Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has warned that it would not allow telecommunications to endanger lives of Nigeria.
The Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, gave this warning last weekend in Abuja while receiving the Director General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr. (Mrs) Ngeri S. Benebo and her team.
According to him, NCC would not allow any industry operator to endanger the lives of the Nigerian people in the process of carrying out their telecommunications business.
Ndukwe explained that the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) technology is a mobile system that functions effectively with base stations, stressing that what the Commission has done is to set guidelines that must guide the erection of such towers and masts in order to create a standard.
He cited for instance, that some studies have shown that mainland Britain alone has over 40,000 towers while Nigeria currently has about 15,000.
The difference shows in the quality of telecommunications services available in the two countries although Nigerian operators are continuing with their roll out of base stations in order to improve their services.
“Without base stations, you have no communications,” he said.
Ndukwe noted that in the past there have been all kinds of health concerns expressed about base station especially those located in residential areas.
He observed that although the steel structure of a mast may look imposing “it is only the small antenna at the top that has any connection with radiation, pointing out that the output might be very negligible.
“The radiation from the electric pole is more; even a TV antenna radiates more power,” he said.
Ndukwe assured on the readiness of NCC to work with other agencies like NESREA in other to give the best to the Nigerian people.
“As government agencies, it is mandatory for us to engage in continuous discourse.
The best approach is this kind of meeting we are holding today,” he told his guest.
Earlier, Dr. Benebo had commended the success of the telecommunications industry but noted that even as Nigeria keys into breakthrough in telecommunications sector in order to meet up with modern challenges, it is however imperative that the various key players in the sector are properly regulated and encouraged to adopt the environment friendly and best available technologies.
“There is also need to check the proliferation of communication masts with due regard to human rights, public health and environmental quality,” she advocated.
Both agencies promised to work together in ways that can develop the country’s telecommunications sector and improve the environment.
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Wednesday, January 21, 2009
MultiLinks, 3 banks in wealth creation alliance
Multi-Links Telkom has entered into alliance with three banks in the country on its latest initiative on wealth creation.
Public Relations Manager, Multi-Links Telkom Nigeria, Mr. Olubayo Abiodun, informed that these banks include First Bank of Nigeria, Bank PHB and Stanbic IBTC.
As said by him, the firms are teaming up for the expansion of wealth creation while providing the opportunity to share in Nigeria’s enormous telecommunications growth.
He said that the foremost Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operator, Multi-Links Telkom plans to combine its resilient technology and cutting edge advantage in the telecommunications business with the vast branch network and high integrity of the banks to offer opportunities to prospective Nigerians to share in the fortunes of the company.
“The operation of the relationship will be unveiled at a series of business conferences that will be attended by individuals and organizations interested in wealth creation,” he said. Companies operating in the areas of computer accessories, computer training, mobile phone distributors, office automation, office equipment, IT service, Internet service, and Insurance are some of the institutions expected to benefit from the wealth creation initiative.
He also said that the initiative which provides for both corporate and individual relationships with Multi-Links Telkom would be kicked off simultaneously nationwide, mostly where Multi-Links Telkom have coverage.
With this initiative, he said, the crushing impact of the global economic meltdown could be mitigated by discerning organizations and individuals who decide to take advantage of the partnership initiative offered by Multi-Links Telkom.
“The scheme is an ample opportunity for organizations and individuals to share in the growing fortunes of Nigeria’s telecommunications sub-sector which has defied the global downturn in economic indices,” he said.
Under the partnership scheme, he explained that Multi-Links Telkom would provide the products and services to be used in the creation of wealth for the subscribers to the scheme.
“The participating banks on the other hands will serve as channels for the subscribers to the scheme to perfect their documentation for eligibility in the scheme,” he said.
With the massive branch network of the three banks, the opportunity to participate in the scheme has been further made flexible for the willing subscribers to the partnership scheme.
Interested participants are expected to obtain participation forms from any of the three designated banks across the country where Multi-Links Telkom has operations from yesterday, Tuesday, 22nd January 2009.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Public Relations Manager, Multi-Links Telkom Nigeria, Mr. Olubayo Abiodun, informed that these banks include First Bank of Nigeria, Bank PHB and Stanbic IBTC.
As said by him, the firms are teaming up for the expansion of wealth creation while providing the opportunity to share in Nigeria’s enormous telecommunications growth.
He said that the foremost Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operator, Multi-Links Telkom plans to combine its resilient technology and cutting edge advantage in the telecommunications business with the vast branch network and high integrity of the banks to offer opportunities to prospective Nigerians to share in the fortunes of the company.
“The operation of the relationship will be unveiled at a series of business conferences that will be attended by individuals and organizations interested in wealth creation,” he said. Companies operating in the areas of computer accessories, computer training, mobile phone distributors, office automation, office equipment, IT service, Internet service, and Insurance are some of the institutions expected to benefit from the wealth creation initiative.
He also said that the initiative which provides for both corporate and individual relationships with Multi-Links Telkom would be kicked off simultaneously nationwide, mostly where Multi-Links Telkom have coverage.
With this initiative, he said, the crushing impact of the global economic meltdown could be mitigated by discerning organizations and individuals who decide to take advantage of the partnership initiative offered by Multi-Links Telkom.
“The scheme is an ample opportunity for organizations and individuals to share in the growing fortunes of Nigeria’s telecommunications sub-sector which has defied the global downturn in economic indices,” he said.
Under the partnership scheme, he explained that Multi-Links Telkom would provide the products and services to be used in the creation of wealth for the subscribers to the scheme.
“The participating banks on the other hands will serve as channels for the subscribers to the scheme to perfect their documentation for eligibility in the scheme,” he said.
With the massive branch network of the three banks, the opportunity to participate in the scheme has been further made flexible for the willing subscribers to the partnership scheme.
Interested participants are expected to obtain participation forms from any of the three designated banks across the country where Multi-Links Telkom has operations from yesterday, Tuesday, 22nd January 2009.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Many worries of ATM
The introduction of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), was intended to aid the realisation of the nation’s desire to attain a cashless society. However, CHARLES OKOH reports that some ugly trends are now mitigating against this innovative march to an e-economy.
