MTN Nigeria, at the weekend, declared that it will assist local application developers to get the best reward from their intellectual property.The telecom has therefore introduced a forum where local apps developers can meet and cross pollinate ideas about how to move the apps sub-sector of the telecommunications industry forward. Bola Akingabde, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at MTN Nigeria said MTN is keen in becoming a frontline player in the Application Development space by introducing The MTN Ideas Forum, a networking and idea generation forum that enables MTN connect with the local applications developers community as well as other stakeholders in the value chain (local developers, Google, Nokia, Samsung, e.tc). According to him, this is because within the telemedia value chain, no single entity can run alone, adding that there is therefore the need for partnership. 'We also understand that fast-growing portfolios of mobile apps would be fuelled by an efficient developer ecosystem,' he said. The forum, according to the CMO, is envisaged to provide useful insight to guide the positioning of the MTN App store initiative and also enhance the brand equity by reinforcing the MTN brand promise of enriching the lives of our teeming customers. 'Our focus is to build a committed and vibrant community of local developers. Our intention is to provide a platform for ideas generation and innovation; assist local developers monetize their skills and together deliver to our teeming customers' life enriching applications,' Akingbade said. Speaking on the telecom value propositions to apps developers, he said MTN would facilitate access to over 50 million mobile phone users in Nigeria, a development that would enable developers monetize their ideas. Others are; 'MTN would give handsome monetary and non monetary reward to winners of the MTN Apps competition; MTN would certify qualified developers as MTN App developers; Provision of Developers Toolkits; Visibility of Apps within the MTN App store and access to 21 MTN markets; and Access to global best practices and continuous education, in conjunction with our strategic partners.' He said as next steps, MTN Nigeria would partner with or take key-learnings from relevant examples of regional competitions to launch MTN mobile app developers' competition. More details about this would be provided in due time. MTN would also work with our partners Google, Nokia and RIM to eliminate the current challenge and difficulty associated with payment for foreign applications. 'To our developers, we commit an exciting experience with exposure to world class training and practices and the opportunity to shape the telecoms market in Nigeria,' he added. He said the Nigeria mobile market is changing at an increasing pace. Learning, entertainment, social networking, health services, financial services are going mobile. Applications have emerged as a fundamental driver of enabling lifestyle and productivity as consumers want to access relevant content from PCs, laptops, phones and even in-car systems. The increasing popularity of mobile applications has driven a need for operators to start focusing on reducing the barriers to adoption. According to him, research has indicated that there is a yearning for relevant local and international mobile applications from an application store that guarantees ease of access especially by the Trendies who desire a modern and progressive rhythm of life. 'According to our customers, Apps create an exciting and elevating feeling of unconstrained sense of belongingness and being in touch with the world' Mobile Handsets are getting Smarter and more accessible because of increasing availability of Ultra low cost Smartphones with improved user interface'.Data usage is going up.. Bringing more of the African population online primarily via the mobile screen. However, there is very limited local m-content in Nigeria this is going to a massive opportunity, and a challenge!' Akingbade said. He thanked Nokia, Google and Samsung with whom the telco shared the vision of pushing the boundaries of the mobile and entertainment industries to our Nigerian customers.
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