GLO network upgrade: A masterstroke in Information Technology service delivery

By Cyriacus Nnaji

Strictly speaking, Globacom has become synonymous with innovation; innovation being the practical implementation of ideas that result in the introduction of new goods or services or improvement in offering of goods or services. It can further be defined as the process of bringing about new ideas, methods, products, services, or solutions that have a significant positive impact and value. It involves transforming creative concepts into tangible outcomes that improve efficiency, and effectiveness, or address unmet needs.

Innovation encompasses novel approaches to problem-solving, processes, organizational practices. At its core, innovation involves challenging the status quo, thinking outside the box, and taking calculated risks to drive progress and achieve breakthrough outcomes.

Recently Globacom embarked on network upgrade, the aim of which was to expand network capacity, give subscribers additional resources for better voice and data and improve customer satisfaction in congested locations, the ongoing nationwide technical enhancement efforts are to guarantee better customer experience on the network.

From the reason for the expansion, Globacom habitually keeps innovating for the purpose of Customer satisfaction, which for many was a masterstroke in Information Technology service delivery and this is one very facts subscribers can’t stop loving, patronizing and subscribing to this network, Glo, for being customer centric and always thinking customer and how to elevate their experience to the next level of satisfaction, this indeed is one quality lacking in other telecoms companies.

According to the company, the current phase of network improvement, which started last year, entails the statewide roll-out of new sites and the upgrading of the entire scope of its telecoms infrastructure, from the core network to access network, transmission and IP network, fiber network, metro access and backbone infrastructure as well as passive equipment expansion like power and environment.

Of course, the company has promised to continue to be dedicated to creating a top-notch telecommunications infrastructure and providing customers with the most affordable rates for voice and data services in response to the recent hike in telecom tariffs. The company didn’t stop there they made true their statement as it has successfully launched hundreds of new sites in Lagos, Ogun, Nasarawa, Rivers, Edo, Ogun, Delta, Cross River, Kaduna, Kano, Rivers, and Abuja in the past several months.

Knowing that the bulk of information technological users were domiciled in the universities and other tertiary institution campuses, the company has furthermore incorporated hundreds of LTE 2600 sites in the following institutions in Rivers, Edo, Abuja, Enugu, and Anambra States, as well as important markets in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, and Kwara. This was done to make sure there was no network congestion and to improve high-speed data in the areas.

The company said also, “Globacom has expanded its data network capacity and made improvements to 1700 sites, primarily in Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Benue, Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Plateau states, in accordance with the Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy’s broadband penetration initiative.”

The company said hundreds of new locations with 2G, 3G, and 4G base stations are being built nationwide to increase capacity demand and coverage. It additionally said that Customers’ network experience and satisfaction will also be boosted in terms of service delivery, network quality, as will their data throughput or speed.

More revelations have also shown that the solely built Glo1 undersea cable capacity was recently increased to guarantee optimal utilization in order to support these expansion initiatives and guarantee Glo customers’ smooth access to ultra-high speed. Eventually the aim of the upgrade in all its ramifications, according to the company is to guarantee a distinctive calling and surfing experience on the Glo network at all times, it will efficiently support the technological expansions and improvements. Additionally, Glo has started a large statewide initiative to upgrade its fiber and power infrastructure, upgrading thousands of kilometers of its infrastructure and installing thousands of new generators. This is aimed at creating more redundancy for better network availability.

As a business strategy, Glo’s innovation put the customers first, Customer-centricity is a business strategy that is based on putting the customer first and at the core of any business in order to provide a positive experience and build a long term relationship. With this Globacom has continued to soar like the eagle in the information technology space in Nigeria, the Sub-Sahara Africa and beyond.

As a corporate telecommunications entity, Globacom through its Value Added Services (VAS) has maintained a class above her competitors, of course Globacom is miles ahead of all of them in constantly innovating and putting the customer ahead, Globacom ensures and enhances implementations of her value added services not minding the added cost on its telecoms service delivery.

