In a move aimed at increasing the use of voice calls from mobile phone devices, Airtel Nigeria and Nokia have partnered to launch the Lumia 520 in the country. The new hand device is aimed at increasing the smart phone penetration in the West African country and help boost services and overall customer satisfaction.

It comes on the heels of telecommunication struggles in Nigeria for companies, who have faced a regulator backlash since last year over call rates and subscription packages.

“Airtel Nigeria and Nokia have tied up to launch the Lumia 520 in the country,” the companies said in a press statement. “Customers can part-exchange functioning old handsets of any brand at Airtel shops, paying NGN 23,990 to upgrade to the Lumia 520.”

The current retail value of the phone is NGN 28,000. Customers will also get six month’s free airtime for on-net calls and data worth NGN 6,000.





The free air time should, experts believe, give this promotion and new phone introduction some steam going forward, with Nigerians angling for the latest technology available on the market without facing exorbitant fees and connection rates.

David Eto