INFLUENCE OF DATA BUNDLES ON CONSUMERS CHOICE OF NETWORK

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0) Background

Many science studies demonstrate that human beings are social in nature, hence they interact with each other create relations which intend helps them to live their lives and exchange ideas and information.

Through history, people used different ways and technologies to communicate with each other such as mail, fax, telegraph, telefax, radio systems, landline phones, mobile phone, and e-mail messages.

Mobile Communication Networks are now the most common way that people communicate with each other due to their flexibility in use anywhere and anytime.

It started as two-way radio systems and then developed to reach mobile networks with 4G technologies that transmit high-quality videos voice and calls. Mobile network companies are in constant competition to secure and provide their customers with quality services.

This rapid growth in mobile data requires mobile service providers to efficiently manage their radio spectrum resources and evolve their infrastructure so as to meet the growing demands and diverse expectations of mobile data users.

As a critical step to addressing this challenge, it is imperative to understand how mobile data user’s access cellular data services and what their demands are on different network resources

MTN Cameroon. According to business Cameroon (2014), MTN Created in February (2000),the Cameroonian subsidiary of the South African giant has established itself as an essential partner of Cameroon for the construction of its telecommunications infrastructure and socio-economic development. 

MINPOSTEL (2015) identify MTN Cameroon, as the leader in the Electronic Communications sector in Cameroon. 20 years during which MTN has particularly contributed to making mobile telephony a growth engine and development tool for Cameroon.

MTN Cameroon was created on 15 February 2000, following the acquisition by the South African Group, MTN, of the State-owned operator, CAMTEL Mobile.

The new company was set up with the mission of offering Cameroonians simple, innovative and accessible solutions to meet their communication needs.

In 20 years, MTN Cameroon has turned the telephone from a luxury item reserved for a privileged class into a mass object enabling Cameroonians to communicate easily. mtn.cm reveals that Today 9.5 out of 10 Cameroonians live within range of the MTN network which covers more than 7,400 localities across the country. 

MTN’s network had 10 million subscribers at 31 December 2019, against less than 5,000 subscribers at the time CAMTEL Mobile was privatized in February 2000. MTN Cameroon has thus contributed to opening up some of the most remote areas of the country, strengthening bonds between Cameroonians and improving the competitiveness of enterprises.

The deployment of MTNs has also enabled to mobilize significant resources for the national economy and State finance. Between 2000 and 2019MTN Cameroon has invested close to FCFA 1,000 billion for its activities in Cameroon, being the most considerable volume of investment ever realized by a private company in the country.

The company has also been one of the largest taxpayers, with 1,226 billion francs CFA paid since 2000 into government coffers as taxes and royalties owed.

At the social level, MTN Cameroon has created a thousand direct jobs while its activity has developed a network of subcontracting and distribution SMEs whose workforce is estimated at more than 200,000 people.

Other sectors of national life, notably the sports and cultural sectors, benefit greatly from the dynamism of MTN Cameroon.

The company has also invested heavily through its foundation, the MTN Foundation, for noble causes: education, health, the environment, access to potable water and rural development.

Overall, for the past 20 years, MTN has been helping to bring modernity, progress and wealth to Cameroon and Cameroonians. At a point where observers agree to see MTN Cameroon as a great Cameroonian success story; the greatest success of the privatization policy led by the Cameroonian Government since 1995.

Orange Cameroon. TRA(Telecommunication Regulatory Agency) in (2015) Orange is a Cameroonian telecommunications operator.

 After the liberalization of telephony in(1998) the Cameroonian Mobile Company, obtaining a license in June 1999 , is one of the top two operators in the country. Activities began in February 2000 under the name of Mobiles. 

It becomes June 2002 The best 3G coverage in the country, provided by more than 70% of their active and continuous deployment of 4G coverage. Best HR policy practices, as evidenced by our certification as Top Employer Cameroon 2016 and, recently, as Top Employer Cameroon 2017, Africa 2017 and Global 2017.

The business Cameroon magazine (2017) assumption of leadership in mobile banking thanks to the Orange Money solution, which has made Orange Cameroon a key financial inclusion player in a country where the percentage of those using bank services is considered to be low.

Leadership in the development of solutions tailored to the needs of local and international businesses, professional customers, SMEs, and SOHOs.

Commitment to the fight against the digital divide and the empowerment of women, in particular via deployment of “Digital homes” where women and girls are trained on digital technologies.

Commitment additionally to the activities of the orange Cameroon Foundation, which was created in (2009). Commitment to the promotion of local soccer as a major sponsor of national soccer teams and via grass roots support programs for young soccer players.

An example is the “Orange Soccer” program through which Orange has sponsored soccer championships during the vacation season throughout the country for 15 years.

Orangecm.com explains that the “Orange Communities” program that supports numerous cultural initiatives to revive the languages and traditions of our diverse cultural groups.

Orange Cameroon provides essential support to festivals such as NGONDO, NGUON, the “Fête du Coq, MEDUMBA and MPOO, to name just a few.

A commitment to always set an example in the areas of ethical behavior the fight against corruption and compliance with standards for responsible and transparent governance.

In Cameroon there are 4 major telecommunication companies competing amongst themselves on who will have the greatest market share.

They include MTN, ORANGE, NEXTTEL and CAMTEL Cameroon ministry of development reveals that there are over 23 million inhabitances in Cameroon.

In (2014) Business Cameroon revealed that 17 million people are connected with mobile phones in the country.

According to orange.cm 2017 finished with 5.8 million subscribers a decrease of 1 million subscribers as compare to last 2 years. MTN on their part in (2017) announced 8.1 million subscribers.

1.1) PROBLEM STATEMENT

With the present of numerous networks available in the city of buea namely NEXTTEL, CAMTEL,MTN, ORANGE providing the same services at similar price rate, Consumers in Buea tends to consume MTN and ORANGE more as compared to the others With T.R.A (telecommunication regulatory agency) in (2015) published that telecommunication companies now covers 80% of the country. 90.94% of the market is own by MTN and ORANGE making them a monopoly.

MTN 48.12%, ORANGE 42.82%, NEXTTEL 5.66%, and CAMTEL 4.4%(business Cameroon 2014).

Although Nexttel was the first 3G network in Cameroon in 2014 with 2.5 million subscribers according to the ministry of post and telecommunication (MINPOSTEL) (2015) the Operator suffered a drastic fall as time goes the pattern of telecommunication consumptions keep changing. The researcher will narrow the findings on data.

With the above considerations and stats one can see the differences in the consumption pattern of mobile networks in. Cameroon and consumers behaviors are mostly attributed for such changes and difference and the factors influencing consumers behavior include

  1.2) OBJECTIVES

Main objective

To examine if data bundles influence consumers choice of network

Other objectives

 To analyze how consumers perceive other networks

 To identify if consumers are open for any future changes.