MTN 3G pack. Photo by Oluniyi David Ajao.

I recently picked up an MTN “Exclusive 3G Pack” for 100 Ghana Cedis (about $69) and have used it extensively for about 14 days mainly in Accra. The information below is based on some of my experience using the mobile broadband service.

The 3G pack contained:

• an MTN-branded Huawei E160E USB stick
• an MTN Internet SIM

Technical Specification

Find the technical specifications and some explanation of the USB device, below:

• Network: HSDPA/UMTS (850/1900/2100MHz) & GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900MHz). This means the device can work across most GSM networks, globally.
• Speed: It supports 3.6Mbps HSDPA services. Since MTN offers connectivity over a 3.5G network, users can experience theoretical speeds of up to 3.6Mbps which is very high by today’s best standards.
• Memory: Micro SD Card Slot. It supports up to 4GB storage when a MicroSD card is placed in the included slot and therefore the device can double as a USB storage device.
• Communication: SMS services – users can send and receive text messages through the software bundled with the device. Though the device can support PC voice, the function is not enabled by MTN.
• Support data statistics: The bundled software offers extensive graphical statistics.
• Plug & Play: it works almost as soon as it is connected to a PC or Mac. It requires no seperate CD installation software.
• Cross-platform: Support Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac Operating Systems. From my tests, I also got it to work on an Ubuntu desktop version operating system.

MTN F@stlink software

A screenshot of MTN F@stlink software.

Installing the device was a fast and straight-forward process. The easy-to-use MTN F@stlink (the dialling software) was soon installed.

MTN F@stlink comes with the following features:

• Connection: allows users to connect and disconnect to the Internet
• Statistics: displays real-time statistics whilst the user is connected to the Internet and also includes a daily, monthly and yearly data counter.
• Text: enables the user to send and receive text messages as well as manage existing text messages.
• Phonebook: a simple contact management system that includes the following fields – Name, Mobile Number, Office Number, Home Number, E-mail Address.
• Airtime: enables the user to check existing data balance and as well as load a regular MTN airtime voucher.

MTN Internet SIM

The special SIM card bundled with the MTN “Exclusive 3G pack” had 2 Ghana Cedis airtime preloaded with amounted to 50MB data. Since this was a special SIM, the Internet tariff is lower, compared to the normal MTN SIMs. In order to compare the data tariff with that of Zain, I loaded 30 Ghana Cedis airtime and the total data derived amounted to 1.2GB. 400MB of data was credited each time I loaded a 10 Ghana Cedis airtime voucher. Note that “Zain Lite” Internet package offers only 1GB of data for 30 Ghana cedis.

The MTN Internet SIM is restricted from making or receiving calls by MTN even though it comes with a regular MTN mobile number. Calling the number, one hears the ringing buzz but there is no reaction on the PC nor any notice of a call. One hears an error message when a call attempt is made from the Internet SIM.

I tried the special SIM on a mobile phone and it worked normally with the exception of not taking nor making calls.

Usage

An MTN 3G package. Photo by Oluniyi David Ajao.

I tested the connectivity from McCarthy Hill area in Accra and experienced a signal strength that varied between 95 and 99%, with real download speeds reaching 1.8Mbps. MTN Ghana’s website www.mtn.com.gh loaded the fastest since they host their own website. Real speeds elsewhere might vary according to the time of day (peak or off-peak period), number of people connected to a particular base station, speed of travel (if the user is in motion), and signal strength.

Much of Accra is covered by MTN’s 3.5G network with EDGE filling the gap in patches without 3.5G. Using the service on the outskirts of Accra where only GPRS is available, speeds did not exceed a meagre 5kbps. This implies that MTN Broadband is best used where there is 3.5G network coverage.

According to MTN Ghana’s website:

MTN 3G service is available in Accra, Tema, Kumasi, Takoradi, Tarkwa, Bogoso, Ho, Koforidua, Cape Coast, Kasoa, Winneba, Tamale, Sunyani, Kenyasi, Techiman, Obuasi, Bolgatanga, Wa, Prestea, Damine, Ntoroso, Bibiani, Besomtwi, Bekwai, Aflao, Chirano and still counting.

