Infotech

Smile, The Pace Setter: First to launch 4G LTE and VoLTE in Nigeria

Published

12 months ago

May 5, 2023

Smile Nigeria, acclaimed as the leading second-tier telecom operator in Nigeria, has a history that belies its age and spread. Always depolying cutting edge technology, Smile has often ascended heights which other industry players not only marvel at but always strive to emulate and then play catch-up.

The company has recorded a string of Firsts not the least its 4G LTE pioneer status in West Africa and its enviable reecord as the first to launch and indeed intoduce VoLTE into the Nigeria market. The company endeavours to stand apart in all things: big or small. Even when the event is as inncucous as its recent entry into Kano, the commericial hub of Northen Nigeria, the pace setting streak of Smile Communications Nigeria Limited will always be evident.

For Smile Nigeria, its raison d’être has always been to revolutionise the way Nigerians utilise broadband services. This broad-based philosophy gave vent to the company’s “can-do” payoff line “Now You Can” that speaks to enabling Nigerians to maximize the gains of the internet and the limitless possibilities that access to the Smile network offers.Setting forth at dawn, Smile launched the first 4G LTE network in West Africa in Nigeria, in Ibadan to be precise, in 2013, thereby revolutionising the way Nigerians access the internet.

Smile deployed the 4G LTE radio network in partnership with Ericsson, which enabled it to provide the most advanced telecommunications technologies and standards available anywhere in the world using the 4G LTE network technology. Heralding this pioneering effort Smile had asserted: “Internet speed is one thing that was a challenge for users in the country, and the first true 4G LTE network has arrived,” Smile’s SuperFast data speed took many customers by surprise.

The experience was so much faster and better than anything Nigerians were used to. Live television streams without delay, high-definition YouTube videos load with no buffering, websites were available almost instantly and downloads happened in a blink of an eye. This was truly revolutionary and the reassuring fact is that Smile continues to offer the fastest internet services to its customers.If anything, Smile moved on to become the first in Nigeria to launch Voice over Long Term Evolution (VoLTE) in 2016 on its 4G LTE network. 4G VoLTE is a voice technology for high-definition (HD) voice and video communications over a 4G LTE network. Compared to traditional 2G and 3G networks, VoLTE enables consumers to benefit from superior quality voice, video and data services on a single device and a single data plan. It gives customers the choice of using their data for any service they want including voice and video, that allows for a faster connection of traditional calls and improves call quality, voice clarity and call reliability.

Another first from the stable of Smile Nigeria is the SmileVoice App launched in March, 2016. With the SmileVoice App customers experience SuperClear voice, with data and voice over LTE on their mobile phones. Calls can be made to any number in the world. Users can also stay in touch with friends and family on the Smile network that have SmileVoice numbers, absolutely FREE and enjoy unlimited FREE Smile-to-Smile calls no matter where they are. The SmileVoice App can be downloaded from the Play Store or App store. Giving more impetus to its innovative streak, Smile Nigeria pioneered 4G roaming with SmileKonnect in partnership with Nuu Mobile.

Smile was the first operator in Africa to launch SmileKonnect in April, 2019. This service enables International 4G data roaming and empowers consumers to automatically access data services to send and receive e-mails, download and send business documents and much more,where ever they are. Smile customers travelling to 85 countries internationally usingthe SmileKonnect device can roam on 4G data at affordable roaming rates. Nuu Mobile customers travelling into Nigeria from any country are also able to roam on Smile’s network.With innovation at its core, Smile launched eSIM in Nigeria in December, 2019. The Smile eSIM is a downloadable application, and when activated the consumer can enjoy 10 FREE minutes local calls, unlimited on-net calls and SMSs. The customers can also savour zero roaming charges, FREE on-net audio and video calls and the lowest call rates to any network. The service comes with varying voice plan options that will suit every taste. Smile Nigeria quenched the thirst of its customers for unlimited internet with the launch of Unlimited plans in 2016. UnlimitedPlatinum which offers unlimited internet with no data limit was launched in March 2020. The appropriateness of UnlimitedPlatinum for all data consumers, especially heavy data users, swayed the competition in the Nigerian data market to its side. True to its name, customers who subscribe to the Smile UnlimitedPlatinum, will for a period of one month, have the luxury of unlimited downloads of everything desirable; as far as their imagination can take them.

Appreciative of the desire of its customers to be positively different, Smile Nigeria also introduced the Smile VoTLE smartphone. This first of its kind saw Smile introducing the first entry-level, dual-SIM, Voice Over 4G LTE-enable smartphone. The smartphone gives customers quick and easy access to the best quality 4G LTE network in Nigeria, at a more affordable rate.

The SmileVoLTE dual SIM smartphone, which is Google approved and manufactured in partnership with Mediatek, comes pre-loaded with applications including the SmileVoice App, WhatsApp, twitter, skype, Instagram, YouTube, music and FM radio and includes innovative features like fingerprint and face recognition for smartphone private access and security. The SmileVoLTE dual –SIM smartphone, with the same chipset used in other leading smartphone brands, comes equipped with 1.3 Ghz Dual core, VoLTE-enabled, 5MP front camera, 8MP back camera, 2950mAH battery, 5.45” HD touchscreen, 2GB RAM and 16GB ROM. Features of the SmileVoLTE smartphone also offers HD voice quality, WiFi hot spot, touchscreen and Android iOS, and comes with a complimentary phone case in the box.

