Maximizing 2.5G, the Glo way

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Determined to redefine the life of Nigerians through its Second Generation Enhanced (2.5G) network, the Second National Operator (SNO), Globacom, is exploiting the technology for its subscribers’ sake, reports REMMY NWEKE.

LIVING up to its status, the Second National Operator (SNO), Globacom Limited, has continued to blaze the trial on innovative Value Added Services (VAS), based on its deployment and determination to exploit its Second Generation Enhanced (2.5G) technology, within the nation’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.

The requirement for mobile data services, encouraged growth of the internet has been the backbone for the development of enhanced data services otherwise known as 2.5G.

2.5G, is a generic term used to refer to a standard of wireless mobile telephone networks that lie in between Second Generation (2G) and Third Generation (3G) technologies. According to the mobile-phone-directory.org, the development of 2.5G has been viewed as a stepping-stone towards 3G, which was prompted by the demand for better data services and access to the Internet.

In the evolution of mobile communications, each generation provides a higher data rate and additional capabilities, and 2.5G is no exception as it has provided faster services than 2G, but would not be equated to be as fast or as advanced as the newer third generation (3G) systems.

In some quarters, analysts have seen 2.5G as an alternative route to 3G, but this appears to be short-sighted, as 2.5G is several times slower than the full 3G service. Technically speaking, the term 2.5G extends the capabilities of 2G systems by providing additional features, such as a packet-switched connection via the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) in the Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)-based Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) structure, and enhanced data rates via the High Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD) and Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE).

These enhancements in 2.5G systems permit data speeds of 64-144 Kilobytes per second (kbps); a unit for measuring computing information equal to 1024 bytes, which enables these phones to feature web browsing, the use of navigation and navigational maps, voice mail, fax, and the sending and receiving of large electronic mail (e-mail) messages.

However, Glo Mobile’s latest VAS, the Glo Mobile-Banking (m-banking) within its MagicPlus package was based on the kind of infrastructure on ground and supporting software deployed to meet up with the proposed value added service plan.

This is coming as Meridea Financial Software Limited has been selected as one of the best-performing and innovative entity with the fast growth of its mobile banking solutions, by Tornado-2004 for its new generation solutions. Like Meridea, the likes of CraftSilicon and Zslinc.com, are among many other software houses that focus on mobile banking software evolution.

Announcing the introduction of Glo-M-banking, prior to its commencement on February 28, 2005, the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Mr. Mohammed Jameel, said this service provides all Glo Mobile customers swift and easy access to their bank accounts from their mobile phones within Glo coverage area.

He also said subscribers could check their bank account balances, view the last five transactions on the account, transfer funds from one account to the other within the same bank and recharge a Glo prepaid line, all directly from their Glo Mobile phones. Noting, “this is the first time in the history of the country that one single application will provide a uniform interface to a multitude of banks”.

In collaboration with InterSwitch, Nigeria’s premier e-payment switch, Glo M-Banking offers subscribers access to real-time personal banking information and saves the customer time and money as he is able to do much of his banking transactions from the comfort of his home, office, on the road or anywhere he chooses. Thus, “With Glo Mobile-Banking, the customer carries his banks on his palm,” he declared.

Champion Infotel gathered that Glo Mobile began trials of its mobile banking services early this year, even as Mr. Jameel says that at the moment the service is available in 16 high-end banks, namely; First Bank Nigeria Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, Afribank, Oceanic Bank, Wema Bank and Chartered Bank, as well as Platinum Bank, Prudent Bank, Standard Trust Bank, Universal Trust Bank, Bond Bank, Gulf Bank, National Bank, First City Monument Bank and United Bank of Africa (UBA).

“A subscriber could request for the service by filling in the Glo M-Banking request form and upon successful activation, he/she will receive a welcome Short Messaging Service (SMS) on the mobile phone, informing the subscriber that the m-Banking service has now been activated,” he explained.

