There are different types of network providers in Nigeria. The internet service providers which people use most are Glo, MTN, Airtel and 9Mobile. Perhaps, it is not only four network providers we have in Nigeria. In this today’s blog post, we will discuss the differences between Smile and MTN and other types of ISPs.
The function of an internet service providers is to provide network for populace. They all carry out the same services. Most of them do provide network to the whole country while some of them provide to a location such as state or geo political zones.
In Nigeria, the types of internet service providers which don’t provide network nationwide include Smile, Spectranet, etc., hence, they are not recognized by most people. There are differences between Smile or Spectranet and MTN, Glo, Airtel and 9mobile. Let’s look into them one by one.
Recommended: where to get Smile SIM card in Nigeria.
Before we continue, let’s look at the frequently asked questions that people are searching on Google regarding this topic.
Most asked questions about the differences between Smile and MTN
Smile network doesn’t have signal across all locations in Nigeria. Presently, Smile network only functions in; Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Abuja, Benin City, Kaduna, Onitsha and Asaba.
If you live outside any of these states, then you can’t use Smile network. This does mean that you can also use Glo, MTN, Airtel or 9mobile network services.
Yes. Smile and Spectranet are a network in Nigeria. In the location in which they have signal or operate, they can even provide stronger network more than the way your Glo, MTN, Airtel or 9mobile does.
To be able to browse with Smile, you need to have their official SIM card. We have written a detailed guides about that in the past days. Please click here to read it.
You can also buy their MiFi device and browse with it.
Currently, the price of Smile WIFI or MIFI device in Nigeria ranges from N25, 000 to N30, 000. You can buy it from the computer accessory store or order it online.
Please click here to order it through our link so that we can get a referral commission. (note it won’t increase the price that you are going to pay).
If you buy it through our link, we will gain a small fee to support our free contents. Thank you if you use our link.
Among Smile and Spectranet, we can’t easily talk about the one is better than other as both of them works similarly. Perhaps, we will talk about how Spectranet carry out its services for you to answer this question yourself.
Spectranet is an internet service provider that predominantly provides networks services in some locations in Lagos; Badagry, Ikorodu, and Ibeju Lekki.
For now, apart from the three locations listed above, Spectranet doesn’t have coverage in Ogun state, FCT, and the rest of other states and locations in Nigeria.
Related: top richest men in Lagos according to Forbes (2022).
Hope you have once asked any of these questions? Let’s get in to the game!
Differences between Smile and MT
| # | Smile | MTN |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smile is an England telecommunication company founded in 2007 that majorly provide SuperFast mobile broadband services, and SuperClear voice calls over LTE in Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. | MTN Limited is a South African multinational telecommunications company, operating in many African and Asian countries headquartered in Johannesburg |
| 2 | Smile network coverage is in Nigeria but it only functions in; Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Abuja, Benin City, Kaduna, Onitsha and Asaba. | MTN is called MTN Nigeria because it provides network coverage to all locations and states in Nigeria. They mount antenna for providing network coverage to their customers. |
| 3 | Presently, Smile recharge card is not available. Smile doesn’t have a unique string code (USSD) for recharging, and checking data or airtime. The only one to recharge airtime to a Smile SIM is through internet. Note this doesn’t make it to be disregarded. If its coverage is in your location, use it. | The USSD code string of MTN in Nigeria is *555#. If you want to load your MTN recharge card in Nigeria, just simply dial *555*PIN#. For example, dial *555*32163578912873546# in the event that your MTN recharge card PIN is 32163578912873546. You can also dial *556# to instantly check your MTN airtime balance. Here, the difference between Smile, Spectranet, etc. and MTN, Glo, Airtel and 9mobile is recharge card. |
| 4 | If you want to link NIN to your Smile SIM card, what you can do is send your NIN to their customer care to update your profile. | On MTN network, you can link your NIN anytime of your choice yourself via *785#Your NIN#. |
| 5 | Their customer care service number is +234702044444. Some times, they go out of duty and their number may be switch off. Though, they are still connected with their customers via email, WhastApp, etc. | MTN customer care numbers are available 24/7. They also also work on weekend also. MTN customer care number: 180 or 80310180. |
| 6 | Customers can register their Smile SIM card using their mobile application or visiting their nearest accredited agents. | MTN SIM card can’t be registered online. Intending MTN customers must have their NIN and visit MTN accredited office for purchasing and activating the SIM card. |
| 7 | The slogan/tagline of Smile network is ”Now you can smile. | The MTN Nigeria Limited tagline is ”everywhere you go”. |
| 8 | They have few number of subscribers or customers because they don’t operate or have network coverage everywhere. | MTN network has huge number of subscribers Nigeria because it has coverage everywhere and many people use it. |
| 9. | They don’t have state headquarter like the way MTN, Glo, Airtel and 9mobile does. Smile only have accredited agents/shops. | Being the #1 Nigerian network provider, MTN has head offices, state offices, accredited agents/shops etc. |
| 10 | Smile network also has mobile app which you can download from Google play store or Apple app store. You can use it to buy airtime to your smile SIM card, check the expiring period of your existing subscribed data, etc. | With MTN mobile application, you can send airtime to another number, check airtime and data balance, link your NIN, etc. |
Hope this article has helped you know some differences between Smile and MTN network limited? Let’s hear what you may have to comment via the comment section.
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