9mobile offers special roaming package for Hajj pilgrimage - ITREALMS

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The acclaimed innovative and customer-centric telecommunication network, 9mobile, has rolled out a special hajj roaming offer for Nigerian pilgrims so that they can enjoy an affordable roaming experience for voice calls, SMS, and data while on pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

The Hajj Special roaming offer, which is available till August 31, 2023, will enable 9mobile customers to enjoy massive, discounted charges on calls, data, and SMS transactions with an extra value of free incoming calls when roaming in Saudi Arabia (on the Zain network) during the Hajj period.

Ntel set to launch recharge cards, warms up for national roaming

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The Nigeria Telecommunications Company (NatCom) trading with the name ntel has concluded plans to launch its brand of recharge cards into the nation's telecommunication market, reports ITRealms.

Ntel, ITRealms gathered is gearing up for the formal launch of its national roaming services to boost customers’ ability to optimize experiences.

This is coming barely three years since it commenced operation after the acquisition of NITEL from the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE).

Disclosing this in Lagos at the weekend during the month of March breakfast with CEO hosted by the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) at Ladi Lawal House, Alausa Ikeja, the chief executive officer of ntel, Mr. Ernest ‘Dabo Akinlola, said the mobile company is introducing the physical recharge card to boost its brand visibility which does not any way stop the virtual recharge the operator debut with.

He also said that ntel is keen in launch its national roaming service by next month of April 2018.

Akinlola, accompanied by director of external relations Mr. Osondu Nwokolo among others, head marketing, Mr. Jide Mafolabomi and Chief Finance Officer, Mr. Ernest Obhulime, assured ntel subscribers which he said have been doubled in the last six months due to new vigor, that they are leveraging their NITEL assets especially the SAT 3.

He equally affirmed the plan by ntel to launch a national roaming service on the network to afford subscribers on its network to optimize the offerings.

According to him, ntel has advanced national roaming agreement with 9mobile while MTN deal is already on the table and is receiving adequate attention as stated the time of going to the press.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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ntel commences national roaming test with 9Mobile

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Acclaimed 4G/LTE broadband operator, ntel, has advanced plans to commence a national roaming field trial with 9Mobile, today, December 1, 2017, reports ITRealms.

Head, Corporate Communications at ntel, Toni Kan Onwordi, disclosed this to ITRealms, said the operators have received regulatory approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to commence a national roaming trial over a two-month period.

According to ntel, the agreement will enable ntel’s customers to make calls on 9Mobile’s network using any 2G or 3G handset within the specified trial zone.

Speaking on the commencement of the national roaming trial, ntel’s chief executive officer (CEO) Mr. Ernest Akinlola, described the deal as significant.

“This agreement is a significant step in the right direction for us as a company and the telecommunications eco system. A full national roaming agreement with 9Mobile would provide our growing customer base with a seamless service over 4G/LTE superfast data and voice clarity as well as ubiquitous 3G and 2G coverage nationwide. Both operators are pioneers in innovation and we are pleased to be charting a new path for the industry,” he said.

Akinlola also confirmed that the national roaming test is expected to commence on both networks from today, Friday, December 1, 2017.

ITRealms recalls that ntel is Nigeria’s most advanced mobile 4G/LTE network providing superfast Internet Access that enables high-definition voice, data and video services. ntel’s network is built on the 900/1800 Mhz frequency bands which are the best propagation frequencies for the deployment of 4G/LTE technology.

ntel’s range of services include: National Bandwidth; International Voice Termination, International Bandwidth; Mobile and Fixed Communications services.

The company made its first on-net test data call in Lagos on Monday January 18, 2016 then followed this up with its first on-net Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) call in Lagos on Thursday February 25, 2016 while full commercial operations commenced on Friday April 8, 2016.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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Turkish Airlines offers eXPhone service for roaming passengers

ITRealms:

The Turkish Airlines is now offering "eXPhone" service for an uninterrupted communication during the flight, reports ITRealms.

