Wireless Technology Labs Tasks MVNOs Licensees on Innovative Products to Deepen Nigeria’s ICT Space

The telecommunications infrastructure provider, Wireless Technology Labs (WTL) has urged the newly licensed Mobile Virual Network Operators (MVNOs) in Nigeria on the need to embrace innovation for sustainability and to keep up with the fast-paced digital transformation in the world.

To stay relevant and thrive, the Chief Executive Officier and Co-Founder, WTL, Satya Mekala said there are huge opportunities for MVNOs growth and survival in Nigeria’s ICT space.

Mekala who said this at MVNO Conference organised by Wireless Technology Labs in Lagos, also noted that connecting the unconnected population will help to boost the country’s economy and develop other sectors such as telemedicine, educations, agriculture and the MSMEs in Nigeria.

The conference brought together MVNOs licensees, experts, and stakeholders to explore and discuss innovative approaches to serve as niche drivers, design products and enhance digital connectivity for the market space and entire community.

Satya also noted that WTL has been contributing to the Nigerian economy for 10 years by supplying rural connectivity solutions to communities with no connection. WTL has an innovative solution to connect them to the rest of the world, he said.

In his words, “Generally, MVNOs have the license to run on the mobiles network operators, while the Tier 3 to Tier 5 have the license to put radios in the rural communities. WTL is the only company who can supply them with the components to run their businesses. We are the only company who has an office in Nigeria. We understand the business terrain and we can also help MVNOs make a successful business.”

Also Read: Expert Highlights Ways MVNOs Can be Successful in Nigeria

Speaking on this, WTL Sales Director, Emeka Isiguzo said MVNOs operation in Nigeria is novel. MVNOs are going to serve as as niche drivers to help extent telecom services to certain segments of the country.

Emeka stressed that the licensees have to be innovative in designing products and services that they can adequately deliver sustainable solution s ke services and differentiate them from the Mobile Network Operators, MNOs.

“MVNOs have a very huge opportunities in rolling out the products, especially in the digital space. With the rate of digitalization in the world, MVNOs business has gone beyond just delivering voice and data services, to designing digital products that their customers can leverage on. With their platform, licensees are not just driving subscribers growth but also drive economy and value. The opportunity is quiet huge, but it takes planning, to ensure that you design your business the right way and launch the right way.

“For them to successfully interconnect with the mobile operators, there are technical elements that must be put in place, according to their licenses for them to successfully interconnect with these operators. That is where WTL comes in. We are a MVNO core company. We have designed and built a system that can take care of Tier 2 to Tier 5. So, we are helping these new entrants in the market to understand the technical requirements to successfully connect to the mobile operators network. We have all the core components to supply and deploy for them, and help them to interconnect with the digital layer customers like convenience, who is our partner. It is an end to end solutions to enable the MVNOs launch successfully and run successfully to make a good business for themselves.

“It is going to be a competitive space and the fact that the MVNOs are going to leverage on the MNOs, they would need to make agreements with the MNOs such that they can roll out services that are affordable to their customers. The rate of competitiveness and the quality of services rendered will determine the choices of Nigerians” he stated.

On his part, Covalense Digital Vice President, Africa Business, Seshan Krishnamurti applauded NCC for issuing the license and its framework.

He said MNOs have their limitation but by working together with MVNOs, they can make a big difference to the people and the industry. “It is important to understand the role of technology in transforming lives. We know that telecoms is a fundamental business. They also need to partner with stakeholders to know how the ecosystem is going to get value.”

Krishnamurti advised MVNOs to understand the customer market segment. According to him, “if you are not experience in this area, get the right advice, the right kind of strategy and planning. They should focus on their customers and give them the best experience possible.