UNTIL recently, using the banking hall for any form of transactions was not an experience that many would wish for their enemies.
You could spell horror on the faces of many a customer as soon as they walk into a banking hall to meet with lots of people who may have spent several hours there just to withdraw or deposit money.
The worst culprits were the old generation banks. Then, people made mockery of customers going with mattresses and pillows to their banks.
Soon after, came the new generation banks and with it reforms and innovations. One of such innovations with modern banking transactions was the introduction of e-payment products, chief of which is the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
Since the introduction of the ATMs, many customers could hardly tell how banking halls look like again, except when they have to deposit money in their accounts.
Bisi Balogun, not real names, recently said she does all her transactions electronically. According to her, the experience has spared her the trouble associated with the banking halls.
“The e-payment products have opened the doors for Nigerians to enjoy what until recently they could not have imagined,” she said.
She also said that using the ATM had saved her the embarrassment of going to the bank to withdraw small amount of money.
“When I am broke and want to withdraw small amount of money, I do not have to face the humiliation one suffers from many bank cashiers. In fact, the ATM comes with some measure of respect as people still see it as elitist irrespective of the fact that one may have withdrawn as little as one thousand naira only,” she said.
Many banks today, have deployed hundreds of ATMs nationwide and have been employing deliberate policies to encourage their customers to use the ATMs.
Some banks have even moved further to configure their ATM to pay cash for both domestic and international cardholders to have instant access to cash at any ATM in the country.
However, like every other innovation, there is a flip-side to the automated solutions.
Recently, at one of the new generation banks at Isolo area in Lagos, a man walked into the premises of the bank to withdraw some money. At the first attempt, the machine did not dispense cash. Just when he was about making a second attempt, a pretty young lady, who saw that he was attempting to try again, cautioned him against doing so.
The lady told him, that he stands to be debited to the tune he had intended to withdraw if he tried again.
She narrated her own experience, not long before, when she had to go to the person in charge for reconciliation only to discover after a long while that she had been debited for money she did not withdraw.
Whereas, hers may be easy to resolve given that the ATM in question was that of her bank, what will be the fate of those who have used ATMs that belong to another bank and who may not know immediately that they had been debited.
Mr. Kola Ali, a staff of one of the new generation banks in Lagos, needed to use cash to solve an immediate problem where he was. Luckily for him, he looked around and saw a nearby ATM. He approached the machine but the attempt was fruitless. He had no way of knowing that his accounts had been debited to the tune of N2,000 until after a while when he checked his balance.
Ali also, narrated another experience when he used the ATM in his bank, but was unsuccessful, only to be notified later through a short messaging services (SMS) alert that his account had been debited to the tune of N10,000. He hurriedly approached officials in charge of the ATM where he was told to fill a form.
This worrisome trend is indeed a cause for concern for many unwary customers who may not take time to be checking their balance often.
Cases like these will only stall the march of the nation to a cashless society.
The ATMs are increasingly becoming unreliable because most times people would have to move from one ATM to the other, just about the same time it would have taken one to go to the bank and withdraw money.
The explanations often displayed by the machines are: Temporary out of cash, your network is not connected or try elsewhere among others.
Coupled with all these is the lackadaisical approach of some banks staff in loading the machine when it runs out of cash.
Another first generation bank in Isolo, had about five customers intending to withdraw through the ATM. Whereas the ATM was working, but it had ran out of cash.
When the lady in charge of attending to complaints was approached, she pleaded with the customers to be patient because the officer in whose care the ATM is was not around.
She pleaded that in 30 minutes the person would have been back. 30 minutes became two hours and yet the person was no where to be found. The problem of these customers were made worse because they did not come with either their cheque book or withdrawal slip and to think that this particular ATM is located right in the premises of the bank makes it even more worrisome.
An information technology expert, who does not want his name in print, said that banks should endeavour to find solutions to these problems, because the benefits accruing to them from e-payments are enormous.
He also said since many banks are trying to confine small accounts holders to the machines, because of the desire to make more money from charges thereof, it goes without saying that they stand to lose when the confidence of people are dampened by their inability to access their money, whenever and wherever they so desire.
“This will serve as a disincentive to such customers, and ultimately, the banks stand to lose,” he noted.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
UNTIL recently, using the banking hall for any form of transactions was not an experience that many would wish for their enemies.
You could spell horror on the faces of many a customer as soon as they walk into a banking hall to meet with lots of people who may have spent several hours there just to withdraw or deposit money.
The worst culprits were the old generation banks. Then, people made mockery of customers going with mattresses and pillows to their banks.
Soon after, came the new generation banks and with it reforms and innovations. One of such innovations with modern banking transactions was the introduction of e-payment products, chief of which is the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
Since the introduction of the ATMs, many customers could hardly tell how banking halls look like again, except when they have to deposit money in their accounts.
Bisi Balogun, not real names, recently said she does all her transactions electronically. According to her, the experience has spared her the trouble associated with the banking halls.
“The e-payment products have opened the doors for Nigerians to enjoy what until recently they could not have imagined,” she said.
She also said that using the ATM had saved her the embarrassment of going to the bank to withdraw small amount of money.
“When I am broke and want to withdraw small amount of money, I do not have to face the humiliation one suffers from many bank cashiers. In fact, the ATM comes with some measure of respect as people still see it as elitist irrespective of the fact that one may have withdrawn as little as one thousand naira only,” she said.
Many banks today, have deployed hundreds of ATMs nationwide and have been employing deliberate policies to encourage their customers to use the ATMs.
Some banks have even moved further to configure their ATM to pay cash for both domestic and international cardholders to have instant access to cash at any ATM in the country.
However, like every other innovation, there is a flip-side to the automated solutions.
Recently, at one of the new generation banks at Isolo area in Lagos, a man walked into the premises of the bank to withdraw some money. At the first attempt, the machine did not dispense cash. Just when he was about making a second attempt, a pretty young lady, who saw that he was attempting to try again, cautioned him against doing so.
