The latest member of the European Union (EU), Bulgaria is to host the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)-organised Telecom Europe next year.
The event slated for the last month of 2007, is said to bring about focus on Bulgaria’s efforts in mainstreaming into the telecommunications world.
A press statement from ITU, informed that the event promises to provide the leading showcase for the region’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry, scheduled to take place in the city of Sofia, Bulgaria.
Executive Manager, ITU Telecom, Mr. Fernando Lagrana, said that with its thriving ICT sector, in addition to with the key strategic location, Bulgaria hopes to provide an ideal vantage point to observe trends unfolding across the region.
He explained that Bulgaria emerged the host following a competitive bidding process, due to a number of reasons including a very strong level of industry and government support at the national level.
Mr. Lagrana also said that the European region spans some of the world's most sophisticated ICT markets to newer, emerging markets, all of which offer great potential.
As said by him, in 2005 the European region had the world's highest degree of liberalization and competition
in the telecommunication sector.
“Together with a changing political climate aided by market growth and liberalization as well as the eastward expansion of the EU, a raft of new opportunities for trade and investment has opened in the South Eastern European region,” he noted.
Excited Chairman of the State Agency for Information Technology and Communications of the Republic of Bulgaria, Plamen Vatchkov, said the favourable conditions that the fast-developing modern capital Sofia will offer to the participants in the Forum and the exhibition will contribute to the success of ITU Telecom Europe.
"We believe that the active involvement of the leading local telecoms and ICT providers will be an additional asset to the success of the event along with full political support to this event of all Bulgarian government authorities, central as well as local," Vatchkov said.
With a major exhibition, showcasing the latest ICT innovations, plus a Forum focusing on the key issues, policies and technologies underpinning growth within Europe, and a whole lot more, the chairman said, ITU Telecom Europe will be the key ICT event for the region in 2007.
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Wednesday, November 01, 2006
GSMA faults disbursement of universal access funds
INDUSTRY study commissioned by the Global System for Mobile Association (GSMA), has faulted governments of developing nations on the disbursement of the Universal Service Provision Funds (USPF).
GSMA in the study’s main findings made available to ITREALMS Online, stated that emphasise should be on mobile networks, rather than the fixed networks.
Pointing out that mobile communications will deliver affordable voice, data and Internet services to over 5 billion within the next decade, that is, by 2015.
GSMA also believes that the cost of mobile networks and devices will continue to fall, if adequate investments are made thereby facilitating affordable mobile services to be offered to people on very low incomes.
This study conducted by Intelecon Research examined how universal service funds are currently meeting their objectives and what role mobile networks play in delivering universal service and access.
Main findings in the study include that mobile networks now cover 80 per cent of the world’s population, double the level in 2000.
This was attributed, mostly to investment by mobile operators and the liberalization of some telecom markets by governments, especially in developing countries.
“By 2010, 90 per cent of the world will be covered by mobile networks” the study stated, stressing that 32 out of the 92 developing countries surveyed have set up universal service funds; which levy contributions came from mobile and fixed operators, to subsidize the rollout of telecommunications networks in rural areas.
Currently, the study said, 15 out of the 32 universal service funds have collected more than US$6 billion from the telecommunications industry, of which US$2 billion has come from the mobile industry.
Lamenting that only 27 per cent, about US$1.62 billion of the US$6 billion that has been collected to date has been redistributed to the telecommunications industry to aid in network expansion. The remaining 73 per cent remains unallocated and unspent.
“Universal service fund disbursements have had little impact on improving market penetration, primarily because 93 per cent of the US$1.62 billion has been spent on extending fixed-line networks, which are relatively expensive compared to mobiles,” GSMA decried.
Further, the study recommended that governments should regard market forces as the primary means to extend access and connections to mobile communications.
“Universal service funds should play a secondary, 'last resort' role in the provision of access to communications,” they suggested.
Just as it has pointed out the US$4.4 billion accrued by universal service funds and has not yet been disbursed should be invested in mobile coverage rollout.
This, GSMA said, should be complimented by the reduction of other barriers to mobile usage, such as tax, as a matter of priority, advising, “Universal service funds should only be used as a short to medium term policy tool, which should be phased out over time.”
Additionally the group said, USPF should be spent on the lowest cost access technology, typically mobile networks, which have been demonstrated to be the most efficient way to extend access to telecommunications.
Governments should, therefore, make public their policies towards universal access, ensure transparency and review progress regularly.
GSMA in the study’s main findings made available to ITREALMS Online, stated that emphasise should be on mobile networks, rather than the fixed networks.
Pointing out that mobile communications will deliver affordable voice, data and Internet services to over 5 billion within the next decade, that is, by 2015.
GSMA also believes that the cost of mobile networks and devices will continue to fall, if adequate investments are made thereby facilitating affordable mobile services to be offered to people on very low incomes.
