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Chichi Okey is a low-income single mother of two little children who sells snacks and sachet water to some neigbouring basic schools in her community.
A few days ago, she woke in the morning to make her usually calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages to her customers, but discovered that she did not have enough call credit and data for them.
Since it was early in the morning, the recharge card and data vendors in her neighbourhood were yet to open for business.
“I was frustrated,” she lamented. “And I had just loaded my phone with credit to receive this kind of embarrassment.”
For some months now, Chichi has been complaining of how her call credit and data disappeared without knowing what she meaningfully did with them. Each time she calls her service providers, they keep telling her to do the same thing they had been telling her to do, which she has been doing without getting any better results.
“I’ve even gone to their office to complain,” she said. “But my call credit and data keep disappearing just like that.”
Unfortunately, in Nigeria, there are tens of millions of other people like Chichi, who complain on a daily basis of how their mobile and internet providers allegedly shortchange them.
“I’m desperately in need of a better phone package,” she said. “I’m tired of wasting my time on services that don’t work for me.”
According to Statista, there are around 170 million mobile subscribers in Nigeria, but currently only around 10 – 20 per cent of the population uses smartphones. Also, according to Statista, as of July, 2021, there were more than 108 million internet users in the country. Though the exact numbers are head to pin down, however, the data shows a strong growth outlook for the Nigerian smartphone and value-added phone service market, with user numbers tripling within the next five to six years.
However, internet user penetration in the country witnessed a slight increase between 2017 – 2021, going from around 43 per cent to over 51 per cent. As of July, 2021, there were more than 108 million internet users in the country. Furthermore, it was expected, according to Statista, that in 2026, almost all the internet users are expected to use a mobile phone device, about 59.7 per cent of 59.9 per cent of the total internet users.
The above has led to a growing demand of registering diverse internet services by users, such as social platforms and gaming. And the phone numbers for registration, as well as affordable phone plans would be necessary.
This is a huge phone and internet market, which Chichi is one of the potential customers. But she is not currently happy with the services she is getting from her service providers.
A week ago, Chichi’s friend introduced her to an app, Dingtone App, which allows both calls and texting services for a token, Dingtone credit.
“If not for free,” her friend added.
Chichi recoils. “In this country?”
Her friend smiled. “Dingtone App is now the newest twist in town.”
Dingtone is a proprietary telecommunications application operating on a freeware model offering instant communications (voice calls and texts) on mobile devices with iOS or Android operating system. Dingtone was launched in 2012 by Dingtone Inc. Now it is used in more than 200 countries worldwide, is available in over 30 languages and has already received more than 100 million downloads.
Dingtone is a wide-ranging substitute for Skype or Google Voice. It is conceived as a VoIP service to allow calls between smartphones without the cost. Calls between Dingtone users are free and use both Wi-Fi and mobile data. Like Google Voice or Skype, Dingtone’s ability to make calls and have chats with other Dingtone users is a great reason to get the app.
In a nutshell, Dingtone is simply a calling and texting app that allows users to make free phone calls, send free text messages, and instantly share pictures, videos, and locations.
Users can call any mobile or landline without charge, with international calls and texts to over 200 countries also available at competitively low rates.
Furthermore, users can get real phone numbers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, etc.
Dingtone has a strong foothold in Africa. Public information reveals that there are over 20 million users of Dingtone in Africa. As a result of the rapid development of mobile internet in Africa, it is not surprising that Dingtone has experienced rapid growth in the region. Aside from that, Dingtone is also popular in North America, Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, and South America.
Dingtone has come to convey the messages that they provide reliable and affordable phone services for Nigerians as a solution to cut down phone bills, promote the economic growth of international trade, and bring closer connections for immigrants and their family members. Which is why it is currently listed in top grossing apps in Nigeria.
Dingtone not only allows you to send text messages and make calls, but you can also initiate plenty of features. Caller ID, Auto-reply, customer voicemail, group broadcast, call recording, call blocklist, call forwarding, etc.
“Dingtone has been in operation for more than ten years, and it has been a magnificent and fantastic journey with ten years of growth. We built deeper ties with people all around the world. We have a strong presence in over 200 countries,” Vice President of Product at Dingtone, Tiger Liu said.
Speaking futher, he added that, “When we look at Nigeria specifically, we have a trusting connection with it. We care deeply because we have a strong bond with the people of Nigeria. Dingtone has millions of users in Nigeria, and the number is growing every day. We notice this number because users are more convinced that Dingtone is one of the best communication platforms for them.”
Janie J. has been using Dingtone services for a while now. She stated that starting a business is challenging, and juggling business processes and childcare responsibility is a constant struggle.
“Easy-to-use and cheap online tools on the market provide increased opportunities for me to jump-start the process of launching my business,” Janie J said. “I found and built connections with my early customers through a Dingtone phone number, which truly helped me through the rough initial stages.”
Describing Dingtone’s app and services in an article, Forbes noted that it offers a solid set of telephony features along with basic texting and calling, adding that, “In addition to your free phone number, Dingtone lets you make conference calls and send faxes at no cost. Getting more business features will make your burgeoning business look even more professional.”
Since Chichi download the Dingtone App, she has stopped complaining of lack or wastage of data. She even introducedfriends and neigbours to the app.
“My business is going well now. I no longer miss deadlines because of the inability to contact my customers,” she said. “I wish many Nigerians like me could get help with this app and the opportunities it brings.”
