LAGOS – Leading broadband provider, Smile Communications Nigeria Limited has made a historic breakthrough in the Nigerian telecoms market with the introduction of the lowest call tariff that allows its customers to make calls at 8kobo per second to any network from within and outside the country at the same rate, using SmileVoice App.
The SmileVoice allows thousands of Nigerians to enjoy seamless, super clear voice and video calls to their loved ones to and from anywhere in the world.
Unveiling the arrival of the new app to the market recently in Lagos, Managing Director of Smile Nigeria, Godfrey Efeurhobo, told a gathering of stakeholders in the industry who converged at Golfview Hotel & Suites, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, that the world-first free mobile app gives customers the opportunity to have access to super clear voice calls over 4G LTE network, without the need for a VoLTE handset.
“I am proud to announce the lowest call rate in Nigeria, using the very latest 4G LTE technology. Yes Nigeria! It is true. You can make calls at 8kobo per second to any network in Nigeria. You can also make and receive calls at the same rate from any country in the world,” Efeurhobo said, adding: “That is the Smile innovation! That is the Smile promise!!”
The app is structured to function exactly like SIM card in a mobile phone. “Having the SmileVoice app on your mobile is like having a second SIM card in your phone,” the MD said. He added that “Our customers can use their data plan to make SuperClear voice, video calls and send SMSs to any number locally and internationally. There is no need for the recipient to also have SmileVoice”.
Interestingly, the new app has come to address the issue of ‘roaming bill shock’ that hitherto makes it impossible for Nigerians to make calls with their local numbers abroad. What that means is that registered subscribers on Smilie network can now make undisrupted calls anywhere in the world at the unprecedented rate of about N5 per minute.
“If home is where the heart is, you never have to be far from home again! On the Smile network, you take home with you everywhere you go,” said Efeurhobo while stating that registered customers can now do video calls and send SMS using the SmileVoice App. It doesn’t get any better.
True to its promise, Smile made the first ever Voice over LTE (VoLTE) call in Nigeria during the beta testing of its voice service in October last year.
In order to access SmileVoice, a VoLTE phone or the free SmileVoice App is required. The SmileVoice App is the first 4G LTE voice App launched in the world – another first for Smile.
To enjoy the SuperClear calls at 8k/sec that connect the first time, Smile’s Group Head Corporate Communications and Marketing (South Africa), Nicolene Vanzyl, who arrived the country in time for the launch, said customers are simply required to use a VoLTE handset with their Smile SIM card or download the free SmileVoice App to their mobile phones.
“SmileVoice ONLY plan is available at N1000 with 200 minutes at 8k/sec – again another industry first,” she said.
The new innovation is a milestone for the telecom company because it has a SuperFast Internet access on the go with a 4G LTE network that delivers fastest Internet, available anywhere.
Among other distinct features, the app has the flexibility to use one data bundle for calling & messaging; ability to have two numbers on one mobile phone – you select which one you call from, while the subscribers can “use data bundle for what you need – SuperFast internet, SuperClear voice, SMS.”
The app can make HD high definition calls when calling from Smile’s network to another Smile person on Smile’s network.
But how reliable is the app? Vanzyl said it has “network capacity to ensure quality and reliable service and almost no failed connections or dropped calls on Smile’s network with less dropped calls when calling other networks from Smile’s network.
The company’s boss said plans were on the way to roll out services in more cities of Nigeria to offer the best SuperFast 4G LTE mobile broadband and voice services in its expansion drive beyond the current eight cities under its operation.
Smile possesses a Universal Access Service Licence (UASL), which means that it is a full communications company, and not an ISP, albeit providing services using the latest 4G LTE technology.
Whereas the superiority of the Smile data network makes people think the firm is merely an ISP, Efeurhobo said “No! Smile is a full, best-in-class communications company. We are today where every other communications company would like to be,” adding, “With Smile, you are at the cutting edge of telecommunications technology.
Stakeholders in the telecom sector including IT dealers and experts attended the event. (Sundiata Post)