SWIFT launched its WIMAX 4G service in January 2011 with a rigorous coverage ambition to reach up to 10 million people. It prides itself on leadership in innovation and utilizes the best technologies to empower the savvy Nigerian at work and home. To achieve and sustain this, SWIFT has to differentiate itself in the very competitive Nigerian telecoms market SWIFT built Nigeria’s first commercial WIMAX 4G broadband network in Lagos and looked to Greenpacket for the UH modem. Find out how SWIFT differentiate itself in the competitive Nigerian telecoms market and set itself apart from the conventional broadband service with Greenpacket’s modem.

1. SWIFT NETWORKS, Africa
Fast Tracking 4G in Nigeria
“We’re offering access to the Internet at a game-changing speed. With higher speed access,
Nigerian businesses and consumers will be more productive and competitive as they are able to do
more everyday at 4G speeds. They will also be able to share the same 4G connection, make and
receive clear voice calls at affordable prices, without the complications of cabled networking.”
Chuma Okoye
Chief Operating Officer
SWIFT
Nigeria Broadband at a Glance
SWIFT launched its WIMAX 4G service in January 2011 with a rigorous coverage ambition to reach
up to 10 million¹ people. It prides itself on leadership in innovation and utilizes the best technologies
to empower the savvy Nigerian at work and home. To achieve and sustain this, SWIFT has to
differentiate itself in the very competitive Nigerian telecoms market. Nigeria has a population of more
than 150 million people, with over 150 ISPs in operation offering broadband Internet service speeds
ranging from 32kbps to 8Mbps for residential, enterprise and corporate markets.
However, the broadband Internet market is still underdeveloped and is weighed down by various
factors including low fixed-line and PC penetration, poor wireless network infrastructure, service
quality, and high connection cost. Typically, ISPs provide broadband Internet experience either via
legacy cabled copper or VSATs (direct satellite Internet access solution) which are clunky and
inflexible in terms of accessibility and installation charges. In short, broadband Internet was a costly
affair for the general public.
1 Source : Technology Times - http://www.technologytimesng.com/2010/12/13/swift-begins-commercial-service-on-4g-network/

2. Nigeria is Africa’s largest communications market, ideal for growth; large young population and modest penetration levels.
Previously, it suffered from the lack of international connectivity. The arrival of MainOne in 2009 and Glo1 submarine cable in
2010 can now connect Nigeria to West Africa and Europe, resulting in more international bandwidth to operators, transforming
broadband adoption, ie. cheaper and faster Internet access to the end-users.
SWIFT Networks Ltd is a Lagos, Nigeria based provider of multi-service broadband telecommunications services to businesses
and residential subscribers in the 3.5GHz spectrum. Its services include WiMAX 4G broadband Internet, digital telephony,
data and video surveillance solutions.
The company is providing its next generation 4G service branding “SWIFT 4G Broadband” available in Lagos and with a network
signal covering over 10 million people with further expansion also in progress.
*Source: Nigeria Communications Week
Customer Objectives
The SWIFT Advantage
• Provide improved broadband
speeds SWIFT’s 4G launch heralded a new service experience for most users since high
• Provide converged broadband speed Internet, VoIP, multimedia content were previously inaccessible in the Nigerian
service for voice, data and market due to poor wired network infrastructure and unreliable wireless services.
Internet SWIFT Networks remains conscious of delivering above market customer
• Overcome poor indoor experience and careful in its strategy to deliver consistent access speed of 2Mbp
performance per subscriber.
Conventional USB modems perform marginally better than indoor modems.
However, in dense city dwellings like Lagos, the propensity for multipath
propagation impairs performance, negating its effectiveness to offer a stable and
reliable service. SWIFT understood the importance of selecting the right product
strategy in entering the competitive market.
In order to win customers and cap market share, the UH350 proved to be a key
differentiator, outperforming conventional USB modems in the market.
The advanced antenna designs render NLOS limitations to the most minimal,
thus performing on par as one would expect from a fixed wireless modem.
With equivalent entry price points, SWIFT managed to provide greater access
speeds and capacity to keep their customers satisfied. Additionally, there are no
more fixed monthly charges passed on to customers.
60
50
Equivalent USD
40
30
20
10
0
Operator E @ Swift Home @ 3x more capacity
3GB, 384kps 10GB, up to 2Mbps with 10% savings
Monthly subscription Single modem price

3. Product Facts
Solution for Success
• Wideband support for frequency
3.5GHz -3.7GHz SWIFT built Nigeria’s first commercial WIMAX 4G broadband network in Lagos and
• High gain antenna up to 5dBi looked to Greenpacket for the UH modem, the world’s first high gain USB modem
• Smart Signal Transmission to maintain leadership in the wireless broadband expansion and data growth
Algorithm segment. The development of more advanced antenna technology, chipsets and
• High transmission power power amplifiers are capable of improving coverage. The UH modem proved to be
• Suited to indoor, outdoor and a success with users, as it matched a broad range of uses in indoor, outdoor and
nomadic usage portable conditions.
• Accorded iF Product Design
Award 2010 and 4GWE
WiMAX 4G signal like other wireless technologies is susceptible to indoor
Product of the Year 2010
award penetration losses most often limiting cell coverage.
The UH modem is designed with Switched Tx Diversity algorithm which allows the
modem to intelligently switch transmission path based on stronger signal strength
Key Benefits to SWIFT
and high gain omni antennas to facilitate greater precision transmission.
• Capturing market presence
for personal and residential This gives an impressive improvement in the UL performance, augmenting the
segments overall coverage and capacity capability by up to 20%, as opposed to costly
• Extending coverage and service network infrastructure investments. The UH modem helped set a market
to urban and sub-urban areas leadership for SWIFT and sets it apart from the conventional broadband service
• Accelerating returns on investment, with exceptional value and performance package plans.
while reducing capital expenditure
on geographic expansion
Figure 1 : UH Modem