In summary, MTN’s Mobile Broadband service is ideal is for home or small business users who have limited data usage but want to experience the high speed 3.5G technology offers. The entry fees are affordable as are the data tariffs. It is advisable to check if your area has 3.5G coverage before getting on board. You can do so by manually scanning the networks from a 3.5G phone.

MTN offers another device for connectivity, aside the USB stick:

3.5G F@stLink Router
MTN 3.5 G F@stlink router is a 3G cellular modem,which has an embedded wireless hotspot, with four Ethernet ports and a traditional phone jack. It is perfect for home or small offices and allows a user to sharea connection with multiple users. The router may also serve as a modem using the USB slot to provide a single connection to the user.

Did find this review useful or otherwise? Share your thoughts in the comments area.

Nokia N97 mini

Also this week, Nokia N97 mini makes its big debut in stores. With its stainless steel cues, the Nokia N97 mini is designed for style-conscious people who are active with social networks. The device features a tilting 3.2″ touch display, QWERTY keyboard and fully customizable homescreen. The Nokia N97 mini features same software with the Nokia N97 and will be in stores with an estimated retail price of EUR 450 before taxes and subsidies.

“In September, 2009, we exceeded 2 million Nokia N97 devices sold, and now introduce the Nokia N97 mini, underscoring the success of the design. We have also listened to consumer feedback about the performance of the device. The Nokia N97 software update 2.0 is a way for us to optimize the device and add new features and functions,” said Jose-Luis Martinez, Vice President, Nokia Nseries. “We are also excited about the early feedback that we have received on the Nokia N97 mini, which carries a very similar feature set to the original Nokia N97 and comes in a pocket-friendly size for those out and about.”

Among the new experiences available with the free 2.0 software update are:

• ‘flip scrolling’ has been added in the entire user interface, making scrolling in all views very smooth
• shortcuts to personalized homescreen
• Ovi Maps 3.1 with 3-D maps
• Nokia e-mail (Nokia Messaging)
• Ovi Contacts
• Ovi Store.

Nokia is constantly updating and enhancing its devices with new features, functions and fixes so people can get even more out of their Nokia device even years after buying it. Nokia owners can automatically check for new software by going to Menu > Applications > SW Update and enable automatic checking, or visit http://www.nokia.com/softwareupdate to download the version that is best for them. Additionally, MyNokia members will also receive an SMS when their local version of the software becomes available. People can register to the service at www.nokia.com/mynokia.

About Nokia
Nokia is a pioneer in mobile telecommunications and the world’s leading maker of mobile devices. Today, we are connecting people in new and different ways – fusing advanced mobile technology with personalized services to enable people to stay close to what matters to them. We also provide comprehensive digital map information through NAVTEQ; and equipment, solutions and services for communications networks through Nokia Siemens Networks.

BlackBerry Curve 8900 - marketed as the thinnest and lightest full-QWERTY BlackBerry smartphone

Speaking at the launch of Blackberry solutions, Mr. Phillip Sowah, Country Manager of Zain Ghana, said “Successful businesses in the 21st century would require superior technological solutions that give them the edge over their competitors. Zain Ghana offers the full and current range of Blackberry devices offering our customers the mobility, convenience and efficiency that is necessary to run their virtual office”.

Mr. Sowah said the Blackberry storm, Blackberry curve 8900, Blackberry bold, and Blackberry pearl flip 8220 smartphones are well balanced mobile phones that deliver advanced features, refined usability and stylish designs.

Babar Khan, Chief Executive Officer of EMS, said “We are delighted to partner with Zain to bring the many benefits of Blackberry solutions to its customers and will be supporting Zain in its everyday mission by bringing the latest products and services to the market”.

Zain is a leading telecommunications operator across the Middle East and Africa, providing mobile voice and data services to 69.5 million customers. EMS is a Dubai based solutions and service provider, whiles RIM is a strategic partner in the world communications market. 3 Sep. 09

Apple iPhone 3G S promo image

iPhone here, iPhone there, iPhone everything. Apple’s iPhone, an Internet-connected, multimedia GSM smartphone, has become very popular globally since it was launched in the United States around June 2007. It is now the standard-bearer among keyboard-less smartphones and has inspired several very similar designs from leading mobile phone manufacturers like Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, Samsung Instinct etc.

