A Publication of Alireta Nigeria Limited

Published: June 2009

1st Revision: February 2010
2nd Revision: March 2010

Published by: Alireta Nigeria Limited

T: +234 702 882 8791
E: impact@alireta.com
W: http://www.alireta.com/

Though reasonable care was taken in the preparation of this publication, the author/publisher
does not accept liability for decisions based on the content.

The author/publisher is not affiliated with the service providers in any way. Information and
views expressed here, except where specifically stated, are based on the experiences of users
scattered across the country.

Readers' first point of call when faced with a problem with any of the mobile internet services
should be the customer service department of the network operator of their choice.

Copyright © Alireta Nigeria Limited. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
without prior written permission of the author/publisher.

Do not put this publication up for download on any web server apart from the author’s website.
Feel free to link directly to it for others to download.
 What is Mobile Internet?
Mobile internet is a term used to describe a service through which mobile phone subscribers
access the internet with their phone lines without the need for wires. Primarilly, it refers to
access to he internet directly on mobile devices. Subscribers can stay connected to the internet
anywhere within their network’s coverage.

This ebook is restricted to internet services provided by GSM networks in Nigeria only. CDMA
networks are currently excluded from this work because most do not offer on-device access to
the internet but rather access via modems.

Various technologies make mobile internet on GSM networks possible. These technologies
include:

• GPRS – General Packet Radio Service, theoretical maximum speed of 115 kbps
• EDGE – Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution, theoretical maximum speed of 384 kbps
• 3G/UMTS – Universal Mobile Telecommunications System; theoretical maximum speed of
384 kbps
• 3.5G/HSDPA – High Speed Data Packet Access; theoretical maximum speed of 7.2 mbps
(most Nigerian 3.5G networks currently have a ceiling of 3.6 mbps)

Note that actual usage speeds are significantly lower than the above quoted theoretical
maximum speeds. For example, while 3.5G/HSDPA is designed to deliver broadband speeds of
between 1.8 mbps and 7.2 mbps, presently typical download speeds on a 3.5G network (peak
hours) tend to hover between 80 kbps and 200 kbps.

Mobile Networks in Nigeria

There are five (5) licensed GSM network operators in Nigeria, namely: Mtel, MTN, GloMobile,
Zain, and Etisalat. However, Mtel’s services are virtually non-existent as a result of years of
mismanagement. As such, this document shall be confined to the data services, coverage, and
tariffs of the remaining four (4). All four network operators offer voice and data services.
 Concise Overview of Data Coverage and Tariffs

The table below presents a brief outline of the different data services offered by the active GSM
network operators in Nigeria, as well as their respective coverage and tariffs.

Networks and Data Coverage

MTN GloMobile Zain Etisalat
GPRS Coverage Extensive/Nation Extensive/Nation Extensive/Nation Extensive/Severa
wide wide wide l states
EDGE Coverage Moderate Moderate Moderate Extensive
3G/3.5G A few cities A few cities A few cities N/A
Coverage

Available Bundle Internet Packages

MTN GloMobile Zain Etisalat
24 hours for 30 3GB data cap: 5GB data cap: 3GB data cap: 3GB data cap:
Days N10,000 N10,000 N10,000 N10,000

N/A 1.5GB data cap: 1GB data cap: N/A

N5, 000 N5, 000
N/A N/A N/A 500MB data cap:
N3, 000
N/A N/A 100MB data cap: 100MB data cap:
N1, 000 N1, 000
All-Night for 30 3GB data cap: N/A N/A N/A
Days N2,500
24-hours Only 50MB data cap: 150MB data cap: 50MB data cap: N/A
N500 N500 N500
Pay-As-You-Use 15 kobo per kb 15 kobo per kb 15 kobo per kb 15 kobo per kb
The above bundle packages are available to prepaid subscribers. GloMobile has some other
time-based bundle internet packages. Please contact them for details, or visit
MobilityNigeria.com to take advantage of the vibrant mobile internet community there.

3G/3.5G coverage by all networks is limited to a handful of major cities. At the moment, MTN
and GloMobile have the widest 3G/3.5G coverage.

Etisalat does not provide 3G services. However, its extensive EDGE coverage delivers near-3G
speeds.
 Getting GSM Data Activation & Bundle Subscriptions

Activation of GPRS/EDGE/3G/3.5G can be done across all networks Over-The-air (OTA). In

layman’s terms, this simply means the configuration settings are delivered to the end-user’s
mobile phone via SMS. In some cases, certain operators' lines come pre-configured to browse
out-of-the-box.

MTN
MTN’s SIMs usually come pre-activated, so you are not likely to need do
anything. Simply insert your SIM card into your phone and then switch it on.
MTN should automatically deliver the Internet settings to your phone within
minutes. Accept and activate the settings. You should then be able to access the
Internet from your mobile phone.

