The role of telecommunication companies in Nigeria

The Nigerian government has witnessed exponential growth over the last couple of years. The accelerating ratio of telecommunication subscribers has compelled the telecoms industry to create employment opportunities that has spurred growth in auxiliary industry.

Telecommunication companies in Nigeria have strongly influenced the economy that the government has recently launched a satellite into orbit.

Nigeria embraced Digital Technology in the 1980s with the introduction of Digital Switches and Transmission Systems into the network. The humble beginning of the 1990s experienced the Mobile Telephone Services, Paging and Electronic Mail, offered by Nigerian Telecommunications Plc (NITEL). Today the company owns X.25 and X.40 switching facilities in its network.

However, the large density of population requires far greater than current provisions of half a million telephone lines in the country, and this has opened new avenues for several other VoIP companies in Nigeria.

For instance, the Nigeria Mobile Telecommunication company is the fastest growing company  in Nigeria. However, tremendous effort is required on behalf of the company to upgrade their network and meet the constant upward demands of consumers.

That being said, let us now divert our attention to the telecommunication services in Nigeria.

Most popular Tele-Companies in Nigeria

Currently there are 38 big telephone companies in Nigeria, which cater to millions of subscribers in the country. These include Accat, Accelon Nigeria Limited, Akklaim Telecoms, Bourdex Telecom, Cell Communications, Celtel Nigeria, Cisco Systems, Direct On PC, Dizengoff WA (NIG) Ltd., Galaxy Information Technology and Tel.

Limited, Glomobile, GS Telecom, Integrated Telekom & Networks Limited, IPNX Nigeria Limited, Megatech Networks, Mobitel, Motorola Nigeria Limited, Mtech Communications, M-Tel, MTN Nigeria, MTS First Wireless, Multi-Links Telecommunications Limited, Netcom, Nigeria Telecommunications Limted (NITEL), O'Net (Odu'a Telecoms), Rainbownet Limited, Reliance Telecommunications Limited, Signal Alliance/SDI, Speakeezee Systems, Starcomms Limited, Swift Networks Limited, Taylor Communication Solutions, Teledom International Limited, Telnet Nigeria Limited, VGC Communications Limited, Warsun Network Solution Ltd, Webcom Limited and Weco Systems.

What do these companies have to offer? These companies offer Telephone Services, Telex Services, Telegraph services in addition to NIFAX Service and Hosted PBX services.

Telephone subscribers can enjoy features like IDD and virtual Operator Assistance. Other services offered by the telecommunication companies in Nigeria include services for mobile phones like Voice Mail. Paging services, International Mobile Satellite Communication (INMARSAT), Data switching System, Telex Delivery Services, Trunked Radio, Voice Cast and Press Reception, NIFAX Service and nationalised Electronic Mail service.

These companiesoffer Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) technology that enables the expansion of domestic networks on a national scale. The technology integrates transmission and switching functions to implement pre-assigned and on-demand assigned links for point-to-point and broadcast networks.

The technology evolved in response to a cheaper alternative to leased lines and other terrestrial value added services like packet switching. Hosts and terminals are connected directly to the VSAT equipment and thus supports high bandwidth of 2Mbbps. It can be configured for by broadcast or interactive data communications, and performs better as compared to fibre optics.

Another service offered by these Nigerian Tele-Companies  include dedicated (Leased) circuits in the country. The circuits are available as point-to-point or point-to-multi-point as per customer requirement.

Telecommunication has certainly improved the communication across the globe, telecommunication in Nigeria with diversified business roles and expansion have certainly brought the world in a nutshell. The advantages can be seen in the auxiliary sectors as well, without the commendable efforts of these Nigerian companies, economic development could come to a virtual standstill.