Globacom limited, indigenous telecommunications operator, has moved a notch higher in its quest to become Africa’s largest and best telecoms operator, by launching its first overseas operation in neighbouring Republic of Benin. The second national operator, SNO, which obtained a GSM license in Benin last August, rolled out simultaneously in over 70 towns and cities in the west African country, recently, thus, achieving national coverage from day one. Services the company introduced to the Beninoise cut across core services packages, value added services, corporate solutions, business solutions and customer care.
In preparation for the lunch, Globacom completed a state-of-the art-cell centre, and built ultra-modern Gloworld shops in strategic locations, as well as installed new generation network, NGN, Switches with capacity for million of subscribers. The telecoms firm also has the highest number of base stations in the country. Already, the Cotonou Gloworld shop is a beehive of activities as hundreds of Beninoise stormed the place, including other sales centres across the country to purchase subscriber identification module, SIM, Cards. Uniformed policemen had a tough time trying to control the mammoth crowd of prospective subscribers. Globacom’s pre-paid SIM card is almost free. At the cost of CFAI,000 FOR A SIM card with CFAI,000 free airtime, the line is free since the free airtime is the equivalent of the cost of the SIM card. More interesting is the fact that the first batch of subsribers who activated their SIM testified to its superior voice quality and seamless connectivity with other networks. The network operates on the 98 numbering range.
Globacom, which led the telecommunication revolution in Nigeria with the introduction of per second billing systerm, which is a more pocket-friendly billing systerm, as well as introduced other value-added services and life transformating promotions, is expected to replicate its success story in the Repulblic of Benion.