Posted by mamba
I really don't see the advantage of this new tariff when I can call for 19 naira per min to all GSM networks via Reltel. I'll just keep my MTN and reltel lines.
Posted by coolapostle
On 2007-03-27 06:57:00, AYA wrote:
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The basic plan on the Unity Tariffs does not have a monthly access fee, so you can stay as free as a bird...
I thought I saw "migration fees" of N100 bucks on the free packages? That is a major turn-off! We have passed the stage of paying to migrate to any package. I am holding out until the NCC forces Celtel to scrap the illegal fees. And check out the way all the networks have been toying with the commensment of the "off-peak" period. Everyone know it should be from 7pm daily. But, 10 pm? Haba!
My first impression of these new packages is: "Medicine after death." What about Celtel free mid-night calls?????? Any news?
Posted by OluYom
On 2007-03-27 17:18:36, coolapostle wrote:
What about Celtel free mid-night calls?????? Any news?
Why must Celtel give free mid-night calls? Simply because MTn and Glo did? Isn't it interesting that we clamour for competition and innovation, yet when we get it we are also the first to cry foul?
Where would the innovation -- and true competition - be if every network offered exactly the same packages? That would be a cartel, not competition.
In terms of real value, what are free midnight calls worth? Its generally useless for business and economic progress, though there may be minority exceptions.
While I am not a Celtel subscriber, I clearly appreciate the direction they have taken. They do NOT have to offer what everyone else offers.
Posted by 234hay
@ all:Is no one is interested in my Alheri Engineering question?
@ areafada: I really liked your analogy (or is it trilogy) with the three networks,very nice.You forgot to add the Leukemia patient,M-tel!
@ all: I would like to know that some people are still browsing "freely" on Celtel. If any1 knows how to join these free people,do tell...
Posted by ambyzown
On 2007-03-27 14:13:00, mamba wrote:
I really don't see the advantage of this new tariff when I can call for 19 naira per min to all GSM networks via Reltel.
Who is deceiving you that calls to GSM from Reltel is N19/min? have you read the fine print?
That tariff is only possible when you load a N3000 bonus card, which is the same as paying monthly access fees.
@Coola: You aren't compelled to migrate. By now you should understand that anything that is free in Naija eventually leads to the of gnashing of teeth due to congestion. I totally agree with what Aya said, and think Celtel has trodden the right path. Have you tried calling MTN numbers lately?
@234hay: We know little or nothing about Alheri Engineering. I'll google it and see what I can find for you.
_________________
Grace is, getting what we don't deserve. Mercy is, not getting what we deserve.
[ This Message was edited by: ambyzown on 2007-03-27 23:24 ]
Posted by abubakar
@ambyz: you forgot Mtel being jabba the hut, the big fat monolithic local champion that gets wasted way before his prime!
@all: i rarely use my Celtel. only recently i learnt they still give 6 free texts. money i loaded in december is still there. i need to go to thier site and get details of all these new tariff plans.
is reltel really giving N19/min no strings attached?
Posted by Angelgirl
Sorry Abu, i think Mamba forgot to let you know that Reltel deducts N30 daily, if you have enough credit left overnignt.
[ This Message was edited by: Angelgirl on 2007-03-28 11:40 ]
Posted by mamba
@Angel ur right, reltel deducts 30 bucks daily as long as you have credit left on your line. If you have zero credit, they dont deduct. I'm still happy with the option because the 19 naira is uniform across all GSM whether peak or off-peak. I need a phone I can bring out and make calls freely without bringing out my calculator to crosscheck. Besides, I can also send SMS, browse the net, call landlines & international cheaper.
Posted by OluYom
And gradually, the people awake to the reality that there are better deals available with the CDMA operators. As I have said before, for day-to-day use, running a regular prepaid GSM line is economically suicidal.
