Local OEMs boycott Microsoft, Intel

Cover story of the week:

The local Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the country may have commenced boycotting of placing orders on the Operating System (OS) dominantly supplied by the software giant, Microsoft Corporation and computer processor manufacturer, Intel Corporation offices in the country.

This was based on the outcome of things in respect to controversial Computer for All Nigerian Initiative (CANi) project, which most industry observers said is now ‘dead and buried’.

Also listed as ke2y bone of contention lately was the manner in which the fund for the $100 laptop per child scheme was reportedly mismanaged without local content as earlier proposed.

CANi, for instance, was a purported Federal Government plan to make the ownership of Personal Computers (PCs) cheaper to the civil servants in the country as a Government Assisted Purchase Programme (GAPP).

This, the government said was designed to expand the usage of computers and Information Technology (IT) within the country even as the same initiative was implemented in other countries of the world, including the United Kingdom, United States, Singapore, Japan, China and Egypt among others.

Thus, CANi is a public-private partnership programme between the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology through its agency, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and two giants in the IT industry; Microsoft Corporation and Intel Corporation.

Alongside the trio, the initiative has Hewlett Packard (HP) and some four local OEMs, namely Zinox Technologies, Omatek Computers, Beta SpeetStar and Brian Computers, some banks as key participants on the project among others, until lately.

Information reaching Champion Infotel and confirmed by our investigations indicated that at least two out of the four local OEMs actively involved in the CANi project, have either formerly written Microsoft and Intel offices in Nigeria with the intension to stop their orders forthwith based on the ugly development or on the process which must have been advanced.

Our sources said that these OEMs now prefer to make their orders through the neighbouring West African countries such as Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal or even South Africa.

Equally, these actions of some OEMs in the country was intended to be a deterrent to the two foreign companies, mostly for their actions in allegedly scuttling the efforts of the government to allow the Nigerian private sector to take a bit and make its own contributions on these two projects.

“What’s happening now is that we have cancelled all orders from Intel and Microsoft, in Nigeria,” confirmed sources informed.

But, reacting to our inquiries, Intel’s business development manager for Nigeria, Mr. David Ibhawoh, said that Intel Corporation has a wonderful working relationship with its local OEMs across board.

“As I speak to you Zinox, Balogtek (Brain) and Speedstar are placing orders with Intel distributors for their processors,” he declared, adding that it is only Omatek that gets a better deal elsewhere and as a matter of fact, Omatek stopped ordering processors locally for about a year now.

“Omatek on the other hand has not ordered processor locally for over a year now as she does not patronize local channels, but she get a better deal else where,” he asserted.

However, Champion Infotel equally gathered that both Microsoft and Intel in the country, are no longer making it a secret that the CANi initiative was their own.

Hence this attitude gave rise to the resuscitation of various local OEMs initiative to drive its own brands in the market, which was virtually suspended when the CANi project was launched by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration on July 6, 2006.

Some of these locally inspired initiative included Zinox Computerise Nigeria, which came up with another branch known as Zinox Students Computer Purchase (Z-SCOP) programme and Omatek’s e-Xpress initiative.

Champion Infotel recalls that soon after CANi was proclaimed, the federal government announced the purchase of PCs under the initiative worth N1.3 billion, even as the then managers, the Project Management Office (PMO) of (CANi), categorised the CANi-branded PCs and laptops into various formats such as Desktop Ultra Value, Desktop Value and Desktop Mainstream as well as laptops, costing between N45,000 and N128,000.

Mr. Soji Romeo, Director of PMO also said that the main thrust of the programme is not a mere provision of PCs to the citizenry but to instil Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in their daily existence.

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Cisco to invest $10m on Africa

Cisco Systems is to invest $10 million for development of its networking potentials on the continent.

Just as five countries on the continent have been listed as first batch of beneficiaries on the project, namely Nigeria, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Kenya.

Cisco, a global leader in networking known to have transformed how people connect, communicate and collaborate through pioneering of the Internet Protocol (IP)-based technologies evolution.

Disclosing this, the Area Academy Manager for West and Central Africa at Cisco Networking Academy, Mr. Julius Ayuk Tabe, would afford the organisation to expand its zeal in empowering Africans and especially the youth through the use deployment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for development via the networking academies.

He also said that the academies current with presence in 168 countries globally, while Nigeria has 65 scattered in various locations nationwide, even as Cisco plans to engaged over 50 Unity Schools in the country with this initiative.

According to him, the academies focus on Information Technology (IT) essentials and wireless network, including relevant certification for both teachers and students so as to prepare them for the future.

Two core system academies in the country are resident at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Abuja and University of Jos (UNIJOS) in Plateau State.

He explained that Cisco Networking Academy is an innovative global education initiative that delivers ICT skills to help meet this growing demand while improving career and educational opportunities for students around the world.

Cisco Systems founded in 1984 had in April 2006 officially opened its Nigerian office, thus bringing its avalanche of services and opportunities closer to the populace.

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Slow pace of deploying IPv6 worries ICANN

Global Internet coordinating agency, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has expressed worries over the slow pace of deploying Internet Protocol version Six (IPv6) worldwide.

