Experts give reasons for IPv4 decline

Cover of the week:

EXPERTS in the nation’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector have adduced some reasons why the Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) has been on the decline.

Some of the expects who spoke to Champion Infotel on the depletion of IPv4 usage globally included the Presidents, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), Mr. Lanre Ajayi and his counterpart in the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), Mr. Ndukwe Kalu.

In the view of Mr. Ajayi who also is the chief executive, PiNet Informatics is that the depletion was mainly because it was not anticipated at the creation of the Internet.

“The tremendous uptake of the Internet by the global community was perhaps not anticipated at the creation of the Internet, hence the adoption of a numbering system that is appearing to be inadequate just few decades to the commencement of the Internet,” he said.

He stressed that given that the IPv4 was reportedly running out, a solution for this was found in creation of another numbering plan known as Internet Protocol version Six (IPV6).

“The IPV6 is expected to address the limitations posed by the IPV4, considering the huge numbers available in IPV6,” he noted.

Mr. Ajayi observed that the adoption of IPV6 in Nigeria has been quite slow and Internet network operators have not been helpful in deploying IPv6.

He counselled Internet users in the country to ensure that new request for IP numbers should be on IPV6, which is now readily obtainable through the African registry, AFRINIC.

And for his NiRA counterpart, Mr. Kalu who also is the chief executive, Amsco Telecom, why IPv4 declined was due to absence of networks and lots of cybercafes have closed shops because the most telecom operators in a developing country like Nigeria are now offering this along their primary voice services.

“Most people are now going for private IP, which is now being offered by most telcos,” he pointed out.

Mr. Kalu maintained that most people who should use it have folded up.

IPv6, he said, is clearly a most for Nigeria Internet community, therefore, “we must move on to IPv6.”

NiRA, he said, is very much concerned about the depletion and adoption of IPv6, stressing that the association is strategising on how to remedy the situation of declined IPv4 usage and keeping a tap on IPv6.

Internet Protocol version 4 is the current common version of the Internet Protocol, the “IP” portion of Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol ((TCP/IP), which assumes the position of dominant protocol suite in the worldwide Internet. TCP is Layer 4, otherwise known as the transport layer (TCP/IP) in IPv4, which allows for approximately four billion IP numbers.

Also, IPv4 is the most widely used version of IP nowadays, which uses a system of unique 32-bit identifiers to address data to computers (or hosts) on the Internet, according to Wikipedia.com, just as experts said it has 128 Class A addresses but only about 64 have been used.

Equally for some experts, this report may drag the reception of IPv6 full time either by relevant authorities managing IP addresses or the global coordinating agency, ICANN.

Already, fear has engulfed some stakeholders that IPv4 would soon run out of IP addresses hence the move to introduce IPv6 to contain more Internet users growing desire.

However, the 2007 IPv4 address use report, Champion Infotel gathered that the number of available IPv4 addresses went down from 1300.65 million to 1122.85 million, thus leaving a difference of 177.8 million addresses.

The report released by protocol routing entity, the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), showed that the number of usable addresses is 3706.65 million as at end of December 31, 2007, indicated that on January 1, 2007 global utilization recorded 64.9 per cent and by the last quarter of the same year it was at 69.7 per cent.

These figures, the report said were derived from the records published on the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) servers of the five Regional Internet Registries (RIRs), namely AfriNIC, which offers address space exclusively for Africa, APNIC for Asia-Pacific region, ARIN for North America, LACNIC for Latin America and the Caribbean and RIPE NCC for Europe, the former Soviet Union and the Middle East.

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Observing packet spoofing by ISPs (11)

THIS can cause a serious discrepancy in the number of packets a host believes it transmitted as against the number of packets it actually transmitted; since packets are split up by the network card in a way invisible to the sender’s operating system, every TCP packet large enough to be split may appear to be “forged”, since the sender will have no record of having sent any of the received packets in the form in which they were received.

