ValueFirst Launches Enterprise Mobile Data Services in Nigeria

ValueFirst Launches Enterprise Mobile Data Services in Nigeria

September 2006, Lagos and Gurgaon

Lagos and Gurgaon, September 2006 - ValueFirst became the first mobile data services company in Nigeria to cater to the niche requirements of large and small enterprises. ValueFirst, a leading MVNO for data services with over 600 enterprises as its customers chose Nigeria as the base country for entry into the high potential African market.

ValueFirst focused Nigeria as it was a big market with no companies providing carrier-class data mobile data services to the enterprise customers. In addition, Nigeria has a high penetration of mobile phones and the Nigerian economy has been growing at a steady phase and it registered a GDP growth rate of 7.5%. The launch of operations by ValueFirst seem to be at the right moment as just few days back Nokia and Motorola decided to set up plants in Nigeria as the mobile market in Nigeria is experiencing an explosive growth. Meanwhile, MTN, a major GSM operator in Nigeria also slashed down airtime rates for its subscribers.

This oil country’s importance to the African economy can-not be denied as it is the second largest economy in sub-saharan region and 5th largest exporter of oil to US. “ValueFirst is quite serious about it’s global expansion as there is a distinct and perceived need for high quality, reliable, scalable and end-to-end enterprise mobile data services. ValueFirst plans to quickly expand its operations in South Africa and other major African countries in next six to nine months”, said Mr. Vijay Shukla, Country Head, India, ValueFirst.

Joe Igbokwe, a leading commentator on Nigerian affairs stated in one of his articles, few days back that "GSM moved the speed of business transactions to an unprecedented level. It also took pressure off our roads. Time and energy have been saved. We have also recorded tremendous growth in the provision of infrastructure. As a matter of fact, GSM brought revolution in the way we do things in Nigeria."

Speaking at the launch ceremony of ValueFirst Nigeria, Mr. Erhuns Aideyan, CEO, ValueFirst Nigeria said, “Nigerians are becoming truly MOBILE. The enterprises and SMEs need to communicate with people on the move. The gap, therefore, can be plugged by Mobile Data Services”. He further added, “There is a need to plug the end-to-end communication between companies and customers and ValueFirst suite of messaging products fits very well. ValueFirst India with its experience in working in markets and economies similar to that of African nations, especially Nigeria, and the expertise gained in servicing demanding clients will help us serve our markets better”.

ValueFirst intends to take its mobile data services products and services to leading banks, insurance companies, FMCG, IT and media companies in the first year of operations in Nigeria.

About ValueFirst
ValueFirst (www.vfirst.com) empowers its customers to communicate between varied IT back-end systems and mobile phones using SMS Services. ValueFirst provides a unique, end-to-end, global carrier-grade mobile data service. Its mobile data service offering includes "plug and play" application licensing and hosting. Employing a partnership with Mobile operators, ValueFirst acts as an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator), with a clear focus on SMS mobile messaging. ValueFirst’s Mobile Messaging Platform is capable of delivering SMS services to virtually any CDMA/GSM mobile handset. ValueFirst combines signaling information from the mobile world with innovative applications running concurrently on its own IT applications platform and thereby pave the way for mission-critical international messaging services.

Contact Details:
ValueFirst Messaging Pvt. Ltd
C 071 B, DLF Supermart I,
DLF City Phase IV,
Gurgaon 122 002
Tel: +91 124 4042537/8
Email: info@vfirst.com
http://www.vfirst.com