Teleology Holdings Is Officially The New Owner Of 9Mobile

After a long period of biding and back and forth speculation, Teleology Holdings Limited has been officially confirmed as the preferred bidder for 9mobile by Barclays Africa who is acting as the transaction adviser.

According to the report, Barclays Africa sent an official letter declaring Teleology Holdings Limited as the preferred bidder.
Teleology was also told to make a non-refundable cash deposit of $50 million within 21 days from the date of the letter or forfeit its position as the preferred bidder which has been done so Teleology Holdings officially owns 9mobile.

They have now formed an alliance with Safaricom a popular Telecom company.

I think Teleology deserved the win after coming on strong right from the start even when some of the bidders ran due to the large debt 9mobile had amassed, I only wish that they don't change the name again, a lot of us haven't gotten used to saying 9mobile we can't afford a new name now.

9Mobile Has a New Owner: And The Winner Is!!

Over the past couple months, we've all been glued to the war between several companies to acquire 9mobile after it was abandoned by its previous owners over a several debt issue.

Initially, 16 companies were interested in acquiring 9mobile, however along the line many were dropped leaving five final bidders in December and then two more were dropped leaving Globacom, Teleology and Smile.
(Bharti Airtel dropped out because they believed that whoever acquire 9mobile would be acquiring a huge debt)
Later on, Globacom was dropped leaving Teleology and Smile in the final round.
Then finally, Teleology Holdings Limited emerged as the overall winner through a game of numbers, as they offered over $500 Million against Smile's $300 Million bid.

According to a staff of 9mobile:

“this news is like a double whopper burger for us. I can tell you there is an air of jubilation amongst the staff of 9mobile now. We did not want any of the existing operators to acquire 9mobile as they would end up sacking people and throwing people into the unemployment market under the guise of right sizing the business.”

Although I really hoped GLO won the bid, I guess we just have to watch and see if Telelogy is a good new owner.

Glo, Airtel And Smile Among Last 5 bidders For 9Mobile

I recently wrote a post about the 16 companies that where bidding for 9mobile including our very own Globacom. Right now, more companies have been booted out and we are down to 5 companies.

The last five companies are;

Globacom

Airtel

Smile

Teleology Holdings Limited

Helios

These five companies are cleared to proceed to the final stage where only one would emerge winner.

9Mobile Introduces New Data Plans 5.5GB For N4000

9mobile, one of the major telecom providers in Nigeria recently introduced a new data plan and if you ask me, I'd say the plan is pretty laughable comparing to what other providers are offering.

According to Yomiprof, he got a text saying

Buy 5.5GB at N4000 and get free 1.3GB data valid for 14 days. Unlock FREE data when you buy 1GB or more within 30 days. Dial *229*2*36# valid/30days.

.

That means you get 6.8Gb worth of data at N4000 on 9mobile when you can get 24GB at the same price of N4000, isn't that plain crazy?

He said he also got another text saying;

Get 5GB data at N2000 to browse from 7pm - 7am and weekends from Friday 7pm till Monday 7am. You also get all-day FREE access to Whatsapp. Dial *229*3*13#. Valid 30 days

I don't think this new plan should have even be introduced at all.
In a market where you have many competitors, you need to everything possible to entice customers t your side not scare them away.

9Mobile Is Up For Sale - Who Do You Think Would Buy It?

9mobile is currently up for sale after the initial saga that led them into changing names from Etisalat to 9mobile. The scramble to acquire 9mobile, Nigeria’s fourth largest network operator, has advanced to the next stage.

10 bidders are left out of the 16 who expressed interest in the purchase. And the highest bidder will acquire 9mobile.

Here is a List of The 10 bidders of 9mobile

1. Globacom Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s second largest network operator
2. Airtel Nigeria
3. Dangote Group’s telecoms business unit
4. Alheri Engineering Limited
5. Smile Telecoms Holdings
6. Centricus Capital and Africell
7. Abraaj Capital (Based in Dubai)
8. Teleology Holdings Limited
9. The Carlyle Group
10. Africa Capital Alliance (ACA)

The 10 firms above have been pre-qualified to submit their financial bids for the acquisition of 9mobile, this will be the final process through which a winner with the highest bid submitted for 9mobile, will emerge.