This development came as ICANN said there is widespread agreement within the technical community that the Internet’s current system based on IP version 4 (IPv4) is unable to cope with the network’s expansion.

IPv6 stands for Internet Protocol version 6 and is the technological solution that allows for a vast expansion in the number of Internet addresses.

ICANN in its recent released factsheet on IPv6 expressed worries over the slow adoption.

“IPv6 adoption has been slow. Since it is not directly compatible with the current IPv4 system, there is inertia to the move,” ICANN noted, stressing that this delay has become a matter of increasing concern to the body.

Also, ICANN said that it is important that companies, governments and regulatory authorities understand the issues surrounding IPv6 and why its use should be encouraged.

ICANN further stated that every device connected to the Internet needs an address, but those addresses are rapidly being depleted, hence its unlikely the current system put in place over 30 years ago would stand the test of time in the next 10 years.

“As unlikely as that may seem, the system put in place in 1977 assumed that four billion separate addresses on the network would be more than sufficient,” ICANN said, pointing out that the Internet’s enormous success and growth has seen those addresses rapidly taken up.

The global agency projected that in the next five years if not sooner than expected, the existing IPv4 could run out completely.

“Within the next five years, and possibly sooner, the ‘free pool’ of addresses, those that have not yet been used or assigned will run out,” ICANN noted.

Therefore, ICANN emphasised that unless a method of providing more addresses is introduced, the Internet’s growth would be hampered in the coming decades.

Affirming the position of ICANN, the general manager, Public Participation at ICANN, Mr. Kieren McCarthy, said that the release of factsheet covering Internet Protocol 6 was proposed to provide explanation on the protocol upgrade for a non-technical audience in the hope of enlarging public understanding surrounding this and related issues.

“The factsheet briefly reviews the technology behind IPv6, explains why it is needed, why uptake has been slow, and outlines why a move to the protocol should be considered soon by many organisations and governments,” he said.

He also said that the factsheet continues what has been a popular series of short, clearly written, guides covering topical technical issues in which ICANN is involved.

ICANN in executive summary stated that there is widespread agreement within the technical community that the Internet’s current system is unable to cope with the network’s expansion.

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Regulators have roles to play for successful Number Portability

Telecommunications regulators and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), precisely have roles to play in ensuring the successful implementation of proposed national Number Portability in the country.

National number portability or plan allows a country to efficiently manage this valuable but limited asset and impacts on numbering direction, the productivity and competitiveness in the telecom sector.

Making this charge recently in Lagos at a four-day workshop on Number Portability and Convergence, the Vice President, Sales and Alliances, Interconnection Solutions, at Telcodia for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Mr. Thomas Mazzone, said that telecommunications regulators like NCC have lots of role to play in making the dream of enthroning Number Portability a success in any environment.

“Regulators have to play a vital role in the development and implementation of Number Portability service,” he declared.

Some of the roles expected of a regulator in this kind of environment include providing the link between the law and the actual implementation of that resolution.

In addition, the regulator should ensure it offers the leverage for the operators in the industry to develop a cost effective solution to operational and network aspects.

“Develop a Request for Proposal (RFP) and select a third party vender to operate a neutral administrative system,” he advised.

By leveraging on other good inputs from other regulatory, Mr. Mazzone NCC could reduce expenses and gain experiences in addition to customer advocacy based on balance demands with reality without leaving out good dispute resolution.

Regulator, he said, should set basic requirements for service level agreements with all operators in a fair and equitable manner.

Mr. Mazzone equally identified some key elements for number portability including that operators switches may have to be upgraded to support the number portability plan, while mobile network switches are more likely to be already NP databases.

He explained that existing Signalling Transfer Points (STP) should be able to support NP databases.

Highlighting the impact of the Number Portability on call set-up, Mr. Mazzone said that there are several options for routing a call to a portable number, distinguished by where and how the translation occurs and which networks are involved.

“All call query and N-1 query are the most widely deployed routing methods,” he declared, adding that All Call query enables translation into the directory number to a routing number at the call-originating switch or network.

While the N-1 query processes the call as based on the dialled number until NP could make a difference in the routing, then translate the directory number to a routing number.

“The most common variant routes the call from non-NP-capable switches to NP-capable switches, then performs the translation,” he enlightened.

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NITEL to pay N14bn damages to Interstella

The Federal High Court sitting at Umuahia, Abia State on Monday ordered the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) to pay the sum of N14 billion to Interstella as damages for a breach of contract.

Delivering judgement, the presiding judge, Mr. Justice H.T. Soba, on suit No. FHC/Um/CS/95/2004 between Interstella Communications Limited who is the plaintiff, and NITEL as the defendant, granted all the claims of the plaintiff as endorsed in the statement of claim including that defendants conduct breached contract by failing, refusing or neglecting to provide the services contracted by the defendant when it leased out its 36 E1 switched ports, 9 E1 transmission links and half STM1 circuit on SAT 3 to the plaintiff.

The court also ordered the defendant to immediately provide the plaintiff with half STM1 circuit on SAT3, which the plaintiff has paid for, since October 2006.

Payment by the defendant to the plaintiff of the sum of N1.944 billion per annum as revenue accruable to the plaintiff per annum from its investments on the 36 E1 switch ports and 9 transmission E1 beginning from 2002 and continuing thereafter until the accumulated sum is paid in arrears.

