Spectranet Vision Aligns with NCC’s Broadband Agenda- Venn

Spectranet, the first Internet Service Provider (ISP) to launch 4G LTE internet service in Nigeria, said that the Nigerian Communications Commission's (NCC) plan to facilitate and support availability of broadband services by promoting deployment of universally available, fast and reliable network infrastructure falls in line with its value proposition in the market.

David Venn, chief executive officer of Spectranet, made the remark during an interactive session with journlaists in Lagos.

Prof. Umar Danbatta, few months after assuming office as the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC released a pointed roadmap to excite the telecommunications industry and attract fresh local and international investment to the sector of which need for broadband growth was number one.

Venn said that upon its Launch of 4G LTE in the market, Spectranet has been committed to giving our esteemed customers a world class internet experience.

He said that the service currently available across Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan and Port Harcourt is geared towards providing fast, reliable and affordable broadband Internet services to homes and businesses.

The Spectranet Boss added that adequate measures are been put in place to curb incessant network congestion that has bedeviled the industry in the past, with the location of basic infrastructure to the consumers.

He sounded optimistic about the future of data/internet services market in the country following the growing innovations in the e-commerce, social media and other technological expansions.

Venn, however, urged the government to urgently reduce the foreign exchange infractions in the market to encourage more investments.

“Our journey started about a year ago, when we decided to up the game. We did some research and found that most people have not really know about the brand- Spectranet. But, twelve months later, the game has changed; people have not only heard about us, they talk and refer others to use our broadband service.

“We actually believe that the EVC of NCC Professor Umar Danbatta was right in his eight-point agenda for the industry of which broadband penetration is prioritized. We are aligning with NCC by ensuring improved quality of service, innovative products and best use of spectrum to engender economic growth. Essentially, we are empowering the customers. Therefore, we are in same sink with the Government in this regard.

“We want to shape the way businesses leverage the internet for growth through efficient pricing and deployment of infrastructure. Today, the entertainment industry, e-commerce, sports, media, online gaming, among others, have seen huge user base because of the broadband penetration. 

“Our focus is to serve homes and offices, which is why when you ask “What matters to you”, as Spectranet would say, “It is broadband”.

“The internet has evolved rapidly following the advent of the video tools. For instance, on Facebook, immediately you sign-in you start viewing the video without clicking on it. Six months ago, it was not so. Netflix has entered the Nigerian market and they are going to be “bullish”, giving Satellite television or stations a run for their money. This calls for more broadband availability. Therefore, we are putting the power in the hands of the consumers through broadband provisioning to watch the videos at their convenience. There is a lot more happening now with online videos, even on YouTube, but a year ago these where not possible; Nigerians were not getting the satisfaction.

“So, recently, we have optimized our network for videos, removing the bottlenecks and offering special services like the “cash video”.  We are now in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt with plans to launch in other cities in 2016; it is our year of growth.

“There is a jinx we want to break, which is starting well, but when the subscribers base increase, network congestion becomes a big issue. As professionals, we are determined to provide capacity to the subscriber with ease. Such ways is by building base stations that will be about 500 meters closer to each subscriber. At the moment we have over 300 base stations in Lagos, and where we are not able to have one at the moment we partner with IHS and others offering tower services.

“Part of the reasons we are excited about the market is that in the next two to three years, data will rule the game, because voice may be offered for free. It is already happening with the Short Message System (SMS) since the advent of WhatsApp. Some countries are trying to ban WhatsApp because the local operators are complaining, but it is something that has to be. We believe that data is the future and will be offered as a total package, where is you buy data you are guaranteed of voice and SMS free!”

On the effect of the present economic situation of the country, he said, “as a firm locally driven, they expect the Government to find lasting solutions to some economic situations like the foreign exchange”.

According to him, “If we launched when the dollar was exchanging at N160, now it is officially at N200, but not enough. How do we even pay for equipment we bought them with dollar bought at the exchange rate of N300? So, it is a situation everybody is facing and we believe in the capability of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Government to find solution to that”.

He said that with affordable plans: Easy lifestyle Connect, Family Connect or Smart Connect, Spectranet’s core values anchor on integrity, superior customer service and innovation make them the preferred brand.