The lady told him, that he stands to be debited to the tune he had intended to withdraw if he tried again.
She narrated her own experience, not long before, when she had to go to the person in charge for reconciliation only to discover after a long while that she had been debited for money she did not withdraw.
Whereas, hers may be easy to resolve given that the ATM in question was that of her bank, what will be the fate of those who have used ATMs that belong to another bank and who may not know immediately that they had been debited.
Mr. Kola Ali, a staff of one of the new generation banks in Lagos, needed to use cash to solve an immediate problem where he was. Luckily for him, he looked around and saw a nearby ATM. He approached the machine but the attempt was fruitless. He had no way of knowing that his accounts had been debited to the tune of N2,000 until after a while when he checked his balance.
Ali also, narrated another experience when he used the ATM in his bank, but was unsuccessful, only to be notified later through a short messaging services (SMS) alert that his account had been debited to the tune of N10,000. He hurriedly approached officials in charge of the ATM where he was told to fill a form.
This worrisome trend is indeed a cause for concern for many unwary customers who may not take time to be checking their balance often.
Cases like these will only stall the march of the nation to a cashless society.
The ATMs are increasingly becoming unreliable because most times people would have to move from one ATM to the other, just about the same time it would have taken one to go to the bank and withdraw money.
The explanations often displayed by the machines are: Temporary out of cash, your network is not connected or try elsewhere among others.
Coupled with all these is the lackadaisical approach of some banks staff in loading the machine when it runs out of cash.
Another first generation bank in Isolo, had about five customers intending to withdraw through the ATM. Whereas the ATM was working, but it had ran out of cash.
When the lady in charge of attending to complaints was approached, she pleaded with the customers to be patient because the officer in whose care the ATM is was not around.
She pleaded that in 30 minutes the person would have been back. 30 minutes became two hours and yet the person was no where to be found. The problem of these customers were made worse because they did not come with either their cheque book or withdrawal slip and to think that this particular ATM is located right in the premises of the bank makes it even more worrisome.
An information technology expert, who does not want his name in print, said that banks should endeavour to find solutions to these problems, because the benefits accruing to them from e-payments are enormous.
He also said since many banks are trying to confine small accounts holders to the machines, because of the desire to make more money from charges thereof, it goes without saying that they stand to lose when the confidence of people are dampened by their inability to access their money, whenever and wherever they so desire.
“This will serve as a disincentive to such customers, and ultimately, the banks stand to lose,” he noted.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Glo slashes rate on international calls
The international gateway subsidiary of the Second National Operator (SNO), Globacom Limited, the Glo Gateway, has announced a 70 per cent reduction in its international calls to the United Kingdom, United State of America and Canada.
A press statement from Glo Gateway, said subscribers instead of the N39 per minute earlier charged for calls to these destinations, Glo will now charge 20 kobo per second and N12 per minute for calls to all lines in the United States of America and Canada as well as calls to only landlines in the United Kingdom.
Head, Glo Gateway, Mr. Ibrahim Fadipe, disclosed in a statement in Lagos, last weekend, that the new call tariff is being offered in a new promotion called “Glo International Talk Extravaganza” promotion billed to end on January 31, 2009.
He explained that the new tariff is applicable to calls made from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. from Monday to Friday and calls made throughout the weekend. The offer, which is the most competitive in the industry, is open to new and existing customers on both the prepaid and postpaid platforms.
Fadipe said the heavy reduction in the tariff underlines Globacom’s resolve to continue to offer its subscribers affordable telecommunication services.
Glo Gateway which began operations five years ago has become a major player in the global telecommunication environment. With its international gateway switches, the company is able to offer hubbing services for the rest of the world.
Fadipe said that Glo Gateway currently aggregates international traffic for other countries and terminates them into their destinations.
It also carries international call traffic for several telecom operators in Nigeria.
“Because of the direct interconnectivity which we have established with many international carriers, we will be able to hub several million minutes of international traffic monthly to different destinations across the globe,” Fadipe stated, adding that “the direct connectivity also ensures high quality call termination, offering users of Glo Gateway service high quality international calls”.
Globacom is currently building 8,300-km long submarine cable to link Europe and the Africa sub-region and carry data and internet traffic between Nigeria and the rest of the world. The contract being executed by leading telecommunication vendors, Alcatel of France, will cater for long term bandwidth requirements for voice and data transmission in the region.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
A press statement from Glo Gateway, said subscribers instead of the N39 per minute earlier charged for calls to these destinations, Glo will now charge 20 kobo per second and N12 per minute for calls to all lines in the United States of America and Canada as well as calls to only landlines in the United Kingdom.
Head, Glo Gateway, Mr. Ibrahim Fadipe, disclosed in a statement in Lagos, last weekend, that the new call tariff is being offered in a new promotion called “Glo International Talk Extravaganza” promotion billed to end on January 31, 2009.
He explained that the new tariff is applicable to calls made from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. from Monday to Friday and calls made throughout the weekend. The offer, which is the most competitive in the industry, is open to new and existing customers on both the prepaid and postpaid platforms.
Fadipe said the heavy reduction in the tariff underlines Globacom’s resolve to continue to offer its subscribers affordable telecommunication services.
Glo Gateway which began operations five years ago has become a major player in the global telecommunication environment. With its international gateway switches, the company is able to offer hubbing services for the rest of the world.
Fadipe said that Glo Gateway currently aggregates international traffic for other countries and terminates them into their destinations.
It also carries international call traffic for several telecom operators in Nigeria.
“Because of the direct interconnectivity which we have established with many international carriers, we will be able to hub several million minutes of international traffic monthly to different destinations across the globe,” Fadipe stated, adding that “the direct connectivity also ensures high quality call termination, offering users of Glo Gateway service high quality international calls”.
Globacom is currently building 8,300-km long submarine cable to link Europe and the Africa sub-region and carry data and internet traffic between Nigeria and the rest of the world. The contract being executed by leading telecommunication vendors, Alcatel of France, will cater for long term bandwidth requirements for voice and data transmission in the region.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Monday, January 19, 2009
Visafone records 2.5m subscribers, ends Fantastic promo
The Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operator, Visafone Communications Limited, has ended its Fantastic bonanza offer otherwise known as ‘12 cars in 12 weeks promo’ with more four winners emerging last weekend.