To access this service, therefore, subscribers need the Personal Identification Number (PIN) issued by the bank and “If he already has a debit card, the debit card PIN automatically serves as the PIN required to access the m-Banking services,” he said. Stressing that a subscriber is required to select “check balance” on the MagicPlus menu, enter the bank code and select the account he wants to check, and for security reasons, the subscriber is required to enter his PIN number, highlighting that Glo Mobile positions its m-Banking service as a more user-friendly application because of its menu driven functions.

According to the COO, by tying the service to the phone number and PIN, a higher assurance is given of an end-to-end security on all transactions, which is better than what is presently available in the market.
To this end, the Smart Card Society of Nigeria (SCSN) has commended Globacom for introducing Glo M-banking, for its uniqueness and robust ability to hasten the march toward an electronic-card society in the country.

In a congratulatory letter signed by its secretary, Mr. Adeyinka Adeyemi, SCSN said it was delighted at the way Globacom was redefining the information and communications industry in the country through the introduction of innovative and value added services.

“The launch of Glo M-Banking aligns with the cardinal objectives of the society, to promote and encourage the development of electronic payment, using smartcard technology or any related technologies and adapting the same to enhance easy and fast transactional activities,” he said.

Emphasising, the scribe said, “we are particularly delighted that Glo M-Banking provides a uniform interface to a multitude of banks, thereby taking mobile banking a step further than hitherto obtainable, thus allowing customers to have easy and swift access to their banks.”

Smart Card also expressed the hope that the deployment of Glo M-Banking would, “encourage other organizations both in the public and private sector to develop value added and customer-friendly platform to ensure speed, ease and reduce cost of banking and other transactions,” Mr. Adeyemi noted.

Also speaking, the Marketing Director of Globacom, Mr. Subhra Das, told newsmen; “The service was designed to operate using high security protocols,” underscoring that apart from M-Banking, MagicPlus, also provides Glo subscribers with a whole lot of information-based services classified under information, news, sports, football, entertainment, business services and register.

The information section, he said, provides subscribers with flight schedules, including arrival and departure times of all airlines operating in Nigeria on both the local and international routes, just as it gives an up-to-date information on horoscope and daily weather forecasts.

Whereas, the sports segment provides sports related information including fixtures and results of the Globacom Premier League, English Premiership, UEFA matches, Bundesliga, Serie A and Dutch league, the news segment, according to the Marketing Director, keeps subscribers abreast of political, economic and social issues locally and internationally, while the subscribers could equally access business services such as currency exchange rates through the Dutch Auction.

The entertainment section would give subscribers a world of customised ring tones, logos, games, jokes and music charts, even as the segment on register, affords subscribers opportunity to search for the addresses and phone numbers of registered companies using a set of search parameters.

Mr. Das, further described MagicPlus package as a stepping stone towards advanced wireless data services, with a unique number that subscribers could dial to access the services in the MagicPlus menu which are also affordable.

Giving more details, he said subscribers would pay N40 per request on M-Banking services, N25 per request for the information-based services and N100 per request for ring tones and logos.

Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) at Teledom International Limited, a telecom integrated solution firm, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, told Champion Infotel, recently that inadequate telecommunications infrastructure that is robust and reliable is the bane of modern-day banking based on technology in any given society, including mobile banking; which shows Glo’s infrastructure deployment therefore is on the right path.

For a Glo subscriber and monitoring officer, Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Lagos Archdiocese, Mr. Ifeanyi Peters, it is innovative and reduces time one spends in the bank trying to check balances and conduct small transactions.

“I think it’s commendable and is part of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) revolution,” he declared.

Glo Mobile, an arm of Globacom Limited, launched its mobile telecommunication services on August 27, 2003.

The telco prides itself as the first to introduce the per second billing (PSB) option and the first to introduce GPRS-based services; Glo Multi-media Messaging Service (MMS) and has added Glo Mobile Internet, a GPRS-based Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) and Glo Direct, an Internet access offering since August 2004.

As more Nigerians, especially telecom subscribers look forward to when this service will be introduced across other networks of banks and mobile operators alike, as well as beyond the shores of Nigeria as obtained in some developing countries like India, a wake-up call for other operators who are in slumber is sounded.With the phone in your hand, enjoy the services of mobile banking at your doorstep.