Almost everyone I know has a mobile line from one PTO/CDMA network or the other. That's where most of the action takes place for us. Those who stay strictly on GSM can clamour for free midnight calls all they like. The rest of us are communicating during the day for peanuts
. In addition, some of us talk for free all weekend. And not at night either, mind you 
I even know people who use their Reltel/Starcomms/Multilinks lines as their main phones, and only keep a GSM line for the odd times they have to roam. But even that is already changing, as we see new roaming opportunities on non-GSM networks.
In all, the consumer wins. At the end of the day, this will lead to lower tariffs across board as the GSM companies wake up to the reality that they do not have a hold on the population any longer. Sweet. So sweet.
_________________
Yomi Says: The church, web and mobility, and life in general
[ This Message was edited by: AYA on 2007-03-28 16:48 ]
Posted by abubakar
@AYA: as much as i would like to agree with you i cant. too many Nigerians are tariff insensitive. i see it everyday i go out marketing Starcomms. i task everyone here to ask 3 random people they know how much they are charged on thier line(s). most likely all 3 wont know exactly. yesterday i had a guy arguing MTN charges N15! the gsm operators know this thats why its been so bad for so long.
Posted by abubakar
@mamba: N30 daily is a bit steep! Starcomms used to charge daily access some years back when the smallest denom was N1000, forcing most to use up thier cred faster. if reltel has 100 or 200 then one can limit loses. but most likely they wouldnt as it doesnt help them.
Posted by OluYom
On 2007-03-28 21:50:20, abubakar wrote:
@AYA: as much as i would like to agree with you i cant. too many Nigerians are tariff insensitive. i see it everyday i go out marketing Starcomms. i task everyone here to ask 3 random people they know how much they are charged on thier line(s). most likely all 3 wont know exactly. yesterday i had a guy arguing MTN charges N15! the gsm operators know this thats why its been so bad for so long.
Errr... exactly what is it that you find it difficult to agree with me about?
Too many Nigerians are tariff insensitive, you say.
That cannot be true, or else they would not complain about how GSM "sucks" up their credit as they do. And they would not jump on the MTN and Glo free midnight calls the way they did. No, sir; not too many Nigerians are that tariff insensitive.
How do you reconcile your position with the fact that more and more people are clutching a Starcomms or Reltel or Multilinks or Intercellular, or .. (you get the idea) mobile? Others have the desktop phones sitting on their desks. And they are using them more.
Posted by 234hay
@ all:Amongst the CDMA operators which has the widest coverage and which do you think has the best internet package;cost,speed and all...
Posted by ambyzown
On 2007-03-28 23:22:06, AYA wrote:
How do you reconcile your position with the fact that more and more people are clutching a Starcomms or Reltel or Multilinks or Intercellular, or .. (you get the idea) mobile? Others have the desktop phones sitting on their desks. And they are using them more.
True, but this population is still a far cry from those using GSM, and it doesn't seem like its growing anymore. In my residence, there at least 27 people, including the maiguard. Of this number, there are approximately 18 GSM line users, and just 4 cdma users. Whats the ratio in your residence? this will give you an indication of how "tariff insensitive" most Nigerians are. They hardly ask themselves why and what they need a phone line for, and which provider is most suited for their needs before they go out and buy one.
Posted by mamba
@amby, many Nigerians opt for gsm rather than cdma because of the coverage and simplicity of purchasing the line and handset separately. in the past, you needed to go to multilinks office with ur passport, utility bill and queue up to buy a line that takes days to get activated. these made cdma lack the competitive edge in terms of customer base & acceptance despite the cheaper call prices. the way things are going with cdma gradually adopting gsm features at a cheaper price, i guess the trend you'll expect to see is an average nigerian owning both cdma and gsm lines.
Posted by OluYom
Amby: True, the ratio is terrible. The issue, however, is really that of ignorance of the majority due to the past antecedents of the PTOs, as mamba has graciously explained. The majority do not know that things have changed. There is always an expression of surprise when I share the details with people.
