MTN, iWayAfrica to showcase @ Internet expo ‘09

Leading Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), MTN Nigeria Communications Limited, has finalized plans to showcase its Internet service products at the forthcoming forum on Internet Governance: Creating Opportunities for all Nigerians, which kicks off next month in Lagos.

This is coming as award winning continental Internet Service Provider (ISP), iWayAfrica Nigeria Limited, has concluded strategies to offer internet service at the forum for participants.

Disclosing this, the Corporate Service Executive, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Wale Goodluck said the forum has become imperative more so now that the mobile operator has attained data roaming services in over 55 countries across the world and with the MTN 3.5G mobile broadband service gaining momentum in the Nigerian market.

He noted that at the Internet Governance tagged the Nigeria Digital Sense forum and scheduled to hold at the Golden Gate Ikoyi-Lagos on November 5, MTN intends to showcase its Internet offering including data access for the Nigerian travelling public and the 3.5G mobile broadband.

“MTN GPRS network covers over 116 networks in 55 counties,” he declared.

He also said that MTN 3.5G mobile broadband service opens up a whole new dimension of fast and simple working and harnesses the advantages of mobility, taking internet access in Nigeria to new level.

“It helps you stay connected at almost any time, and makes your business and personal information and entertainment as mobile as you are, when you’re working within MTN’s coverage areas,” Goodluck said.

He further said that with 3.5G broadband service, MTN customers would benefit from downloading data as a speed up to 4-5 times faster than currently available in the market, hence, offering for the first time a mobile experience that could truly be described as broadband.

“Where 3G HSDPA coverage is not available, customers will be able to use MTN’s GPRS/EDGE network that already covers most of Nigeria,” he asserted.

Emphasizing that BlackBerry from MTN provides customers with email, calendar, personal contacts and tasks as well as allows them to stay connected with their offices while roaming.

iWayAfrica Nigeria Limited (INL), a subsidiary of AFSAT Communications Limited, providing three core services; iWay broadband, iWay Dedicated and iWay Corporate Networks, said its ready for the November 5 forum.

The company which in 2007, was acquired by MWEB Africa traded under MWEB Nigeria name before it changed to iWayAfrica Nigeria Ltd (INL) as part of the repositioning.

iWayAfrica Nigeria Ltd (INL) operates under the flagship brand ‘iWay’ and currently has over 1000 sites in Nigeria, even as the Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT) solutions eliminate the use of terrestrial infrastructure such as fixed cables or wireless masts, therefore reducing the possibility of multiple points of failure for the subscriber.

According to the General Manager, iWayAfrica Nigeria, Mr. John Ugbe, the ISP of note has a reseller network in most major towns nationwide, with five (5) channel partners in the geo-political zones, thereby having representation spread across the country.

“Our services target various sectors of the economy, including but not limited to corporate organizations, cyber café, schools, government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), manufacturing industries and small and medium enterprises (SMEs),”he said.

In her comment, the Executive Director, Digital Sense Africa the organizers, Mrs. Nkemdilim Nweke, said that MTN’s range of coverage across several regions of the world gives the telco an unreserved advantage to deliver on customers’ data needs.

While applauding MTN for the choice of enlighten Nigerians more, especially on its Internet related products via the forum, she noted that MTN was the first to introduce prepaid Blackberry service in the country, thereby boosting Internet access among its teeming Nigerian subscribers.

She noted that participants at the forthcoming Digital Sense forum would witness the avalanche of offers from MTN and other participating companies, especially those exhibiting Internet services related products.

For iWayAfrica, Mrs. Nweke said the commitment of the Internet Service Provider has given proof to a highest standard services, thus paving the way for the company to redefine the internet market in Nigeria.

She expressed optimism that those visiting MTN and iWayAfrica stands at the forum would have reasons to smile home with good option of internet service offerings.

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