All you need to know about ntel: The new telecom company with the fastest internet service in Nigeria

ntel is Nigeria’s most revolutionary telecommunications company which was launched in lagos on Monday, January 18, 2016. ntel provides 4G LTE Advanced network that delivers superfast call-connect times, crystal clear Voice over LTE and extraordinarily high internet access speed (up to 230Mbps).

This is what they had to say:

Our aim is to redefine the Nigerian telecommunications landscape and enrich the lives of Nigerians by delivering the most advanced communications technology across the largest possible network coverage in the most effective, valuable and satisfying manner.
We firmly believe that by delivering superb and unparalleled broadband-based mobile services, we can help individuals and enterprises harness the power of connectivity and maximise their potentials.
This belief is pursued and sustained by anchoring our activities on the fundamental LIVE principle- leadership, innovation, value and experience.

Origin of ntel

The beginning of the ntel story can be traced to the acquisition of core telecom assets previously owned by Nigeria’s national fixed and mobile operators- NiTel/MTel- by NatCom Development & Investment Ltd. (NatCom) in a liquidation process supervised and approved by Nigeria’s Bureau of Public Enterprises and a court-appointed liquidator. This liquidation process was concluded in May, 2015 with the following NiTel/MTel core assets wholly transferred to NatCom:

Operating Licenses: National carrier, international gateway and mobile.
Spectrum: Cellular on 900/1800/1900 MHz and shared microwave.
International Connectivity: A share of the SAT-3/WASC/SAFE submarine cable system and full ownership of the Lagos Cable Landing Station.
Local Connectivity: Metro-fibre ducts and intercity fibre rights of way
Infrastructure: Tower sites, telephone exchanges and satellite earth stations.

ntel initiated a new beginning in Nigeria’s telecoms industry by making its first on-net test data call in Lagos Monday, January 18, 2016. This landmark event was followed by the first Voice over LTE (VoLTE) call in Lagos on Thursday, 21

ntel achieved in partnership with Original Equipment Manufacturers, Ericsson of Sweden and Sony Mobile of Japan. Since then, further VoLTE calls have been successfully completed with Samsung Electronics of South Korea, ZTE of China and Tecno of Nigeria on February 25, 2016

The ntel brand

The name ‘ntel’ is the brand name under which NatCom trades. Although trade is currently limited to 3 of Nigeria’s largest commercial cities: Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, there are already plans in motion to expand to more cities and meet projected coverage of 85% of mobile broadband spending within 3 years and about 95% within 5 years. They are currently using the 0(804) as thier network ID, so you can go to one their stores out there and get your customised pioneer ntel number .

ntel Services

ntel’s LTE Advanced network is designed on 900/1800 Mhz frequency bands which, in combination with Carrier Aggregation and Multiple Antennae (4X4) technology, enable maximum and average throughput rates of 230Mbps and 60Mbps respectively. ntel ‘total telecoms’ approach to service delivery affords them 360-degree touchpoints to cater to customers’ needs. Specifically, ntel offers:

National Bandwidth: ntel offers capacity and dark-fibre on its network of 1,100km metro-fibre ducts across six major cities and 4,000km of inter-city fibre rights-of-way;
International Voice Termination: ntel enables direct exchange of Nigeria-bound or originating IDD traffic with regional and global partners, over SAT-3;
International Bandwidth: ntel offers the direct exchange of international bandwidth and IP connectivity with global carriers and major corporates between Nigeria and international destinations;
Mobile Network Services: ntel offers LTE Advanced mobile services including VoLTE, high-speed internet access, messaging and video services;
Fixed Network Services: ntel provides fixed line telecoms services across voice, high-speed internet access and messaging, to homes and businesses in Nigeria’s key cities and towns.

Store outlets

ntel is currently selling their sim cards and devices in stores in lagos and Abuja, PH to follow soon

For lagos stores, click here

For Abuja stores, click here

ntel Plans

Intel has various data and voice plans:

Data plans: ntel has 2 major data plans which are data bundles and data test drive ranging from #3000 upwards.

For more details and to select plans, click here

Voice plan: ntel just has one voice plan now which is the pay as you go plan,they also have an app vox HD used for this and its only compatible with 4G LTE devices for now.

For more details and to buy a voice plan, click here

Compatibility

ntel has specifications for any device to be compatible with their service. See the full list below:

Operating system : Android from 4.4 kitkat upwards
Connectivity mode: 4G, LTE (preferred) , 4G/3G/2G or LTE/WCDMA
Device chipset supported: MTK 6735, Exynos 7420 Octa core
Radio frequency bands: FDD
Data over LTE: LTE bands 3, 8 (900MHz and 1800MHz)
Speed capability: CAT4, HSPA, LTE CAT6, 4x2 MIMO, 4x4 MIMO
Packet core (Access Point Name): Multiple PDP context with same APN (internet APN and IMS APN)Multiple PDP context with different APN (IMS APN, or ntel APN or private APN)
Carrier aggregation support
RAM: 1 GB and above
Storage: OMA-DM, OMA-CP
OTA support
Protocols: SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol), RTP ( Real Time Transport Protocol), MPEG-4 AVC (H.263, H.264, H.265)

Devices supported

The listed devices below are supported, though not all the devices support all thier features and services, but they support at least one of them.

Tecno C5: voice over LTE, data over LTE
Samsung S6 edge: voice over LTE, data over LTE
Konka R1: voice over LTE, data over LTE
Konka R2: voice over LTE, data over LTE
Konka P8: data over LTE, DaLTE + ntel Volte Software
Huawei mate 8: data over LTE
Huawei mate 7: data over LTE
Infinix Zero 3: data over LTE
Lenovo P1M: data over LTE, DaLTE + ntel Volte Software
Lenovo A2010: data over LTE, DaLTE + ntel Volte Software

You can also buy compatible devices from ntel stores if you don't have any of the listed devices.
Check the full lists of their devices here

Conclusion

Looking at thier infrastructures and considering their systems, ntel seems rly revolutionary and innovative but then thier requirements seem really high and costs of data plans seem too expensive though all their plans are unlimited.

What are your views concerning this new network? please drop your comments

All you need to know about ntel: The new telecom company with the fastest internet service in Nigeria