TCP segmentation offloading should also be disabled if your system uses it. pcapdiff, for example, is not able to ignore TCP segmentation discrepancies in the same way that it can ignore TCP and UDP checksum mismatches. See http://www.inliniac.net/blog/2007/04/20/snort_inline-and-tcp-segmentation-offloading.html for a discussion of TCP segmentation offloading’s consequences for packet sniffing, and information about disabling it on Linux.

In general, the validity of the results of packet capture experiments will be improved by disabling all available offloading features.

Step 4. Determine local IP address

Next, determine the IP address of your computer. You can obtain this locally from your computer’s network configuration tools, and you can also obtain it from a web site such as http://whatismyipaddress.com/ or http://www.whatismyip.com/, which displays the IP address from which is being accessed.

Use both methods to ensure that you are really directly connected to the Internet and not using a proxy server or NAT connection. (If you are not using NAT, your computer’s locally-configured IP address should be identical to the IP address seen by web sites and other Internet users.
(To be continued next week)

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NATCOMS applauds judiciary over compensation

A non-governmental organisation (NGO) with objective centred on rights of telecommunications consumers in the country, the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has applauded the nation’s Judiciary over the judgment passed recently that erring telecom operators, mainly MTN and Celtel must pay compensation to their subscribers.

Champion Infotel recalls that a Federal High Court in Lagos, penultimate Thursday ruled that the two Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) operators, MTN Nigeria and Celtel Nigeria must pay N175 compensation to their subscribers each over poor quality of service experienced as at January 31, 2008.

Equally, the regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had last September 19 and 20 given notice of intention to issue directives prevailing on three GSM operators namely Glo Mobile, MTN and Celtel, to reimburse subscribers for offering below the average quality of service based on Key Performance Indicator (KPI). Two out of the three went to court to stop the proposed plan.

The court presided over by Judge D.D. Abutu had stopped NCC from implementing the directive initially slated to commence on October 6, 2007, pending the determination of the suit, which was laid to rest on two weeks ago.

The court held that the Plaintiffs/Applicants had not shown special circumstances to award the relief being sought and therefore, dismissed the motion.

Reacting to the judgment, NATCOMS Executive Council at the end of a session on Tuesday, last week in Lagos, upheld the position of the Court describing it as satisfactory.

NATCOMS in a five-point communiqué made available to newsmen and endorsed by its National President, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, noted with satisfaction the court ruling recently, asking MTN and Celtel to compensate subscribers on their networks for non-compliance of quality standards as set up by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

“We appreciate the Nigerian Judiciary for this land-mark Judgment in support of consumerism in Nigeria. The Judiciary, through this judgment has brought hope to the Nigerian consumer and succour to the helpless who have been paying for poor quality service,” a part of the communiqué read.

The group also called on NCC to ensure that the deadline given to the operators to complete implementation of the compensation is adhered to in line with the court judgment.

NATCOMS equally queried NCC for exclusion of the third Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) operators as contained in the earlier notice to issue directive. “We also noted with utmost dissatisfaction and dismay the non-inclusion of the Glo network in the compensation deal for Glo subscribers by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC),” the group said.

NATCOMS therefore requested to know the reason behind the exclusion of Glo Mobile.

“Why is the Glo mobile network not included in the compensation deal for subscribers on Glo? Is the NCC saying that Glo has been giving subscribers on its network good quality service since they started in 2003? Is Glo mobile a perfect network that has complied with international best practices?” the group queried.

NATCOMS sought to know the benchmark for Glo mobile between 2006 and 2007 with regard to NCC’s Key Performance Indicator (KPI).

In addition, NATCOMS appreciated telecomms operating companies making the cost of acquiring new mobile phones as cheap as N2,000, N3,000 and N4,000.

“We say thanks to Visafone, Starcomms, Reltel, Multilinks and Celtel,” the group declared.

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Yobe computerises 54 schools

YOBE State government in its efforts to computerize schools in the domain, has advanced plans to equip 54 Senior Secondary Schools (SSS) and a model boarding primary schools with a computer room each before the end of this year, reports CHARLES OKOH.

