The largest mobile network in the country, MTN Nigeria, has
launched Ideas forum to boost development of mobile applications by Nigerians,
just as the operator partners, Nokia, Google and Samsung.
Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Bola Akingbade
while launching this forum in Lagos, said that it’s for enriching the lives of
its customers via the promotion of their passions and delivering of everyday
solution that makes life richer.
The MTN Ideas Forum, he said, is a networking and idea
generation forum that enables MTN connect with the local applications
developers community as well as other stakeholders in the value chain.
MTN Nigeria, he said, is therefore leaving no stone unturned
in its innovation quest to touch lives most positively, irrespective of gender
or social status.
Pointing out that the Nigeria’s mobile market is changing at
an increasing pace, even as learning, entertainment, social networking, health
services, financial services are going mobile. “Applications have emerged as a
fundamental driver of enabling lifestyle and productivity as consumers want to
access relevant content from PCs, laptops, phones and even in-car systems,” he
said.
Akingbade also said that the increasing popularity of mobile
applications has driven a need for operators to start focusing on reducing the
barriers to adoption.
Research, he said, has indicated that there is a yearning
for relevant local and international mobile applications from an application
store that guarantees ease of access especially by the Trendies who desire a
modern and progressive rhythm of life.
According to him, market survey carried out by MTN shows
that apps create an exciting and elevating feeling of unconstrained sense of
belongingness and being in touch with the world.
“Mobile handsets are getting smarter and more accessible
because of increasing availability of
Ultra low cost Smartphones with improved user interface. Data usage is
going up. Bringing more of the African population online primarily via the
mobile screen,” he said, stressing however, there is very limited local
mobile-content in the country, describing it as a massive opportunity, and a
challenge.
MTN is keen on becoming a frontline player in the
Application Development space by introducing The MTN Ideas Forum, a Networking
and idea generation forum that enables MTN connect with the local applications
developers community as well as other stakeholders in the value chain (Local
developers, Google, Nokia, Samsung, e.tc). This is because within the Telemedia
value chain, no single entity can run alone. There is therefore the need for
partnership. We also understand that fast-growing portfolios of mobile apps
would be fuelled by an efficient developer ecosystem.
Remmy Nweke
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
No comments:
Post a Comment