What makes iPhone most appealing to me is the wide variety of available applications that have been designed to run on iPhones. iPhone now seems to be the standard phone for geeks. In addition to the cute looks and exciting user interface, I am curious to use those applications as many of them are only available on iPhone.

The sleek iPhone is not necessarily the best smartphone out there but for iPhone to be the most popular camera on Flickr (a photo-sharing website), Apple Inc must be doing something right. The iPhone is social-media friendly; it includes many features that make it easy to connect to & share content on social media networks in real time.

You would then wonder, why haven’t I got myself an iPhone before now? iPhone’s marketing model is to make the device available through contracts with cellular networks only. The phones are thus locked to the supplying network and cannot be used outside that network. Unfortunately, Apple does not have such a contract with MTN Ghana, Tigo Ghana, Vodafone Ghana, nor Zain Ghana. I am aware that there are a few unlocked iPhones on the mobile phone market in Ghana but I am not willing to take the risk. I have read reports of iPhones going dead after a software upgrade because they were unlocked.

In May 2008, Vodafone announced that it had signed an agreement with Apple Inc to sell the iPhone in ten of its markets around the globe. Vodafone customers in Australia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa (Vodacom) and Turkey will be able to purchase the iPhone for use on the Vodafone network. There lies my hope. I am hoping Vodafone would extend the agreement with Apple, to cover Ghana since Vodafone has a network here in Ghana. An iPhone is the only thing that would hook me to the Vodafone Ghana network.

Should MTN sign an agreement with Apple and supply iPhones in Ghana, then I’d be among the first to sign a contract and grab the ubiquitous iPhone.

Nokia N97

The highly anticipated Nokia N97, Nokia’s flagship mobile computer, will begin selling in June in more than 75 countries. Along with a tilting 3.5″ touch display, QWERTY keyboard and a fully customizable home screen, the Nokia N97 will offer instant access to the full range of Ovi services.

“The Nokia N97 is an important step towards our vision of delivering a highly personalized Internet experience,” said Jonas Geust, Vice President and head of Nokia Nseries. “Fuelled by a multitude of music, maps, games, media and applications via Ovi, the Nokia N97 transforms the Internet into an experience that’s completely tailored to the tastes and interests of its owner.”

The Nokia N97 is Nokia’s first device to feature a personalizable home screen, which can be customized with a range of widgets which bring live information directly to the device. These widgets include key social networking destinations like Facebook and Hi5, news services like the Associated Press, Bloomberg and Reuters, as well as shopping and weather information. The Nokia N97 is the first device to ship with the Ovi Store, which offers easy access to applications, games, videos, podcasts, productivity tools, web and location-based services, and much more. Ovi Store has paid and free content from a range of global and local content providers and developers, including Paramount Pictures, Facebook and Qik, as well as a selection of Twitter applications.

Enjoy your upgrades
The beauty of this Nokia device is that taking it out of the box is just the beginning. As with any computer, people can constantly improve and refresh their Nokia N97 with new features, functions and fixes so they can do even more with the device. An exciting roadmap of new features and functions is planned to roll out in the second half of 2009.

Entertainment ensured
The Nokia N97 also has direct access to the huge catalogue of music in the Nokia Music Store. With multiple high-speed connectivity options and 32GB of storage (up to 48GB using a microSD card) it is possible to directly download and store tens of thousands of songs on the handset. And you can listen to your favourite music on the Nokia Bluetooth Stereo Headset BH-905, which Nokia also launched today. This headset brings crystal clear sound, eliminates background noise, and is the ideal accessory for listening to music and making calls on the Nokia N97, as well as being compatible with a diverse range of other mobile and music devices.

High-quality images and video clips at 30 frames per second (fps) can be captured using the 5 megapixel camera with integrated Carl Zeiss optics. Images can also be geo-tagged to specific locations and shared instantly with friends or uploaded online via Ovi Share, Twitter or Flickr.