9mobile, formerly Etisalat Nigeria, was put on the block early this year after it defaulted on a $1.2 billion loan from a consortium of 13 Nigerian banks. Etisalat Group the mother company in Abu Dhabi backed out leaving its Nigeria arm of business to its own fate, to survive on a new name.

The question is, who do you think should acquire 9mobile among the 10 bidders?

How To Get 1GB For N200 or 5Gb for N1000 on 9mobile

Since their transition from Etisalat to 9mobile, there has been a lot of complaints about that quality, people complain that the speed is nothing to write home about.

However, lately there has been noticeable improvements, and to compliment this improvement the Telecom provider has unveiled a new data plan called Special Data.

With 9mobile Special Data, you get 1GB of data for just N200.

HOW TO ACTIVATE 9MOBILE 1GB FOR N200

It's simple, load your 9mobile line with N200 and dial *929*10#

To check your Special Data balance, dial *228#

The plan is valid for 3 days and usable on all devices including PCs. Also, it works all day long.

You can subscribe multiple times, when you subscribe to the 9mobile special data plan five times you get 5GB for 1000.

What do you think about the new plan?

Nigerians Spend Over N197B On Data Subscription Monthly

According to the recent statistics released, it is recorded that Telecoms subscribers in Nigeria spend over N197 billion on data subscriptions every month.


Research by Daily Trust from the four GSM operators revealed an estimate of the categories of data users and how much they spent on data monthly.

According to the survey, about 70% of internet users or 64m use up to N1000 data monthly each, raising the operators’ revenue base by N64bn.


Also, about 15% or 13.8m data users, mostly small business owners and middle-class people, purchase an average of N3000 data monthly, contributing N41.1bn every month to the figures.

Similarly, 10% of internet subscribers or 9.15m use N5000 each every month, growing the operators’ revenue by N45.6bn.

About 5% of internet subscribers or 4.6m buy N10,000 data each, increasing the mobile internet companies’ revenue by N46bn, according to findings made by Daily Trust.

Recall that the latest Monthly Subscriber/Operator Data released by the regulator last month showed that MTN had 58,121,427 users, and Glo 37,270,100 customers, Airtel 34,336,802 while 9mobile has 19,621,806 users.
The remaining figures are shared between the other smaller operators.

Although 92m of the 149.5m subscribers are active internet users, and they depend on data provided by the telcos to access the Internet and socialise on the social media.

Source : DAILY Trust

Etisalat Officially Changes Its Name To 9Mobile

A while back, the entire Nigerian Techsphere was shocked to hear that Etisalat as we know it would be leaving and the company would getting a new name.

According to Etisalat, internal operations will not be affected and staffs will not be retrenched, the only change would be the brand's name which has now been changed.

On Thursday, July 13, Etisalat Officially changed its name after weeks of debt related crisis. The management of the company at the end of a management meeting held in Lagos adopted the name 9Mobile as the new brand name.

This happened after Etisalat International issued a 3-week ultimatum for the company to have a change of name.
Now that the name has been changed, we should begin to see effect of the name change from any moment soon, adverts, notifications on mobile devices etc.

Personally, if you ask me I think 9Mobile is a horrible choice of name.

Etisalat Fighting Till The Last! Unleashes New Airtime Offer

Regardless of all the issues of the rebranding or reconstruction going on at ETISALAT, the company has decided to give its customers a really interesting offer.

Etisalat has introduced an airtime bonus offer called #SBORevamp, a special offer that gives up to 10x your Recharge for 30days. The offer is open to both existing and new customers.

For new customers: get 10 times the value of your recharge daily for voice calls and data to all networks in the first month.

For existing customers: Get 7 times the value of your first recharge daily for voice calls only to all networks for 30days.

How To Activate?
Dial *819*1# to enjoy

Note that new customers also get 7times the value of their recharge in the second and third month.

Could This Be The End Of Etisalat As We Know It??

Etisalat has terminated its management agreement with its Nigerian arm and Etisalat Nigeria has been given three weeks to phase-out the brand in the country. This was as a result of the $1.7 billion loan talk collapse.

Nigerian regulators intervened last week to save Etisalat Nigeria from crashing after lenders were calling for the probe and total takeover of the company.

