Payporte drives online mobile presence through Opera sponsored Web pass
Disruptive innovation and new thinking will today play more role in business survival as businesses face market dynamism largely occasioned by the emergence of internet.
What this means is that some businesses will likely face difficulties over layback but the proactive ones will continue to leap like gazelle in the ‘business jungle’. As at today, some brick and mortar shops are leveraging online platforms to create new markets and value network. Also, some Online shops who are leveraging the growing internet penetration are creating disruptive ideas to stay ahead.
For instance, Payporte, one of Nigeria’s online shopping portals recently introduced an innovation that will stimulate the market. It is giving away free internet to hundreds of thousands of Nigerians on the Airtel network. This has been made possible through Opera’s Sponsored Web Pass, the web that enables brands to sponsor no-cost internet access through mobile operators to provide their customers with easy-to-understand methods of accessing the net.
Eyo Bassey, MD, PayPorte Global System said Payporte is sponsoring 100,000 days of free internet every month for six months. “E-commerce is revolutionising the way in which many Nigerians shop. We at Payporte are thrilled to provide free internet to current and future online shoppers and give them a taste for everything the internet has to offer,” he said.
When browsing freely on Opera Mini search engine under the arrangement, Payporte will display its online platform which will enable customers to shop directly confidently without fear of running down their data.
Bassey believes that some customers who want to shop online terminate their transactions half way due to the shortage of data on their phone or computer but with free internet access on Opera Mini, customers who are browsing could also shop on Payporte without disruption.
The director who said that other innovations would be introduced on Payporte further said the internet provider would not limit users from browsing on the free internet but would check abuse. The internet is presently available for Airtel Nigeria subscribers and would be extended to other networks.
Richard Monday, VP Africa for Opera Software, stated that “Opera Software endeavours to pioneer solutions that facilitate low or no-cost access to mobile internet. We’re excited to work with Payporte and our operator partners in Nigeria to help bring more people online.”
According to Research Company Ipsos, Nigeria takes the leads in Africa in terms of online shopping uptake with over half of internet users having engaged with online shopping portals.
However, data usage in Nigeria remains low in comparison to mobile penetration. Initiatives such as these aim to provide a free taste of the internet for those who do not regularly go online.
Daniel Obi