Globacom Ltd. (Global communication)
| Type | Private corporation |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Founded |
|
| Headquarters | Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria |
| Key people | Mike Adenuga (Chairman) Bella Disu (Executive Vice Chairman) |
| Products | Integrated telecommunication services, etc |
| Revenue | $1.178 billion (2013) |
| Owner | Mike Adenuga |
| Number of employees | 3,379 (June 2019) |
| Website | www.gloworld.com |
Globacom Limited, widely recognized as Glo (Global communication), stands as a Nigerian conglomerate in the realm of telecommunications, having been established on the auspicious date of 29 August 2003 by the visionary entrepreneur, Mike Adenuga. Presently, as of June 2018, the organization boasts an extensive workforce, numbering over 3,500 adept individuals distributed across various corners of the globe.
Overview
With a subscriber base surpassing 45 million individuals as of December 2018, GLO solidifies its position as the second-largest network operator in Nigeria. Pioneering the industry, GLO made history in 2011 by constructing the esteemed Glo-1, an impressive high-capacity fiber-optic cable valued at a staggering $800 million. This groundbreaking submarine cable spans the distance between the United Kingdom and Nigeria, marking the first triumphant connection of its kind.
Globacom, driven by a comprehensive business strategy, encompasses several strategic business units, each contributing to its diverse portfolio. Among these units, we have Glo Mobile, Glo Broad Access, Glo Gateway, and the illustrious Glo-1, forming the pillars of its multifaceted operations.
Ownership
GLO finds itself securely nestled within the realm of private ownership, being under the esteemed umbrella of the Mike Adenuga Group. This distinguished conglomerate boasts an impressive collection of enterprises, including Cobblestone Properties and Estates, specializing in the realm of real estate and property development. Additionally, the group encompasses Conoil PLC, a reputable player in the domain of petroleum marketing, and Conoil Producing, a prominent entity engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil.
Strategic Business Units
Glo Mobile
Glo Mobile, a subsidiary of Globacom, emerges as Nigeria's second-largest Mobile Network Operator. Within its inaugural year, the company garnered a remarkable one million subscribers across 87 towns in Nigeria, resulting in revenues exceeding 120 billion Naira. Expanding its footprint, Glo Mobile has extended its operations to other African nations, including Benin and Ghana. By December 2018, Glo Mobile's subscriber base in Nigeria had surpassed 45 million. Notably, as of November 2020, the subscription level has soared to an impressive 54 million.
Glo 1 Submarine Cable
GLO-1, a groundbreaking achievement, stands as the first successful submarine cable linking the United Kingdom to Nigeria, with GLO being the pioneering African company to embark on such an ambitious endeavor. GLO-1 holds immense potential in providing high-speed internet services, fostering faster, more reliable, and cost-effective telecommunications solutions. Moreover, GLO-1 is poised to facilitate foreign investments and employment opportunities, particularly within Africa. Spanning an impressive distance of 9,800 kilometers, the cable originates from Bude in the UK and terminates at Alpha Beach in Lagos, where its landing station is situated. The deployment of GLO-1 also promises to enhance teleconferencing, distance learning, disaster recovery, telemedicine, and numerous other benefits for Nigerians and the West African populace.
By Country
In August 2003, Glo Mobile was launched in Nigeria, introducing lower tariffs, pay-per-second billing, and a suite of value-added services. Despite being the fourth GSM operator to enter the Nigerian market, Glo Mobile managed to amass a subscriber base exceeding 25 million within a span of seven years.
In June 2008, Glo Mobile made its debut in Benin, experiencing unprecedented growth by selling 600,000 SIM cards within the first ten days of operation. Glo Mobile offered innovative features such as Per Second Billing, charging subscribers based on actual airtime usage, along with value-added services like MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service), Glo Magic Plus news and information, vehicle tracking, musical ring-back tones, and mobile banking.