However, Etisalat International announced on Monday that it was pulling out after all UAE shareholders of the company have exited and left the board and management of the Nigerian brand.

Etisalat Nigeria has just three weeks to use the brand name, after which it'll have to change it to something else or other companies will buy it off.
For now, we don't know what will happen to the millions of subscribers on the network.

Etisalat Launch Time-Based Data Plan For Unlimited Downloads.

Whenever I want to download really large files, time-based data plans become the best choice because I wouldn't want to place extra stress on my regular days.


Right from when Airtel introduced their time-based data plan, I became a dedicated fan.
Imagine downloading all I wanted in an hour for just 180, I even upgraded my PC to Windows 10 using this particular plan.


Now Etisalat is looking to take over from where Airtel left off as they introduce their own time-based data plan called BlazeOn, powered by Comptel’s FWD solution.

According to Etisalat “Most Internet users in Nigeria don’t know how much mobile data they consume while browsing or streaming", hence the launch of BlazeOn, an android app which you can download.

BlazeOn Data Plans

With BlazeOn, You can get 10min for N50, 15min for N70, 30min for N120 or go for the 1hour for N200 plan. You can download unlimitedly within this time frame.

How Can I Get it?
Download BlazeOn from Playstore here or download the raw file here
Set up the app and you are good to go.


Note, there's a very important rule of Time-Based Data Plans which you must adhere to...
First, ensure that network is good in the area if not you'll regret it.
Secondly, only subscribe when you're ready to start downloading.

What do you think about the new plan. ?

Etisalat Introduces N50 For 250MB Night Plan

Etisalat Introduces a new N50 for 250MB night plan but they're already late for the party. Remember Airtel already offers N25 for 500MB while MTN offers the same N25 for 500MB for night crawlers and heavy downloaders.

And despite the lateness, Etisalat joyfully decided to launch its own night plan and they came up with this......Really? 250mb...seriously??

The new Etisalat night plan cost N50 for 250MB and is available for Easycliq tariff plan. The night plan works on all gadgets including smartphones, PC and Tablets and it’s only usable between 12:00AM to 5:00AM.

How To Activate Etisalat 250MB For N50 Night Plan

• Migrate to Easycliq tariff plan by dialing *244*1#
• Make sure you have minimum airtime balance of N50 then dial *229*10*10# to activate 250MB for N50 (12:00am- 5:00am).

Senate Stops NCC From Hiking Data Plan Prices

Last month, a horrifying news was making the rounds.
If you missed it, read it below

• NCC Orders All Telcos To Increase Data Price Starting From Dec 1st 2016
• Join The Protest! Say No To Data Price Increase

However, It seems our peaceful protest on Change.org is finally working.

On Wednesday, the Senate asked the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to immediately stop the planned data tariff hike.

The Senate said that before any increase could be announced all parties should be consulted.
Information on this are still unsure more more details coming soon...

Join The Protest! Say No To Data Price Increase

I already told you guys that come December 1st(which is tomorrow), all data plan prices will be increased to reflect the new rates set by the NCC.

I'm not happy at all about these new changes and it seems I am not the only one that doesn't like the new directive by the NCC.

An equally concerned Nigerian has started a petition on Change.org to protest against the new directive.
I already signed the petition now I need you guys to do the same and share it on every social media you have to let everybody join the movement.

Go to
https://www.change.org/p/nigeria-communication-commission-ncc-data-plans-rates-by-carriers-in-nigeria-should-not-be-increased-by-ncc?recruiter=642402116&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink

Sign the petition. Let your voice count, spread the news and let NCC know we are not happy about it!

NCC Orders All Telcos to Increase Data Price Starting From Dec 1st 2016

In hard times such as the ones we are passing through, one would think that the NCC would at least try to make life easier for Nigerians instead they are doing the exact opposite. The NCC has ordered all telecommunications companies to increase their data plan prices beginning from December 1st 2016.

This is really sad, I remember that as at last year, you could only get as much as 260MB for 1,000 on MTN(I don't know if you remember) but over time it got better and better now we at a point where I can easily get 3GB for N1,000 on the same MTN.

However, NCC believes that increasing data plan prices is one of the surest ways of generating revenues for the Government. They know regardless of how much it is, that we can’t do without buying data.

