Effect of Twitter Ban on Telecommunication Companies in Nigeria (a Case Study of Mtn, Glo and Airtel)
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The main objective of this study is to examine the effect of twitter ban on telecommunication companies in Nigeria using MTN and Airtel as case study. Specifically the study will
- Ascertain the nature of twitter ban effect on the telecommunication industries of Nigeria.
- Investigate the extent to which TELECOM product such as data were consumed by twitter users in Nigeria before the ban.
- Examine if the revenue and profitability of Telecommunication industries in Nigeria will also affected by the recent twitter ban
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps.
CONCEPTUAL REVIEW
TELECOM SECTOR
The Nigerian telecommunication sector is the largest segment of the Information and Communication sector. Nigeria has one of the largest telecom markets in Africa. The Nigerian Telecommunication sector has evolved over the years to an oligopolistic market structure (a small number of firms have the majority of market share). The sector includes a strong multinational presence. The leading players are MTN, a South African based multinational company with a market share of 37.21%, Airtel (an Indian based multinational telecommunication), Glo (a Nigerian multinational company) and 9mobile (formerly Etisalat).
The sector over the years has contributed immensely to Nigeria’s economy and the lives of Nigerians. The advancement of mobile phone usage from basic phone telephony to new enhanced services and the introduction of new technology within diverse sectors of the country have seen the sector grow massively. The sector has experienced rapid growth and helps in e.g. easier banking services (bank mobile apps) and access to e-learning platforms to Nigerians.
However, the Nigerian telecommunication sector saw stalled growth during the second half of 2016 leading to delays or deferrals of expansions and upgrades to networks and this trend has continued into Q2’17. The GDP Q2’17 result showed that the telecommunications sector contracted by 1.92%. The major challenges facing the sector are low consumer purchasing power, currency movements and the recent loss of global investors. The inaccessibility of the dollar in the economy resulted in weak macroeconomic conditions. Nigeria’s weak macroeconomic conditions have led to weak labor market dynamics (high unemployment and underemployment), reduced disposable income and poor corporate performance.
To ensure long term growth and sustainability, the sector needs to focus on innovative business practices by investing their assets in more creative services that focus primarily on meeting consumer needs and establish a regulated minimum market price. These will create new streams of income for operators and mitigate the decline in their traditional revenues.
Prior to 2014, Nigeria was attractive to both local and foreign investors due to a stable currency and rise in oil prices. However, in 2016, there was a significant fall in oil prices which resulted in the shortage of dollars and depletion of external reserves, revenue shortfalls, high inflation and ultimately a recession.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitute of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried out to examine the effect of twitter ban on telecommunication companies in Nigeria using MTN, Glo and Airtel as case study. Thus staff from the three selected telecommunication companies form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of one hundred and forty-seven (147) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only one hundred and forty-one (141) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 141 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
SUMMARY
The focus of this study is to examine the effect of twitter ban on telecommunication sector using MTN,GLO and Airtel as case study. The study investigated how the effect of the ban on telecommunication revenue and profitability. It examine the extent at which the ban will affect the sector. Survey research design was implored for the study. Using the sample of convenience, 147 participant who staff in the telecom industry was enrolled for the study. Well structured questionnaire was issued of which 141 were returned and validated. Data was analyze suing frequencies and tables.
CONCLUSION
The telecommunication sector over the years has contributed immensely to Nigeria’s economy and the lives of Nigerians. The advancement of mobile phone usage from basic phone telephony to new enhanced services and the introduction of new technology within diverse sectors of the country have seen the sector grow massively. The social media explosion of the last decade has had remarkable effects on many aspects of everyday life. Therefore banning any of the social media platforms which has been helpful to the public without considering the consequent of effect of such action is deemed unconstitutional and infringes the freedom of the media and encroachment of the masses freedom to information.
Findings from the study revealed that the current twitter ban has affected the profitability and revenue of telecommunication companies. The ban has lead to drop in data usage as over 30 million active users of twitter restricted from assessing the site hence a decrease in the profit margin of telecommunication industries .
RECOMMENDATION
Having made the findings and conclusion of this study, the researcher recommended that,
- The telecommunication industries in Nigeria should try to adjust to the current change in the ban.
- The federal government of Nigeria should endeavour to go back to their drawing board and make necessary amendments to the ban on Twitter usage in Nigeria.
- The federal government of Nigeria should recognize that the ban on Twitter is affecting different spheres of the economy. They should the adhere to the terms and rules of ECOWAS and revoke the ban since the ban is a bridge of the fundamental rights of the citizen.
- Nigeria Government should provide an accessible environment and policies easy for telecom industries to operate on.
REFERENCE
- Adelabu, O.T. (2014), Internet as Sources and Resources for Journalism Practice in Nigeria. A P.hD thesis submitted to Babcock University.
- Allen, S. (2006), Online News, Bershire: Open University Press.
- Asemah, E. A. (2009). Principles and Practice of Mass Communication 2nd ed. Jos: Great Future Press.
- Baran,S. J and Davis ,D.K (2012).Mass Communication Theory, Foundations, Ferment, and Future, Sixth Edition, United States: Wadsworth Cengage
- Bowman, S. and Willis, C. (2003), “We Media: How Audience is shaping the Future of the News and Information”, retrieved from www.Hypergen.net/wemedia accessed 2 March 2012
- Boyd, D.M (2004). ”Friendster and publicly articulated social networks”. In Proceedings of ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems New York: ACM Press.
