A Lagos-based Senior Strategist and Analyst, Mr. Lanre Basamta, has highlighted pricing innovation as one of Globacom’s most enduring contributions to Nigeria’s telecommunications industry as the company marks its 23rd anniversary.
Basamta said the company’s introduction of per-second billing in 2003 should not only be remembered but also serve as a model for spreading consumer-focused pricing across other sectors of the economy.
In a statement on Friday, he stressed that the anniversary should go beyond celebration, urging companies to adopt similar pricing approaches that prioritise fairness and accessibility for the masses.
According to him, the innovation that defined Globacom’s entry into the telecom market reshaped consumer experience at a time when calls were billed in larger increments. By charging per second, the indigenous operator intensified competition and made mobile communication more affordable, especially for users with limited budgets.
He noted that the relevance of that innovation persists in 2026 as the telecom sector grapples with rising tariffs and increasingly complex data consumption patterns.
Basamta explained that consumers are now demanding similar transparency in internet services, including clear data plans, accurate usage tracking and straightforward validity terms.
He added that Globacom has continued to position itself around value-driven offerings, citing products such as the Talkmasta plan, which rewards call usage with bonus minutes and data, alongside enhanced welcome bonuses for new subscribers.
The analyst observed that the company’s sustained focus on consumer needs has strengthened its appeal among students, traders, artisans and low-income earners, groups he described as critical in an era where data has become essential for education, financial transactions and small business operations.
He further stated that the anniversary presents an opportunity for the company to modernise the principles behind per-second billing for the broadband age, through simplified data products, improved self-service platforms and faster complaint resolution systems.
Basamta concluded that the legacy of per-second billing remains more than a historical milestone, but a benchmark for evaluating whether competition in the telecom sector is delivering fairer and more beneficial services to consumers.
Source: THE GUARDIAN NG
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