Telecom: ALTON defeats Lagos over regulation

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has defeated the Lagos State Government over a law suit instituted against the state government over intents to regulate telecommunications within its territory.

It would be recalled that state government had constituted an agency known as the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance Regulatory Agency (LIMRA) through which it has been chasing operators around over the state levies and taxes, which included that of mast, towers and earthing and unearthing of cable and fibre optic equipment for telecommunication development.

Noteworthy is that most telecommunications operators in the country have their major infrastructure situated in Lagos State.

Delivering his judgement at the Federal High Court Ikoyi-Lagos on Friday, February 23, 2007, the presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta, pointed out that he has the jurisdiction to hear the suit No: FHC/L/CS/517/2006; The Registered Trustees of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria & Six Ors v. Lagos State Government & 4 Ors.
Subsequently, Justice Auta stated on the objection to jurisdiction taken by the Lagos State Government, that he had jurisdiction to entertain the matter being a matter dealing with telecoms.

Also on the issues contained in the Originating Summons (OS), the Judge maintained that though the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance Regulatory Agency (LIMRA) law looks innocent on the surface, its provisions obviously indicated regulation of telecoms and arrogation of the functions of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to itself.

Justice Auto went on to describe the Lagos State law as an attempt to regulate telecoms, noting, the danger is that if allowed similar legislations would definitely manifest in other states of the federation.

Although he noted that the driving force of the law seems to increase the revenue earnings of the state government with regard to the high charges in the law and the existence of other general laws on urban planning in Lagos State.

Justice Auto, therefore declared the law unconstitutional and granted a permanent injunction restraining the Lagos State Government and its agents from implementing the law.

However, reacting to the development, ALTON chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo informed HANA that it is a welcome development and a victory for the industry and mostly the teeming subscribers of telcos nationwide.

“We’re delighted at the judgment,” he said, stressing it is an assurance that in the near future, the era of multiple taxation would be rested once and for all.

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No free 3G license for existing operators - NCC

Telecommunications regulator in the country, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has explained why Third Generation (3G) licenses would not be free for existing telecom operators.

ITRealms Online, recalls that some telecommunications operators in the country recently canvassed for a free frequency allocation, mostly now that Third Generation (3G) license
Giving this explanation while receiving in his office, executive of Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, said that there is no place in the world where frequency licenses are offered for free.

“There is nowhere in the world that frequencies are granted free to operators,” he said.
On the issuance of frequency licences and fees, he noted that

Dr. Ndukwe also said that the essence of the fee is to discourage speculation and charlatans.

The fixed fee, he added is to deter operators especially those who do not have anything to do in the industry to come for license.

He, however, noted that the rate charged by the Commission is based on some criteria.
He further said that the criteria could be adjusted if need be.

“As a listening organisation, if there are serious suggestions from anybody that could convince the board of NCC that the rate we have are not competitive or represent something that is different from international norms, then we can look at it again,” he said.

Speaking earlier, Chairman of ALTON, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, requested NCC to introduce an amiable relationship with the association.

He also urged NCC to introduce a means by which it would establish the true names and figures of the licensed operators in the country.

In addition, he said this has become relevant due to the number of registered telecommunications companies is quite below the number of companies granted various operational licenses.

Mr. Adebayo disclosed that ALTON currently has within its membership, 28 companies.

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Zinox rolls out 6,700 Pcs with low consumption

Top of the brand in PC local assemblers in Nigeria, Zinox Technologies, has concluded plans to roll out 6,700 of its latest in stock, Zinox Power PC into the market.

Chairman of the company, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, disclosed this to correspondent and said that the roll-out would be in honour of the outgoing Nigerian president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, as he is expected to hand-over government on May 27 this year.

According to Dr. Ekeh who spoke at the unveiling of Zinox Power PC in Lagos, Obasanjo’s administration has been very Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-friendly, both to the stakeholders and citizenry at large.

“It is the greatest thing to have happened to this country and send off for our digital President Obasanjo,” Dr. Ekeh declared.

He noted that it was during his tenure that the likes of Microsoft and Intel entered the nation’s market fully.

He stressed that Zinox Power PC was berthed due to a tripartite partnership between Zinox Technologies, Microsoft and Intel.

Zinox chairman also said that the PC would be sold at cost not upto N50,000, about ($390.472) and urged Nigerians especially schools to take the advantage of crashing prices of PCs in the country to equip their homes and offices.

He also said that it is a high quality PC that was discounted based on partnership Zinox had with Microsoft and Intel Corporation.

“Zinox Power PC was designed and manufactured in association with Intel and certified by Microsoft,” he said.

Dr. Ekeh who was accompanied by the chief executive of Computerise Nigeria Project (CNP), Mrs. Vivian Abii, described Zinox Power PC as a sleek and elegant personal computer with full features any Pc could boast of, emphasizing that a team of engineers from Intel supervised the production, hence it has Intel’s seal of authority and guaranty.

He explained that the PC runs on Intel Mobile processor 1.2 Gega Hertz (GHz), 256 Mega bytes of Random Access Memory (RAM), 40 Hard Disk Drive (HDD), fax modem, compact disc (CD ROM x 56) and international keyboard and mouse.

In addition, he said, Zinox Power PC has Microsoft Window XP Starter edition pre-installed and runs on optimal power consumption, faster bus and in-build anti-shock device.

“It comes standard with unparalleled 12 months comprehensive no-story warranty by Zinox and Intel,” he said.