It is indelible and one must always recall the tremendous innovative and disruptive mission which brought about the mind blowing business decision to introduce per second billing (PSB) which was the revolution, the transformation that the Telecommunications space in Nigeria needed to be where it is currently. Nigeria’s teledensity improved today was made possible by the coming of GLO otherwise, not minding the inherent benefits of GSM, the Nigerian teledensity would have still remained at its lowest ebb, because with high cost of SIM, SMS, and voice at inception and with less purchasing economic power, Nigeria would still have been where NITEL left her.

The cutthroat and unrepentant insensitivity of those who came before her made GSM at its inception in Nigeria to be above the reach of the common man until Globacom landed. Alas, these so-called GSM operators in Nigeria are still hell bent to destroy the milestones which Nigeria has covered through Globacom. This great indigenous company has weathered the storm and has survived the odds and harsh operational economic environment in the country and stood tall head and shoulder above her competitors.

As a company at the forefront of revolutionary changes in the telecommunication sector in Nigeria, it crashed the cost of acquiring SIM cards in the country from about N25,000 to just about N200. Finally it dropped the long lasting and most effective telecoms bombshell as it launched operations on a Per Second Billing platform, a feat others had described as impossible to achieve until another five years.

Recently Globacom has unveiled a deal with Samsung, world’s leading manufacturer of electronic devices, to avail unique benefits to Glo subscribers on the new Galaxy S25 phone series.

Globacom disclosed that the exciting deal gives Glo customers the opportunity to pre-order the fashionable Samsung Galaxy S25 smartphone and enjoy unique benefits including 18GB bonus data, just for her customers.

Glo is indeed everywhere, in Entertainment including Nollywood, music, GLO sponsorship is graded as best among her competitors, in sports, through sponsorship of CAF competitions, it has carved a niche which has obviously embarrassed her rivals; it has even delved into the sponsorships of cultural activities, like the Ofala festival, among others.

Similarly, the “GloAwoof Win SMS-to-Ai” uses artificial intelligence (AI) to give users rapid, precise information on any subject without requiring an internet connection. The “Ask AI by Glo” service is an SMS-based platform that provides users with access to a variety of informational resources, including news, sports scores, weather predictions, traffic updates, educational advice, and celebrity information. The third one, “GloAwoof Win Ai Fortune” is an educational service designed to empower users by teaching them how to leverage AI for generating income and improving business processes.

Globacom has consistently recorded an increase in the number of subscribers in its 22 years of operation due to freebies regularly enjoyed by both old and new subscribers. The company’s continuous network upgrade and extension of 4G data coverage to more cities have also contributed to its internet subscribers’ growth.

Other Globacom’s ‘awoof’ plans over the years include 22x value on every recharge from N100, Glo ‘Win and Rule’ promo, Glo Berekete, Glo Berekete Plus Plus, which enables subscribers to win cash tokens of N50,000 as well as extra voice and data value.

Over time Globacom sustained its leadership as the “Most Reliable Mobile 4G LTE Network” and “Most Innovative Mobile Network. This was even made manifest at the annual Beacon of ICT Awards because of its unique products and value added services such as Glo Berekete, Glo Café and friendly recharge and data plans”.

It is also gladdening to know that Glo pioneered in Nigeria, Blackberry, Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), Magic Plus, Glo Direct, Glo Fonepals, Africhat, Glo Mobile Internet, GloFleetmanager, M-Banking and Glo Mobile Office. Glo was also the first to launch 2.5G, 3G and 4G LTE networks. It also independently built an international submarine cable, Glo 1 to connect West Africa directly to the United Kingdom and the rest of the world

It also connects 12 nations in the West African sub region, including some of them that are landlocked. Glo1 is credited with crashing the cost of internet services and is today the preferred cable system by global OTT providers. It connects thousands of kilometres of national fibre to all parts of Nigeria.