Speaking at the launch of Old Students Computers in School Initiative (OS CISI) by Information Technology Industry Association of Nigeria (ITAN) during the annual Enhancing Information Technology Penetration in Nigeria (EITPIN-08), the state Governor, Senator Mamman Bello Ali, disclosed this and said the initiative would be extended to 116 SSS by the end of 2009.

Gov Ali, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Sidi Karazuwa, also revealed that the state ministries and agencies are now connected with the Internet via the Integrated Telephone Wireless Internet Access using WiMAX technology which was launched in November 2007 in collaboration with Zinox Technology Consortium, in keeping with the promises made at the inauguration in May 2007.

“This is the first for any state government anywhere in the country and this technology is now accessible in virtually all parts of the capital city, Damaturu,” he declared.

The governor noted that the provision of the Internet has provided civil servants in the state, especially at the capital with in kind of environment they have craved for and also afforded those new to Information Technology (IT) the opportunity to understand, appreciate and use the technology meaningfully.

Equally he said that efforts to sustain this scheme through training programme for the workforce to prepare them for the challenges ahead are ongoing.

Technology, he pointed out, is an invaluable tool that allows the human individual to interact and excel in his domain and that once this is appreciated and embraced, societies will see the benefit even in the short them.

Gov Ali emphasized at the event held at University of Lagos’ Centre for Information and Technology System (CITS) Yobe State would not relent until it is ranked amongst the best in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) education.

In his opening remarks, the National president of ITAN, Dr. Jimson Olufuye, said the OS-CISI scheme is aimed at ensuring that all old students will give their former schools Personal Computers (PCs) by donating same to the organization for onward delivery through ITAN.

He further said that the vision behind OS-CISI is to enhance IT skills among pupils and students in primary and secondary schools in Nigeria while partnering stakeholders into possible delivery of computers with appropriate educational software into all primary and secondary schools in Nigeria.

Dr. Olufuye said at the first instance, OS CISI is to deploy computers with educational materials to old students (OS) primary/secondary schools at the 1st phase and the OS nominated schools at the secondary level, while the third level, he said, is to deploy PCs to randomly selected schools across the six geo-political regions of Nigeria.

He projected that for a period of 7 years, in three phases a minimum of 25,000 PCs will be distributed in the first phase from April 2008 to March 2010 while 75,000 minimum PCs will be distributed in the second phase beginning from July 2010 to June 2012, while at the 3rd phase a minimum 250,000 PCs will be deployed beginning from September 2012 to 2015.

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CITAD wants J-SEEDS fast-tracked

JIGAWA-based non-governmental organisation, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), has called on the government of the state to fast-tract actions to curb youth unemployment in the state, especially on the Jigawa State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategies (J-SEEDS).

CITAD at the end of a one-day forum on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as tools for your empowerment and poverty eradication held in Jigawa State, northern part of the country, said that the Technical committee for the review of J-SEEDS should provide realistic targets and appropriate strategies for mainstreaming ICTs as tools that could be used to achieve the overall development goals of the state.

A communiqué signed by the duo of the Executive Director of CITAD, Mr. Y.Z. Ya’u and chairman, Gagarawa Coalition, Alhaji Mustapha Kore, said the objective of the forum was to deliberate on how ICTs could be used to address youth unemployment and fight poverty, even as it featured presentations and demonstrations of ICTs toward achieving this desire.

Participants noted that there was much Information Technology (IT) infrastructure and resources in the state that are currently suffering from under-utilization.

Specifically, the forum noted that there are computer-training centres in each of the 27 local governments of the state most of which are currently not operational.

The pointed out that in view of the crucial role of ICTs as development tools, and their centrality in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs), participants called on all the local governments to take immediate practical steps to make these centres operational and commence training of people in their domain.

While urging the state government to give adequate support to training of youths through investing in skill acquisition centres, CITAD enjoined participation organisations in the state to initiate youth empowerment programmes in their respective communities.

Equally, participants at the forum called on the Federal Government to review the National IT Policy with a view to promoting accessibility, affordability and availability of ICTs in the country as well as using ICT as tool for poverty eradication and job creation.