This development came as Visafone announced that it has recorded about 2.5 million subscribers in 10 months of operation.
The event, which held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, had in attendance a large audience of Visafone subscribers and media practitioners.
The draw yielded four more lucky winners of Kia Rio saloon cars bringing to 12 the number of cars given out by the operator.
The new four winners are Port Harcourt based Mr. Jumbo Eric, a resident of Okokomaiko, Lagos, Mrs. Olasunkanmi, Mallam Muhammed Jibrin from Kano and Joy Scott a Benin-based business woman.
ITRealms Online recalls that the Fantastic Bonanza was flagged off amidst fanfare on October 13, 2008 with new subscribers as well as old ones who recharged their phones with at least N400 monthly being eligible to win the brand new Kia Rio cars on offer.
Speaking at the last draw, the Acting General Manager, Marketing & Strategies at Visafone, Mr. Clifford Onyeike, told the audience that they have crossed 2.5 million subscribers in less than 10 months in the market.
Onyeike also said that to win in the promo, all any customer needed was to buy and activate a Visafone handset and then ensure recharge with, at least, N400 every week to qualify for the weekly draws.
He appreciated Nigerians, especially Visafone subscribers for lifting the network to another record-breaking subscriber-base, while urging potential customers to ensure that they join the network that care for them.
“We have garnered a record-breaking 2.5 million subscribers in just 10 months, thus, making us the fastest-growing mobile phone company in Nigeria,” he asserted.
Visafone began commercial operations on February 22, 2008.
In the past, the likes of Pastor (Mrs.) Florence N. Toby, Ibadan-based Mrs Zainab Salami, and Mr. Emeka Igenaka, had emerged in the draw for weeks 6, 7 and 8 in that order.
The promo, which commenced on October 13, 2008 and ran through on January 4, 2009.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
This development came as Visafone announced that it has recorded about 2.5 million subscribers in 10 months of operation.
The event, which held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, had in attendance a large audience of Visafone subscribers and media practitioners.
The draw yielded four more lucky winners of Kia Rio saloon cars bringing to 12 the number of cars given out by the operator.
The new four winners are Port Harcourt based Mr. Jumbo Eric, a resident of Okokomaiko, Lagos, Mrs. Olasunkanmi, Mallam Muhammed Jibrin from Kano and Joy Scott a Benin-based business woman.
ITRealms Online recalls that the Fantastic Bonanza was flagged off amidst fanfare on October 13, 2008 with new subscribers as well as old ones who recharged their phones with at least N400 monthly being eligible to win the brand new Kia Rio cars on offer.
Speaking at the last draw, the Acting General Manager, Marketing & Strategies at Visafone, Mr. Clifford Onyeike, told the audience that they have crossed 2.5 million subscribers in less than 10 months in the market.
Onyeike also said that to win in the promo, all any customer needed was to buy and activate a Visafone handset and then ensure recharge with, at least, N400 every week to qualify for the weekly draws.
He appreciated Nigerians, especially Visafone subscribers for lifting the network to another record-breaking subscriber-base, while urging potential customers to ensure that they join the network that care for them.
“We have garnered a record-breaking 2.5 million subscribers in just 10 months, thus, making us the fastest-growing mobile phone company in Nigeria,” he asserted.
Visafone began commercial operations on February 22, 2008.
In the past, the likes of Pastor (Mrs.) Florence N. Toby, Ibadan-based Mrs Zainab Salami, and Mr. Emeka Igenaka, had emerged in the draw for weeks 6, 7 and 8 in that order.
The promo, which commenced on October 13, 2008 and ran through on January 4, 2009.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Zain Group wins Lebanese mobile deal
Leading mobile telecom company in 22 countries across the Middle East and Africa(MEA), Zain Group, has announced a successful tender to continue managing one of Lebanon’s two mobile operations, MIC2 branded as MTC Touch, for an additional year commencing February 1, 2009.
This contract, according to officials of Zain Group is extendable for one year as per the new management agreement terms set by the Lebanese Ministry of Telecommunications.
They also said that by offering the most competitive price to run the network, Zain, through MTC Touch in Lebanon, is committed to increase its customer base by an additional 400,000 as part of a rapid and devoted government-funded expansion plan.
Currently MTC Touch has over 800,000 active customers.
Meanwhile, subscribers of Zain Nigeria, have applauded its instant bonus airtime promo, saying it was handy during the just ended yuletide season.
Zain officials said that subscribers on the network used the instant airtime bonus to send season greetings, to friends, family members and business partners via the Short Messaging Service (SMS) in addition to making very important voice calls.
Also, ITRealms Online recalls that Zain bonus offer prepaid customers instantly N200 bonus airtime on every N2000 recharge using its physical cards; N100 bonus on every N1000 recharge and N50 and N20 bonus airtime on every N500 and N200 recharge respectively using recharge cards.
Mr. Otokhine said the operator offers 10 per cent instant bonus airtime to customers who recharge with N500, N1000, N2000, and N5, 000 electronic vouchers or electronic pins.
According to him, the promo, which ends on January 31, 2009, afforded subscribers to drastically reduce their airtime deductions.
Some of the beneficiaries including Damilola Sobowale, ‘Dare Ajayi and Pius Uwaleke said the bonus airtime enabled them to significantly reduce the cost of sending seasonal greetings and making calls during the yuletide season.
Ajayi said he was particularly pleased with the instant crediting of his line with the bonus offer each time he recharges his phone with either N1000 or N500 recharge cards, stressing that the bonus promo could not have come at a better time.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
This contract, according to officials of Zain Group is extendable for one year as per the new management agreement terms set by the Lebanese Ministry of Telecommunications.
They also said that by offering the most competitive price to run the network, Zain, through MTC Touch in Lebanon, is committed to increase its customer base by an additional 400,000 as part of a rapid and devoted government-funded expansion plan.