Equally, the court directed that payment be made to the plaintiff of two million four hundred and eighty US dollars per month from April 2007 till date until all accumulated arrears are paid, being the monthly revenue accruable to the plaintiffs investment on half STM circuit on SAT3 since October 2006.

The sum of two billion Naira was awarded as exemplary damages for damages mindlessly inflicted on the plaintiffs business, the corporate goodwill, image and integrity reputation, financial loses occasioned and flowing directly and being reasonably foreseeable as direct consequences of the defendants conduct, with an interest rate of 30 per cent until judgement, and thereafter at 25 per cent until the liquidation of judgement debt, even as payment of N250,000.00 being cost of litigation in favour of plaintiff.

In addition, apart from the declaratory orders, and the interest accruing to the judgement debt, the immediate financial implication of this judgement is that as at November 6, 2007, NITEL is liable to pay a total sum of N11.72 billion and $14,150,000.00 to Interstella Communications Limited.

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Made-in-Nigeria software needs support – Angaye

Chief executive of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Prof. Cleopas Angaye, has said that in order to standardise indigenous software industry, the sub-sector needs the support of every stakeholders.

Speaking at the just concluded e-Nigeria forum, organised by NITDA in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Prof. Angaye reiterated the readiness of the federal government to work in partnership with the Information Technology (IT) professionals so as to standardise locally developed software.

To this extent, he said that government is tinkering on instituting compulsory software testing for all indigenous developed software products.

“Efforts to drive the patronage of made-in-Nigeria software project had yielded little dividend because of issues of quality and lack of standard in a lot of the available indigenous software products,” he said.

Just as he pointed out that the government has begun the search for alternative initiatives that would enable it acquire the needed support to make Made-in-Nigeria software acceptable and successful.

“There is need to set up appropriate mechanism for quality assurance and global standard for testing and certification of software developed in Nigeria,” he declared.

According to him, the fundamental nature of the testing is to help indigenous software developers attain products that meet international standard thereby becoming competitive globally.

He attributed this process to the reason behind the success of Indian software in recent times on the international outlook.

Also speaking, Managing Consultant at TC-QA & Associates, Mr. Akinwale Akingbade, said that software testing involves technical investigations done to expose quality performance-related issues about a given software product.

He stressed that software testing is critical, and serves not to allow low quality products reaching the customers or users as its a process of exercising or evaluating a system both manually and automatically to verify that it satisfies specified requirements or to identify differences between expected and actual results.

Equally speaking at the forum, national president, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, called on the federal government to draw up a framework for local content for the telecom sector.

For there to be growth in local content in the nation’s telecom sector, he said, the government would need to apply the same enthusiasm, passion and interest as it is currently giving the matter in the oil and gas sector.

Local content, he said, means the utilisation of the Nigerian people and material resources in the manufacture, deployment and development of telecom equipment, products and accessories in nation’s market space.

Dr. Ekuwem also revealed that talks with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) availed that a lot of the plastic casing and steel infrastructure used in the telecom industry could be produced locally.

In addition, Managing Consultant, Kemson Concept, Mr. Ben Aduli, stated that there is need for a strategic local content policy as well as incentives to encourage investors who want to establish manufacturing and fabrication plants in the country.

He noted that the need for a local content policy which must not only be strategic but also go beyond the telecom industry and integrate the manufacturing sector, particularly the steel and chemicals.

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InterStella reaffirms position on exclusive gateway

Proprietor of the National Internet Gateway (NiGate), Interstella Communications Limited, has reaffirmed its resolve to implement the exclusive Internet gateway as contained in its license in the country.

Chairman, Interstella Communications Limited, Mr. Obi Thomson, while addressing newsmen at the weekend, insisted that it was unlawful for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to have set up the Nigerian Internet Exchange Point (NIXP).

He noted that already, his firm has instituted a court case requesting the dismantling of NIXP, stressing that Internet is inherently a monopoly infrastructure.

“Our grounds are clear, it was unlawfully setting up by the NCC, which does not have the power to set up any such entity. It is therefore a nullity,” he asserted.

Mr. Obi also said that NIXP was set up regardless of the fact that the issue of exclusivity of his firm’s license was already before the honourable court at the time the purported set up occurred.

He suggested that the court should now be allowed to determine the court action, and sympathized with Nigerians over the use of public funds that were unlawfully invested on NIXP project.

“Interstella Communications Limited is not seeking an exclusive license to operate the nation’s Internet gateways and exchanges network as being wrongly alleged. We already have the exclusivity,” Mr. Obi asserted.

He said “It is expressly stated in the license issued to us by the NCC. If anybody is unhappy with this fact, he or she should go to the NCC and complain. We did not write the license.

Speaking about the inherent monopolistic nature of Internet, he argued, “unknown to some so-called experts is the fact that the Internet is inherently a monopoly.”

While throwing more light on the nature of Internet, Mr. Obi, recalled that the issue at stake at the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) held in Tunis in 2005 was the issue of Internet monopoly by the United States.

“What nations have done is to try and set up certain streamlining infrastructures within their borders for their internal control of the Internet,” he argued.