But once they know, their responses show clearly that they are NOT tariff insensitive. Why - they usually go get one for themselves. Enlightenment is the key. But it will take time unless Starcomms and co are willing to spend mega bucks on pushing that info out.
Fact: There is a growing awareness, and silent adoption of CDMA mobiles going on among the enlightened.
Fact: Nigerians are NOT tariff insensitive.
Posted by OluYom
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Widest coverage: Between Multilinks and Starcomms (has largest CDMA subscribers far ahead of Multilinks)
Lowest Internet rates: Starcomms (N10,000 for 24-7 access); smaller packages available
Most flexible internet plans: Between Reltel & Multilinks
Posted by ambyzown
One other reason why cdma has been taking the rear seat is that very few manufacturers are developing new handsets for the technology. I can't go out to buy a phone I like and get it activated. Even the new SIM enabled starcomms 0702 lines require that u buy the phones from Starcomms, and there isn't much to choose from either.
Posted by coolapostle
IMHO, the cdma guys will need big money if they are ever to compete. Even if a few hundreds of thousands of ppl join them, they lack the infrastructure to handle the load. I was turned back by the Cellcom Staff some years back because they had not covered my area and the only "available" internet belt was the mid-night one.
I am looking forward to Glo Fixed and the rumoured Telkom/Multi-links merger for something solid in the internet arena. Glo is actually promising triple play: TV/net/calls
On Celtel midnight calls... I think it is only a matter of time. Afterall, Celtel had said they won't reduce tariff and hurt their profits... but reality has caused them to have a re-think. Celtel MUST provide the same goodies if they are to remain competitive. If you were a new subscriber, free midnight calls is a MAJOR incentive. And you know the ages of the ppl buying phones these days.
Maybe Celtel was in a rush: their SMS was not dropped to the current N5-7 standard. Why?
Posted by ambyzown
@Coola: Celtel never indicated that it didn't plan to reduce tariffs, rather they said they were concentrating on capacity building first before embarking on tariff reduction. Believe me, Celtel didn't lose profit, rather their staff were paid profit sharing only last week, as against what used to obtain under Vmobile.
Of what use is free midnight calls if you can't get a connection? Glo tried it for a while, and realised that free was bad, now its 10k/sec. I for one have only used the MTN free calls once, and we both slept off while the connection was still active. Imagine, we were asleep, but tied up the network for FREE! I guess one person's battery must have run out before the connection was broken. I wouldn't try that if I had to pay for it.
As for SMS, Celtel offers the best deal in terms of SMS. MTN charges N5 for SMS within network, and N15 for SMS to other networks, while Glo is N7.5 and N15 respectively. On the other hand, Celtel charges a flat rate of N9 for SMS irrespective of which Network it is sent to.
Do the math yourself.
Posted by OluYom
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They do not have to. If I were a new subscriber, free midnight calls is NO incentive. I have NEVER used it and have no plans to. It makes no difference to me and to most people I know. We all are in bed (some of us with madam). What God has joined together, let no free midnight calls put asunder
As for the ages of people buying phones, people across a wide age range are buying and upgrading their phones.
I know that there are those who find the free nighties useful, but hey - those are the same people who spend the least maintaining their lines. Plus, the freebies also jam the networks more often than not. Its a loss in many ways for both the networks and subscribers.
The real deal would be significant lower tariffs all round; not free midnight calls.
Posted by mamba
On 2007-04-01 21:33:03, ambyzown wrote:
As for SMS, Celtel offers the best deal in terms of SMS. MTN charges N5 for SMS within network, and N15 for SMS to other networks, while Glo is N7.5 and N15 respectively. On the other hand, Celtel charges a flat rate of N9 for SMS irrespective of which Network it is sent to.
Do the math yourself.
I've done the math and I'm certain that I'm saving more money sending SMS via MTN rather than Celtel. 80% of my contacts are on MTN while 15% are glo, and 5% Celtel. on average, I'll spend =N=7 per SMS via MTN as opposed to =N=9 via Celtel.