These many firsts of Smile affirm the company’s single transformative objective of using the best and most innovative technologies to offer its customers fast, reliable, high quality, easy-to-use and affordable communication services. Smile’s vision and mission is to be the broadband provider of choice in all its markets and enable its customers to benefit fully from the Internet world for data, voice and SMS.

Infotech

May Day: Glo salutes Nigerian workers

Published

7 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Walewale

Digital telecommuni cations solutions provider, Globacom, has saluted Nigerian workers as the country observes this year’s edition of the International Workers’ Day. The company enjoined them to rededicate themselves to excellence so as to take Nigeria to the next level.

In a solidarity message released on Tuesday, Globacom lauded the resilient spirit of workers in spite of present challenges. It urged them to use the opportunity of the Workers’ Day to reflect on how their contributions can build a better and more vibrant society.

“We salute Nigerian workers on this day and commend them for the hard work, commitment, resourcefulness and industry which are essential for the growth of the economy of any nation,” Globacom said, and urged them not to rest on their oars.

The company noted that the story of Nigeria cannot be complete without the huge contributions of workers, both in the public and private sectors.

The International Labour Day is observed annually on May 1 to recognise the contributions of workers all over the world. It is also used to promote a fairer and more sustainable future for all by advocating for workers’ rights.

Infotech

Abaranje fire: Company sues for calm, assures victims of healthcare support

Published

2 days ago

May 1, 2024

NewsDirect

By our reporter

Carville Integrated Ventures Limited, a leading telecoms facility management services provider, has appealed for calm following the recent fire incident at Abaranje Base Station.

The company manages base stations on behalf of Airtel Nigeria.

In a statement, the Management of Carville noted that the incident occurred during maintenance operations on a leaking part of a diesel tank, resulting in injuries to some individuals from the local community who forcefully gained unauthorised access into the facility hosting the base station during the maintenance work.

The company however sympathised with the victims while promising to provide healthcare support to them.

“The management of Carville Integrated Ventures, extends her condolences to the affected individuals and their families, stating, ‘Our hearts go out to those injured in the unfortunate incident. We are committed to providing support and assistance during their recovery process.’

“We stand by our commitment to the communities we serve, and we will continue to prioritize their welfare in all our operations.”

“Furthermore, Carville appeals to community leaders and members to cooperate with the company in implementing safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.”

“Safety is our top priority,” the management affirmed. “We urge everyone to adhere to safety protocols and guidelines to ensure the well-being of all.”

“Carville is working closely with local authorities and regulatory bodies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and implement necessary measures to prevent recurrence,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, Airtel Nigeria has also in a statement sympathised with the victims of the fire incident.

Infotech

Digital identity: FG, Bill Gates partner to harmonise database

Published

2 days ago

May 1, 2024

NewsDirect

By our reporter

The Federal Government and Microsoft Founder and Philanthropist, Mr. Bill Gates are in talks to develop a system that will help Nigeria harmonise her identity system database.

The Microsoft Founder made this known when he met with President Tinubu on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday.

According to Gates, “We are working with Mr. Wale Edun, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, on digitisation. Before you came into office, there were a few things attempted in identity management. But they have been very scattered. There have been multiple identification systems.

“Now, there is a plan to take that technology called MOSIP and use it for this identification platform so that people can get digital benefits. We are providing support for that, and we can provide more support.

“With MOSIP ID, there is potential application in all government payment programmes. It helps with payment efficiency and bank accounts, and eventually, when everyone is using that, it makes tax collection easier. That benefit will take a few years. However, there will be more bank accounts, more financial inclusion, and effective government payment programmes,” the Former Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft said.

Mr. Gates said Nigeria has the capacity to manage this system and related-technological systems as the nation brims with talented youths.

“The last time I went to the Microsoft office in Lagos, I saw the amazing work that they were doing and how they were growing their operations. So, you have a lot of Nigerian talents to manage these systems,” he said.

Responding, President Tinubu noted that his administration is investing in technology that is tailored towards ensuring transparency and accountability in government and accelerating public-sector performance and service delivery to the Nigerian people.

Emphasising his unwavering commitment to deliver reliable technology that will support a national consumer credit system and many other critical new government interventions for all Nigerians, the President said resistance is often expected when efforts are made to strengthen systems and forestall malfeasance.

“Technology is the enemy of fraud, corruption, and irregularity. We have been working hard on improving technology.”

“There is always the initial resistance. Corruption, self-interest, and fraudulent activity will always be an enemy, but when you bend that curve, you will receive the benefit. The nation will receive the benefit,” the President said.

The President also stated that he is proud of Nigeria’s youths noting that they encourage him to continue to press his reform efforts forward for their future prosperity.