About Nokia
Nokia is a pioneer in mobile telecommunications and the world’s leading maker of mobile devices. Today, we are connecting people in new and different ways – fusing advanced mobile technology with personalized services to enable people to stay close to what matters to them. We also provide comprehensive digital map information through NAVTEQ; and equipment, solutions and services for communications networks through Nokia Siemens Networks.

Many mobile phones attempt to do everything from simple texting, to GPS navigation but these phones are better at some things than the others thus the need to classify them. Before now, I had used an i-mate JAQ3 Windows 5 powered-smartphone for business, along with a Nokia 3250 XpressMusic for photography and personal entertainment whilst on the move. I have since upgraded to Nokia E71 smartphone along with a Nokia 5800 XpressMusic.

What makes the E71 tick?

Nokia E71

Many. The Nokia E71 is a serious business phone ground-up. It comes with a full QWERTY keyboard layout and is enclosed in a strong metallic case. My initial disappointment about the E71 not having a touch screen was quickly dwarfed by its intuitive cursor and comfortable keypad. I find the keypad so comfortable that I find myself sending text messages more often. Matter of fact, I typed the entire text for this article on the Nokia E71.

The smartphone comes with QuickOffice. This mobile version of Office suite software allows you to create or open Word documents, PowerPoint Presentations or Excel Worksheets.

It also comes with a built-in mobile email client and you can also opt for Nokia Email software (Blackberry-like) if the in-built email client does not meet all your email needs. You can send new messages via good-old SMS or MMS.

Being a 3.5G phone, you can access the Internet via 3.5G, 3G, EDGE, or GPRS – subject to network availability. You can also make/receive video calls where there is 3G coverage. The Nokia E71 is capable of handling encrypted G-standard wifi networks.

The call quality on this phone is good enough but my problem is that it fails to detect MTN Ghana’s 3.5G network where there is coverage but my Nokia 5800 detects the same network. The standard earpiece leaves much to be desired and I have since abandoned it. I was able to download and install an Internet radio application on the phone and I listen to Indian melodies by connecting to Indian Internet radio stations through wifi.

Nokia 5800 XpressMusic keeps you entertained

Nokia 5800 XpressMusic

The 5800 is one of the latest in the Nokia XpressMusic series of multimedia devices. XpressMusic is a brand name for series of Nokia phones that are specifically designed for music playback.

True to form, the Nokia 5800 handles music extremely well. It can play digital audio clips encoded in AAC, AU, M4A, MIDI Tones, MP3, MP4, RealAudio, WAV, and WMA among others. It has graphic equalizer, bass boster and stereo widening. It has in-built stereo speakers and a 3.5mm headphones connector. This enables you to connect any headphones of your choice. The default earpiece is abridged and this allows me to occasionally carry the phone in my breast pocket and have the pair of earpieces in my ear lopes without some long cable dangling around my neck. The cable can be extended. The extended version comes with a music controller for playing/pausing as well as forward/rewind buttons.

The wide screen of the phone is used judiciously as video playback is always horizontal. I can switch between wide-screen format and the original dimension of the video. The only drawback is that the in-built RealMedia player is unable to handle popular video formats like WMV, MOV and MPEG. It however plays mobile video formats like MP4 and 3GP. I reckon video format conversion is possible via the Nokia Ovi software but I am yet to try that out.

Equipped with Carl Zeiss lens, the 5800′s camera shines in the area of photography. With a 3.2 mega-pixels capability, I couldn’t ask for more from a mobile device. The photo and video quality are on the high side.

The phone’s massive 8GB Micro SD card (upgradeable to 16GB) gives lots of room for storing audio, video, photos, messages and other files. The phone can even be used as a mass storage device when connected to a computer.

Nokia has demonstrated times without number that it deserves the tag of being the market leader in the area of manufacturing mobile phones. The E71 and 5800 XpressMusic are further proof.

