As its network expansion and technical upgrade project gradually nears completion, Globacom, second national carrier, says it has eyes fixed on providing better and efficient customer service experience to its over 24 million mobile subscribers. For quite some time, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, have been bugged down by the country’s harsh operational environment, as well as intense pressure from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms regulator to enhance Quality of Service (QoS) levels. Speaking at media luncheon held in Lagos at the weekend, Bisi Koleosho, head of operations, Globacom, said the project, expected to be completed in coming months, involves a complete overhaul of infrastructure across the country. According to him, the project would assist the company cater to its existing and potential subscribers.
Globacom is set to pen down a contract valued at $100 million with an undisclosed equipment manufacturer for the upgrade of the firm’s switching and data network, according to Koleosho. Industry insiders have tipped ZTE and Huawei, both Chinese firms as likely candidates to win the contract. Bisi Koleosho, head of operations, Globacom, in a technical presentation, gave a snap shot of what the firm is doing in the area of strengthening the network. “We have swapped the network in Abuja, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Rivers, Lagos amongst others. 3000 sites are involved in this massive network upgrade. We have already achieved 80 petcent of our migration plan. In the next two to three weeks, we will have a 100 percent network. This project will soon translate into better service delivery for our customers”. Koleosho also pointed out that Globacom is investing massively in its data network.
According to him, the firm is moving towards an all IP (Internet Protocol) transmission. “The benefits are enormous. The bandwidth here is unlimited. It will reduce call drops, increase thoroughput per subscriber. Our radios are been transformed from TDDM to an all IP. An IP network will allow for faster and relaible voice and data services. The backhaul are been changed. We are putting in an STM-1 for backhaul”, he added. Still on the data netwok, Koleosho said, “Currently, 43 percent of our telecoms sites in the country are 3G. In the next six months, we will have 90 percent 3G coverage in Nigeria”, he stated. The head of operations disclosed that in the next three months, an additional 1,500 sites will be up and running, adding that all of them will be 3G. Industry watchers say such investments are necessary if any telecoms business intends to remain relevant in a highly competitive market.
Only recently, Globacom lost the number spot in telecoms to rivals Airtel. As at February 2014, India’s Bharti Airtel recorded total customer base of 26, 194, 336.00 whilst Globacom finished at 24, 490, 650.00. Over the years, both telecoms firms have locked horns in a keen battle for the number two position in telecoms. Acording to them, the battle for marketshare is not over yet as Globacom makes a big push to garner new subscribers. The telecoms firm is planning to rollout new data products based on subscriber profile, he said. Speaking in the same vein, Mohammed Jameel, group chief operating officer (GCOO), Globacom said the mobile operator is targeting number one position in the broadband service delivery space. This objective, according to the GCOO, has informed the firm’s investment in upgrading and expanding its network. “We are on the verge of a broadband revolution. We saw this coming that is why we invested hugely in a submarine cable system. We want to bring broadband to the entirety of the Nigerian populace.”
Ben Uzor Jr