Posted by ambyzown
On 2007-04-01 23:42:49, mamba wrote:
I've done the math and I'm certain that I'm saving more money sending SMS via MTN rather than Celtel. 80% of my contacts are on MTN while 15% are glo, and 5% Celtel. on average, I'll spend =N=7 per SMS via MTN as opposed to =N=9 via Celtel.
If that suits you, fine. I have at least 50% of my contacts using Celtel so it only makes sense for me to use my Celtel line. Remember I was quick to blast them when their tariffs were the highest? I should also commend them if I think their tariffs are now attractive. Plus because of the uniform tariff across network, I no longer carry three phones around. I only carry my Celtel and Intercellular. I've set the MTN to divert my calls to the Celtel line. I chose the Celtel line as my Default for the following reasons.
1. Overall cheaper tariff (Off peak calls from Celtel to MTN is 33k/sec as against 43k/sec MTN to MTN)
2. More people know me by that number
3. GPRS is cheaper on Celtel
Last time I checked, the average of 5 and 15 was still 10. How come you arrived at N7?
Posted by ambyzown
Oops, I forgot to mention 15 free sms monthly (not restricted to home network only) and 21k/sec for calls to Family and friends. Upto 5 members csn be registered as opposed to 3 on MTN
Posted by OluYom
Here is where the fun begins (hopefully), when at least one network decides to brand itself by going a different path from the crowd:
- no GPRS for prepaid customers (at least officially); you have to get a contrct for that. Eventually, this may become the norm though, in view of EFCC's regulations
- uniform tariffs
- no free midnight calls
I applaud Celtel for this. Let there be diversity and service differentiation. What do we stand to gain when all 4 GSM networks simply ape one another?
Posted by mamba
On 2007-04-02 02:45:51, ambyzown wrote:
Last time I checked, the average of 5 and 15 was still 10. How come you arrived at N7?
My contact ratio is 80% MTN @ =N=5 and 20% others @ =N=15. If you apply the ratio, it averages at =N=7 per SMS.
The unity tariff is a good idea, definitely good for competition as AYA said. It will definitely suit people that make more calls during off-peak. If ur looking for cheaper rates like me, it makes more sense to go the CDMA route. @Amby, have u considered how much you can save by using ur intercellular for voice calls?
Posted by ambyzown
Yes Mamba, I still use my intercellular line for voice calls, especially calls to land lines, thats why I still lug it around with me, but Intercellular still bills by the minute, and its N23 per minute to GSM. Off peak, Celtel is N19.80 to all networks.
Posted by ambyzown
@Aya: you seem to have taken ur crusade in favour of Nokia smartphones to the ends of the earth. I read ur comments on the Nokia vs
debate, as well as ur reaction to negative comments about the N95. You have to understand that u cant reason with fanatics.[ This Message was edited by: ambyzown on 2007-04-03 08:25 ]
Posted by coolapostle
Celtel trying to be different? Puleeese!
Like Glo and MTN they have midnight calls.
Like MTN theirs run from 12:30am to 4:30am.
Like Glo, they charge 10k/sec.
Like MTN u must have N100 credit for the midnight calls.
Like Glo EasyTalk, Celtel's Simply Smooth allows midnight calls with 0.0 credit
Like MTN and Glo, Celtel has reduced SMS prices
Like Glo used to do, they now give free monthly SMS
Like Glo and MTN, Celtel finally created special Family and Friends tariffs
UNLIKE Glo and MTN, Celtel is charging its loyal faithfuls like Amby N100 to migrate. I AM BITTERLY AGAINST MIGRATION FEES.
No Guys, Celtel is a shameless copycat.
(But their Advert Guys said, "Hey! We got to push the "flat tariffs" as a unique-selling point. Yeah, yeah")
They ACTUALLY had a niche in their Econet/Vmobile days. They were Customer-centric. Their customers got things for less or free. Now? Ha!