Currently MTC Touch has over 800,000 active customers.
Meanwhile, subscribers of Zain Nigeria, have applauded its instant bonus airtime promo, saying it was handy during the just ended yuletide season.
Zain officials said that subscribers on the network used the instant airtime bonus to send season greetings, to friends, family members and business partners via the Short Messaging Service (SMS) in addition to making very important voice calls.
Also, ITRealms Online recalls that Zain bonus offer prepaid customers instantly N200 bonus airtime on every N2000 recharge using its physical cards; N100 bonus on every N1000 recharge and N50 and N20 bonus airtime on every N500 and N200 recharge respectively using recharge cards.
Mr. Otokhine said the operator offers 10 per cent instant bonus airtime to customers who recharge with N500, N1000, N2000, and N5, 000 electronic vouchers or electronic pins.
According to him, the promo, which ends on January 31, 2009, afforded subscribers to drastically reduce their airtime deductions.
Some of the beneficiaries including Damilola Sobowale, ‘Dare Ajayi and Pius Uwaleke said the bonus airtime enabled them to significantly reduce the cost of sending seasonal greetings and making calls during the yuletide season.
Ajayi said he was particularly pleased with the instant crediting of his line with the bonus offer each time he recharges his phone with either N1000 or N500 recharge cards, stressing that the bonus promo could not have come at a better time.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
TTC Mobile introduces ‘09-scholarship
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training outfit, TTC Mobile, has introduced a nationwide technology scholarship.
Chief executive officer, TTC Mobile Ltd., Mr. Akin Aregbesola, made this disclosure in Lagos, last weekend, said that it is no longer in doubt that the future global economy greatly depends on technology.
“There is therefore an urgent need to raise an army of technology soldiers to sustain and surpass present efforts to take Nigeria to the Information Age,” he said.
Mr. Aregbesola also said that in order to encourage this kind of soldiers to emerge, TTC Mobile has announced its National Technology Scholarship to further empower Nigerian youths.
“It is a programme that will take participants through four weeks of rigorous practical training,” he said.
Stressing that beneficiaries of the programme would be admitted in two categories.
“Category A beneficiaries will go through this training, absolutely free of charge. Participants from outside Lagos will be provided with a 3-star hotel accommodation, in addition to daily feeding allowances during training. They will also be supported with transport allowances,” he said.
Aregbesola explained that category B entails that beneficiaries will also receive free training but will be required to pay a minimal amount to cover training materials.
“Training for category B beneficiaries will be delivered in four locations across the country, Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Awka,” he said.
Highlighting that this training has been scheduled to commence in February this year, promising it would be very rich and meets international standards, as equipment worth over N5,000,000 have already been acquired for practical.
“Training will empower participants with relevant skills for employment, as well as open your eyes to possibilities and liberate your creative mind,” Aregbesola said.
Affirming that his team recently returned to the country after a consolidation exercise with prospective partners in the United Kingdom (UK), Aregbesola said that the project is being sponsored by one of the biggest banks in the country in recognition with his firm, TTC Mobile, as contribution to the national development in the last five years.
“In the past, we have partnered with the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN) to deliver similar scholarship programmes,” he said.
Emphasizing that the 2008 version was held in 10 locations in the country covering Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Awka, Uyo, Kaduna, Benin-City and Warri, even as this year, the category A beneficiaries will come to Lagos, while the Category B beneficiaries will be trained at their preference venue amongst Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Awka training centres.
“Aside the training, we are also partnering with telecommunication service companies and Recruitment firms. They will be at the training to assess participants and take CVs for possible employment and placement with clients companies respectively,” he said.
Further, he stressed that the training proper would cover routing and switching which lead to Cisco & Huawei Certifications, telecommunications industry association certification, BTS Engineering for GSM/CDMA industry, leading to BTS Certification.
“Training starts in Lagos, February 16,” he said urging prospective trainees to call TTC on 0805 088 1404 to get further details.
ITRealms Online recalls that TTC is rated as a leading telecom training company in Nigeria, with its team of trainers, headed by the General Manager, Mr. Ishola Peter.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Chief executive officer, TTC Mobile Ltd., Mr. Akin Aregbesola, made this disclosure in Lagos, last weekend, said that it is no longer in doubt that the future global economy greatly depends on technology.
“There is therefore an urgent need to raise an army of technology soldiers to sustain and surpass present efforts to take Nigeria to the Information Age,” he said.
Mr. Aregbesola also said that in order to encourage this kind of soldiers to emerge, TTC Mobile has announced its National Technology Scholarship to further empower Nigerian youths.
“It is a programme that will take participants through four weeks of rigorous practical training,” he said.
Stressing that beneficiaries of the programme would be admitted in two categories.
“Category A beneficiaries will go through this training, absolutely free of charge. Participants from outside Lagos will be provided with a 3-star hotel accommodation, in addition to daily feeding allowances during training. They will also be supported with transport allowances,” he said.
Aregbesola explained that category B entails that beneficiaries will also receive free training but will be required to pay a minimal amount to cover training materials.
“Training for category B beneficiaries will be delivered in four locations across the country, Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Awka,” he said.
Highlighting that this training has been scheduled to commence in February this year, promising it would be very rich and meets international standards, as equipment worth over N5,000,000 have already been acquired for practical.
“Training will empower participants with relevant skills for employment, as well as open your eyes to possibilities and liberate your creative mind,” Aregbesola said.
Affirming that his team recently returned to the country after a consolidation exercise with prospective partners in the United Kingdom (UK), Aregbesola said that the project is being sponsored by one of the biggest banks in the country in recognition with his firm, TTC Mobile, as contribution to the national development in the last five years.
“In the past, we have partnered with the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN) to deliver similar scholarship programmes,” he said.
Emphasizing that the 2008 version was held in 10 locations in the country covering Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Awka, Uyo, Kaduna, Benin-City and Warri, even as this year, the category A beneficiaries will come to Lagos, while the Category B beneficiaries will be trained at their preference venue amongst Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Awka training centres.