He explained that in order to develop any nation’s component of the global network called the Internet, the first thing to do is to define and designate locations at which Internet traffic converges within specific geographic localities in a country, as well as how Internet traffic enters and leaves a country.

“This is what gateways or exchanges points are. Centralization is inherent in the concept,” he said, adding that this scientific fact by itself evidently shows “it is an undertaking that cannot be left in the hands of Internet bandwidth traders and amateurs who parade themselves in the land as experts.

He emphasised that it is certainly not a mere ‘’layer 2’’ function requiring simple devices. It is this type of uninformed and inexperienced description of a national Internet gateway cum exchange networks that made the so-called NIXP a stillbirth of purpose.

He also explained that unknown to the some of us the very thing they fight against is exactly what obtains behind the scene in those countries from where they are presently importing Internet access.

“All we’re doing is to domicile the same facility in Nigeria so that the full benefits remain in Nigeria. Nigeria is not a cyber protectorate,” he asserted.

He further argued that if Nigeria has the proper facility, as being claimed by the management of NIXP, then why is the landscape littered with various Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) pointing to various foreign networks.

“Why are these ‘bandwidth traders’ providing Internet services in Nigeria from hubs in USA and European Union (EU)? Why are those hubs not located in Nigeria?” he wondered.

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Ibidapo-Ope, Obafemi lead experts to software summit

Fellow of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and immediate past vice chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Ope, and Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology (S&T), Dr. Hamzat Obafemi, would lead experts to this year’s annual Software Developers Summit.

The summit scheduled to hold tomorrow at the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) Centre, Onikan-Lagos, with the theme, “Indigenous Software development: Innovation for Growth,” is organised by NCS in collaboration with the Microsoft Nigeria, and Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON).

This was revealed by the President, NCS, Prof. Charles Uwadia, at a media session to announce the theme of this year’s software summit at the society national secretariat in Alausa-Ikeja, Lagos, at the weekend.

According to Prof. Uwadia, while Prof. Ibidapo-Obe would chair the occasion, Dr. Obafemi would be the special guest of honour.

Other experts expected at the summit included country manager for Microsoft Nigeria, Mr. Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, Mr. Attilla Szenzed from Microsoft East, Central African office.

Also billed to address the summit, are Francois Bonin of Microsoft Ghana, Mr. Dapo Onawole from Microsoft Nigeria as well as Managing Director of Wadof Software, Mr. Wahab Sarumi and Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. John Ndanusa Akanya.

He also disclosed that targeted audience for the summit would encompass developers in software houses both private and public sectors, user organisations and consultants in addition to software vendors, policy makers and investors as well as Information Technology (IT) managers, service providers and academics.

As said by him, the students would be led by the leadership of the National Association of Computer Science Students (NACOSS).

“The attendance is free and every one is invited,” he declared.

NCS is the umbrella body of the nation’s Information Technology (IT) professionals, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) consisting of Information Technology (Industry) Association of Nigeria (ITAN), Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Internet Service Providers Association of Nigeria (ISPAN), Nigeria Information Technology Practitioners in the Civil Service, Nigeria Information Technology Corporate Members Group, the Nigerian Information Technology Academic Group and NACOSS.

Prof. Uwadia was joined at the press conference by the immediate past president of NCS, Dr. Chris Nwannenna, chairmen of Publicity and Corporate Affairs, Standards, Research and Development, Publications; Messrs Tajudeed Ejalonibu, Abimbola Olayinka and Dr. Adeola Aderounmu, in that order, as well as the acting Executive Secretary of NCS, Mr. Ejide Oladunmoye.

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MTS goes to Lagos fair with VAS

Wireless Telecommunications Operator, MTSFirst, has gone to the Lagos International Trade Fair, which kicked off at the weekend with a wide range of Value Added Services (VAS).

Public Relations Officer (PRO) at MTSFirst, Mr. Omor Bazuaye, said that the bouquet of offers MTS is showcasing at the trade exhibition were designed to meet the telecommunications needs of both the private and corporate users.

He also said MTSFirst is ready to shoot down all competition at the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) pavilion with a variety of the state-of–art Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)-enabled handheld and desktop phones for both the upwardly mobile and low-end private users at pocket-friendly prices.

According to him, available on the MTS stand at the fair is the sleek flip-open, camera page plus cellular, LG VX 6100 for just N6,000, Motorola C341a at N3,000 and Dowtel WS 4000.

He said with this price slash, more customers now have a renewed chance to benefit in the on-going free on-net calls from Monday to Friday and an unlimited marathon service of free on-net calls at weekends.

The telco also said it has taken to the fair its award winning package called the Close User Group (CUG).

He explained that the CUG is a tariff platform, which places users in a particular group on zero-call rate and reduces on-net calls outside the group to as low as N3.00 per minute for corporate customers.

Equally on parade, he said is another top-of-the-class product, the eHot Profit, of a package designed to promote the activities of commercial telephone and business centre operators and one which has become highly regarded in the market as a result of its attractive tariff.

Adding that it allows operators to make calls to the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) calls at N16.50k per minute and its flexible booster arrangement that enables subscriber-operators to load daily, weekly or monthly.

