• Regulatory approval obtained from NCC
• The initiative will provide fuller coverage to ntel’s subscribers
• This will position ntel as a network offering 4G/LTE as well as 3G and 2G services

ntel, Nigeria’s most advanced 4G/LTE broadband operator has announced a national roaming field trial with 9Mobile.

The operators have received regulatory approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to commence a national roaming trial over a two-month period.

According to ntel, the agreement will enable ntel’s customers to make calls on 9Mobile’s network using any 2G or 3G handset within the specified trial zone.

Commenting on the commencement of the national roaming trial, Ernest Akinlola, ntel’s CEO said “This agreement is a significant step in the right direction for us as a company and the telecommunications eco system. A full national roaming agreement with 9Mobile would provide our growing customer base with a seamless service over 4G/LTE superfast data and voice clarity as well as ubiquitous 3G and 2G coverage nationwide. Both operators are pioneers in innovation and we are pleased to be charting a new path for the industry.”

The national roaming test is expected to commence on both networks from December 1, 2017.

The board of ntel on Tuesday announced the appointment of Ernest Akinlola as its substantive managing director/chief executive officer.

He takes over from Abhulime Ehiagwina who was appointed acting CEO in August following the departure of pioneer chief executive officer, Kamar Abass.

A bio released by the telecoms company indicates that Mr Akinlola is a senior executive with over 20 years extensive experience in telecoms media & technology.

He joined the fledgling One 2 One telecoms operator in the UK and was instrumental in establishing a world-class internal audit and compliance department.

As head of department, he led the assessment and subsequent launch of Virgin Mobile UK on the One 2 One network which proved to be the pioneering MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) at the time.

Following One 2 One’s acquisition by T-Mobile, Akinlola was a key member of the integration team, leading on commercial strategy and growing the wholesale side of the business to launch several MVNO’s focused on specific customer segments.

He was an integral member of the team charged with executing Virgin Mobile’s $1.5bn IPO. Many senior roles followed including leading the transformational roll-out of T-Mobile’s store retail programme.

Having led teams in marketing, sales, finance, strategic planning, business development and operations in blue-chip telecoms companies, Akinlola was headhunted as COO by Lycamobile to lead its European strategy, successfully expanding into 10 countries within two years.

Following this notable success in Europe, he focused on Nigeria’s telecoms sector and was approached to lead a major marketing drive for Etisalat (now 9Mobile), the fourth entrant in a highly competitive telecoms market.

As marketing director, he spearheaded a range of initiatives that took Etisalat from the 4th ranked operator to the 2nd, in terms of ARPU and active customer base.

Immediately prior to joining ntel, Akinlola was a strategic consultant to several blue chip organisations including Blackberry Nigeria, the World Bank, and most recently provided strategic oversight to Swazi Mobile in formulating a commercial strategic plan for the successful application of a 4G VoLTE, 3G,2G licence in Swaziland, South Africa. This has underpinned the impressive growth of Swazi Mobile in less than 3 months of operations.

Commenting on his new appointment, Akinlola said “I am excited to be appointed MD/CEO of ntel, Nigeria’s pre-eminent 4G/LTE network. ntel has tremendous untapped capabilities which can provide a step change in customer experience for Large Enterprise, SME’s and Consumers. I look forward to leading the team in driving innovation and delighting our current and future customers”

ntel had previously assured its stakeholders that the leadership transition from the previous incumbent would be smooth and orderly in accordance with global best practices.

“We are pleased to report that there has been no adverse impact on the business operations and the company would like to thank Abhulime Ehiagwina (CFO) for holding the fort during the transition period,” the company said in a statement.

Akinlola, a Fellow of The Chartered Certified Accountants, holds an MBA from Manchester Business School with a first degree in Economics from the University of East London (UEL).

ntel, Nigeria’s first 4G/LTE-Advanced network has announced Bose Alao Omotoyossi aka Boss Lady QueenBee, as its Brand Advocate. The deal is for a one year period in the first instance.

Bose Alao is a cross-over Nollywood actress with footprints in both Yoruba and English movies. She hit national limelight after her turn in Itakun but has shown her acting chops on both television and on the big screen.

Her film and television credits include –  Rough Day’’ (2016); Blindspots’’ (2016); ‘’Rivers between’’ (2015), ‘’Edge of Paradise’’ (2006); ‘’Torment (2016); Imoran Ika’’ (2006); Opa Abo’’ (2007); Olasubomi’’ (2011); Bomilashiri’’ (2013); ‘’Thorny’’ (2016); ‘’Papa Ajasco’’ 2014; ‘’Onikola (2011)

She has featured in productions by industry heavyweights like Wale Adenuga and Greg Odutayo and also acted alongside Nollywood leading lights such as Eucharia Anunobi, Rachael Oniga, Bukky Wright, Ebere McWizu, Ebube Nwagbo, Juliet Ibrahim and many others.

(l-r) Jenika Mukoro, General Manager, Brand Management, ntel Bose Alao Omotoyossi, Brand Advocate and Oluwatoyin Tella-Binuyo, Legal Advisor, ntel during the signing on of Ms

Commenting in the choice of Bose Alao Omotoyossi as Brand Advocate, Abhulime Ehiagwina, Ag. CEO of ntel said “Bose brings a uniqueness to ntel as Brand Advocate on account of her cross-over appeal, youthfulness as well as her vivacious and vibrant personality. We consider her a good fit for brand ntel and look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship.”

The Nollywood actress, Filmmaker, Endorsement Model and Entrepreneur is a mother of four and is married to ace international footballer, Razak Omotoyossi. She was voted Best Actress at the 2011 Zafaa Awards, United Kingdom.

As Brand Advocate, Bose Alao will push the ntel brand gospel through her social media channels and social interactions. She will participate in company events and act as brand advocate espousing the unique attributes, capabilities and potentials of brand ntel and its products.

Reacting to the deal, Bose Alao said “I am delighted to be named as ntel’s first Brand Advocate. I was among the early birds to get on the ntel train and look forward to enjoying the ride in an official capacity. ntel is a young brand which is spreading the broadband gospel and I plan to be a worthy apostle.”