“Aside the training, we are also partnering with telecommunication service companies and Recruitment firms. They will be at the training to assess participants and take CVs for possible employment and placement with clients companies respectively,” he said.
Further, he stressed that the training proper would cover routing and switching which lead to Cisco & Huawei Certifications, telecommunications industry association certification, BTS Engineering for GSM/CDMA industry, leading to BTS Certification.
“Training starts in Lagos, February 16,” he said urging prospective trainees to call TTC on 0805 088 1404 to get further details.
ITRealms Online recalls that TTC is rated as a leading telecom training company in Nigeria, with its team of trainers, headed by the General Manager, Mr. Ishola Peter.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Telco chiefs, Akunyili on collision path
JUST few weeks in office, the newly appointed Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. (Mrs.) Dora Akunyili, may be heading for a collision path with chief executive officers (CEOs) of multinational telecommunications operators in the land.
Feelers reaching ITRealms Online at the end of Akunyili’s first ever stakeholders’ forum in Abuja, last week Tuesday, showed that most chief executive officers operating telecommunications, especially of the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) were displeased on the outcome of the forum.
Moreso on the manner with which the chief executive officer of Zain Nigeria, Mr. Bayo Ligali, was literally told to have his seat for allegedly making a ‘political statement’ when he tried to recount that quality of service (QoS) has been on the improvement ladder and as a matter of fact, the last Christmas was better than that of before and the need to improve on telecommunications infrastructure.
Even as the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has sounded a note of warning, saying such embarrassment should be redressed.
ITRealms Online investigations showed that Prof. Akunyili had interrupted Ligali, and warned CEOs to devoid of political statements in their contributions at the forum.
For most of the operators who spoke to ITRealms Online, that was the height of an insult from what they described as ‘industry novice,’ moreso to a chief executive officer of a multinational telecom operator, who does not have any political inclination.
“Could you imagine the way the minister responded to Ligali of all people? Just be rest assured that as a multinational company, they may not be necessarily disposed to deal with her at that level,” one of the forum participants fumed after the meeting, which held at the National Press Centre, Radio House, Abuja.
For another chief executive who spoke to ITRealms Online on anonymity, “I would not be surprised that future meetings by this minister would be attended by mostly junior officers as she has no respect for multinational entities, let alone telecom operators of that magnitude until she leaves office, if she can address a chief executive officer in that rude manner.”
Stressing, “Can you reduce tariff without addressing infrastructure problems,” just as our source insisted that if it was easy to fix, why has government not fixed the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL).
In its official reaction to the development, operators under the aegis of ALTON said they were taken aback by the honourable minister’s interjection.
ALTON chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, noted that Mr. Ligali is the CEO of Zain, “a very important member of our association.”
According to Adebayo, the issues raised by Ligali were the state of the industry and current challenge due to the poor state of the national energy infrastructure and security situation.
“…And one would expect that the Minister who is new in the terrain would respect and accept the position stressed by Mr. Ligali, the presiding officer of a leading network,” he said.
ALTON also described the development as unfortunate.
“It is unfortunate and we hope that the Minister will take a step to redress the embarrassment caused Mr. Ligali and his network as this can affect a relationship,” the group warned.
In fact, those who spoke to ITRealms Online called on Prof. Akunyili to tender an unreserved apology, knowing fully well she is serving the public and should treat people representing companies with some respect if she expects any in return.
Our source, further noted that Mrs. Akunyili must be humble if she intends to make any mark before leaving office, saying that with the stakeholders meeting, they were expecting her to come up with some policy agenda that she will pursue to curb the ills bedeviling the industry as contained in a press statement by Special Adviser to
Akunyili on Media, Mr. Charles Chikezie.
“Alas, it was not to be, rather, she was busy insisting on companies writing the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to copy her ministry. This leaves me wondering if she plans to form policies and implement same by herself alone,” one of the participants asked.
Media report had it that Akunyili, more or less made the forum to look like another telecom consumers parliament, presided over by her, which actually is within the purview of NCC as most of the utterances from her was on quality of service and tariff reduction.
Thus, industry analysts described the forum as a misguided one, because it was short of policy guidelines.
They further argued that telecom service providers cannot reduce tariff with immediate effect, when she refused to hear one of them like Mr. Ligali, who was ready to tell her the truth and factors surrounding tariff reduction strategies and its viability at this time in point.
Equally, they saw the embarrassment on Ligali as an affront on the operators’ psyche thereby creating an atmosphere of fear on management of telecom companies, which in the actual sense was a shooting on the wrong foot.
ITRealms Online recalls that Prof. Akunyili and the Minister of State, Alhaji Aliyu Bilbis, had summoned a stakeholders’ forum for telecoms providers to deliberate on some of the “ills bedeviling the industry.”
According to Mr. Chikezie, the meeting was expected to create an avenue for the minister to explore the challenges in the communications sector, so as to fashion out measures that will make it operate optimally as well as derive full benefit for Nigerians.
Officials of NCC led by its Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, chief executives of all telecom operating companies including Digital Mobile License (DML) and Private Network Links (PNL) operators, Internet Service Providers (ISP) among other stakeholders were present at the forum.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
What You should know about Twitter (2)
By accepting messages from sms, web, mobile web, instant message (IM), or from third party API projects, Twitter makes it easy for folks to stay connected.
Isn’t Twitter just too much information?
No, in fact, Twitter solves information overload by changing expectations traditionally associated with online communication.
At Twitter, we ask one question, “What are you doing?” The answers to this question are for the most part rhetorical. In other words, users do not expect a response when they send a message to Twitter.
On the receiving end, Twitter is ambient--updates from your friends and relatives float to your phone, IM, or web site and you are only expected to pay as much or as little attention to them as you see fit.
The result of using Twitter to stay connected with friends, relatives, and co-workers is that you have a sense of what folks are up to but you are not expected to respond to any updates unless you want to.
This means you can step in and out of the flow of information as it suits you and it never queues up with increasing demand of your attention.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Isn’t Twitter just too much information?
No, in fact, Twitter solves information overload by changing expectations traditionally associated with online communication.