The telco further said it would complement its array of products at the fair with its newly enhanced, high-speed Internet service, all at unbeatable acquisition and subscription charges.

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Motorkr Z6 hits market

Leader in wireless communications, Motorola, has added another product to its stable of mobile phones known as Motorkr Z6.

The telco said that Motorkr Z6 is literally sliding consumer’s way into music and cutting edge style.

The slim slider Motorkr Z6, the telco said exudes eye-catching sophistication and beneath the surface, is a music masterpiece, complete with high performance music experience and extraordinary picture and video capture capabilities.

“Motorkr Z6 is multi media masterpiece,” officials said, stressing that it avails transfer of all of consumer’s favourite music quickly with the Universal Serial Bus (USB 2.0) hi-speed technology and easily with Windows Media Player 11.

“With an easy to use Personal Computer (PC) syncing experience, Windows Media Player 11 allows you to drag and drop without worry,” officials explained, declaring that the possibilities are endless as customers could transfer personal Compact Disc (CD) collection or download individual or subscription tracks from countless Window Media Player compatible music stores directly to the PC and then simply transfer! “With up to 2 Gega Bytes (GB) of optional removable microSD memory and 64 Mega Bytes (MB) on board memory1, users can store all of their favourite songs and playlists without compromise,” the telco said in a press statement made available to our correspondent.

The MOTOROKR also has a dedicated music key that launches the music library and file sorter making it easy to find favourite music.

Meanwhile, Motorola, recently introduced H680 and H375 bluetooth headsets to its family of Bluetooth Companion Products (BCP).

The unveiling of these two products which took place in London, avails elegant design, premium audio and Bluetooth wireless technology to allow multi-taskers and stylish talkers to make and take calls, while going about their businesses in a style.

General Manager, Accessories at Motorola Europe, Gillian Tune, said that the headsets’ outstanding sound quality is due to Motorola’s TrueComfort technology, which enables users to hear and be heard at home, on the move or at work.

According to the GM, Motorola’s exclusive TrueComfort design was developed after an intensive study of the human ear.

“The result is H680’s new ear hook, ear bud and speaker designs which improve audio by mechanically isolating the speaker and bringing it closer to the ear canal to channel sound. It also allows for a much better fit and improved comfort for prolonged use,” Tune said.

Also the GM said that both the H680 and H375 benefit from Motorola’s Easypair, which means that after an initial connection is made, your phone will conveniently and automatically pair with your headset whenever you switch it on.

“The H680 offers experienced Bluetooth headset users performance, style and looks in an absolutely discrete size. Alternatively, the H375 offers first timers to Bluetooth headsets a simple, reliable option with a battery check function,” said Tune.

Bluetooth users of today, Tune noted, wanted not only freedom from wires but also to look good while they converse on the go.

“The audio quality, comfort and convenience offered by the H680 and H375 means you will never have to slow down your life to talk on the phone again,” the general manager assured.

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ICANN gets new chairman

A New Zealander lawyer, Mr. Peter Dengate Thrush, has emerged unanimously, the new chairman, board of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

His election took place at the just concluded 30th international session of ICANN held in Los Angeles, United States.

Mr. Thrush took over from Dr. Vint Cerf, renowned for his contributions towards the evolution of the Internet.

Commenting after his election, Mr. Thrush said he was delighted that his colleagues find confidence in him to preside over the board.

“I am delighted that my colleagues have placed their confidence in me for this challenging and important role,” excited Mr. Thrush declared.

Confirming this development, a press statement endorsed by ICANN media advisor, Jason Keenan, informed that Mr. Thrush practices civil litigation, specializing in intellectual property, competition, and Internet law.

Mr. Thrush is reported to have been involved in ICANN since its inception and as a member of the Boston Working Group, he provided comment in 1998 on the early drafts of the ICANN bylaws, and co-chaired one of the pre-formation meetings of the Intellectual Property Constituency in Wellington, New Zealand.

He has been President of InternetNZ, a leader of the country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) community in the formation of the Country Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO), and was selected as a board member after an international vote of ccTLD managers in the ccNSO in December 2004.

He is currently on the President’s Strategy, Board Finance, Board Governance, and Executive committees.

Speaking at the ceremony, retiring chairman, Dr. Vint Cerf, sees Dengate Thrush’s appointment as a clear signal that ICANN has matured.

“ICANN has moved from a foundation state to a steady state. Peter understands that and the Board’s role and is a great choice to keep the organization strong and focused,” Dr Cerf said.

For the ICANN President, Dr. Paul Twomey, it’s a welcomed development.

“This is great news. Peter’s long involvement in ICANN since before its incorporation means he knows the history as well as the current players and issues,” Dr Twomey said, adding that his legal training gives him a strong understanding of contracts as a key mechanism in ICANN, and his networks within industry, particularly the ccTLD community helps ICANN with its global responsibilities.”

Speaking after the vote, Dengate Thrush gave some perspectives on the organization and its future.

“ICANN is a unique model supporting a global community. The model works because it stands for one global Internet that is coordinated not controlled,” Dengate Thrush said.

“After nine years ICANN is well placed to face the challenges of the future. The fact that it is so well positioned is a tribute to Vint and of course the staff led by Paul Twomey who have taken us out of foundation mode to become the right organization to meet future challenges,” Dengate Thrush asserted.