BTW: The Celtel plan is here
On the popularity of mid-night calls, I advise u guys have a chat with students in our Universities and Polys. That is the population getting their first phones these days.
Posted by mamba
On 2007-04-03 10:33:41, coolapostle wrote:
On the popularity of mid-night calls, I advise u guys have a chat with students in our Universities and Polys. That is the population getting their first phones these days.
Ur absolutely right coola, the above 30yrs market is supposed to be saturated now cos I don't think those guys will like to change numbers.
The new subs now are the younger generation that are leaving secondary school for uni and are getting new lines. Most people I see with 0806, 0703, 0807 and 0808 are the younger generation that are most likely interested in free midnight calls. That explains why Celtel would have stagnated in subscriber growth if they don't join the others in free midnight calls. I personally know 3 people that went to purchase glo easytalk because of this free midnight calls.
Posted by coolapostle
Latest on 3G:
MTN has paid. The rest are yet to pay. I think payment deadline was extended.
How is Alheri Engineering going to pull it off? They have a 3G license but not a single base station in the country? Are they going to start from scratch? Or buy up MTEL from Transcorp?
Posted by OluYom
On 2007-04-03 09:19:38, ambyzown wrote:
@Aya: you seem to have taken ur crusade in favour of Nokia smartphones to the ends of the earth. I read ur comments on the Nokia vs
debate, as well as ur reaction to negative comments about the N95. You have to understand that u cant reason with fanatics.
Its not a crusade in favour of Nokia smartphones. It is a crusade for objectivity. That much was obvious from my exchanges with that toddler.
Nokia will not meet everyone's needs. Neither will SE or any other brand.
Not all Nokia phones are crappy, just as not all SE phones are.
The guy was making stupid, unfounded generalisations that bordered on the moronic. While we can't reason with fanatics, we can at least stand up to them and let them know that their fanaticism won't go unchallenged.
2007-04-03 10:33, coolapostle wrote:
On the popularity of mid-night calls, I advise u guys have a chat with students in our Universities and Polys. That is the population getting their first phones these days.
You guys are not thinking this through. We talk as if the network with the largest number of subscribers is necessarilly the most profitable, balanced or stable. There are more factors to business than subscriber numbers, as important as numbers are.
Example: This population getting their first phones are also the segment that spend the least on airtime. The very fact that "FREE" motivates them so much is proof. In all probability, a majority of these folks spend on their lines just enough to keep those lines active.
Guys like myself and many others I know exist who are changing our 35th phone or so, and just one of us still spends much more on the network we are loyal to than 10 of those freebie guys do on the network they jumped on for free calls!
Do the math. Celtel may not be losing anything with its current approach. That approach may not meet your particular needs; that approach may not make them the largest network in Nigeria, but that does not make their strategy wrong or flawed.
Find a network that meets your need and stay there.
PS: By way of reflection, how many people on this forum who got MTN or Celtel SIMs specifically for free GPRS last year really spent anything tangible on those networks? My MTN and Celtel SIMS are lying at the bottom of my drawer today. I used their freebie and stayed loyal to my network, like many others I know did.
On the N100 migration fee, I agree that this is sheer robbery. Other than that, Celtel has done nothing wrong with their approach.
_________________
Yomi Says: The church, web and mobility, and life in general
[ This Message was edited by: AYA on 2007-04-03 15:04 ]
Posted by mariwun
since i am not in nigeria i cant comment on the netwoek arguement.but from the last time i was there i think advertising played a major role than tarrif incentive or freebies(there waqsnt much difference in tarrifs and definately no freebies last time i was in nig)......while i was there it just seemed the norm to get a mtn sim if u wanted a new line....
getting my N95 tommoro peeps
..lol im so excited..hope it dosent dissapoint...is it on sale in nig yet?
Posted by mamba
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Posted by coolapostle
On 2007-04-03 15:56:01, AYA wrote:
Other than that, Celtel has done nothing wrong with their approach.