Still, should you need to, send an SMS with the word ‘SETTINGS' to 3888. This SMS is free.
Accept and save the settings that will be sent to your phone by SMS.

To subscribe to MTN bundle internet packages:

30-day All-Day bundle: Load airtime of N10,000, then send an SMS “101″ to 131.
30-day Nite-time bundle: Load N2,500 worth of airtime, then text “102″ to 131.
1-day All-Day bundle: Load N500 airtime, text “103″ to 131.
GloMobile

To configure your SIM for internet, as well as subscribe to Glo bundle internet
plans, simply load the amount of airtime to cover the package that you want, then
text “activate” to 127 from your Glo line. This SMS is free. Follow any further
instructions sent to you via SMS. Accept and save any configuration settings that
are sent to your phone by SMS.

Zain

Send an SMS with the word 'internet phonebrand model' to 232 e.g. "internet
sonyericsson P910i" to receive your settings. This SMS is free. Accept and save
the settings that will be sent to your phone by SMS. If asked for a Pin, please use
'0' or '0000'. You can also have the settings pushed to your phone by visiting:
http://dmc.ng.zain.com/

To subscribe to Zain bundle internet packages, load the amount of airtime to

cover the cost of the plan that you want to subscribe to, then type and dial the following
activation codes:

Zain Day (50mb/24 hours): *141*712*3#

Zain Lite (100mb/30 days): *141*712*4#
Zain Pro (1gb/30 days): *141*712*1#
Zain Max (3gb/30 days): *141*712*2#

Etisalat

Like MTN, Etisalat’s SIMs usually come pre-activated for mobile internet, so
you are not likely to need do anything before being able to browse at pay-as-
you-go rate of 15k per kb. Simply insert your SIM card into your phone and
then switch it on. Etisalat should automatically deliver the Internet settings to
your phone within minutes. Accept and activate the settings. You should then
be able to access the Internet from your mobile phone.

Still, should you need to, call customer care to request for activation.

To subscribe to Etisalat bundle internet packages:

Bundle packages on the Etisalat network can be activated currently only by visiting an Etisalat
outlet.
 Configuration Settings

In case your line is already provisioned for data but you have had to change handsets and need
to input the settings yourself, here they are:

MTN
Name: MTN

APN: web.gprs.mtnnigeria.net

Username: web

Password: web

IP Address: 10.199.212.2

Port: 8080 (if you are using older WAP phones, try 9201)

Home: http://mobilitynigeria.com

GloMobile (for bundle plans)

Name: GloFlat

APN: gloflat
Username: flat

Password: flat

IP Address: 10.100.98.22

Port: 8080 (if you are using an older phone, try 9201)

Home: http://mobilitynigeria.com

Zain
Name: Access Internet

Bearer: GPRS

APN: internet.ng.zain.com

Username: internet

Password: internet

Home: http://mobilitynigeria.com

Etisalat

Name: Etisalat

Bearer: GPRS

APN: etisalat

Username: blank

Password: blank

IP: 010.071.170.005

Home: http://mobilitynigeria.com
 Miscellaneous

You can use all of the above plans to access the internet, for email, and instant messaging
directly on your phone. You can also use your phone as a modem with your PC, or put your SIM
in a USB/PCMCIA modem as well for use on your PC.

You can purchase USB and PCMCIA modems from any of the network operators, but such
modems are usually network-locked. This means that a modem purchased from one network
cannot be used with a SIM from a different network.

You can also pick unlocked USB modems from independent dealers.
 Advertorial Feature

Trade-in your Old Phone for a Newer Model

When you purchase a new phone from Alireta, one of the benefits you enjoy is that of
upgrading your purchased phone once a year by trading it in for a newer model.

How It Works

1. only phones purchased from Alireta qualify for our upgrade service
2. upgrades can be effected not earlier than 180 days from date of purchase, and not later
than 365 days from date of purchase
3. phones for upgrade must be in good condition with no functional or hardware
faults/defects, with sales pack and all accessories intact
4. phones for upgrades will be examined for faults and if qualified will be priced at 40% of
the prevailing market price
5. client will pay the difference in cost of the valued phone and the new phone of choice

Yet another reason to purchase your mobile phones from Alireta! Give us a call today.

www.alireta.com
0806 216 7275
0702 882 8791
About Alireta
Alireta is a leading provider of shared, reseller, and dedicated web hosting in Nigeria. Hundreds
of Nigerian websites trust Alireta for their web hosting needs and Alireta's clients include some
of the highest profile/traffic Nigerian websites.
Alireta is also Nigeria's number 1 mobile web company, helping organisations to develop
mobile-friendly and mobile-specific websites.
Visit Alireta online at http://www.alireta.com.