My First GSM Handset

The GSM Revolution in Nigeria: 10 Years After

The most exciting thing that happened to Nigerians in the year 2001 was undoubtedly the inception of the new telephony technology called the Global System of Mobile Telecommunications GSM). Three network operators were licensed to provide mobile telephone services to Nigerians. The operators were Econet, MTN and Mtel. These three were later to be joined by yet another operator called Globacom or Glo. This operator was deemed the most indigenous as the owner was a popular Nigerian business man. Many Nigerians really embraced this network because of it introduced per second billing which, hitherto, the earlier operators claimed was impossible.

It wasnt a smooth take-off though as early users comaplined of incessant call derops while those who could not afford it were appalled by its prohibitive cost. It cost as much as N20,000 to acquire a sim card alone. this clearly priced out many Nigerians. It is important to state here that cost of a sim card today is as cheapmas N500. have continued to fall since then Despite these problems many Nigerians see the mobile phone as a business tool that could aid their business. Many artisans like plumbers, electrician, mecahnic really noticed a significant change in the way they conducted their businesses. Then Nigerians began to wonder how they had coped before 2001

The tecnology brought on board many business minded Nigerians It opened a floodgate of opprtunities as new lines of businesses evolved and many youths were instantly engaged in productive activities. Besides the big-time investors who imported all brands of mobile phones from Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, Sendo, Panasonic etc. Manyy youths were actively engaged selling recharge cards, retailing phones, repairing faulty phones, Some sell phones, phone baterines, phone skins or casing or operating call centers. The other beneficiaries of the GSM techoology which I must not fail to acknowledge are the media houses. They saw a real boost in their advert incomes.

Before 2001, Nigerians relied on the national carrier called Nitel for their telecomunications needs. Nitel was an organisation riddled with inefficiency and corruption. It was only able to provide service for less than 1% of the population and even those who were fortununate to subscrinbe received epileptic service. One top government official once quiped that 'telephone is not for the poor'

Mobile telephony has come to stay notwithstanding the poor infrastructure that has hindered good service and prevented cheap calls. It can only get better in the next ten years.r.

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My First GSM Handset

My first mobile phone was Nokia 3310. I bought iit halrf new and it really served me.
-Okanlawon

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