With Celtel coming 6 months late?
It would have been suicidal for Celtel not to offer free midnight calls whether it makes sense or not, and whether the young new subs spend money or not. That segment is the only growing market today.
Celtel's "flat tariffs" do not even reward their Customers with extra-low rates. I can understand something a bit higher for calls to other networks because of interconnection rates but to penalise Celtel subs with the same tariffs AND TRY TO MAKE IT LOOK like an advantage is incredible! Celtel has lost its Customer-centric during the transfer of ownership heart.
So now, we have 3 GSM networks all offering the same kind of packages. It is unfortunate that they cannot seem to find solid niches with which to differentiate themselves.
Posted by OluYom
On 2007-04-03 21:19:04, coolapostle wrote:
With Celtel coming 6 months late?
What does it matter? You don't run the company. You have no idea the challenges they have had to face to come this far. You are simply an arm-chair critic with no clue as to what Celtel (or anyone else) has done to come this far.
You are simply being sentimental. I run a business organisation. I know how awry things can go inspite of the best-made plans. Then you have to explore various options and arrive at what you believe is a workable solution.
On 2007-04-03 21:19:04, coolapostle wrote:
It would have been suicidal for Celtel not to offer free midnight calls whether it makes sense or not, and whether the young new subs spend money or not. That segment is the only growing market today.
Suicidal in your opinion, but people still purchase Celtel SIMs everyday. Like they purchased MTN SIMs even when almost everyone called MTN evil.
Business is not run on sentiments.
On 2007-04-03 21:19:04, coolapostle wrote:
So now, we have 3 GSM networks all offering the same kind of packages. It is unfortunate that they cannot seem to find solid niches with which to differentiate themselves.
How are they supposed to find "solid niches" when you want all of them to offer the same products, services and at the same tariffs?
But the problem is your viewpoint. They are not all offering the same kind of packages. That is obvious enough.
Posted by mamba
@coola, it seems you understand the telecom industry very well. Nigerians are only interested in talking & gist which obviously makes all the service providers a strategic group. there really is no incentive for differentiation. a company with long term focus should definitely tap the growing segment at a cost if necessary since those undergrads would eventually turn to future professionals earning income in 4 to 5 years time. if celtel didn't join in, it would have been disastrous on the long run.
Posted by OluYom
On 2007-04-03 23:22:00, mamba wrote:
Nigerians are only interested in talking & gist
This statement is another example of hasty generalisation (its like saying "Nigerians are only interested in 419"). Your assertion is simply not true in a blanket way, whether you admit it or not. To build your argument on such a flawed foundation is to present a fatally flawed argument.
I am a Nigerian, and I am not "only interested in talking & gist", as you say. There are also many others who do not fit your description. Obviously, many Nigerians do fit your description. In which case it wouldn't be too much of a mystery that they are the way they are today (I remember the long dialogue between Ihejirika and myself on an issue very much related to this).
On 2007-04-03 23:22:00, mamba wrote:
a company with long term focus should definitely tap the growing segment at a cost if necessary since those undergrads would eventually turn to future professionals earning income in 4 to 5 years time.
Agreed, without qualms, but you and coolapostle seem to think that there is only one way to do this - offer free midnight calls. That is simply.....
On 2007-04-03 23:22:00, mamba wrote:
if celtel didn't join in, it would have been disastrous on the long run.
Again; not necessarily. Its just that your view of the scenario is quite narrowed down to this free midnight call thing.
_________________
Yomi Says: The church, web and mobility, and life in general
[ This Message was edited by: AYA on 2007-04-03 23:18 ]
Posted by ambyzown
@coola: I fail to understand ur belief that free midnight calls is the key to profitability amongst gsm networks. If they offer free calls, that is good, but remember the network congestion that goes with free calls. How can this be good for the service provider?
Most people I know who have mtn lines for free midnight calls also have Glo or Celtel lines which they use during the day to make calls. They just ensure that their credit level on MTN is above N100, and so do not make call with it.
