Smile Partners Samsung to Launch First LTE Voice Service on Smartphone in Nigeria

LAGOS, September 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, the first authentic 4G LTE provider in Nigeria, in partnership with Samsung Electronics West Africa, has launched the first LTE voice over broadband service on smartphone, first in West Africa. Today is another proof point that the LTE ecosystem is set to become the global standard for delivering voice over LTE networks, revolutionizing the way mobile communication is enabled in Nigeria and West Africa.

Part of the promise of the new technology is high quality and improved voice and video communications, enabling faster, better video calls, faster music, video streaming and conferencing, faster downloads and more pictures. A bonus for consumers to do more and an end to the frustration of drop calls. The 4G LTE mobile network will also allow faster Internet on the S6 Edge.

According to Smile, the giant stride is in line with Smile's vision of providing superfast and reliable internet service to Nigerians leveraging Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge.

Managing Director, Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, Mr. Michiel Buitelaar, while speaking at the service and product launch on Monday in Lagos September 21, 2015, described the partnership as historic and will benefit millions of Nigerian telecom subscribers.

Mr. Buitelaar said after securing US$365 dollars funding, Smile is repositioned to transform Nigerians' telephony experience.

He said, "This partnership is significant to us in an effort to transform subscribers' telephony experience. It's is going to change the face of broadband to assist Nigerians in their different endeavours.

"With the US$365 dollars funding, we are ready to double our network output; spread to different cities and continue enhancing our network capacity by next year. So, we are excited to work in partnership with Samsung which invests in R&D, understands the market and has unleashed the first LTE compliant smartphone in Nigeria.

Also, Director, Information Technology and Mobile, Samsung Electronics West Africa,  Emmanouil Revmatas, underscored the need for both companies to enhance the customer experience through their product propositions. 

According to Revmatas, the Galaxy S6 edge has the world's first-ever dual curved edge display, which distinguishes the device as the ultimate premium Smartphone.

"This partnership with Smile on S6 edge is the first of its kind in Nigeria, offering consumers the opportunity to drive productivity with a unique smartphone coupled with the 4G experience that Smile LTE network offers.

‎A joint statement signed by Alero Ladipo, Chief Marketing Officer, Smile Nigeria and Emmanouil Revmatas, Director, Information Technology and Mobile, Samsung Electronics West Africa, says there is the need for both companies to enhance the customer experience through their product propositions. The statement underscored the noble pedigree and innovative streak of both companies which they are determined to harness in serving the best interest of their customers. The offer will be available at all Smile Stores and some selected Samsung stores.

Speaking on the partnership, Mrs. Ladipo stated that Smile Communications is specifically focused on the importance of partnerships of this nature to deliver on the end-to-end needs of the customer. "The customer experience at our shops should create a lasting impression with the customer. A customer must enjoy the simplicity of the service and leave ready-to-go. Our partnership with Samsung gives the customer the opportunity to own the latest Samsung LTE compliant smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S6 edge with a Samsung complimentary clear cover), a 5GB bundle SmileOn plan for a fixed price," Ladipo added.

About Smile  

Smile Communications Nigeria Limited was founded in 2007 with the transformative objective of using the best and most innovative technologies to provide its customers with high quality, easy to use and affordable communication services.

Its vision and mission is to be the broadband provider of choice in Nigeria and enable its customers to fully benefit from the Internet world. Smile launched West Africa's first true 4G LTE network in Ibadan in 2013 thereby revolutionizing the way people access the Internet.‎

Smile owns and operates mobile wireless 4G LTE broadband networks in the 800MHz band in Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda. By the end of 2015 Smile will offer clear voice services and have national coverage comparable to the largest 3G network in each of its current countries of operation.

Smile will launch its broadband network in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) early in 2016.‎