" ITREALMS: MTN’s Idea forum debuts for Apps

Monday, October 24, 2011

MTN’s Idea forum debuts for Apps


The largest mobile network in the country, MTN Nigeria, has launched Ideas forum to boost development of mobile applications by Nigerians, just as the operator partners, Nokia, Google and Samsung.

Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Bola Akingbade while launching this forum in Lagos, said that it’s for enriching the lives of its customers via the promotion of their passions and delivering of everyday solution that makes life richer.

The MTN Ideas Forum, he said, is a networking and idea generation forum that enables MTN connect with the local applications developers community as well as other stakeholders in the value chain.

MTN Nigeria, he said, is therefore leaving no stone unturned in its innovation quest to touch lives most positively, irrespective of gender or social status.

Pointing out that the Nigeria’s mobile market is changing at an increasing pace, even as learning, entertainment, social networking, health services, financial services are going mobile. “Applications have emerged as a fundamental driver of enabling lifestyle and productivity as consumers want to access relevant content from PCs, laptops, phones and even in-car systems,” he said.

Akingbade also said that the increasing popularity of mobile applications has driven a need for operators to start focusing on reducing the barriers to adoption.

Research, he said, has indicated that there is a yearning for relevant local and international mobile applications from an application store that guarantees ease of access especially by the Trendies who desire a modern and progressive rhythm of life.

According to him, market survey carried out by MTN shows that apps create an exciting and elevating feeling of unconstrained sense of belongingness and being in touch with the world.

“Mobile handsets are getting smarter and more accessible because of increasing availability of  Ultra low cost Smartphones with improved user interface. Data usage is going up. Bringing more of the African population online primarily via the mobile screen,” he said, stressing however, there is very limited local mobile-content in the country, describing it as a massive opportunity, and a challenge.

MTN is keen on becoming a frontline player in the Application Development space by introducing The MTN Ideas Forum, a Networking and idea generation forum that enables MTN connect with the local applications developers community as well as other stakeholders in the value chain (Local developers, Google, Nokia, Samsung, e.tc). This is because within the Telemedia value chain, no single entity can run alone. There is therefore the need for partnership. We also understand that fast-growing portfolios of mobile apps would be fuelled by an efficient developer ecosystem.

Remmy Nweke
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D

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