Also, Call completion rate on MTN is the poorest amongst the networks, and this is attributable to too many subscribers on the network than the system can handle. Talk about subscriber growth.
Tell me, if you are a businessman who needs to make calls on a particular network, and you have to dial a number 5-6 times before you get a connection, would you stick with it when you have alternatives that give you one touch access?
Remember also, the roadside business centers who make calls in excess of N30,000 daily? they aren't interested in free midnight calls, and a larger number of them are on Celtel and Glo. You dont believe me? go and find out. They hardly use MTN, because they pay N3000 access fee monthly, and cannot get to reap the benefits of the Bumper package due to network congestion. Is this your idea of a smart business plan?
Posted by mamba
The most important thing is that Celtel did all their analysis, saw what I and Coola are seeing and decided to offer the free midnight and reduced tariff. Nigerians like to talk and Gist is another way of saying that the wap, MMS, 3G and other add-on's will not sell like voice calls just yet. How many people even pay for browsing on their celli if not people like AYA, Amby & mamba? We represent a niche that contributes peanuts to these guy's bottomline. Nigerians buy high-end phones and don't know what else to do other than talk and Gist at least for now as far as I'm concerned. I'm not generalizing but trying to portray the fact that we represent a market that isn't very significant to these providers unlike Multilinks, starcomms e.g. that rely a lot on data to boost their sales.
Posted by OluYom
On 2007-04-04 16:24:00, mamba wrote:
Nigerians like to talk and Gist is another way of saying that the wap, MMS, 3G and other add-on's will not sell like voice calls just yet.
I was not even thinking of data when I made gave my response. That response was in the context of free midnight calls.
Point: Voice calls wise, free midnight calls packages are not the only way of targeting the class of consumers you speak about. In my opinion, you guys simply finally got what you wanted: 3 networks offering the same things.
Too bad Celtel didn't have the guts to pursue a different course. But its their decision. They can live with it.
Posted by coolapostle
@Amby/AYA: What are u guys saying?
-that the free midnight calls do not translate into cash for MTN or Glo?
(Then u probably missed the story the other day about how much MTN made in 2006. MTN raked in 23-25 billion naira monthly. They made more money in the last 3 months of 2006.)
-that Celtel should NOT have copied the others?
(BTW it is a combo of free midnight calls, lower SMS, lower tariffs and introduction of Friends and Family that I am saying Celtel copied)
-that Celtel's new Unity package is an example of a superb counter-offensive that should be applauded?
-that there is any other major niche apart from Voice/SMS in the 9ja GSM market?
HERE IS WHAT I AM SAYING:
-Celtel has lost its customer-centric heart with this new package
-Celtel copied the others to survive
-Celtel's deal is not even as good as Glo (and we know Glo copied MTN and bettered them)
-9ja is a voice/SMS market. Period.
-Yes, some of u do a little browsing but your number is inconsequential
-9ja is a prepaid market. Period.
(A good example: after 5 years, MTN has just 100,000 Contract subs while prepaid is 12,000,000. Haba!)
-Free midnight calls are VERY POPULAR among students
-Free midnight calls can translate into major decisions on which network dominates in each household
I will be happy if you streamline your "argument"... if you have any.
Posted by OluYom
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In the simplest terms possible, free midnight calls are NOT the only means of attracting subscribers (you obviously missed or deliberately ignored my last post), and that free midnight calls do not necesarilly translate into significant cash inflow. That should be simple enough for you to understand.
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So? MTN was raking in billions many months ago before they introduced free midnight calls. In all probability, they made a little bit more after introducing the free nighties.
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what is so difficult for anyone to understand about that?. They didnt have to copy them, but they have, and I'm okay with that. But they did NOT have to.
Just get the prejudice and sentiments out of your mind first and the rest is easy.