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MTC establishes $10.5 b Africa investment fund

Mobile Telecommunication Company (MTC) Group of Kuwait, parent company of Celtel International, has set aside US$10.5 billion, (about N1.4 trillion) investment fund to expand mobile telecom operations in Africa through Celtel International.

MTC owners of Celtel, a mobile phone service provider with presence in 14 African countries including Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Niger and the Democratic Republic of Congo, among others, said that with fund Celtel Africa becomes the first mobile service provider on the continent to invest such a huge sum into improved network and expansion.

Managing Director of MTC, Dr. Saad Al- Barrak, who disclosed in a press statement from the organization, said the company chose this part in order to double its coverage in Africa.

"We have embarked on an issue of becoming a global company hence we have to double our coverage by investing in latest technology," he said.

ITRealms Online, recalls that last month, while in touring African operations, MTN had announced it was embarking on an expansion programme code-named Acceleration, Consolidation, and Expansion (ACE).

This the telco said is aimed at tripling the company's customer base to 70 million subscribers by 2011, just as Celtel Africa currently has about 25 million subscribers.

He also disclosed that Celtel has commenced discussions in high quarters with the African governments so as to enable them understand the immediate future plans of the company.

Dr. Al-Barrak noted while in Uganda fortnight ago, that he took up the expansion issues with President Yoweri Museveni.

He said that the Africa telecom development funds would be used primarily to expand network in various African nations, mostly where Celtel Africa has operations, even as he looks forward to new exploits.

Noteworthy is that although shareholders manage MTC, the Kuwait government has 24.6 per cent stake in the company. Celtel currently ranks third as the biggest mobile provider in Africa after Mobile Telecommunications Network (MTN) and Vodacom, both of South Africa.

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ATCON strategises for Pan-Nigerian ICT awards

UMBRELLA body of the telecommunications firms in the country, the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), has said its going to reclaim the pioneering position it established in the 80s by introducing Pan-Nigerian Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Awards.

Also ATCON said it would soon unveil its official website to avail both stakeholders and potential partners of its members to gain more insight into modules of the organization and telecommunications companies in the country.

Disclosing these in Lagos in a chat with newsmen, to place the group’s agenda for this quarter on the table, ATCON President, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, said the introduction of Pan-Nigerian ICT award has become imperative given the avalanche of all manner of recognition to stakeholders in recent times.

He said that ATCON has persistently received complaints from concerned stakeholders over recognitions based on what some industry watchers described as ‘higher purchase’ rather than on merit.

He lamented the influx of all manner of awards in the industry, which to a great extent was not the true reflection of things, thereby negating the excellence that should be the watchword of the industry.

To this end, he said, this award and franchising in the telecommunications sector would dominate its stakeholders’ forum being put together by ATCON in March.

He said that the level of industry awards in telecommunications have become alarming, hence ATCON is taking the bull by its horn to institute the pan-industry award.

Details in respect of categories and criteria, he said, would be made known at the end of the group’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for March 31, this year.

He further said that the award would be determined by cohesive discussion.

“If we want Pan-industry award, we should really work for it and come out with something very good,” he counseled.

He assured that ATCON would maintain transparency and merit for the awards.

“The award must be handled in such a way that it would reflect pan-industry. It would be transparently done,” he said, just as he expressed confident that there is no industry wrangling among its members.

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Globacom lifts Ghana with N13.9m

Second National Operator (SNO), Globacom Limited, has taken its corporate social responsibility off shore by lifting the Ghanaian government with a donation of 1 billion Cedis, about N13.9 million.

Head, Outdoor Advertising of Globacom, Mr. Bode Opesietan, disclosed this in a press statement made available to our correspondent, said the donation was to support the development of the country by the government, especially in preparation for its 50th anniversary.

Globacom's Head of New Markets and Special Projects, Mr. Yinka Olafimihan who presented the cheque of one billion cedis on behalf of Globacom Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr, to the Ghanaian Minister for Presidential Affairs, Mr Kwawo Mpiani, at the weekend.

Mr. Olafimihan said the donation was a token of love and admiration to the government and good people of this great country.

“We believe that we do not have to wait till we launch our operation in Ghana before contributing our own little quota to your celebrations" he said.

He also applauded the government and people of Ghana for nurturing peace and tranquility in the country and for their friendly disposition towards investors.

"We wish to note that since we expressed our interest to do business in Ghana, we have been accepted with open arms by both the people and government,” he said, assuring that Globacom sees Ghana as home also, just as the telco desires to be an integral part of nation’s life as the telco have been in Nigeria in the past three-and-a-half years.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the government, Mr Mpiani who doubles as Chief of Staff to Ghanaian President, commended Globacom Limited, for the gesture and described the telco as Africa's fastest growing telecommunication network, that is credible with good corporate citizenship worthy of invitation to invest in Ghana.

The presentation ceremony was held at the presidential Castle, Osu, Accra.

Earlier, Globacom had donated US$50,000 to the CAN 2008 Business Club in Accra as a modest contribution towards the successful hosting of the 2008 African Cup of Nations by Ghana.

Globacom Limited began operation in Nigeria in August 2003 as the country’s second national telecommunications carrier and in line with its vision of building the biggest and most efficient network on the continent, Globacom deployed its acclaimed world class telecommunications infrastructure across Nigeria, crashing the cost of telephony in the country backed with introduction of innovative products and services.

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