Jongla debuts in Lagos with ‘lightest’ instant messaging service, built for emerging markets

ITRealms:

A Finnish-based company, Jongla, Wednesday in Lagos, unveiled its acclaimed world’s lightest instant messaging service in Africa, at the 2016 Mobile West Africa conference holding in Lagos, reports ITRealms.

According to the chief executive officer, Jongla, Riku Salminen, they have made instant messaging possible for people who don’t have high-end smartphones and live and work in areas where there is often limited access to mobile broadband. 

Jongla, Salminen told  ITRealms, uses less bandwidth and just 10 per cent of the handset’s memory space compared to WhatsApp, WeChat and Viber.

Jongla, founded by Arto Boman and owned by a group of private investors and management, Salminen also said enables users to send and receive unlimited free text messages, stickers, photos, videos and funny voice messages over the Internet using low-speed Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) networks as well as Fourth Generation (4G), Third Generation (3G), Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE) and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS).

“It opens up the world of free instant messaging to people living and working in Africa, where cellular and data services are often unreliable and expensive. The Jongla app has been specifically designed for emerging markets, because it takes only 2.5MB to download on Android phones compared to more than 20MB for most other messaging apps,” the CEO explained.

Stressing that those already using WhatsApp, WeChat, Viber and other messaging apps in Africa will find that Jongla could be used more often and in more places as it uses innovative technology to reduce bandwidth usage, “so it helps people save their data plan and money.”

Jongla Salminen further said, has a number of other innovative features that will appeal to people looking for a free and reliable way to communicate with their friends, family and colleagues, including Jongla Out, Voice Messaging, reliable and secure, easy chat and group chat.

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) 

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First Bank launches Platinum MasterCard

ITRealms:  

The undisputed largest bank First Bank and MasterCard on Wednesday in Lagos launched a new platinum MasterCard debit card exclusively for members of the bank’s premier loyalty club.

ITRealms reports that use of the Platinum MasterCard debit card across the country will give cardholders access to redeemable benefits for transactions used at various thresholds.

First Bank, ITRealms gathered would issue the new MasterCard Platinum debit card to its premier customers in the bank’s private banking segment as well as at selected high street branches.

Daniel Monehin, Division President, Sub-Saharan Africa, MasterCard said: “MasterCard aims to see a world beyond cash in Nigeria and across Africa. The launch of the Platinum MasterCard card by First Bank is a commendable step in Nigeria’s transition to a cashless society and as more consumers find differentiated payment options to suit their varying needs, this increases their adoption of and affinity for electronic payments.”

“As a bank committed to innovation in Nigeria’s financial sector, First Bank is very pleased to launch the Platinum MasterCard debit card to our esteemed Loyalty Club members as we understand that one size does not fit all. Our constant innovation is aimed at helping customers choose services that meet their unique needs. The launch of the Loyalty Club and the Platinum MasterCard debit card will help us achieve these objectives,”said Mr Bayo  Adelabu, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer for First Bank.

The Head of Products & Marketing Support for First Bank, Ezinne Obikile, noted that the launch of First Club by First Bank reflects the deep desire of the bank to reward all its customers, with no strings or raffles attached. With this new service, customers earn points just by carrying out their normal day to day banking.

The introduction of the Platinum MasterCard debit card for members of First Bank’s loyalty club follows the roll out of the MasterCard Priceless Africa platform in Nigeria which aims to reward consumers with various offers in passion categories such as dining, entertainment, sports, whenever they use their MasterCard prepaid, debit or credit card. Nigeria’s growing middle class has made the country attractive to many international investors looking to tap into the increased consumer spending and appetite for various luxury goods and services. The launch of the Platinum MasterCard debit card is recognition of the unique and dynamic needs of this segment of Nigeria’s consumer market and of the growing sophistication in electronic payment

ITRealms recalls that MasterCard pride itself as a technology company in the global payments industry. It operates the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. 

MasterCard’s products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone.

Remmy Nweke

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