’s make it happen!