Glo Mobile is very likely to be launched in Ghana before the end of this year 2009. Having shifted their launch date severally, a launch in December 2009 seems imminent.
Glo Mobile is set to launch in Ghana soon
Glo Mobile’s entry into Ghana comes at a time when Ghana’s mobile communications industry appears to be saturated already. For a population of about 22 million people, there are presently five active mobile telecommunications services viz: MTN, Tigo, Zain, Vodafone & Kasapa. Records obtained from the National Communications Authority (NCA) website indicate that the 5 cellular networks share some 14,242,476 subscribers amongst themselves in this order: MTN – 52%; Tigo – 23%; Vodafone – 14%; Zain – 9%; Kasapa – 2%. The existing mobile phone service providers already cover all the geographical locations that matter in Ghana with network coverage reaching virtually every human settlement that has a sizeable population or is of some economic importance.
Glo Mobile thus has a very tall order to make enough impact as to attract a sizeable market-share. Despite the obvious challenge, one is safe to assume that Glo Mobile has a strong strategy that would enable them penetrate the sophisticated and relatively matured market. It helps to add that Glo Mobile has the aim of becoming the largest telecommunications provider in Africa. According to media reports, Glo plans to capture 30% of the current 11 million subscriber market within 18 months of launch. My attempt is thus to forecast their entry strategy based on the mobile revolution Glo Mobile has caused in Nigeria, since 2003.
Branding
Glo Mobile has already made its presence felt in Ghana with several branding efforts since 2007 starting with its support of Ghana’s hosting of the 2008 African Cup of Nations.
A Glo-branded bus stop in Accra reading: 'imagine... a day when Ghana is all green'. Photo by Oluniyi David Ajao
In December 2008, Glo Mobile Ghana contracted a five-year sponsorship deal with Ghana’s Premier League until the end of the 2013/14 season. The league has since been known as Glo Premier League.
Glo is a sponsor of Ghana’s senior national football team- the Black Stars and also sponsors the CAF African Player of the Year Award.
Glo Mobile has some banners and billboards at the international airport, as well as other important parts of the capital city Accra.
Internet
The dynamics of mobile phone service has changed globally, over the past few years. Mobile phone networks have now evolved into full telecom service providers with services including telephony, entertainment and internet services. Internet services is where Glo Mobile has the strongest trump card in Ghana. It’s parent company – Globacom – has already launched it fibre optic connectivity’s (Glo-1) landing in Ghana. The cable is expected to carry huge internet bandwidth from Nigeria, through Ghana, to western Europe and vice versa. This automatically gives Glo Mobile Ghana access to unprecedented internet connectivity speeds. The existing fibre servicing Ghana called SAT3 is shared among most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Ghana yet Glo-1 (solely owned by Globacom Ltd) has more than 5 times more capacity than SAT3. I expect Glo Mobile Ghana to maximize the use of the Internet capacity by rolling out a 3.5G network at the very least, and offer juicy internet service bundles. All things being equal, the Internet connectivity speed would exceed the highest capacity of any other current service provider.
Voice
I expect Glo Mobile to offer very competitive voice tariff plans as well as all the value added services possible on a 3.5G network: video calling, voicemail, voice sms, call forwarding, call conference, call divert etc. Phone services offered at the right pricing would attract subscribers to Glo Mobile. One waits to see how Glo can beat Kasapa, in the tariff arena.
Coverage
Network coverage is one area Glo Mobile has reportedly resolved to take the lead in Ghana. Focusing on offering a very wide network coverage can put Glo in a good position to acheiving its ultimate aim. One expects that they would choose the initial towns they cover sensibly, considering that existing networks already cover much of Ghana.
Promotions
One area I expect Glo to explore is offering mouth-watering promotions in a bid to attract new subscribers. The market is already awash with promotions from existing networks offering: cars, houses, cash, mobile phones etc. I expect Glo Mobile to announce promotions that are bigger than existing ones. In this same area, I expect free night calls, free network text messages, and occasional heavy discounts on call tariffs.
Choose your number
Since Glo Mobile would be a new cellular network, one expects that they would auction memorable phone numbers, and allow new subscribers to choose their own phone numbers, based on availability. This also helps to endear those who want to jump ship from other cellular networks or just want an easy-to-remember phone number.
If I am allowed to be selfish, I would expect Glo Mobile to offer a 3.5G network in my residential area considering that none of the existing GSM networks does so.
In summary, I have very high expectations of Glo Mobile Ghana, going by the experience of their parent company in Nigeria and their aggressive drive to be the number player in Africa. Existing success makes their ultimate vision a realistic one.
Related posts:
- Vodafone, Zain, MTN, Tigo, Glo Mobile and their competition in Ghana
- A review of MTN Ghana Mobile Broadband service
- A review of MTN Nigeria Mobile Broadband service
- Prepaid Mobile Phone SIM Cards in Ghana to be registered
- Mobile TV in Ghana
- Kenya: Mobile Web East Africa 2010. Free MobileWorld magazines.