Don’t be surprise if beginning from December 1st 2016, N1000 will only get you 500MB of data. The data you normally get 3GB for N1000 before will be history.

If you don't believe me, call MTN self-help centre at 181 and listen to the announcement yourself.

This is indeed really sad, but I know if we can survive buying 260mb at 1k we will definitely overcome whatever is coming!

Etisalat Increase Data Plan Prices

At a time when Glo is seriously making data cheaper, Etisalat just decided to do the exact opposite by reducing their data capacity.
Is it the economic crisis, I don't know, I don't care?

Credit: Misstechy

After launching their 4G LTE network one would expect them to reduce their data plan price or keep it the way it was not increase; but they seem to have done the least expected.
Now, all their subscribers would be running back to Glo like;

These was Etisalat data plans before now;

• 1.5GB for N1000
• 3.5GB for N2,000
• 5GB for N6,500
• 8GB for N8000
• 10GB for N10,000

But now, they have increased the prices of their Monthly data plan prices as seen below;

• 1GB for N1000
• 1.5GB for N1200
• 1GB + 500MB night plan for N1000
• 2.5GB for N2000
• 3.5GB for N2500
• 2GB + 1.5GB night plan N2000

Coming at a time when things are really hard and everyone is out looking for cheap stuffs, I think this is a really bad move.

Etisalat 4G LTE Services Is Officially Announced

Few days ago, Glo the Grand Master Of Data Plans unleashed its 4G LTE service with unrivaled data plans. In the previous post about Glo's 4G services, we told Etisalat and Airtel to step up their game and bring their own 4G services and it seems like one of them has listened.

Earlier yesterday, Etisalat users in some major cities like Lagos reported seeing Etisalat 4G LTE active and live on their devices. See the speed test below;

I’m still waiting for other cities to confirm if the service is available in their area.
Unlike Glo and MTN, Etisalat SIMs are automatically USIM(Universal Subscriber Identity Module) which means you don't need to upgrade your sim before you get the 4G network.

Another good thing  is that, most 4G enabled smartphones will support Etisalat 4G LTE Network because it’s on a largely supported frequency band. Unlike Glo 4G LTE which is on band 28; a frequency band that is not supported by most 4G devices.

Etisalat has publicly announced this on their twitter handle.
Those of you still using 3G phones, I told you before throw that phone into the ocean and get a 4G-enabled one.

Introducing Etisalat N1,000 For 2GB And N2000 For 5GB Data Plan

The only network provider that currently offers 2GB for N1000 is GLO, in a bid to attract more customers Etisalat has unveiled a new evening data plan, that gives you 2GB data for just N1000.

However, unlike GLO's 2GB plan, Etisalat 2GB data plan is only usable from 7PM to 6.59am every day and available 24hours on weekends.

The plan is valid for 30 days. To activate, dial *229*3*12#.

There is also a 5GB data plan that costs N2000 and it is also active from 7PM to 6.59am every day and available 24hours on weekends. It also lasts for 30 days.

To activate the 5GB plan, all you have to do is dial *229*3*13.

How To Subscribe For Etisalat 1GB For N200 Night Plan

After much waiting, Etisalat has finally launched its own Night plan which is usable from 12AM to 5AM. The data is capped at 1GB and it goes for N200.

This is not a tweak or cheat, it is an official plan from Etisalat and it works on all devices.

How To Subscribe For Etisalat Night Plan

To Subscribe for Etisalat's new night plan, you need to have at least N200 on your etisalat SIM, then dial *229*3*11#. You should get a confirmation message.

How To Subscribe To Etisalat Unlimited 3 Hour Plan For N15

As one of my friends rightly said, Data plans seem to be one of the few things that's getting better in this country.
I won't be talking much today, so let's get straight to the point.

How To Subscribe To Etisalat's Unlimited 3 Hour Plan
1. First thing you must do is migrate to Etisalat easy starter by dialing *244*2#
2. Then migrate to easy life by dialing
*620*1#
3. To subscribe for the 3-hour unlimited plan with 15 Naira, dial *229*3*7#

NOTE : The subscription is automatically renewed after every three hours and N15 would be deducted from your account. To avoid this, all you have to do is opt-out from the three-hour plan by dialing *227*0#
That's all.