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Odejimi admonishes Nigerians

•As ALTON boss turns 40

Vicar of All Souls Anglican Church, Lekki-Lagos, Reverend Olu Odejimi has admonished Nigerian Christians to draw nearer to God, reports Ugochi Nkwocha.

Rev. Odejimi made this call at the thanks giving service in honour of chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, who turned 40 recently.

He also urged Christians to believe in God since they cannot count their blessings, adding that it is difficult for non-believers to count their blessings.

While commending Mr. Adebayo for his steadfastness in Christ Jesus, Rev. Odejimi asked Nigerians especially upcoming Christians to emulate the character Mr. Adebayo has been endowed with in his life so far.

“Gbenga is a God fearing man and he has been strong in his believes,” the priest declared.

He, therefore urged the congregation to always make themselves available for God amidst their busy schedule in making life a better place for themselves and their families by remaining nearer to God at all times.

The thanksgiving service was attended by who-is-who in the telecommunications sector.

This included the former Communications Minister, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, executive director, Multi-Links/Telkom, Chief Ezekiel Fatoye, chairman, Interconnect Clearing House, Admiral Allison Madueke among others.

Even as the thanks giving was immediately followed by a reception at Catholic Church Hall, Catholic Mission Street, Lekki phase 1, Lagos.

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ITU, AfDB connect African cities

Global telecommunications regulator, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and African Development Bank (AfDB) have entered a pact to collaborate in interconnecting capitals and major cities on the continent.

Disclosing this, Secretary-General of ITU, Dr Hamadoun Touré and President, AfDB Mr Donald Kaberuka, revealed this on Tuesday at the Connect Africa Summit in Kigali, Rwanda.

According to them, the collaboration would pave the way for achieving key Connect Africa Summit goals.

Mr Kaberuka said that his organisation is aware of the challenges ahead for Africa.

He noted that in recent years, despite private investment in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure, especially in mobile phone networks, has had an enormous impact in many parts of Africa, adding that

major gaps remain.

“The development banks and other financing partners have a responsibility to step in where these gaps are holding back development in the region,” he declared.

Mr Kaberuka also said that the bank aims to stimulate economic growth and climate and facilitate economic integration.

“We want to make the economies of Africa more competitive, and therefore AfDB is committing to the development of information and communication technology across the continent,” Mr. Kaberuka said.

Just as AfDB hosts the secretariat of the African Infrastructure Consortium, which assembles major donors and financial institutions active in the region, even as this group plays a crucial role in the financing of projects, as well as in ensuring a coherent approach among those involved.

For Dr. Toure, the solution for African development is not charity, but reliable broadband deployment.

“African countries need modern, reliable broadband ICT infrastructure to attract investment for jobs and economic growth. This is about economic independence and strengthening Africa’s competitive position in the global economy,” he asserted.

He said that as part of this collaboration, ITU and AfDB would actively mobilize partners and financing to close ICT broadband infrastructure gaps between major centres in Africa.

In addition, to support the implementation of ICT infrastructure projects funded by the AfDB or other interested financing partners, ITU will serve as an executing agency and provide telecommunications expertise and technical assistance, where the need arises.

ITU will also mobilize its base of more than 650 sector members, including many leading ICT industry players.

To support new ICT infrastructure investments and fill in remaining gaps, ITU and AfDB will jointly undertake feasibility studies and develop project proposals in consultation with member states and other stakeholders on the continent.

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Telcos need to upgrade switches

•On Number Portability

Number Portability (NP) expert and Vice President, Sales and Alliances, Interconnection Solutions, at Telcodia for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Mr. Thomas Mazzone, has identified some key elements for successful implementation of the proposed number portability in the country.

Key challenge to this success, he said includes upgrading of switches and databases by telecommunications operators.

Mr. Mazzone gave this insight at the recently held four-day workshop on Number Portability in Lagos, organised by the telecom regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), while dwelling on the fundamentals of number portability.

He pointed out at the event well attended by members of Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) and Association of Licensed Telecommunications of Nigeria (ALTON), that operators switches may have to be upgraded to support the number portability plan, while mobile network switches are more likely to be already NP databases.

He explained that existing Signalling Transfer Points (STP) should be able to support NP databases.

Highlighting the impact of the Number Portability on call set-up, Mr. Mazzone said that there are several options for routing a call to a portable number, distinguished by where and how the translation occurs and which networks are involved.

“All call query and N-1 query are the most widely deployed routing methods,” he declared, adding that All Call query enables translation into the directory number to a routing number at the call-originating switch or network.

While the N-1 query processes the call as based on the dialled number until NP could make a difference in the routing, then translate the directory number to a routing number.

“The most common variant routes the call from non-NP-capable switches to NP-capable switches, then performs the translation,” he enlightened.

As said by him, Number Portability no doubt impacts on non-call messaging because it has to do with non-call associated signalling such as routing for messages that are not directly involved with call set-up including the Short Messaging Service (SMS) Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) and calling name queries.

He emphasised that with the introduction of NP, there is a need to assure that the combination of Translation Type and Global Title Address (TT-GTA) translates to a destination in the subscription network, which may be the Range Holder network or a Recipient network.

