AUDILE
(2000) describe GSM as part of evolution of wireless mobile telecommunication
that includes high speed circuit, switch data, general packet radio system
(GPRS) and universal mobile telecommunication service. According to (Radio
electronic. Com, 2006), the overall system definition of GSM describes not only
the interface but also the network. They explain that by adopting this
approach, it is possible to define the operation of the whole network to enable
international roaming as well as enabling network elements from the other.
This is why
NDUKUE cited in WOJUADE (2006)
says a number of things on the development of GSM in Nigeria. He explains that GSM
actually came as a result of the choice of the operating companies who bided
for the mobile licences. He concluded that the operating companies quickly
adopted GSM because of the obvious economic advantages.
ECONET wireless limited (now known as
ZAIN or AIRTEL) was one of the first winners of GSM linceses in Nigeria. It is
a Zimbabwean based company with strong ties in South Africa. It is the fourth
biggest mobile phone operator in Africa with
vast network in the southern part of the contient (WOJUADE, 2006).
In
Nigeria,
ECONET wireless international (EWI) holds equity interest in ECONET of Zimbabwe
and the South African government owned company “Transnet”. Both companies hold
a 60% stakes in Nigeria
affiliate (MASIYIWA, 2002). To Masiyiwa, Zimbabwean ECONET vision was to
provide telecommunication to all Nigerians and its mission to serve Nigeria
pioneering, developing and sustaining reliable, efficient and high quality
telecommunication uncompromising world class standards and ethics. AJAKAYE
(2005) explained that EXCONET promise affordable charge and proposed the government
to allow them charge a connection fee of N 20,000 and air-time cost of N 29 or
N30 per minute which has been done as t them.
In
the same vein, mobile telecommunication network Nigeria limited own GSM lience in Nigeria. It companies
that began in 1994 with five counties and over three million customs in Ugand, Burundi,
Swaziland,
Cameron and south- African, leading African into a newage of economic
development using telecommunication catiousas the spring board. This is the
driving force behind MTN investment strategy for the continent. “Effective
communication services are particularly form a business perspective and however
more than in Nigeria
which is developing into one our most important trading” (HUEL, 2006). However,
it like on this fundamental truth that MTN has based its vision to become the
leading providing of communication services in African continent and in Nigeria in
particular linking quality services that is a catalyst for economic development.
The success of MTN in Nigeria
revolves round providing telecommunication across the country. MTN aim is to facilitate
charges that have long term domestic benefits Apart from obvious economic development,
local infrastructure and facilities are up graded to improve the quality of
life via communication.
Suffice this to say that global communication
(Globacom) is not exempted in the race. GLOBACOM was granted licence as Nigeria’s second
national carrier in August 2002. The licenses cover three board categories which
are: digital mobile license (GSM), national carrier license (fixed and non-
fixed wireless) and international gateway license. The license will enable it
to provide a high quality and world-class communication network that will
provide only types of content voice, data and multi-media to consumers, sub service
providers and enterprises. In line with the term of its license, Globacom has
incorporated GLO mobile limited to operate its digital mobile license, an
addition that gives GLOBACOM leverage
of offer total quality products and services to its subscribers. Other
operators of GSM telecommunication in Nigeria are MTEL, STACOM, ELTISAALT
etc (Blake 2004 and mobile, 2005).
All the operators have made communication
effective and efficient in Nigeria.
The services offered by theses operators are propaid phonecard, contract line,
voice mail, short message services (SMS),m fax, data communication services,
conferences calling, caller line identification, call diverse, call baring, call
waiting, swiching of calss to mention but a few (OKORUKLA, 2004).
At present, a wide range of telecommunication
services are offered in the country: telephony, telex, cellular mobile telephony,
facsimiles, maritime mobile service,
shop shore, global mobile personal communication, high speed data transmission telegraphy, public pay phones, value added services, Business Network services
and mobile radio trucking services etc.