4G LTE Rollout as Driver of High Speed Connectivity

The aggressive rollout of 4G LTE services penultimate week by most telecoms operators, was a boost for increased internet connectivity across the country, writes Emma Okonji

Telecoms operators that rolled out their fourth generation long term evolution network, also known as the 4G LTE network, are already expanding their rollout coverage areas to more cities in order to empower more Nigerians with the high speed connectivity associated with 4G LTE.

One of such operators is Globacom, which later connected additional eight cities to its 4G LTE network, few days after it launched its rollout plan.
Just one week after it formally launched its 4G LTE nationwide network, national operator, Globacom, has connected eight more cities to the advanced network. This, the company said, is in keeping with its promise to embark upon a rapid rollout of the service in more locations across the country.

Additional cities on Glo 4G LTE network

The new locations that were connected to the Glo 4G LTE network, according to Globacom, are Okada (Igbinedion University), Ekpoma (Ambrose Alli University), Bonny, Escravos, Forcados, Abraka (Delta State University), Agbor (College of Education), and Sapele (Western Delta University).
Globacom at the launch of the service on October 4 had announced availability of its 4G coverage in nine cities, namely Lagos- Lekki, Ikoyi, V.I, Ajah and Akoka (South West), Port Harcourt- Aba Road, Trans Amadi, Diobu, Old GRA and UNIPort, Warri, Eket and Benin (South South), Abuja- Maitama, Wuse, Asokoro, Garki/Central Business District and Airport Road and Jos (North Central), Yola – ABTI (North East) and Zaria- ABU (North West). The eight new locations thus bring to 17 the number of cities covered by the Glo 4network.
Announcing the additional connected cities, the Head of Corporate Sales, Globacom, KamaldeenShonibare said: “Our commitment is to give Nigerians access to this advanced network wherever they may be located in this country. It’s a lot of investment, but Globacom is committed to making it so that our subscribers can enjoy the best of telecommunications services at home, at work or on the move.”
Globacom urged millions of subscribers in the eight new locations to seize the opportunity to avail themselves of the immense benefits of the network.
Since the Glo 4G LTE nationwide network was launched, many telecoms subscribers have thronged the Glo World outlets across the country seeking to connect to the network.
The brand new Glo 4G LTE network enables Globacom to offer instant efficient mobile broadband internet to subscribers at unprecedented speeds, which will enable subscribers to download ultra high definition videos in seconds.

Benefits

The Glo 4G LTE comes with enormous benefits such as free access to millions of music, video and movie on demand, among others. Available 4G data bundles include N500 for a whopping 1.6GB of data, N1000 for 3.2GB data and 7.5GB for N2000. Others include 10GB for N2,500, 18GB for N4000 and 24GB for N5000. To join the advanced network, customers are required to buy and register a 4G LTE Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) or swap his or her existing SIM for a 4G SIM, get a 4G phone and dial *777# to buy a data plan.
The company is also offering a brand new 4G LTE router which gives access to Ultra High Speed Internet and landline, with free SIM, 60 GB of shareable data valid for a month and free world-class content for a one-off fee of N31,000. There is also the Glo 4G MiFi which is bundled with free SIM, 60Gb of shareable data valid for one month and free world-class content for a one-off fee of N25,000.
Beyond the benefits to subscribers, the country also stands to benefit from the introduction 4G LTE. This is true because today, the 4G LTE platform is acknowledged as the most advanced wireless broadband connectivity both for voice and data usage offering hi-speed data for users. Now, subscribers on the 4G LTE network service can enjoy optimised wireless broadband experience and high speed browsing.

Stimulating growth with 4G LTE

Following the launch and expansion of its 4G LTE network to connect more Nigerians, Globacom said it is stimulating telecoms growth, and securing higher ground with introduction of superior 4G LTE services.
Nigeria’s telecommunications industry has moved to the next phase of growth with the firing up of 4G networks by some major operators within the same week. Globacom blazed the trail on 4th of October with the launch of 4G LTE services in nine cities at once, making it the operator to launch the largest 4G LTE network in Nigeria.
Aside Globacom, MTN and Etisalat have also launched their own 4G LTE services in Nigeria.