Mr. Mazzone further said that under this platform, mobile porting would be faster and easier than the fixed, therefore offering some advantages to mobile users.

He said that mobile porting offers newer network elements with more logical control capabilities, fast competitive corporate culture and change processes, while higher levels of operations process mechanization and flexibly designed.

For the fixed porting, the expert said that its regulation in place for fixed line competition, mandated opening of networks, competition across technologies such as cable TV while introduction of new technologies such as Voice of Internet Protocol (VoIP), adding that single modal porting is faster and less complicated than inter-modal porting.

Hence, he said that fixed operators are more accustomed to inter-working with each other than the mobile operators.

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Starcomms backs SMEs’ empowerment

Starcomms Limited, acclaimed largest Third Generation (3G) mobile network has given its support to the empowerment of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the country.

This is coming as the telco actively participated as a sponsor at a recent technology forum, tagged ‘The Art OF Small Business,’’ put together by Hewlett Packard (HP) in Lagos to educate SMEs on how to improve their businesses with the use of technologies.

The participants numbering over 600 were taken through lectures from HP officials to its partners including Starcomms Limited, on how to use various technologies to increase their productivity and profit.

Speaking at the forum, Chief Executive Officer, Starcomms Limited, Mr. Maher Qubain, said the telco chose to sponsor the exhibition because of its belief that technology plays a very vital role in driving businesses in this 21st century.

“This is the major reason why Starcomms keeps coming out with products that can enhance the way business is done,” he declared, assuring that the company would continue to avail Nigerians with the latest technology in the industry.

He said that despite challenges faced by the industry, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) remains the bedrock of any economy.

According to him, the use of appropriate technologies, as practiced globally, would impact positively on the bottom line of the SMEs businesses.

The technology exhibition and the lecture forum targeted at the SME, he noted, was important in view of the fact that the business environment is changing fast.

“Today, Nigeria is fast moving into a cashless economy with the use of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), and web business is taking centre stage whereas various applications of hand phones and other systems are simplifying businesses,” he noted.

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Senate summons NITEL, courier firms

The Senate has summoned the management of the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), its Mobile Telecommunications Limited (M-Tel) subsidiary and courier operators in the country to a meeting, tomorrow, Thursday, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications, Senator Sylvester Ndubuisi Anyanwu, who disclosed this on Monday, said the meeting would be held at the Senate hearing room 1, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

Senator Anyanwu who spoke through his special adviser on media and publicity, Hon. Chimankpam Anyanikpa, revealed that top on the agenda is the primary challenges and how to proffer solutions to them.

This, he said, is part of the on-going exercise embarked on by the committee to familiarize them with the details on grounds that militate against the smooth running of the communications industry in the country.

Daily Champion recalled that recently that a similar hearing was held in Abuja for major telecommunications service providers, namely the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) and Private Telephone Operators (PTOs), even as some of them were reprimanded for not ensuring that their chief executive officers (CEOs).

Even as it was gathered that plans were up to fashion out a meeting with these CEO’s as earlier promised, which is likely going to be in Lagos, the nation’s commercial nerve centre.

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MTN Nigeria wins group CSR project

Leading Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) operator in the country, MTN Nigeria Communications Limited, has been declared the overall winner of the MTN Group initiative in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

This is coming at the end of this year’s ’21 Days of YelloCare’ project, an initiative of MTN Group, which ended on August 21, 2007.

Executive Director, MTN Foundation Nigeria, Mrs. Amina Oyagbola, informed that the project was designed to encourage MTN staff in all its operating units to contribute their quota on an individual and collective basis in uplifting lives in their various local communities.

“Not only was MTN Nigeria the overall winner, it also won special recognition for the innovative use of effective technology tools, which enabled MTN Nigeria staff to subscribe to various community projects and monitor all the activities over 21 days,” she asserted.

Mrs. Oyagbola, noted that the objectives of the project “was to go beyond social responsibility at the corporate level and actually avail MTN staff an opportunity to impact lives on an individual or group basis in the true spirit of volunteerism.”

According to her, in so doing, the telco’s goal is to integrate the concept of giving back to society into every aspect of its corporate life.

She equally announced that the ‘21 Days of Y’elloCare” initiative would become part of the MTN annual calendar and would be observed in all its operating units across Africa and the Middle East.

She emphasised that in order to accomplish the feat, MTN staff were sub-divided into three teams, namely Care, Educate and Beautify teams respectively.

She explained that while team Care was responsible for providing care and support for children orphaned by the scourge of HIV/AIDS among other charitable efforts, team Educate was responsible for mentoring and providing educational and career guidance to students, even as team Beautify was responsible for clearing drains and refuse heaps and generally beautifying selected neighbourhoods including Aleshinloye market in Ibadan, among several others.

“We’re proud and delighted that over 1200 MTNers in their individual and collective capacities excelled at showcasing a core and integral essence of the MTN brand, namely social responsibility,” said Oyagbola, stressing that MTN Foundation Nigeria is humbled that in so doing, our efforts have been recognized by the MTN Group.

