By Prince Osuagwu

MTN Akingbade and Samsung Khatib

Samsung Mobile last week advanced its fight with Apple, on who stays at the top of the growing Nigerian tab market. This is as it partnered with Nigeria’s leading telecommunications operator, MTN to load some of its phones, including the Samsung Galaxy tab with exclusive MTN bundle offers .

The offers , allow special free downloads, free voice/video calls and a free MTN SIM card.

The partners at a press conference in Lagos, last week said they were doing that and even introducing series of affordable smartphones with exclusive MTN bundle to consumers, in order to allow them ‘Work Smart and Live Smart’.

At the launch, the spokespersons for the two organisations explained the uniqueness and capabilities of the new phones as well as the partnership between the two companies.

According to the Director, Hand Held Products, Samsung Electronics, Mr. Fady Khatib, all phones are equipped with Google Android operating system, Google Mobile Services – including Gtalk, Gmail, YouTube, Google Maps & application store and Samsung Integrated messaging solution – support for multiple email, IM and personal information management solutions.

Each phone, he added, comes with a 12 months warranty and after sales support.

Khatib stated that the new Samsung Galaxy 5 for example is a sleek and portable phone that is 3G compatible and loaded for the users’ enjoyment. It features a 2.0 Mega Pixel camera with pre-loaded social networking applications such as Facebook, twitter, etc, and comes with an exclusive MTN Bundle of 750MB of free data downloads and is valid for 3months. The retail price for this bundle offer was pitched at about N 32,000 only.

Another product on offer was the the Samsung Galaxy S, which he said delivers a wealth of intelligent, immersive and integrated experiences, even as it will help users to stay ahead of their game.

The product comes with World’s largest CLEAR LCD screen and access to over 70,000 life enriching Android applications . It offers exclusive MTN bundle of 1.5GB of free data downloads valid for 3months at a retail price of N 79,995 only.

Meanwhile, the partners also unveiled the Samsung Galaxy Tab and the offer supports voice and video calls and offers users access to 70,000 life-enriching Android applications.

Its sleek and light weight design makes it a product to use on the go. It can be used to surf the Web, watch movies, read e-books, navigate using GPS and even make phone calls.

According to Khatib, The Galaxy Tab has a touchscreen with high resolution, and a 32GB of integrated storage.

He said users of this phone will have access to an exclusive MTN bundle valid for 12 months. It offers 6GB of free data downloads, 360 free voice/video call minutes and 360 free national SMS as well as free MTN SIM card at a retail price of N 126,000 only.

Also speaking at the launch, Mr. Bola Akingbade, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN, stated that MTN was very delighted to enter into the strategic partnership with the sole intention of enriching the lives of its esteemed subscribers.

Akingbade highlighted MTN’s market leadership strength which informed Samsung’s decision to offer the product in partnership with the network. He said that MTN was the first telecom operator to launch 3G network alongside enhanced 3.5G/HSPA services necessary to guarantee fast internet access and faster data downloads.

Akingbade noted that the partnership is a proof of the market leadership of MTN saying no other operator in the market is in a position to offer this unique experience. He stated that the new Samsung Galaxy phones from MTN will offer smartphone experience that is simple, organize and integrated; one that will enrich the lives of users.