In addition, CITAD task youths in the state to avail themselves of the opportunities that ICTs present and use same to empower themselves.

“We call on the National Council for Education to given practical commitment to the decision to include computer education in the new basic education curriculum by ensuring that appropriate syllabus are sent to schools and directives given for the employment of teachers for this,” CITAD maintained.

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ATCON set for local content summit – Morgan

ASSOCIATION of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has announced its preparedness to host this year’s Stakeholders’ Summit on Nigerian Content Development in the ICT Sector will now hold Friday, April 11, 2008.

Executive Secretary, ATCON, Mr. Godwin Morgan informed that the event reschedule recently from an earlier date due to unforeseen circumstances beyond human control would take place in the Diamond Hall of the Golden Gate Chinese Restaurants, Ikoyi, Lagos.

He also said that the Minister of State for Communications, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande; Minister of Science & Technology, Mrs. Grace Ekpiwhre; Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest C. Ndukwe; Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Prof. Cleopas O. Angaye; Chairman, VisaFone Limited, Mr. Jim Ovia; Chairman, Zinox Technologies Limited, Chief Leo Stan Ekeh; as well as Chief Executive Officer, Omatek Computers Group, Mrs. Florence Seriki.

Other industry experts billed to participate and contribute to discussions on the theme of the summit include Chief Chris Uwaje, CEO, Connect Technologies; Mr. Titi Omo-Ettu, CEO, Telecom Answers Associates; Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman, Association of Licensed Telephone Operators of Nigerian (ALTON); Mr. Ogugua Chioke, Chairman, GSM Association of Nigeria; Mr. Sam Adeleke, President, Internet Services Providers Association of Nigeria (ISPAN) and Prof. Charles Uwadia, President, Nigeria Computer society (NCS). Others are Mr. Adebayo Banjo, CEO, Disc Communications; Mr. Simeon Agu, President, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Dr. Jimson Olufuye, President, Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN); Mr. Lanre Ajayi, President, Nigerian Internet Group (NIG) and Mr. Ndukwe Kalu, Chairman, Nigerian Internet Registration Association (NIRA).

He noted that it is on record that the Nigerian Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector has continued to grow in leaps and bounds, however, adequate attention has not been given to the issue of developing and building local contents.

“Nobody can safely deny the fact that attempts are being made here and there by a few concerned professionals in the area of developing local content in the software aspect of ICT in Nigeria,” he said, adding that not much progress, could be said to have been made in the angle of local hardware components in ICT infrastructure.

Hence, ATCON strongly believes that for Nigeria to truly boast of technological advancements in the ICT sector, concerted efforts must be geared towards initiatives that would facilitate or enhance local content development both in the software and hardware aspects of ICT.

“It is in this light that ATCON is partnering with industry operators and stakeholders in hosting this summit to examine the prospects and challenges of developing Nigerian content for our ICT industry,” he said.

And to ensure effective involvement of public policy makers in this very important summit, ATCON has enlisted the active participation of such public institutions and private sector organisations as Ministry of Information & Communication; Ministry of Science & Technology; National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA); Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF); ICT professional Associations; ICT operating companies, Banks and non-bank financial institutions, local and foreign development agencies, ICT solutions providers, Small & Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture (NACCIMA), the mass media, high net worth individuals, amongst many others.

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ATCON set for local content summit – Morgan

ASSOCIATION of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has announced its preparedness to host this year’s Stakeholders’ Summit on Nigerian Content Development in the ICT Sector will now hold Friday, April 11, 2008.

Executive Secretary, ATCON, Mr. Godwin Morgan informed that the event reschedule recently from an earlier date due to unforeseen circumstances beyond human control would take place in the Diamond Hall of the Golden Gate Chinese Restaurants, Ikoyi, Lagos.

He also said that the Minister of State for Communications, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande; Minister of Science & Technology, Mrs. Grace Ekpiwhre; Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest C. Ndukwe; Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Prof. Cleopas O. Angaye; Chairman, VisaFone Limited, Mr. Jim Ovia; Chairman, Zinox Technologies Limited, Chief Leo Stan Ekeh; as well as Chief Executive Officer, Omatek Computers Group, Mrs. Florence Seriki.

