Emma Okonji
Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, a broadband service company has crashed call rates to as low as 8 kobo per second to any network with the recent introduction of its lowest tariff on call rates.
The new tariff rate allows customers within and outside the country to make calls at cheaper rates, using SmileVoice App.
The SmileVoice allows thousands of Nigerians to enjoy seamless, super clear voice and video calls to their loved ones to and from anywhere in the world.
Unveiling the new app recently, Managing Director of Smile Nigeria, Godfrey Efeurhobo told stakeholders that the world-first free mobile app would give customers the opportunity to have access to super clear voice calls over 4G LTE network, without the need for a VoLTE handset.
“I am proud to announce the lowest call rate in Nigeria, using the very latest 4G LTE technology. You can make calls at 8kobo per second to any network in Nigeria. You can also make and receive calls at the same rate from any country in the world,” Efeurhobo said, adding: “That is the Smile innovation. That is the Smile promise.”
The app is structured to function exactly like SIM card in a mobile phone.
“Having the SmileVoice app on your mobile is like having a second SIM card in your phone,” Efeurhobo said. He added that “Our customers can use their data plan to make super clear voice, video calls and send SMSs to any number locally and internationally. There is no need for the recipient to also have SmileVoice.”
According to him, the new app was developed to wipe the era of ‘roaming bill shock’ that hitherto makes it impossible for Nigerians to make calls with their local numbers abroad. What that means is that registered subscribers on the choice network can now make undisrupted calls anywhere in the world at the unprecedented rate of about N5 per minute.
“If home is where the heart is, you never have to be far from home again. On the Smile network, you take home with you everywhere you go,” Efeurhobo said, adding that registered customers could now do video calls and send SMS using the SmileVoice App.
True to its promise, Smile made the first ever Voice over LTE (VoLTE) call in Nigeria during the testing of its voice service in October last year.
In order to access SmileVoice, a VoLTE phone or the free SmileVoice App is required. The SmileVoice App is the first 4G LTE voice App launched in the world – another first for Smile, Efeurhobo said.
Smile’s Group Head, Corporate Communications and Marketing, South Africa, Nicolene Vanzyl, who was in the country for the launch, said customers were simply required to use a VoLTE handset with their Smile SIM card or download the free SmileVoice App to their mobile phones.
“SmileVoice Only plan is available at N1000 with 200 minutes at 8k/sec, again another industry first,” she said.
“The new innovation is a milestone for the telecoms company because it has a super fast Internet access on the go with a 4G LTE network that delivers fastest Internet, available anywhere. It “significantly enhance call setup times than on a 2G/3G network,” she said.
Among other distinct features, the app has the flexibility to use one data bundle for calling and messaging; ability to have two numbers on one mobile phone – you select which one you call from, while the subscribers can use data bundle for super clear voice SMS.
The app can make high definition (HD) calls when calling from Smile’s network to another person that is on Smile’s network.
Speaking about reliability of the app, Vanzyl said it has network capacity to ensure quality and reliable service and almost no failed connections or dropped calls on Smile’s network with less dropped calls when calling other networks from Smile’s network.
The company’s chief said plans were on the way to roll out services in more cities of Nigeria to offer the best super fast 4G LTE mobile broadband and voice services in its expansion drive beyond the current eight cities under its operation.
