Badware: Google may face lawsuit in Nigeria

Cover of the week:

Some Nigerian firms may have concluded plans to engage two United States-based Internet entities, Google and StopBadware.org in a lawsuit for classifying their websites as badware or malware on the Internet.

Badware also known as Malware, is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner’s consent. In other words, the website has been attacked.

Malware, according to Wikipedia, an online free encyclopaedia is “a portmanteau of the words malicious and software. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or programme code.”

It was gathered that StopBadware.org has classified some Nigerian websites as badware based on Google’s advisory.

A websearch on StopBadware database confirmed that some Nigerian websites (names withheld) have been reported as badware by Google and would be reviewed on request and when declassified by Google they would automatically be removed from its archive of StopBadware.org.

Champion Infotel investigations revealed that on attempts to access some of the websites, through Google search engine, visitors are confronted with a warning, which read thus:

“Visiting this web site may harm your computer! You can learn more about harmful web content and how to protect your computer at StopBadware.org,” the statement warned.

Although other Internet search engines could still be used to locate websites reportedly blocked by Google and archived by StopBadware.org.

Also, StopBadware.org offer some immediate suggestions to include a return to the previous page and picking of another result or try another search to “find what you’re looking for.”

StopBadware added that Internet users could continue at the already designated ‘badware’ site at their own risk.

“Or you can continue to http://www.???/ at your own risk,” the organisation warns.

In addition, it directed that if the user is the owner of the blacklisted website, “you can request a review of your site using Google’s Webmasters Tools” just as the advisory was provided by Google.

Attempts to engage the Webmasters Tools required that our correspondent signs up for the tools, requesting to know a little more about the inquirer.

“Please enter the additional information below. If you want to use the Google Webmaster Tools service as part of a separate Google Account, click here. (Note: you can only be logged into one Google Account at a time). Get started with Google Webmaster Tools.”

At the home page of StopBadware.org, an assumed help option was offered with a column at the right-hand side flagged by Google, asking concerned Internet users to click a link if they would like the organisation to review the inclusion of their website in the Badware website Clearinghouse with options of “Request for Review form, StopBadware Manifesto, and Guidelines.”

As at the time of filing this report last weekend, an estimated 260732 Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) which are website addresses have been allegedly reported to StopBadware.org by its partners and hence classified as badware awaiting clearance at its clearinghouse.

StopBadware.org identifies itself as a “Neighbourhood Watch” campaign aimed at fighting badware.

Equally it was gathered that Google uses its own testing procedures, and is sole decider for initial decisions to post a warning page for a website and does not rely on any testing or reports from StopBadware in making these initial decisions.

“However, StopBadware has the ability to review Google’s decisions, and you may request that we engage in a review by filling out a Request for Review. Working with our partners at Google, we respond to each request for review as quickly as is reasonably possible. Please note that this web form is the only way to contact StopBadware about a request for review,” StopBadware stated in its website.

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Steps to observe packet spoofing by ISPs (2)

Market Intelligence:

Running the test: Start Wireshark (with administrative privileges, e.g. root privileges, sufficient to perform a raw packet capture 8). Select “Interfaces” from the “Capture” menu.

Choose the interface corresponding to the network device you will use to capture packets; the IP addresses bound to all available network interfaces are displayed, which may help you distinguish them if you are unsure which network interface is which.

Click the Options button for the correct interface.

In the Capture Options dialogue, ensure that the IP address you expected your computer to be using is displayed in the “IP address” field.

We recommend setting a capture filter to ensure that only packets directly to or from the other computer will be captured.

If the other computer’s IP address is 4.8.16.32, a suitable capture filter string is “host 4.8.16.32”.

We also recommend setting “Update list of packets in real time” and “Automatic scrolling in live capture”, which help you watch the capture process while it’s underway, unless your computer is too slow.

Wireshark screenshot:

When you’re ready to begin capturing packets, click the Start button.

If you’ve set a capture filter to limit capturing to traffic to or from the other computer, you will probably not see any packets appear in the capture until you deliberately generate some traffic between the two computers.

To ensure that the traffic is showing up, you should ensure that Wireshark packet captures are running at both ends, and then have one computer ping the other computer by IP address.

This generates a steady stream of ICMP echo request and echo reply packets.

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Toure reiterates commitment to cyber security

Worried by the rate of cyber-crimes globally, the Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Dr. Hamadoun Toure, has reiterated his commitment to curb the menace.

Addressing a world press conference in Lagos at the end of his three-day working visit to Nigeria at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos, Dr. Toure, said that since he assumed office in January 2007, he unveiled a three-point agenda.

This, he said, include bridging the digital divide, cyber security and emergency numbers.

He explained, for instance, that as part of efforts to bring about a decline in the digital divide existing between the developed and developing countries of the world and between the rich and poor, ITU under his administration has launched Connect Africa initiative to propel growth especially in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the continent.