In May 2008, GLO acquired an operating license through its Glo Mobile division in Ghana, with aspirations to capture 30% of the existing 11 million subscriber market within 18 months of launch. To achieve this objective, Glo Mobile planned to offer bundled voice and internet services in Ghana, with a particular focus on underserved areas beyond the major cities of Accra and Kumasi. Although the initial launch was scheduled for the first quarter of 2010, it experienced postponements until the third quarter of 2011 and eventually to 2012. In January 2012, Glo Ghana initiated the "Reserve Your Number" campaign, but the network launch was still pending. On April 8, 2011, GLO unveiled the sub-marine optical fiber GLO1 as part of its inaugural operations in Ghana, positioning itself as a major player in the Ghanaian telecommunications industry.
In October 2009, GLO acquired submarine cable landing rights and International Gateway Services in Côte d'Ivoire.
History
In 2005, Glo Mobile introduced the Glo Fleet Manager, a comprehensive vehicle tracking solution aimed at assisting transporters and fleet operators in efficient fleet management. Furthermore, they launched the Glo Mobile internet service, granting subscribers access to internet sites optimized for mobile phone browsing.
In 2006, Glo Mobile ventured into the realm of BlackBerry devices. Additionally, GLO initiated sponsorship of the Confederation of African Football African Player of the Year Award and the Glo Lagos International Half Marathon.
In 2009, Glo Mobile unveiled Blackberry prepaid services, offering subscribers flexible payment options on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. The prepaid service included free access to Yahoo Mail and Blackberry Messenger. Furthermore, the company introduced 3G high-speed internet services through the sale of its 3G modems. Currently, Glo Mobile's 3G network is available in Lagos, Abuja, Benin, and Port Harcourt.
Sponsorships
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| Glo extends sponsorship to the Nigerian Football League, fostering support for the sport. |
GLO actively engages in sponsoring various sports events, demonstrating its commitment to supporting and promoting athletic endeavors.
In Nigeria, GLO has undertaken sponsorships that encompass a wide range of prestigious events, including the Nigerian Premier League, Nigerian National Football Teams, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Glo Lagos International Half Marathon, Glo People Police Marathon, Eyo Festival, Ojude Oba Festival, Eleghe Festival, and the Confederation of African Football African Player of the Year Award.
Across Benin, GLO extends its sponsorship to events such as the FITHEB (International Festival of Theater and Popular Entertainment of Benin) and the CAF African Player of the Year Award.
In Ghana, GLO takes pride in sponsoring significant sporting entities like the Glo Ghana Premier League, the Ghana National Football Teams, and the CAF African Player of the Year Award.
Notably, in November 2009, GLO acquired the esteemed position of an official sponsor for the renowned football club, Manchester United. This comprehensive sponsorship initiative extends further to include young players from Benin, Ghana, and Nigeria, who are granted the opportunity to train with the club, thereby fostering growth and development in the realm of football.
Additionally, Globacom has secured exclusive sponsorship rights for African Voices, a prominent program aired on CNN. The objective of this program is to highlight influential game-changers across the African continent while concurrently promoting the Globacom brand on a global scale through CNN's vast platforms.
Globacom is also renowned for engaging the services of talented youths and celebrities as brand ambassadors, leveraging their expertise and technical know-how to further enhance brand visibility and resonance. Esteemed personalities such as P-Square, Fatuntele Tunde, Phyno, Wizkid, May7ven, and Tobi Amusan have all served as ambassadors for the Globacom brand at various stages, solidifying the company's commitment to collaborating with influential figures.
Entertainment
GLO, in 2012, formed a collaboration with MTV to enhance "The Big Friday Show," creating a more interactive experience for viewers and offering them the chance to make live appearances on the show, with the added perk of GLO subscribers having the opportunity to win the network's products on a weekly basis.
Furthermore, in April 2013, GLO introduced the widely acclaimed singing reality television show, the X Factor, to the African audience. This captivating show held auditions in both Nigeria and Ghana, presenting contestants with the coveted prize of a $150,000 cash reward and an exclusive deal with Sony Music for album recording, management, and production.
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