When the global system of communication (GSM) was introduced in 2001, handsets like Nokia 3310, Sagem MC 920 and Motorola, which are today referred to as palasa, were in use. Eleven years on, the mobile phone industry has become more sophisticated. In the place of palasa are now sophisticated handsets which can perform wonders. Where to buy them is as important as what the customer gets, writes JANICE NKOLI IFEME.
Before the introduction of GSM in 2001, mobile communication was ‘strictly’ for the ‘big boys’. Those who had a dial-up landline at home or work were among a privileged few. A walkie-talkie or pager was a revered asset. And the ‘090’ was not for everyone - it was for the ‘rich’. Some even used it as a symbol of ‘oppression’.
Then, the country had only one national carrier – Nigerian Telecommunications (NITEL). People went the extra mile to communicate through phone. They queued at NITEL stations or designated phone booths to make calls.
But all that is history as the wind of change blew into the communication sector in 2001 with the advent of GSM. At this green state, the telecommunications companies virtually ripped off the public. Sim card went for as high as N20, 000 to N30, 000. Because of the craze for it, it was given the acronym, ‘Go Spend Money’ or ‘General Street Madness’.
But with growth and competition in the sector, sim cards now cost N100 with some free credit, alongside various products for convenience of the consumer.
And handsets? With few dealers and manufacturers, there were minimal choices for consumers. Some of the handsets available at inception the Nokia 3310, Sagem and Motorola, Trium, Thuraya, Alcatel, Siemens and Sendo. Besides, they were rudimentary compared to what the market delivers today.
They were mainly designed for voice use and had maybe six or eight apps on the menu including services such as Messages, Phonebook, Settings, Calendar, Ringtones, Games and the Extras app which had Notes/To do sub-menu, which some people used to replace their diaries. This gave rise to the cell phone market as manufacturers and vendors began to outwit one another in their bid to get a big share of the market. Here, the whistle was blown for players in the viable business. Enter the manufacturers: Nokia, Samsung, LG and so on; each with its various products and brand strategy to warm itself to consumers.
Thus, camera phones became the status symbol for some people. Soon after, the multimedia menu featured video cameras and with the coming of the i-phone, the audio player became part of the standard menu now offered by most handsets.
However, in the upper end of the market and with the coming of mobile internet, even more sophisticated apps are offered such as the e-reader, browser, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Java and mobile versions of standard desktop software like MS Word and Excel.
With time, there came an influx of China phones. They made waves due to their cheap prices. They also ushered in the dual sims. However, they were generally believed to be of lesser quality. This might be the reason for the higher quality and affordable Chinese brand, Tecno, which is receiving good patronage.
Competition for global market share among major brands has also brought in more sophistication. The introduction of Blackberry, making internet access easier and more convenient further challenged the other brands to produce phones that would provide all the services offered by Blackberry and even more.
But it is not only the manufacturers who are in this battle. The vendors play a major part - bringing the products to the consumer. A lot of people make a living through cell phones. From small scale to large scale, informal to formal shopping, handset is within the reach of everyone and the manner of business transaction has got a huge lift. The cost of running businesses dropped dramatically as mobile phones destroyed most of the transportation and long distances constraints posed to these businesses. Banks jumped in too. With the cashless policy, the mobile phone is able to do everything from simple payments in a shop to transferring money to your kids somewhere.
In determining what price to sell, say, banana, chicken, tomato or some other commodity, farmers can use a cell phone to call the market rather than depend on unscrupulous middlemen who might take advantage of them.
Cell phone dealership is a viable market which is why many companies have pitched their tents in it.
Asides exclusive stores which stock cell phones, special markets have also opened up such as the computer villages at Ikeja, GSM villages on Agege Motor Road, Egbeda Road, Wesminister and China Town, Lagos. There are cell phone sections in almost every market you visit from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt and all parts of the country. Ikeja alone, in Lagos, has clusters of cell phone outlets in Opebi, Allen Avenue, Toyin Street, Alade market and almost every street.
Stores such as Seaman, Slot, Mega Plaza, Game, PVT and several others brand their outlets to denote class and identity and offer after sale services.
Making the right choice, sometimes, is a big task for the shopper. According to an electronics expert, Mr Nahum Shavit, who helped to build the electronics section at the Mega Plaza Shopping Mall, Lagos, always purchase from stores which can offer you quality services.Even if you do not know what to buy, they can adequately advice you. Besides, your money refund is guaranteed if necessary.
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