MTN ePresence solution to cut travel costs for Nigerian enterprises

Ben Uzor Jr
For Nigerian businesses seeking to reduce travel costs amidst unfavourable economic condition without necessarily constituting a downside to employee productivity and efficiency, MTN in strategic partnership with Cisco Systems and Resourcery Limited has introduced a new business solution that creates a live face-to-face communication experience conveyed on an IP MPLS ((Internet Protocol/ Multiprotocol Label Switching) network.
MTN ePresence, using the latest Cisco TelePresence technology offers an ‘in-person’, video conferencing experience with life-sized images in full high definition video and crisp CD-quality audio. Furthermore, the solution can assist businesses eliminate security risk associated with travelling whilst channeling relevant resources to more productive use.
The company also disclosed that the ePresence network is fully secure, as validated by third party auditors. Consequently, no individual can access the audio and video images that travel between MTN ePresence rooms. Ahmed Faroukkh, chief executive officer, MTN Nigeria who spoke to new men yesterday at the product launch in Lagos revealed that the solution was the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa outside South Africa.
He said: “This is what differentiates MTN from so many other companies in the market, the way we think. We like to do things differently. We bring in first time innovations not just for first time sake but because it is extremely beneficial to our customers. The business case behind this solution is simply innovation and trying to do things differently.”
In the same vein, Derek Appiah, chief enterprise solution officer, MTN Nigeria observed: “With MTN ePresence you can hold meetings with your counterparts in various locations and make or share presentations and documents as if you were all in the same room. The solution also enables you to see each body movement and facial expression that you would have seen if you were holding the meeting in the same room. By using this solution you can save on air tickets, hotel bills and other costs associated with business travel.”
In addressing issues revolving around network failure and latency issues, Appiah pointed out that without the company’s 6, 000km fibre optic ring with dual protected rings, the project would not have been feasible.“That’s the backbone that allows us to provide this service. It is actually what we call the IP MPLS service which is the biggest IP MPLS network in Nigeria. So, it is that huge level of investment that this service is riding on. That is why this type of service has not been provided in Nigeria. We are confident that there would be no network failures”.
“It is not just about businesses, we talk about government, health, education, entertainment. Eventually, with the adoption of this technology, he would get to see the application in those very key aspects of our lives that actually help transform how we live in the country”, Richard Edet, managing director, Cisco Nigeria concluded.
MTN ePresence is currently available only in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt but would be available internationally in the near future. It is available to both MTN and non MTN subscribers.