MTN’s corporate social responsibility initiatives are deployed through the MTN Foundation, commissioned since May 2005, and currently co-ordinates 100 projects in 28 states in the country.

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Cisco partners UNITeS on youth empowerment

Worldwide leader in networking, CISCO Systems, is partnering with the United Nations Information Technology Services (UNITeS) for a two-day conference on Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D), reports Mary Madaki.

This is coming as Cisco has disclosed the desire to launch its academy initiative in over 50 Unity schools nationwide.

CISCO is known to have developed networking system for communications through technology since1984.

Area Academy Manager for West and Central Africa, Cisco Networking Academy, Mr Julius Ayuk Tabe, made this disclosure in Lagos, at a press conference to herald a two-day international Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) youth conference.

The two-day event being organized by Cisco in collaboration with the United Nations Information technology Service (UNITES), which began yesterday, Tuesday at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, ends today.

Mr. Tabe also said that Cisco now has its academy in 168 countries while 65 of the academy currently exist in Nigeria.

According to him, Cisco plans to launch its academy in over 50 Unity Schools presently in existence in the country to drive home to the localities the import of the initiative.

He added that Cisco built upon social investments to partner with local organization and also impact on recipient communities around the world, these activities are designed to built trust in the company and empower employees.

Also speaking, the director of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in charge of UNITES, Mr Tetsuo Maximilien Ohno, said that UNITES was launched by the UN to help in reducing world poverty and raising the level of youth participation in their communities.

He said that with the launch, UN aimed to have world poverty reduced by 2015 and achieve this by helping to spread the benefits of new technologies around the world, and bring about tremendous digital opportunities for economic and social development. “These are opportunities for the innovative works of the youth to be seen and also utilizing IT for development, forging partnerships and support for laudable initiatives and programmes on ICT,” he submitted.

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NCS plans Software summit-07

The umbrella body of the nation’s Information Technology (IT) professionals, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has concluded plans to host a one-day workshop on software development.

Disclosing this to newsmen at the NCS secretariat, Alausa-Ikeja, Lagos, NCS President, Prof. Charles Uwadia, said that the event slated to hold on Thursday, November 8, is the forth Software Developers’ Summit being organised by the society.

He also said that the event with the theme “Indigenous Software development: Innovation for Growth” would take place at the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) Centre, Onikan-Lagos and is being organised in collaboration with the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) with sponsorship from Microsoft Nigeria.

Prof. Uwadia accompanied by the immediate past president of NCS, Dr. Chris Nwannenna, chairmen of Publicity and Corporate Affairs, Standards, Research and Development, Publications; Messrs Tajudeed Ejalonibu, Abimbola Olayinka and Dr. Adeola Adesorimu, respectively, as well as the acting Executive Secretary of NCS, Mr. Ejide Oladunmoye, said that NCS believes that IT has the greatest potential for creating jobs, creating wealth, eradicating poverty and making Nigeria globally competitive.

He pointed out that certain level of necessary skills required for software design and development exist locally, it is also projected that the software market growth would definitely impact the hardware sub-sector.

He said that in furtherance of these objectives, NCS is collaborating with organisations and stakeholders in the industry on matters of mutual interest and benefits to the bodies and the Nigerian society generally.

“Its in the light of this that NCS and Microsoft have been working together in stimulating awareness about the endless possibilities which software development offers as well as encouraging and supporting software developers through the exchange of ideas and knowledge about trends, techniques, practice and technologies of the art and science of software development,” he declared.

Prof. Uwadia recalled that NCS brought the issue of software development and its application from local environment to the national limelight in 1997 by organising the first Made in Nigeria Software Exhibition (MINSE).

According to him, the immediate past vice chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Ope, would preside at the forum while speakers from have been selected among the stakeholders including Microsoft while the Lagos State commissioner for science and technology, Dr. Hamzat Obafemi, would be the guest of honour.

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Glo takes products to 2007 Lagos fair

Second National Operator, Globacom has taken its avalanche of products to the 2007 edition of the Lagos International Trade Fair, which started last Friday, November 2, in Lagos.

Executive Director, Marketing Communications at Globacom, Mr. Okon Iyanam, informed that the telco is showcasing its niche products, which have given it the edge in the market in the last four years of its existence.

He also said that with a superior network capability, Globacom delivers a bouquet of Value Added Services (VAS) in the country.

Some of these VAS include Glo Voice, Short Messaging Service (SMS) and Glo Caller Tunes.

According to him, visitors to the Globacom stand will also have the opportunity to access its products and services such as Glo Mobile Banking, Mobile Internet, Fleet Manager, Telemetry and Security Solutions for Homes, Utility Companies and Banks among others.

The telco, he emphasised is also providing customer care services for subscribers at the fair, just as various gifts have been packaged for visitors to its stand throughout the one-week duration of the fair.

Globacom, a wholly Nigerian telco has in the last four years been at the fore front of empowering Nigerians to realize their fullest potentials by placing Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications through services and other value adding services at their disposal at very affordable costs.

Champion Infotel recalls that last year, the telco had a most successful outing with a very huge patronage of its pavilion by its subscribers and visitors who wanted to join the Glo network.

Given the success of that outing, officials of the company are having higher expectations for the participation this year and have expressed readiness to receive them.

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