This study conducted by Intelecon Research examined how universal service funds are currently meeting their objectives and what role mobile networks play in delivering universal service and access.
Main findings in the study include that mobile networks now cover 80 per cent of the world’s population, double the level in 2000.
This was attributed, mostly to investment by mobile operators and the liberalization of some telecom markets by governments, especially in developing countries.
“By 2010, 90 per cent of the world will be covered by mobile networks” the study stated, stressing that 32 out of the 92 developing countries surveyed have set up universal service funds; which levy contributions came from mobile and fixed operators, to subsidize the rollout of telecommunications networks in rural areas.
Currently, the study said, 15 out of the 32 universal service funds have collected more than US$6 billion from the telecommunications industry, of which US$2 billion has come from the mobile industry.
Lamenting that only 27 per cent, about US$1.62 billion of the US$6 billion that has been collected to date has been redistributed to the telecommunications industry to aid in network expansion. The remaining 73 per cent remains unallocated and unspent.
“Universal service fund disbursements have had little impact on improving market penetration, primarily because 93 per cent of the US$1.62 billion has been spent on extending fixed-line networks, which are relatively expensive compared to mobiles,” GSMA decried.
Further, the study recommended that governments should regard market forces as the primary means to extend access and connections to mobile communications.
“Universal service funds should play a secondary, 'last resort' role in the provision of access to communications,” they suggested.
Just as it has pointed out the US$4.4 billion accrued by universal service funds and has not yet been disbursed should be invested in mobile coverage rollout.
This, GSMA said, should be complimented by the reduction of other barriers to mobile usage, such as tax, as a matter of priority, advising, “Universal service funds should only be used as a short to medium term policy tool, which should be phased out over time.”
Additionally the group said, USPF should be spent on the lowest cost access technology, typically mobile networks, which have been demonstrated to be the most efficient way to extend access to telecommunications.
Governments should, therefore, make public their policies towards universal access, ensure transparency and review progress regularly.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
SNO goes to Lagos trade fair
The Second National Operator (SNO) Globacom has concluded plans to hit base at this year’s Lagos international trade fair holding at the permanent site of Trade Fair Complex Lagos.
Giving this indication, Globacom said it would also showcase its avalanche of products for visitors’ delight.
A press statement made available to newsmen in Lagos from the telco said that all is now set for its participation at the fair.
According to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Globacom, Mr. Mohammed Jameel, said “as the Official Telecoms Partner of the 2006 Fair, we are prepared to play a major role in ensuring a successful exhibition at the Fair and the attainment of the business targets of all exhibitors and visitors to the Fair by making seamless and affordable communication available to all”.
He recalled that since its launched three years ago, Globacom has maintained its empowering strategies for the sake of the people and commitment through poverty alleviation schemes.
This, he said, has provided business opportunities for young school leavers and unemployed youths to own commercial telephone services nationwide.
He further said that Globacom would at the fair avail Nigerians its vast array products, which have given it the edge in the GSM market.
“With a superior 2.5 network capability, Globacom delivers more value added services than any other GSM network in the country,” he noted.
Just as visitors to the telco’s stand would have a treat of several products and services such as purchase of Glo Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) packs and recharge cards, apart from other customer care services.
Globacom said various gifts have been packaged for visitors to its stand as well as daily raffle draw have been planned throughout the fair.Line up of product to expect at the fair include the most recently value added service of Blacberry, Glo Mobile Internet, Magic Plus, Global Packet Radio System (GPRS), Glo fax, Telemetry and Security Solutions for Utility Companies and Banks, Glo MMS, GloDirect, Glo M-Banking, Glo Mobile Office, Vehicle Tracking and Fleet Management Solution.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
FG warned: Don’t set up another NITEL
THE federal government has been warned not to set up a similar organisation like the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) after the purported sale of NITEL to Trans National Corporation (TRANSCORP) recently.
NITEL, it would be recalled has been a monopoly until the liberalisation of telecommunications industry since 2000 and was bought by TRANSCORP via what the Bureau for Public Enterprise (BPE) described as ‘preferred negotiated bidder’ option for the sum of $750 million, about N1.1 billion.
This warning came from the Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) in its position paper released recently in Lagos on the ‘Restructuring of the telecommunications, broadcasting and Information Technology (IT) industries.’
The group said that government should as matter of fact, under any circumstances or pretences turn into another telecom operator.
“We cannot privatise NITEL on one hand and commence another NITEL like- organisation on the other hand,” NIG said.
Hence, the group advocated that Galaxy and the Nigeria Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) under the Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) and the National Rural Telephony Project (NRTP) of the communications ministry be transferrd to the private sector for immediate management.
Funds realised thereof in the process, the group led by its President and chief executive of PiNet Informatics Limited, Mr. Lanre Ajayi, said, should be transferred to private sector and be used to pay any outstanding loans incurred on the aforementioned projects.
