Status and impact of strategic technology alliances among telecommunications firms in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examined strategic technology alliance among telecommunications service providers in Nigeria and the benefits accrued to service providers and subscribers from the alliances. This was with a view to providing appropriate recommendation to improving the services rendered to subscribers. Primary data were collected from four GSM network operators, two CDMA network operators and three telecommunications service vendors in Nigeria. Findings revealed the existence of strategic technology alliances such as licensing, joint venture, turnkey, venture capital, franchising, merger and acquisition. Benefits derived from the strategic alliances in decreasing order were improved network coverage, decrease in call drops, decrease in signal down time and decrease in tariff of data and voice services. Furthermore, the allies enjoyed increased turnover when they engaged in strategic technology alliance. The study concluded that a well–structured strategic technology alliance relationship among telecommunications firms can bring about better services for sustainable development in the country.