At Twitter, we ask one question, “What are you doing?” The answers to this question are for the most part rhetorical. In other words, users do not expect a response when they send a message to Twitter.
On the receiving end, Twitter is ambient--updates from your friends and relatives float to your phone, IM, or web site and you are only expected to pay as much or as little attention to them as you see fit.
The result of using Twitter to stay connected with friends, relatives, and co-workers is that you have a sense of what folks are up to but you are not expected to respond to any updates unless you want to.
This means you can step in and out of the flow of information as it suits you and it never queues up with increasing demand of your attention.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Challenges before Dora Akunyili
The excitement surrounding the appointment of Prof. (Mrs) Dora Akunyili as the new helmsman in the Information and Communications Ministry stand as hurdle for her success in the portfolio, reports REMMY NWEKE.
Since the announcement and swearing-in into office of the latest ministerial appointees, last December, especially that of Prof. (Mrs.) Dora Akunyili, as the new Minister of Information and Communications, has been creating some excitement among industry stakeholders.
ITRealms Online recalls that Prof. Akunyili, was until her latest appointment, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) after serving in that capacity since 2001, most of which marked part of the former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
Initially, most Nigerians were taken aback as they expected her to be posted to health, a ministry under which she presided over the affairs of NAFDAC, yet others saw her coming to Information and Communications as a tool to diminish her rising profile within the Nigerian politicians, professionals and international community; given anticipation that she may broker the jinx of being the best presidential candidate from the South East come 2011, especially as the Minister of Information; which in the past left it’s occupants bitter in the sight of the people due to avalanche of lies and cover-ups they have to do in the name of protecting national interest, even when the populace know the truth.
However, another group of stakeholders saw her stepping into the latest appointment as God’s sent with the optimism that she would perform more than ever anticipated.
Those who spoke in variance of opinions included the president, Nigerian Internet Registration Association (NiRA), Mr. Ndukwe Kalu, Secretary General of a non-governmental organisation, Joint Action Committee on ICT Awareness and Development (JACITAD), Prince Osuagwu among other notable stakeholders.
Commenting on Prof. Akunyili’s appointment, stakeholders were divided along the line of a professional techie person and on the side of the natural ability to deliver. For Ndukwe Kalu, it was applause for President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua for finding it worthy to appoint Prof. Akunyili to serve in this ‘all important’ sector.
He hinged his reasons on a tripod of the Ministry involved, Minister and President, saying that Nigerians are watching to see Prof. Akunyili repeat her magic in NAFDAC in the Ministry of Information and Communications within the shortest possible time.
As said by him, the Ministry is an entity that could advance solutions for Nigeria economically through ICT. Citing an example of India and Asia Pacific nations, Kalu said that today they make more money than Nigeria makes in oil.
“Look at India and Asia for ready examples. India today makes much more money than Nigeria would make even if oil was $300 per barrel,” he declared, noting that their revenue have not crashed with oil price falling in recent times.
“We need to position our nation for the future of ICT,” he said, expressing optimism that in no time, the Ministry would transform to the much expected Ministry of Information and Communications. “We still expect the reform to make it ICT Ministry; representing the most important ministry in these very trying times, globally.”
The second, according to his theory is the personality of Prof. Dora Akunyili, who presently needs no introduction in Nigeria, saying that when she came into NAFDAC Nigeria was in a sad state.
“I, for one only bought drugs from one location for fear of fake drugs that was killing us heavily. Today, we’re at a critical moment that if nothing is done to reposition Nigeria in ICT, we may go into recession that is unprecedented,” he said, stressing that he had explicit confidence in Prof. Akunyili to make it happen once more for Nigeria and deliver, maintaining that she got what it takes and with God on her side, she will make it.
The third aspect of his position was President Yar’Adua, pointing out that one thing he has going well for him, is that he means well.
“We may quarrel with his speed or choice of intervention but we agree he means well. So, for him to make this posting we would rightly assume that Mr. President means well and has a plan, an ace up his sleeve,” he said.
As said by him, when these three are combined, “I tell you that the minister and ministry to look out for is Prof Akunyili and Ministry of Information and Communications,” advising her to study critically the dynamics of this sector and how critical it is, and avoid sycophants and negative politicians but reach out to the professionals in this sector.
Another highly placed stakeholder, who spoke on annomity, told ITRealms Online that the day she was nominated, “I said she might be coming to Information.” Describing Prof. Akunyili as a versatile person, our source beliefs she would bring life to the Ministry due to her honesty and ever willing to learn, “so, she will be amenable to change.” Expressing the belief that what Nigeria needs now, especially in ICT sector as the mover is the zeal and strength with which Akunyili used to work while in NAFDAC.
“I personally trust God to use her to straighten a number of issues in the Ministry. I wish her all the best,” our source said.
A member of the Nigerian IT Professionals in the Diaspora, who described himself as Mr. Dele, noted though he hates predicting failure, but this was the same position he held when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) boss was appointed and months after it is no longer hidden that “EFCC has gone to the dogs.”
Welcoming Prof. Akunyili, Mr. Dele also noted that she did well at NAFDAC and became a doyen of the international community, but wondered if her administration at NAFDAC was a one-man show.
“If it was a one man show, then Nigerians are back to square one of using tainted drugs,” he said, expressing doubt on how far she could go, especially because the Ministry is saddled with lack of infrastructure and needs proactive approach to move the nation towards digital age.
“Wishing her all the best at the same time; her failure will not be because she lacks the will, but because of the situation on the ground and the people she might surround herself with,” Mr. Dele cautioned.
For another member of IT professionals in diaspora and chief executive officer of San Jose-based Learning Right Technologies LLC, Ms Mary (Molly) Uzoh, who pointed out that Prof. Mrs. Akunyili does not have to be a ‘techie’ to be an efficient Federal Minister of Information and Communication.
Although she said that Akunyili is not the Minister of Science and Technology, but its necessary that technology be fused into all Federal Ministries.
“However, if the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology is not tech savvy enough to drive the infusion of technology into all the federal ministries through its tons of agencies, including the National IT Development Agency (NITDA), any extraordinary effort by any ‘techie’ minister in Nigeria will just be a struggle,” she said.
