Smile communications providers of superfast mobile 4G LTE broadband is set to unveil a voice call service to its customers.
This was revealed to BusinessDay by company sources.
Essentially, customers will be able to make calls to any mobile network as soon as they purchase a Smile internet data bundle. According to a customer representative in the company, “The voice call plan is practically free. However, a customer will only be able to use it when he or she buys a Smile data plan.
“When a customer buys a 5GB data, for instance, he gets 1GB free voice call bundle. He will be able to use the bundle until it is exhausted. Once it is exhausted, the customer can continue using the voice call but his internet bundle will be debited at a very lower rate.”
Customers with Voice Over Long Term Evolution, VOLTE, enabled phones like the Samsung series, iphone 6 and any 4G LTE compatible phone will be able to download the Smile app from Google App Store.
“The app is still in a testing mode. Once it is launched customers will be able to download it and start using the voice call service.”
Smile Communications led by Irene Charnely, a former MTN Group Director, has consistently been pushing the boundaries of wireless broadband innovation since it was founded in Mauritius in 2007. Its services have already reached several cities in Nigeria including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Benin with plans to launch in more states. In Nigeria, the company was awarded a Unified Access Service, UASL, for a ten year period that expires on June 30, 2019. It also received a spectrum in the 850 MHz band which allows it operate LTE network.
“The voice call service will be launched in Nigeria very soon and in other African countries like as well,” he added.
Apart from Nigeria, the broadband provider operates mobile wireless services 4G LTE broadband networks in the 800MHz band in other countries like Uganda, Congo and Tanzania. The company representative clarified that “the launching of the service in these countries will not be simultaneous. Nigeria will be the first however.”
Internet voice call service is an innovation that is catching up with most smart phone users in Nigeria. When launched, the Smile voice call service will join established international brands like Whatsapp, Facebook and Kingschat that are already in the Nigeria market.
FRANK ELEANYA
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