- Kasapa Ghana
- Free Midnight Calls: Are they worth it?
- African Mobile Marketing & Advertising Summit 2008
- MTN Callertunez and Glo Mobile Blackberry
Twitter Updates
I agree 100% with this post. Glo must not disappoint; my expectations are very high as well!
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Sent on a phone using T9space.com
I DO EXPECT GLO TO HELP THE WHOLE GHANAIAN COMMUNITY IN MOBILE COMMUNICATION AND INTERNET SERVICE BY TAKING US OUT OF SOME NETWORKS THAT HAVE SLAVED US IN THE COUNTRY BECAUSE THERE IS NO OPTION.
i am very happy glo si coming and i would like to be part of the glo family. i will like to know their e-mail address so that i can forward in my application to work with them in ghana. Thank you
GLO IS 100% WELCOMED TO GHANA AND I HOPE ALL GHANANIAN WILL BE WITH ME.BUT PLEASE IF I CAN GET THE GLO GHANA ADDRESS & E-MAIL TO CONTACT THE OFFICE.
GLO THE NETWORK THAT IS THE SKY.
THANK YOU.
Welcome glo akwaba i expect nothing but the best of the best from u,jobs for the youth is the root of your success in Ghana,low call coast,in Ghana when your sim is lost and you go for a new one with the same number you don get the contacts on it back, recovry of ones contacts on glo will be an advantage. Amalga Ken Ghana
GLO MUST NOT FAIL GHANAIANS LIKE MTN DID AND IS CONTINUING TO DO.I BELIEVE GLO IS THE NETWORK THAT WILL FINALLY TAKE THE MARKET FROM MTN
i will like to no much about when global was fully coming to Ghana i will like to apply to the company.cos the network is unique among the rest.i will like to here you back.
If glo say they can then i believe they can. The’ve proven themselves over and over again. I believe glo. Everything about glo makes it glow.
Can’t wait to get Glo cause Ghanaians are tired with unstale network and other related issues when it comes to Mobile phone usage in Ghana. GLO AKWAABA
welcome to GHANA Glo. we expect better services from you. would like to know your address so i can apply to your company and contribute to a better Ghana.
Hi Glo,I’m a Musician i have a very lovely composer i want to dedicate for this new telecommunication network…
Please glo tell me what i can do
Thanks
THATS MY GLO GHANA.SURPRISE GHANAIANS AND WE WILL HELP YOU TOP THE MARKET.
Glo is going be the best of all the networks in Africa,I pray that they would never disppoint nobody cause so many people do believe in Glo-Glo go for Gold
Glow i have a nice dedication advert that you would love it so much…..
Glo is going be the best of all the networks in Africa,I pray that they would never disppoint nobody cause so many people do believe in Glo-Glo go for Gold
Glow i have a nice advert that you would love it so much…..
I see the great vision glo has for ghana and africa in general.When i heard of the fibre optic they introduce i was like wow this communication company is unique and will go a long way.I know the company great things instored for the people of ghana in the information technology sector.I wish them well and may God see them through the good things they are doing.
Hi Glo,if you wanna know more please give me a Call
i can come for an interview and you check me out … and we see what i got for this network
this is my phone number ……
0543400812
thanks
I AM ON ALL THE NETWORKS IN GHANA.WHEN GLO COMES FINALLY, I SHALL RATE THEM AND SEE WHERE I WILL PUT THEM. THEY HAVE KEPT SO LONG. WE ARE GETTING TO THE END OF FEBRUARY.
There are indications that glo Ghana will launch in March 2010.
what day in March 2010, will it by launch
Please I need an address or telephone number to contact Glo Mobile Ghana, in Ghana – Accra, Thank you.
we can’t wait to have glo in ghana since most of the numerous telecommunications have cheated us for long it about time we get value for the money spent on credits.
l can’t wait to receive glo network at Ghana
I CAN BE ON ONE OF YOUR AIR TIME CARDS.I’M VERY HANDSOME
am the CEO of glo companies please send 50 ghana and start working immidetly.
Welcome to Ghana Glo! Its great to having you in the competition of providing communication service in Ghana. I will love to get information as to how I can contact your office in Ghana. I have some business ideas I will love to share with you, which i believe will be profitable for the company and myself. Hope to here from you soon!
Thank You
Come on Ms Angel, isn’t it obvious to you that “Mr Odoka” was just joking?
i want to register my number online, how can do that. please mail me back the procedure to enable me do that.
will love to have my national service at glo ghana.
I am currently in my final year offering Statistics and Computer science at Univ Of Ghana.
Thank you
the only reason why i still use mtn is dat i bought my Sim card for 360 old Ghana cedies in 2000. since than i hv been participating in draws and i have not won anything yet,am so ready to give glo a chance.
Waoh.