Turkish Airlines, ITRealms gathered is the Europe’s Best Airline for the sixth consecutive years, said the revolutionary service, will redefine flight experience for its customers across the its over 200 destinations while on board.

As an extension of Wi-Fi and live TV availability on its Boeing B777 and Airbus A330 aircrafts, Turkish Airlines said it is being enabled through the initiative to offer a mobile internet connectivity by eXPhone to its guests.

Passengers on Turkish Airlines will begin to enjoy the service commencing from April 2017.

“By using this service, passengers will be able to send text messages (excluding voice messages), check their e-mails and browse internet (including social media platforms) with their own mobile phones,” the airline said in a statement.

According to the airline, the stages of the process for the usage of the service are two-pronged.

“First, the cabin crew will make an announcement to inform the passengers about the service’s current availability for on-board use, after the take-off.

“Second, provided that the “Data Roaming” mode is activated on passengers’ mobile phones, the exPhone service will automatically run, which will be used till the flight is ready for landing.”

The airline also confirmed that the service has been tested to offer communications service that allow its passengers to run their businesses and exchange communication with relatives and friends while on-board.

“The eXPhone service, which is offered in close cooperation with Panasonic and AeroMobile, has successfully been tested on-board during a flight with the participations of our relevant authorities, via one of our cabin attendant’ mobile phone.

“The eXPhone service will be billed by the passengers’ mobile phone operators, and the prices will vary depending on their individual roaming contracts. Passengers may find the details of this service in Turkish Airlines’ inflight magazine, SkyLife.”

Turkish Airlines has always been at the forefront of deploying technology to offer improved flight experience for its customers.

In December, 2016, the airline selected Panasonic Avionics Corporation’s (Panasonic) advanced eX1 inflight entertainment and communications (IFEC) system and Global Communication Services for its new fleet of narrow body aircraft.

The eX1 solution is an advanced narrow-body IFE system. Its uncompromising industrial design, high-definition display technologies and high fidelity audio create a home theater atmosphere that draws passengers into an immersive entertainment experience.

The system will include Panasonic’s unique Passenger Data Integration (PDI) service, which will allow Turkish Airlines to add higher levels of personalisation to its inflight experience.

The PDI will also allow Turkish Airlines to seamlessly recognize the travel preferences of their guests and recommend content, services and amenities specific that will enhance their experience both in flight and in their destination city.

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Airtel slashes roaming rate by 90%

ITRealms:

The Airtel Nigeria has slashed its roaming rates by 90% and other amazing discounts on its newly repackaged Roam & Home Bundle plan, reports ITRealms.

The company’s Chief Commercial Officer (CMO), Ahmad Mokhles, said the Roam & Home Bundle plan, has been specifically designed to make travelling more enjoyable and empower consumers to stay connected with business associates, family and friends while overseas.

As said by the CMO, the new value offering allows customers to roam at a hugely discounted rate on 33 selected networks in 27 countries, also offering bundle balance that can be used locally or when a customer returns home.

With the Airtel Roam & Home, customers can receive calls and SMS without charge and account balance can be requested by dialling *123*3#.

He explained that customers can subscribe to the Roam & Home Bundle by dialing *789#. The service could be activated either at home or abroad by dialing the Shortcode.

Mokhles also said the minimum bundle of N5,000 comes with 7 days validity while subscription with validity of 30 days begins from N10, 000. Customers get daily notifications on usage after subscription.

The CMO further explained that customers can make calls back home to Nigeria while abroad (roaming) across the 27 countries for as low as N60/20secs. In addition to this, customers also receive calls and SMS free (T&C apply). And when back in Nigeria, customers can also use the balance in their Roam and Home bundle to make calls at local rate.

The CMO noted that Airtel is committed to partnering Nigerians on every international trip, ensuring that they get real value and also enjoy seamless telephony experience at the best tariff.

“With Roam & Home Bundle, customers remain seamlessly connected to their families, friends and business associates and at the same time benefit amazing discounts on the Airtel network,” Mokhles said.

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