Telecom subscribers in several parts of key cities in Lagos, Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Abuja in the Federal Capital City, Jos in Plateau State, Warri in Delta State, Eket in AkwaIbom State, Benin City in Edo State, Yola in Adamawa State and Zaria in Kaduna State can immediately have the pleasure of connecting to Glo 4G LTE network, while the company pledged that roll-out to other major cities of the country will happen swiftly.
The new and advanced 4G LTE Globacom network has provided a platform for millions of Nigerians to enjoy efficient mobile broadband internet at speeds multiple times faster than the 3G network. The instant benefit to subscribers is the ability to download ultra high definition videos in seconds.

Access to data apps

With the launch of 4G LTE across most networks, telecoms subscribers in any of the 4G LTE coverage areas can access data intensive applications with ease. No relief at this point can be greater to anyone who consumes huge volumes of data from individuals to governments at all levels, corporate organisations like banks, oil and gas companies, academic institutions and health institutions, Globacom said in a statement.
“We are pleased to once again play a leading role in empowering Nigerians with world class data services, helping to close the digital divide. In the last one and a half years, the people of this great country have spoken repeatedly by making Globacom the largest data network in new subscriptions. The best we can do for our people who believe in us and made us their number one data network is to give them the best technology. What we are offering is the new speed of life,” Shonibare said.

The attractions

One huge attraction in Globacom’s offering is free access to millions of music and thousands of videos and movies on demand and a broad range of hard-to-beat 4G data bundle offers to enable all categories of subscribers to have access to the revolutionary products and services.
For instance, for only N500, subscribers will get a whopping 1.6GB of data, while N1000 will give them 3.2GB data. Other exciting offers include 7.5GB for N2000, 10GB for N2,500, 18GB for N4000 and 24GB for N5000. The data plans range from N50 to N18,000 to suit everyone’s pocket.
In addition to its robust and pocket friendly data plans, Globacom is also offering a brand new 4G LTE router which gives access to Ultra High Speed Internet and landline, with free SIM, 60 GB of shareable data valid for a month and free world-class content for a one-off fee of N31,000. For those who prefer MiFi, Globacom is bundling its 4G MiFi with free SIM, 60 GB of shareable data valid for one month and free world-class content for a one-off fee of N25,000.
Shonibare said the Glo 4G LTE services would make life more interesting, comfortable and enjoyable for Nigerians as the advanced technology would touch all aspects of life from education to agriculture and medical care.
“Our subscribers today already enjoy downloading music, video and movie contents and streaming contents on their phones and other devices. But the new Glo 4G LTE network offers subscribers a significantly improved experience. The video and voice quality in video calls on different applications like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Viberetc is a lot clearer while the picture quality is crisper, and the transmission is faster,” he said.
He said the technology would enable Globacom to empower most of the over 150 million telecom subscribers in Nigeria to have access to the internet at a much faster speed, enjoy ultra high definition video without buffering and utilise other high intensive data applications with ease.

Activation

Shonibare said all a customer requires to join the most advanced network is to buy and register a 4G LTE Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) or swap his or her existing SIM for a 4G SIM, get a 4G phone and dial *777# to buy a data plan. He urged subscribers to visit the nearest Gloworld shop to connect to the Glo 4G LTE and enjoy the boundless opportunities offered by the advanced and superior technology.
Within 24 hours of launch, over 15,000 subscribers signed up for the service with many of the early adopters of the new network testifying to the superior quality of the service. Areas of remarkable edge highlighted include speed, stability and indoor penetration.

Subscribers’ reactions

Subscribers have continued to commend telecoms operators for the rollout of their 4G LTE network. Similarly, many Nigerians have commended Globacom for the superior quality of the service and for making it available beyond the major commercial cities of Lagos, Port Harcourt and the seat of power, Abuja.
Maxwell Ejiofor a subscriber to Globacom, who has upgraded to the Glo 4G LTE, said: “I can certify that 4G is a lovely experience. The speed is phenomenal. And the indoor penetration is excellent. I have the signal in every part of my house. I was also among the first to upgrade my other line to 4G on another network. But the indoor penetration was poor and the phone only worked best near the front windows.”
“I have had a 4G phone for a while now. I was using it with 3G services. I simply purchased a 4G SIM to enable me optimise the capacity of the phone. The difference is clear, I tell you. My videos download without any delay. Glo has done very well with this one,” he said.
Now that telecoms operators have rolled out their 4G LTE networks, subscribers would begin to experience high speed internet access and connectivity.

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