Uzoh was very optimistic that Akunyili’s track record speaks for itself, declaring “.... No, we should not predict failure for her before she fails. Her previous assignment was not an easy one at all. In fact, she has a whole lot of ‘non-techie’ broken Information and Communication issues to fix in that ministry and I’m sure she is equal to the task.”
The Editor, ICT Today Magazine, Mr. Rommy Imah, thinks the appointment of the distinguished scholar, Prof. Akunyili as Information & Communications minister was not a mistake, as she is eminently qualified to occupy any office in this country except perhaps, that of the Attorney-General.
“I see a woman who is coming with great enthusiasm and ready to replicate the wonders she performed at NAFDAC. If assigning Dora the post of Minister of Information & Communications was a ploy by her ‘detractors’ to rubbish her political future, they have miscalculated this time round,” he declared.
Insisting that Dora is going to surprise Nigerians and the world once again as she has done it before and she will do it again. “You don’t need to be told that God has a hand in her life. And she confirmed this much during her maiden press conference as a minister,” he said, wishing her goodluck.
The interim coordinator, ICT Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ICT-CAN), Mr. Emma Eke, said, Nigeria is faced with a serious issue that has nothing to do with gains of ICT. Indeed, the nation stands to miss it again this time around, he said, pointing out that the allotment of portfolio could have put a round peg in a round hole.
“Let’s face it! What a wrong approach to continuity theory, which supports the fact that Dora, who has all these while monitored drugs and foods administration in the country could have been given related job,” he said.
Emphasising that it could have been better having her assume Minister of Health portfolio. “This could have seen her giving a tight supervision on the parastatals under that ministry. But, we have missed the chance!
Yes, ICT will start once again to groom a ‘green horn’ and chances of having her redeployed after is there. When can the country move forward,” he wondered?
The Secretary-General, JACITAD, Prince Osuagwu, said, the Mrs Akunyili is doomed if she does not resign now, maintaining that whichever way, she would lose as Ya’Adua’s spokes person, because she is known for her hard stance on upright ideologies.
“This time around, she has to bend the truth sometimes, and reduce the level of trust and confidence people repose on her or stand by what she believes in, and get kicked out easily. Now is the only time for her to leave and hear the ovation loud and clear. Any delay would be disastrous for her. I hope she understands,” he prayed.
Telecom expert and chief executive officer, The Executive Cyberschuul (TEC) Lagos, Mr. Titi Omo-Ettu tasked the new administration of Prof. Akunyili, to reform the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) sector.
For him, one of the key subject proposal, is the Ministry of ICT, noting that stakeholders expected her to throw more lights on the position of the government, which he described as the “unfinished business of industry restructuring of technology.”
He said, government under the leadership of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has taken nonchallant posture as far as this restructuring is concerned, which commenced during Chief Obasanjo’s tenure and precisely in 2006 with a Committee established to that effect.
“There is unfinished business of industry restructuring of technology, information and communications apparatus of government; roadmap to achieve improved quality of service in the telephone system; and strategies for upgrading broadband access to Nigerians,” he said.
Omo-Ettu also advised that several questions are begging for answers and if not brought to the fore, could be swept under the carpet, which has been the hallmark since Yar’Adua’s administration.
He recalled that government in 2006 commenced a desire to restructure the information and communications industries when it set up a Committee to examine the wherewithal of a converged industry.
Restructuring of the ministry in its present state, he said, goes beyond mere change of name, lamenting that though the government after setting up the committee to this effect surprisingly went on to create the nomenclature called Ministry of Information and Communications.
“It however impulsively went ahead to create the Ministry of Information and Communications ahead of the work of the Committee only to realize that restructuring in a true sense was more than mere name-changing and merging of Ministerial portfolios,” he said.
The telecom engineer pointed out that the Committee completed its work and advised government on the amount of work required to effect a true change that will take advantage of the march of science and technology in the years ahead, describing it as irresponsible for that process to still be in the coolers after about two years after the committee was inaugurated.
“Work has stalled on the project and the Yar’ Adua government, since he took-over in 2007, operating as if the issue never mattered,” he decried, stressing that stakeholders may spoil for war with the Yar’Adua’s administration as this current position is not acceptable.
“We should not accept this posture and we must call government to account,” he asserted.
ITRealms Online recollects that proponents of a restructured industry had argued that because of the radical changes that the likes of Internet Protocol (IP) introduced into the polity, must be contentious if not totally difficult to determine what is telecommunications, broadcasting, technologies and services, especially in distinguishing between where one stops and the other begins.
This, a school of thought said, would provide a clear view and sharp industry management that could translate to enhanced smooth management, thereby reducing cost of doing business and ultimately cost of service provision.
Also they had argued that a continuous application of legacy systems and management of new systems using the old methods will create confusion, duplicity, legal entanglements, increase cost of doing business and ultimately impose severe cost on consumers.
“Those who are opposed to change argue issues which surround who gains what and who losses what. They talk about persons when the argument is about issues and they particularly make otherwise healthy debates to become unexciting. These are usually enough to confuse a government that has no view of its own,” he warned.
He emphasized that government’s mandate is to resolve these issues or to quit if it lacks the interest and will to apply emerging technologies into governance, which is why government cannot be allowed without taking actions.
Additionally, one critical issue begging for attention is that of infrastructure provisioning, which involves electricity power generation and cost of keeping it running 24 by 7, especially if the dream to reduce call tariff will be actualized in the nearest future.
Just as Akunyili should try to carry stakeholders along, even as was noted recently at the stakeholders meeting in Abuja, till date she is yet to request a memo from industry associations as a way of keeping her abreast. A step that needed urgent attention.
The truth is that she may not make relevant impact without the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), because making the right policy is one thing and its implementation is another, even as she must know where the bounder-line is situated to avoid unnecessary conflicts between the two, especially as she came from a regulator’s background.
However, whether she is a square peg in a round whole or otherwise and a tool for ‘political settlement’ as being feared by some of her supporters will manifest in a matter of time.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
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