How Tigo can help GhanaIANS derive more value from the Internet

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It is ‘almost’ (used advisedly) difficult to find an individual without a mobile phone in Ghana today – hyperbole intended. Its proliferation is tremendous. Some folks even have all the SIM cards from the six telecommunication companies in the country. Reason? Customer satisfaction not being met.
Aside the mobile phone influx, the Internet has become a ‘second home’ – and livelihood for some organisations and individuals. These are people who are always on the move, transacting one business or the other, and as such need uninterrupted – but quality – connection to the Internet, via their mobile phones and devices. This is where the telcos come in (with emphasis on Tigo).
Tigo as a telco can do more than it already is doing to get Ghanaians get more value from the Internet, than they already are. To a customer, value has to do with the benefits s/he is receives for what s/he gives up (which is generally money).
Tigo can revise their data plans in a way that allows a user’s bundle to roll over into the next bundle, once the subscription date for the previous bundle expires.  Tigo also needs to educate the public more on their Internet Portal by intensifying their advertisements. The Gift Package that is featured on this portal allows subscribers to buy data packages for friends and loved ones.
Ghanaians can derive more value from the Internet if Tigo could have an online discussion forum to augment their call center. This could also be in the form of web-based direct call back services that could catalogue subscribers’ complaints.
Tigo can also embrace crowdsourcing to generate information and opinions, just as they do with their user focus sessions, which sometimes are limited because of the number of participants. Crowdsourcing would allow a lot more folks to brainstorm on-line, using social media.
Tigo also needs to upgrade their network infrastructure to increase connectivity and accessibility. Their 3.5G modem can should be increased to 4G for high speed data transmission and reliability. More bandwidth would afford businesses that leverage on voice, video and data technologies the opportunity to serve their clients better.
Inasmuch as it is difficult for telcos to beat down their Internet cost, it would be great if Tigo did something about their Internet costs (while upholding quality).
As a number of people are embracing mobile marketing, Tigo can also help mobile advertisers understand and target customers more effectively. Tigo can help such people by offering ‘location-based’ promotions via instant messaging. Subscribers in a particular locality could get a message inviting them to partake in a promo being run by such advertisers, and win prizes.
Even though it seems a number of the older generation do not know how to use the Internet, or appreciate it, they can be taught to accept and use it. Tigo can partner with the government to design special mobile phones and websites for pensioners. This would greatly reduce the stress pensioners go through to access their money.
Tigo can also partner with the Ministry of Education and sponsor the teaching of ICT in basic schools and adult education classes.
References:

• Tigo Internet Portal
• Internet Users in Ghana
• How telcos can seize the IT consumerism opportunity

Virus'operation: The Sermon analogy

Photo credit: Shutterstock

Imagine you are at a Church service.
The priest/pastor (i.e. user) steps up to give his homily/sermon -- he needs your (i.e. legitimate program) full attention.

A sudden cool breeze (i.e. virus) blows over you, and causes you to doze off just as the sermon begins.

You 'fall' into a trance. (i.e. Idle moment while virus executes)

The sermon ends. You snap out of your 'slumber'. (Virus terminates and allows programme ton run)

Service continues.

Ghana, when Mobitel was the only telco

In the early '90s, almost all wireless handheld communication devices I saw were -- to me -- walkie-talkies. (Or so I think)

Ghana Telecom (now Vodafone) was the sole telecommunication network in the country. Most people had fixed lines, and that was the bomb.

Then Mobitel happened. In 1992. It officially became Ghana's first cellular phone telco, offering customers the ease of portability with respect to their communication devices (mobile phones).

By the end of 1992, about 19,000 Ghanaians owned mobile phones. The fever had caught on but it was still a 'preserve' of the affluent in society.
The mobile phones were 'huge' in size and weight, as compared to the sleek models floating on the streets of Accra and Kumasi today.
Customers couldn't access the Internet on the network, but were glad to have seamless connectivity with their friends, customers and business associates.

A lot has changed since more telcos entered the market in Ghana, but the era of Mobitel (now Tigo) is a milestone in the country's history.