The coming of these entities, such as Galaxy and NIGCOMSAT, the group alleged is an indication or rather a hiddern agenda by the authorities to still be an operator in the ICT sector, probably after disposing NITEL.
NITEL, it would be recalled has been a monopoly until the liberalisation of telecommunications industry since 2000 and was bought by TRANSCORP via what the Bureau for Public Enterprise (BPE) described as ‘preferred negotiated bidder’ option for the sum of $750 million, about N1.1 billion.
This warning came from the Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) in its position paper released recently in Lagos on the ‘Restructuring of the telecommunications, broadcasting and Information Technology (IT) industries.’
The group said that government should as matter of fact, under any circumstances or pretences turn into another telecom operator.
“We cannot privatise NITEL on one hand and commence another NITEL like- organisation on the other hand,” NIG said.
Hence, the group advocated that Galaxy and the Nigeria Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) under the Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) and the National Rural Telephony Project (NRTP) of the communications ministry be transferrd to the private sector for immediate management.
Funds realised thereof in the process, the group led by its President and chief executive of PiNet Informatics Limited, Mr. Lanre Ajayi, said, should be transferred to private sector and be used to pay any outstanding loans incurred on the aforementioned projects.
The coming of these entities, such as Galaxy and NIGCOMSAT, the group alleged is an indication or rather a hiddern agenda by the authorities to still be an operator in the ICT sector, probably after disposing NITEL.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Nkwoma commends APC on UPS
REAL-time infrastructure solution provider with headquarters at the Rhode Island, United States, the American Power Conversion (APC) has been commended by the management of SystemTech Services Nigeria, saying it safeguards critical data.
Reeling out the commendation through the Customer Service Manager at SystemTech Services, Mr. Ezichi Nkwoma, who spoke in Lagos on the site report made available to ITREALMS Online, said that APC’s brand of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) has been of immense help to his organisation.
“Thankfully, my company has been using APC products for years in order to adequately safeguard our expensive equipment, ensure high availability, as well as enable us to speedily access and update time-critical data,” he declared.
According to him, during major power problems, such as surges fluctuations and outages, which occur frequently in Nigeria and particularly Lagos.
“Our APC power solutions safeguard our database and prevent any damage to our equipment,” he said.
APC brands of back-up unit, he also noted allow users to properly shutdown all applications and power down
all computers gracefully during power outages.
He expressed belief that without these UPS, Systemtech would have undergone serious setbacks, which usually are costly to any organisation, moreso, those who service large blue-chip companies both in the private and public sector.
Reacting to the commendation, Africa General Manager at APC, Mr. Carl Kleynhans, reinstated that his firm has all-inclusive products designed for both home and corporate organisations and environments to assist in improving availability, manageability and performance of sensitive electronic, network communication and industrial equipment of all sizes.
Emphasising on the firm’s mission, he said it is to solve real customer issues, related to the reliability and productivity of information systems.
Hence, the firm believes in delivering end-to-end power solutions to guarantee an Information Technology (IT) system’s availability for home Personal Computers (PCs) as well as large data centres.
The products were supplied by SAAPTech Nigeria, one of the APC’s local authorised silver partners and have been in use in the past seven years by Systemtech.
Reeling out the commendation through the Customer Service Manager at SystemTech Services, Mr. Ezichi Nkwoma, who spoke in Lagos on the site report made available to ITREALMS Online, said that APC’s brand of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) has been of immense help to his organisation.
“Thankfully, my company has been using APC products for years in order to adequately safeguard our expensive equipment, ensure high availability, as well as enable us to speedily access and update time-critical data,” he declared.
According to him, during major power problems, such as surges fluctuations and outages, which occur frequently in Nigeria and particularly Lagos.
“Our APC power solutions safeguard our database and prevent any damage to our equipment,” he said.
APC brands of back-up unit, he also noted allow users to properly shutdown all applications and power down
all computers gracefully during power outages.
He expressed belief that without these UPS, Systemtech would have undergone serious setbacks, which usually are costly to any organisation, moreso, those who service large blue-chip companies both in the private and public sector.
Reacting to the commendation, Africa General Manager at APC, Mr. Carl Kleynhans, reinstated that his firm has all-inclusive products designed for both home and corporate organisations and environments to assist in improving availability, manageability and performance of sensitive electronic, network communication and industrial equipment of all sizes.
Emphasising on the firm’s mission, he said it is to solve real customer issues, related to the reliability and productivity of information systems.
Hence, the firm believes in delivering end-to-end power solutions to guarantee an Information Technology (IT) system’s availability for home Personal Computers (PCs) as well as large data centres.
The products were supplied by SAAPTech Nigeria, one of the APC’s local authorised silver partners and have been in use in the past seven years by Systemtech.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
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