Oh, and by the way, Vmobile - in my opinion and by my standards - were never consumer/customer-centric in the sense that it was easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a Vmobile customer to reach customer care. It does not matter what a network offers, if I cannot reach them for help conveniently and when I need the help, they do not score.
_________________
Yomi Says: The church, web and mobility, and life in general
[ This Message was edited by: AYA on 2007-04-04 20:54 ]
Posted by mariwun
N95 in hand...lookin impressive.still disvirgining my handset....anyone with questions please feel free to ask.i see we'r on page 500...a milestone..lol.
Posted by 234hay
@ all:Hallo every1.It seems a lot of u seem to enjoy midnight chatting.
Anyhow,Starcomms is at it again,they are giving away CDMA 1X laptop cards for as N9,999 buundled with 24/7 internet access for 7days.Of course,its just for the Easter season.I suspect they want to get rid of their old CDMA 1X cards before maKing EVDO their default laptop card.Just like they did with their "low priced" mobiles.
@ mariwun:If you would be so kind,post the details for the N95.Wonder if the phone's GPS will be any use here...
Posted by mamba
@aya, free midnight calls could be looked at in many ways. from operational perspective, it's a demand management technique to free up capacity during the daytime and utilize unused capacity during the night time. from marketing perspective, it helps you increase popularity (higher subscriber base) by reducing overpriced perception (in nigerian context). MTN probably needed the free midnight thing more than the other networks. but u see, market followership is also a powerful business & marketing strategy for a strategic group.
@mariwun, which does the phone have, LED or zenon flash?
how effective is the flash in total darkness?
how loud & clear is the sound from speakers?
what's your opinion on battery life?
is the phone stable enough, how many reboots so far?
Posted by ambyzown
@Coola: whats the big deal about Celtel copying MTN or Glo with free midnight calls, Family and friends, etc?
Remember Vmobile was the first to implement free SMS for its subscribers?
Remember Celtel was the first to offer lifetime access on its lines?
Who was the first to offer its subscribers free customer care calls?
I didn't hear you complain when MTN copied these features.
Posted by OluYom
On 2007-04-05 03:17:00, mamba wrote:
@aya, free midnight calls could be looked at in many ways. from operational perspective, it's a demand management technique to free up capacity during the daytime and utilize unused capacity during the night time. from marketing perspective, it helps you increase popularity (higher subscriber base) by reducing overpriced perception (in nigerian context). MTN probably needed the free midnight thing more than the other networks. but u see, market followership is also a powerful business & marketing strategy for a strategic group.
@mamba: Its obvious you are not reading me without bias. In none of my posts have I run down free midnight calls. Here is my stand again: free midnight calls is not the only way to achieve the objectives you have consistently fought for. I do not argue against free midnight calls.
While I have agreed with you that there is indeed a section of the Nigerian populace that find the free night thing attractive and "useful", it is quite useless and meaningless to the larger population who like normal people choose to sleep at night.
I argue against your stand that every network ought to implement it. That is just not right, as their are several strategic ways to achieve one business goal. The laws of market differentiation and USP (unique selling point) argue against your stand.
Example: In the banking sector, everybody is going Saturday banking. GTBank has chosen to implement technology (online banking, ATM etc) and chosen NOT TO do Saturday banking. Excellent. There is nothing wrong with that.
That is their own game plan. GTBank may not end up the largest bank in the country, but that does not matter. That may not be their goal. Why must we always look at everything from the perspective of "largest" subscribers and customers?
I appreciate the fact that Celtel has chosen to ape the other networks with the free night thing. But again, they did not have to.
If you still do not get it at this point, shall we just drop it?
Posted by ambyzown
Yea, I second that motion, lets drop it.
I cant wait to hear what Mariwun has to say about the almighty N95. Do the pictures look like those taken with a 5mp device?
Posted by OluYom
I wonder when the N95 will be available here. But I am more interested in the E61i and E90. Those are the guys I have my eyes on.
In the meantime, let's have Mariwun's user comments on the N95 please.