Other industry experts billed to participate and contribute to discussions on the theme of the summit include Chief Chris Uwaje, CEO, Connect Technologies; Mr. Titi Omo-Ettu, CEO, Telecom Answers Associates; Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman, Association of Licensed Telephone Operators of Nigerian (ALTON); Mr. Ogugua Chioke, Chairman, GSM Association of Nigeria; Mr. Sam Adeleke, President, Internet Services Providers Association of Nigeria (ISPAN) and Prof. Charles Uwadia, President, Nigeria Computer society (NCS). Others are Mr. Adebayo Banjo, CEO, Disc Communications; Mr. Simeon Agu, President, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Dr. Jimson Olufuye, President, Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN); Mr. Lanre Ajayi, President, Nigerian Internet Group (NIG) and Mr. Ndukwe Kalu, Chairman, Nigerian Internet Registration Association (NIRA).

He noted that it is on record that the Nigerian Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector has continued to grow in leaps and bounds, however, adequate attention has not been given to the issue of developing and building local contents.

“Nobody can safely deny the fact that attempts are being made here and there by a few concerned professionals in the area of developing local content in the software aspect of ICT in Nigeria,” he said, adding that not much progress, could be said to have been made in the angle of local hardware components in ICT infrastructure.

Hence, ATCON strongly believes that for Nigeria to truly boast of technological advancements in the ICT sector, concerted efforts must be geared towards initiatives that would facilitate or enhance local content development both in the software and hardware aspects of ICT.

“It is in this light that ATCON is partnering with industry operators and stakeholders in hosting this summit to examine the prospects and challenges of developing Nigerian content for our ICT industry,” he said.

And to ensure effective involvement of public policy makers in this very important summit, ATCON has enlisted the active participation of such public institutions and private sector organisations as Ministry of Information & Communication; Ministry of Science & Technology; National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA); Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF); ICT professional Associations; ICT operating companies, Banks and non-bank financial institutions, local and foreign development agencies, ICT solutions providers, Small & Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture (NACCIMA), the mass media, high net worth individuals, amongst many others.

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NomCom seeks nominees into ICANN

Independent entity in the Internet community, the Nominating Committee (NomCom) is seeking for nominees into the various leadership positions in the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and its subsidiary agencies.

NomCom was set up under the chairmanship of Hagen Hultzsch and tasked with searching the world for experienced individuals to fill key positions on ICANN’s board and its Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees.

Commenting on the positions available at the moment, Mr. Hultzsch said that his team search includes two board directors, one person to fill the gap in Generic Numbering Supporting Organisation (GNSO) Council member and two fellows to join the At-Large Committee representing Europe and North American regions.

"If you want to be a part of ICANN’s exciting work on bringing the languages of the world to domain names, and creating more choice for consumers by allowing for the creation of new Internet extensions beyond the ones currently available like .net or .org, now is the time to let us know," he urged.

He pointed out that ICANN’s global team of Internet leaders is working on some of the biggest changes to the Internet since it was created – and this is the chance to help make that happen.

"The ICANN leadership team is a dedicated group of volunteers from across the world who have helped shape the Internet used by more than a billion people globally. The coordination work done by ICANN has provided a foundation for businesses across the globe—and fostered operations that rely on the Domain Name System’s ability to connect them to customers and business partners," said Hultzsch.

Highlighting that NomCom is looking for volunteers to join this team and work alongside people who come from in the technical field, who are leading policy experts, and even individuals who helped create the very foundations of the Internet.

According to him, the deadline to submit a statement of interest is April 15, 2008, even as there has been 42 statements already received by his office.

This figure, he said, are made up of 40 from men, two from women, 12 from Europe, eight from Asia/Australia/Pacific, five from Latin America/Caribbean, 12 from North America, and six from Africa, adding that candidates count toward more than one ICANN region.

