Connect with us

Telecommunications

Airtel NG, Spotify Offer Streaming Data Bonuses to Customers

Published

on

Airtel Financial Results - Investors King

Nigerians are set to enjoy their favourite music as telecommunications giant, Airtel Nigeria partnered with global audio streaming service, Spotify to offer daily complimentary data bonuses to enable its customers access music on its platform.

Airtel on Tuesday announced that its over 54 million customers, who purchase weekly and monthly data bundles will receive bonus data to enjoy streaming local and premium music unlimitedly on the music platform, without worrying about additional data costs.

The complimentary data, Airtel said will be used exclusively on the Spotify platform whenever they purchase data bundles.

According to the telecom company, the partnership with Spotify will empower music lovers to connect with their favourite artists and the music that inspire and motivate them, while going about their daily activities, be it in traffic, in a party, at the gym or during warm and relaxing moments with loved ones.

Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Commercial Officer, Godfrey Efeurhobo, speaking on the partnership with Spotify, described it as another demonstration of its commitment to creating opportunities that will entertain, excite, delight and reward customers on its network.

“Airtel is positioned as the network of first choice for music, youth culture and innovation and we are delighted to partner with Spotify to deliver sheer happiness at the fingertips of our esteemed customers across the country,” Efeurhobo said.

He also expressed the belief that partnering with Spotify will not only empower and reward customers, it will also enable them to enjoy themselves thoroughly as they connect to the artists and songs they cherish.

In his remarks, the Director Freemium Partnerships at Spotify, Fergal Walker, said: “We’re excited to announce our first partnership in Africa. Airtel, one of Nigeria’s leading mobile networks, was a natural choice and shared our vision to enable Nigerians to access great audio and music wherever they are for free.

The world’s top music and podcast streaming service launched in Nigeria a year ago. The platform stated that it introduced itself in the country, mainly to build an experience that adds value to the rich Afrobeat industry and to amplify the music experience of listeners.

Continue Reading
Comments

Telecommunications

NCC Files Copyright Infringement Charges Against MTN Nigeria and Others

Published

on

Karl O Toriola - Investorsking.com

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has taken legal action against MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd. and four individuals, including its Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, over alleged copyright infringement.

The charges, filed in the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, revolve around the unauthorized use of musical works belonging to artist Maleke Idowu Moye.

According to the NCC, the defendants are accused of offering for sale, selling, and trading musical works of Maleke without his consent between 2010 and 2017. These works were allegedly used as Caller Ring Back Tunes without proper authorization.

The musical pieces in question include popular tracks such as “911,” “Minimini-wanawana,” and “Stop racism,” among others.

The commission further alleges that the defendants distributed these musical works to subscribers without authorization, infringing upon the rights of the artist.

The charges are based on provisions of the Copyright Act, Cap. C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

As the case awaits assignment to a judge and a fixed date for mention, it marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to uphold copyright protection in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.

This legal action underscores the NCC’s commitment to safeguarding the intellectual property rights of artists and creators within the country.

MTN Nigeria, a major player in the telecommunications industry, now faces a legal battle that could have broader implications for how intellectual property rights are respected and enforced within Nigeria’s digital landscape.

Continue Reading

Telecommunications

MTN’s MoMo Sees 32.2% Surge in Transaction Volumes

Published

on

MTN Nigeria - Investors King

MTN Group’s mobile money platform, MoMo, has experienced a 32.2% surge in transaction volumes.

With 72.5 million active users, MoMo continues to solidify its position as a leading fintech service provider in Africa, tapping into the continent’s burgeoning mobile banking sector.

The company’s success underscores the growing trend of Africa’s young and tech-savvy population embracing mobile technology to address financial needs.

Mobile phones are increasingly becoming a tool for bridging gaps in services, particularly in banking, presenting a lucrative opportunity for wireless carriers like MTN to capitalize on the burgeoning fintech market.

MTN’s achievement comes as it finalizes a deal with Mastercard Inc., valuing its fintech business at an impressive $5.2 billion.

This strategic partnership further enhances MTN’s position in the digital finance space, positioning it for continued growth and innovation.

However, MTN is not alone in its fintech endeavors. Rivals such as Airtel Africa Plc, Safaricom Plc, and Vodacom Group Ltd. are also making strides in digital transformation, with plans to separate and monetize their fintech businesses in the long term.

Airtel Africa, for instance, is reportedly considering an IPO for its mobile money unit, indicating the high stakes and intense competition within the sector.

Despite the remarkable success in its fintech ventures, MTN faced challenges in its core telecommunications business, with service revenue growth slowing to 6.8%.

Inflation and currency devaluation in key markets, particularly Nigeria, impacted profitability, highlighting the complexities of operating in diverse African markets.

As MTN continues to expand its fintech footprint and invest in infrastructure to enhance connectivity across the continent, it remains poised to capitalize on the immense potential of Africa’s digital economy.

Continue Reading

Telecommunications

Telecom Operators Grapple with Rising Diesel Costs, Spending Hits N50.28 Billion

Published

on

Telecommunications - Investors King

As diesel prices continue to soar, Nigeria’s telecom operators are facing mounting challenges with expenditure on fuel hitting N50.28 billion in February.

This represents a 50.20 percent increase from the N33.48 billion spent in the same period last year, reflecting the growing financial burden imposed by escalating fuel costs on the sector.

Diesel serves as a critical component in powering telecom infrastructure, including base stations, which heavily rely on generators due to the country’s unreliable grid electricity.

Industry estimates suggest that operators consume an average of 40 million liters of diesel per month to sustain telecom sites, with prices reaching N1,257.06 per liter in February 2024.

The reliance on diesel for powering essential infrastructure has become increasingly unsustainable, threatening the sector’s operational viability.

Gbenga Adebayo, president of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), emphasized the adverse impact of diesel costs on the industry’s sustainability, noting that infrastructure companies bear the brunt of these expenses.

Adebayo highlighted the urgent need for new pricing regimes to address the widening gap between production costs and current telecom service prices.

While investments in alternative energy sources such as solar power present opportunities for mitigating diesel reliance, challenges such as intermittent supply and vulnerability to theft underscore the complexity of the situation.

The escalating diesel costs have prompted telecom operators to advocate for adjustments in service pricing to ensure the sector’s long-term viability.

As the industry grapples with these challenges, stakeholders are calling for collaborative efforts to address the root causes of the rising fuel expenses and safeguard Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure.

Continue Reading
Advertisement




Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending