The Nokia E71 is an eye catcher any day. Whip it out and watch it draw attention instantly. I’ve had the E71 for close to three months now and it hasn’t stopped having the same effect on people each time I pull it out.

The E71 is a beautifully and well designed handset for a business-minded device. It is a complete departure from the boring and ugly designs we’ve been used to in the name of business focused devices. The stainless steel material that make up the most part of the body of the device gives it a touch of class. The impression people get upon seeing it for the first time is, “This has to be a very expensive phone“.

The Nokia E71 is a bar shaped QWERTY thumboard device, continuing the design tradition of both the E61 and E61i, albeit smaller, sleeker and sexier than its older siblings. The size of the E71 is 114×57x10 mm and weighs 127g.

The E71 is sturdy and very pocket friendly. The front panel houses the 2.35 inch screen, the QWERTY thumboard, and front camera for video calling. The left hand side houses the infra-red port, microSD memory card slot and microUSB connector. On the right hand side you will find a 2.5mm audio jack, the volume rocker key and the voice button. At the bottom of the device is a charger socket and a lanyard eyelet, while the top of the device handles the power button and the speaker grill. Finally at the back is a 3.2 megapixel camera complete with LED flash.

The E71 comes in two colour variants: Grey steel and white steel.

I am very impressed with the build quality and stunning design of the E71. In the second leg of this review, I will look at the software side of this device.

The Main Menu in grid format

Shot of the installed apps menu

Browing MobiNaija.com on the E71

Still on MobiNaija.com

Launching the eBuddy java messenger

eBuddy contact list

eBuddy: Chatting with you know who

More screenshots coming up. Full review coming up.

Oh! Forgive me, now I remember that at the WAFRITEL expo, I had the privileg of placing a call through to my wife using their network. The call was crisp, clear and loud. What can I say? Will this still be the case when subscribers start increasing on the network? Only time will tell.

Meanwhile, I have been informed that Etisalat is offering subscribers the opportunity to reserve their unique Etisalat (0809) numbers for FREE, as well as get 300 seconds free airtime every month for life. From the Etisalat website:

The etisalat 0809uchoose campaign allows you to pick and reserve your own unique etisalat number. It is available to all mobile subscribers.

You simply call 0809uchoose i.e 0809 8 246673 (standard rates for off-net calls apply) or visit our website on www.etisalat.com.ng/uchoose. Then select your unique etisalat mobile number of your choice starting with the etisalat prefix from the range 0809 8000 000 to 0809 8999 999. The choice is subject to availability.

After you have done this, look out for a text message notifying you when and where your SIM card can be picked up or visit one of our etisalat pick-up points. These will be announced to you via a text message shortly before our commercial launch.

This SMS will not be received immediately after reservation but shortly before redemption starts.

Fellow contributor here on MobilityNigeria.com, Yomi Adegboye, has already reserved his unique 0809 number - and I’m off to get mine too!

Driving through Ikorodu this morning, I saw bill boards with the caption, “Are You Ready To Talk?” While this is all the information on the bill board and you won’t see “Etisalat” written anywhere to give you the slightest clue, the Etisalat brand colors were all over the bill board, and those in the know can hardly miss it.

I spoke with one of their representatives at this year’s WAFRITEL expo and the promise he made was that they are giving Nigerians an average of one dial to get their calls through. Let’s hope they make good their promise. So echoing the bill board, Are You Ready To Talk?

The competition is good, if not carried too far. But one network will certainly emerge ahead of the other. Time will make that clear.

Both Reltel and Starcomms operate Unified Access Licences and are fast spreading their services across the country, rolling out in city after city. Reltel has stated that it will be present in every state of the federation in the next 6 months.

This CDMA slugfest is reminiscent of the battle for supremacy between MTN and the then Econet Wireless in the early days of GSM in Nigeria. In terms of subscriber base, MTN has won that battle beyond dispute.

Besides coverage, both Reltel and Starcoms are also rolling out EVDO services and enticing consumers with a range of services and products, including internet access, smartphones, and wireless PC cards.