"Beyond its responsibilities for keeping the Internet secure, stable, and interoperable, ICANN’s mission is to grow and evolve its global multi-stakeholder decision-making process, so it is the individuals who make up the wider Internet community who direct and decide the Internet’s future," Hultzsch added.

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EMS rewards customers, ends promo

EXPEDITE Mail Service (EMS/Speed post) promotion, which ran nationwide between November 5, 2007 and January 31, 2008 finally came to a draw with plenty reward for customers, reports Kayode Ajiboye.

General Manager, EMS, Mr. Adedamola Osuntuyi explained that the promotion was part of his organisation’s ways of appreciating the teeming customers for their loyalty and support.

According to Osuntuyi, EMS has embraced the use of modern technology in the discharge of its duties, taking cognisance of the stiff competition in the courier service market as well as the changing needs of the customers.

“To be relevant there, we have embraced technology for the tracking and security of shipment, built staff capacity through relevant training and re-training and have infected motorcycles and vehicles into our operations nationwide,” he said.

The general manager also disclosed that his courier company had introduced some value-added products for every segment of its market, such as an hour premium delivery in Abuja, Lagos and Port-Harcourt.

Laptop, micro wave ovens, GSM phones and executive folders were among prizes won at the event.

EMS, a courier service which started operations in 1986 with less than 25 network countries now boasts of at least 130 destinations world-wide.

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Stop vandalizing telco’s facilities – Senators

CHAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Communications, Senator Sylvester Anyanwu has tasked Nigerians to desist from vandalizing telecommunications facilities in the country, reports CHARLES OKOH.

Anyanwu made this charge when he led an eight-man team from the committee on a tour of MTN Nigeria facilities in Lagos, as part of its oversight function on telecommunications companies in the country.

He also said this act would only make it difficult for tariff to reduce as it cost a lot of money to replace these equipments.

Senator Anyanwu appealed to traditional rulers, legislators, and all stakeholders to ensure that these installations are protected as they are meant to serve the communities.

The Senate, he said, wants an end to this kind of attitude so as to improve the quality of service on the nation’s telecom networks and even extend this services to other parts of the country where it’s still lacking.

“Apparent quality problems can be caused by vandalisation in the delivery of communication services, particularly, voice telephony and the persistent complaints by majority of the Nigerian telecoms customers,” he reasoned.

He added that the Senate is interested in optimization plans submitted by the operators in response to the request by the respective national and state assembly committees on communications.

Expressing satisfaction that MTN is engaging about 95 per cent Nigerians, he advised that this should be sustained and improved on.

He also expressed delight his team that MTN is heeding the call for more Nigerian shareholders just as he promised that the Communications Act 2003 is being looked into to ensure a more conducive operational environment for the telcos.

The Senate, he said, will ensure that the management of MTN keeps to its promise to ensure remarkable improvement of the quality of service by the end of June 2008.

He regretted the failure of power supply across the country as he said this would make investment in the country expensive.

The tour which took the Senators to MTN Network Monitoring Centre (NMC), Ojota, Matori warehouse and the call centres at Apapa and Ikoyi in Lagos, saw the Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Ahmad Farroukh and other to management team conducting the visitors round the facilities visited.

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Globacom takes surprises to W.Afri.Tel-08hh

THE Second National Operator (SNO), Globacom has concluded arrangements to surprise visitors at this year’s West Africa Telecommunications Exhibition and Conference (W.Afri.Tel-08) due to hold June in Lagos.

Chief Operating Officer, Globacom, Mr. Mohammed Jameel gave this insight in Lagos and said that more innovative products should be expected from the stable of Globacom come W.Afritel 2008.

“We are renowned for innovative products and quality services. As a very socially responsible company, we have also been doing our best to reward our valued subscribers as well as our people. For W.Afri.Tel 2008, visitors should look out for surprises. It is best to keep it brief,” he said.

Also commenting, the Manager, Exhibitions Management Services (EMS), organisers of the event, Ms Gillian Pope, said that the eighth edition of the annual expo scheduled to hold at the New Expo Centre, Ocean View, Victoria Island, Lagos from June 3 through 5, has become the biggest of its kind in the region.