HSL Femtocell

HSL (Hay Systems Ltd), an independent mobile network operator and provider of mobile services and equipment have today disclosed further details regarding their 2.75G Femtocell development project. HSL have now released details of the physical appearance and have announced plans for a managed femtocell network service with the device being available as early as Q3 2008.

The development of the 2.75G (GSM/GPRS/EDGE) femtocell is now within the final phase with HSL having confirmed wholesale pricing of USD 350 at 1000 units. The supporting network elements also available from HSL include Base Station Controller (BSC), Mobile Switching Centre (MSC) and femtocell Security Gateway. With purchases of 1000 or more femtocell units by mobile network operators HSL will provide mobile network operators with the supporting network elements at no additional initial purchase cost.

Following HSL’s concept femtocell design shown in Barcelona at the GSMA Mobile World Congress in February 2008, the actual design for the first release of the HSL 2.75G Femtocell has now been published here.

Mobile network operators deploying HSL’s 2.75G Femtocell may fully deploy and fully operate units and supporting network infrastructure. Alternatively, HSL can provide a managed femtocell network service whereby HSL would be responsible for the management, operation and monitoring of the femtocell network deployed by a mobile network operator. This managed service would be governed by parameters agreed between the mobile network operator and HSL, and would interface with the network operations function within the mobile network operator.

In Q3 2008 a GSM-only version of the femtocell will be available. In Q4 2008 the GSM/GPRS/EDGE (2.75G) version will be available. Volume shipments will commence early Q1 2009.

About HSL:

HSL (Hay Systems Ltd), located in Scotland, is an independent mobile network operator and provider of mobile services and systems to organisations and individuals around the world.

As an operator of its own GSM network, HSL is involved in the development of GSM mobile network infrastructure and is recognised for consistently delivering superior and technically advanced solutions including SMS gateway services and mobile network services. Infrastructure for networks is developed by HSL’s Mobile Networks division and is used within HSL’s own network and sold to mobile networks operators worldwide. For more information please visit http://www.haysystems.com/.

Samsung mobile phones

SAMSUNG Electronics a world leader in electronic convergence systems is set to engage GSM handset producer Nokia in a fierce competition as it releases sophisticated GSM and GPRS compatible handsets in to the market.

Regional director for Africa for Samsung, Albert Kim at meeting with media executives in Lagos said the frequent release of luxury handsets in the past few months was to create stiff competition in the market and to position his brand ahead of the others.

Describing his brand as the first growing brand in the world Kim said Samsung was poised to give Nokia a run in the industry .We are working hard to catch up with Nokia who hard already made same good impact in the market.

As part of its strategies to outwit Nokia, Samsung Electronics sees the Nigerian market as having enough potency to help in this battle. Besides, it would be an avenue to reach into other African market.

Kim said, “As the first growing brand in the world, we are also working to make a success story in the Nigerian GSM handset market.” Responding to the rate of growing LG Electronics is recording in the Nigerian GSM handset; Kim said it won’t have any effect on his brand. “Samsung’s turnover in December 2OO2 was $4.9 billion, only one tenth of ours” he added.

It would be recalled that in the last four mouths, Samsung has launched about four GSM phone in Nigerian and would be launching another in the next two months. All these according to Kim were to strategy to possess the market. In June this year, the company, through its national distributor, SIMS Nigerian Limited, introduced the SGH-N620, the free I camera phone followed suit with much more sophisticated features.

Just last week, the SGH-C100 was introduced, having features such as 500 unit of phone memory, IrDA, WAP, EMS (Enhanced Messaging Service), 40 Polyphonic ringtones and melody, 65,000 vivid colour screen among others besides its slim and sleeky exterior.

In the spirit of competition, Samsung has also announced the introduction of the new SGH-E700 camera phone come December 1 this year. This new phone could substitute for the photo camera; hence it is also called a mobile camera.

With a size of 90 x 45 x 23 mm and weight of 85g, it has the viewfinder with which to take both near and distant objects. It allows users to share content such as photos, downloadable ringtones, and multimedia messages. It has a capacity of up to 1000 phone entries, each entry with space for mobile, home, office, email, fax numbers and “to-do-list”.