Etisalat Nigeria has partnered with the mobile app platform biNu to give its customers smartphone speeds on their feature phones.
biNu is a mobile app platform that can boost internet speeds by 10 times and means that even the most basic of phones can have smartphone-like capabilities. Its deal with Etisalat means that the operator’s 15 million customers will be able to use the app on Java and Android devices on a currently exclusive deal.
Etisalat is now the country’s fourth biggest operator after an aggressive move into Nigeria four years ago. It has built its customer base by targeting a young demographic and relying on a rewards-based system to attract customers.
Nigeria, like many emerging economies, has a mobile market that works on pay as you go and unsubsidised handsets. In Lagos, feature phones are available at rock-bottom prices so the biNu app is highly prized by its users. There are more than 100 channels available including social media, news, weather, entertainment and free books.
“Our partnership with Etisalat gives subscribers an affordable way to turbocharge the internet on their mobile phones”, said Jeremy George, biNu VP for Africa.
Monty Munford has more than 15 years' experience in mobile, digital media, web and journalism. He is the founder of Mob76, a company that helps tech companies raise money and exit. He speaks regularly at global media events with a focus on Africa, writes a weekly column for The Telegraph, is a regular contributor to The Economist, Wired, Mashable and speaks regularly on the BBC World Service.