“Over the years, W.Afri.Tel has built a reputation and has become the sub-region’s biggest and most professional exhibition; so, it is understandable that companies that want to get the most exposure never want to miss this event. Unfortunately we are only able to provide space for those that confirm their booking early as space allocation is on a first-confirmed first-allocated basis,” Pope said.

Stressing that surely, the first preference is to give existing clients, those who exhibited, for instance in last year’s event, the opportunity to either retain their previous spaces or take new ones; they too must first confirm by signing and sending to us the contract form.

“Thereafter, we throw open whatever space is left to new companies, who also can only get any particular space confirmed for them only when we receive their signed contract,” she added.

Mr. Mkpe Abang, Editor-in-Chief of IT & Telecom Digest, the Sole Nigeria Agent, who confirmed that Globacom has been signed on for the event, expressed hope that visitors will benefit from the Second National Operator’s gestures and quality services.

“Globacom has shown the lead in many products, services and tariff structures. We are very hopeful that they will bring some of their very exciting and unique products and services to W.Afri.Tel 2008 and thereby reach out to a larger and discerning audience,” Abang said.

He commended Globacom for its untiring efforts in laying fibre optic across the length and breadth of Nigeria, saying this has no doubt given the company an edge over others and helped to improve the quality of services on its network.

In the build up to W.Afri.Tel 2008, many leading companies have already secured their stands. Some of the early birds include Sony Ericsson, Starcomms, I-Cell, SkyVision, DCC Satellite, Gilat Satcom, Netcom Africa, ACCAT and Dizengoff, to name a few.

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LG introduces KF600 mobile phone

PRODUCERS of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) handsets, LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company has introduced its latest, KF600 mobile phone into the global market.

According to LG officials, the iF product design award winning LG KF600 has been launched into the Middle East and Africa markets and comes with a rich feature and easy to use, stylish, thanks to its unique InteractPad.

Chief executive, LG Electronics for Middle East and Africa region, Mr. Mr. K.W. Kim, explained that the InteractPad replaces physical navigation keys with context-specific virtual keys that change to fit the task at hand.

This new interface, he added comes in response to the need for a simple way to navigate through the multitudinous features on today’s mobile phones.

The LG KF600’s InteractPad and its virtual menu keys, he said, show the exact keys a user needs to complete the task at hand eliminating distractions. This is far more flexible than standard hardware keys and eliminates the need to memorise exactly which key performs what function.

"These virtual keys are also larger and better spaced than physical keys, improving accuracy," he said.

Stressing that the LG KF600 and the InteractPad reflect LG’s commitment to making its handsets easier to use through improved user interface technology.

"Usability is truly at the centre of this handset’s design and it represents LG’s latest achievement in making phones that connect with their users," he said.

The InteractPad, he emphasised is an ideal interface for controlling multimedia features such as the LG KF600’s digital audio player, camera and video camera.

“Because its controls are not tied to physical buttons, each of these functions has a custom interface that makes it incredibly intuitive to use," he said.

To make it easier to use, the InteractPad, Mr. Kim said, is equipped with multi-sensorial feedback that provides users with audio, visual and tactile cues. When a virtual button is pressed it becomes larger and the phone vibrates just slightly and makes a clicking sound.

"This feedback is not only designed to make these virtual buttons seem more like real ones, it also makes the phone more comfortable to use and improves accuracy," he said.

"This handset offers a mere glimpse into a newly emerging trend in the mobile market. LG is researching and developing new ways to improve usability and will continue focus on features that add practical benefits for users," Kim added.

The LG KF600 includes eight dynamic graphic interface themes that are stylish and fun. Each gives the phone a different character that can act as an extension of its owner’s personality. These themes, many of which were inspired by the work of famed artist Keith Haring, affect all aspects of the LG KF600’s interface including the InteractPad. When users choose a theme, all the layouts of each application will be reflected in menu, icons as well as wallpaper under the integrated theme.

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