The Connect Africa Initiative, he noted was launched in Kigali by some head of states, to boost connectivity to rural communities.

According to him, when the populace have ICT access, the knowledge base of a society increases and information shared is better, stressing that about $55 billion was pledged at the launch of Connect Africa under the patronage of Rwandan President, Mr. Paul Kagame, and then Chairman, African Union and President of Ghana, Mr. John Kufuor, on 29 and 30 October, 2007.

He described the efforts at bridging the digital divide as ITU current greatest challenge among the three agenda, although in Africa the penetration is improving.

On the cyber security efforts by his office, Dr. Toure said there is a need to ensure “That our children needed to access the Internet without being molested with attacks online.”

Nowadays, due to growth of Internet, criminals need not be at the crime scene as crimes are magnified due to influx of ICT.

“So, we need to have all nations on board and the working plans would be harmonised,” he said.

Criminals, he said, are very smart these days, therefore any solution to counter cyber crimes must be smarter.

Dr. Toure accompanied by the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, revealed that recently, a nation’s network with about 95 per cent of its Infrastructure hooked on the Internet was hacked, forcing its shot down for 48 hours.

On the emergency numbers, Dr. Toure recalled that the Tsunami, which took place few years ago in Asia, has exposed how fragile ICT infrastructure has become.

“So, I would soon be unveiling a global working group for emergency numbering,” he said.

Dr Touré met with top government officials in the country to draw attention to the Connect Africa Initiative of the ITU including the Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Minister of Information and Communications, Chief John Odey and his Minister of State, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande as well as the board and management of the NCC in addition to a visit to the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) in Abuja.

Dr. Toure’s visit was the first time the Secretary-General of ITU, the world telecommunications regulatory body, would officially visit Nigeria since the establishment of the United Nations agency in 1856.

He equally met with Chief Executive Officers of leading ICT companies at a dinner in his honour in Lagos, last weekend.

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Omatek 8“ bags award

Latest from the shelf of Omatek Computers, its 8 inches notebook has bagged an award at this year’s Titans of Tech held in Lagos as ICT product of the year.

Commenting on the award, Chief Marketing Officer, Omatek, Mr. Biyi Fashoyin said that it a big boost for the product introduced few months ago to have won this prestigious award.

He dedicated the award to Omatek customers in the country, noting that the award would stimulate the company to be more focused on innovative hardware products across its entire market share.

Noteworthy is that Omatek had also launched the eight inches notebook in Ghana alongside its 10” as a way of expanding its hold in the market.

Champion Infotel recalls that recently during the launch of the Omatek 8” the Group Chief Executive, Omatek Computers, Mrs Florence Seriki started that the notebook is the solution to the dire need to provide systems that Nigerian youths and teachers could deploy effectively for a functional education in the country.

She also said that the notebook, which is the latest version, is suitable for the Nigerian environment and was made with the Nigerian students both in the secondary and tertiary institutions in mind.

Mrs. Seriki explained that the introduction of the new brand was borne out of the exigency to end the incursion of foreign brands in the country, which uses obsolete technology and have no capacity to meet educational and creative needs of the Nigerian youths.

Meanwhile, speaking in Ghana at the launch of the smallest notebooks – 8 and 10 inches series from her stable, Mrs Seriki said that the products are sleek, tight and very durable.

“Its compactness makes it very easy to take to lectures, take notes and for meetings,” she said.

Mrs. Seriki also said that the new products, which are the most current classics, have not only replaced the tablet notebooks but that it’s light natured and incomparable with any notebook in the world.

She stressed that they were assembled locally and have added technology transfer required for the country.

“In addition, it’s adding to the technology upgrade, employment generation and youth empowerment in the country. They are obviously backed locally by a robust technically supplied back-up,” she asserted.

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Experts outline steps to grow local content

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) experts have outlined a number of steps to grow local content in the country.

Those who spoke at a one-day summit on local content organised by the umbrella body of telecommunications companies under the aegis of Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) held in Lagos, Friday agreed that there is a need to not only talk or strategise for local content but also harmonious collaboration of all stakeholders.

Some of those who spoke at the occasion with the theme “Nigerian Content Development in the ICT sector” included the President, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), Mr. Lanre Ajayi, chief executive, Telecom Answer Associates, Mr. Titi Omo-Ettu, Director, Licensing at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mrs. Mary Uduma and President, Information Technology Association of Nigeria, Dr. Jimson Olufuye, among others.

Mrs. Uduma who also presided over the plenary session, she enjoined Nigerians to be awake to their responsibilities in terms of ensuring that what they contribute locally could match international standards.

She noted that though the environment could be challenging, but perseverance should be the watchword. She expressed the hope that better days are here only for those who contribute meaningfully to the growth of the sector and the economy

NIG President, Mr. Ajayi, highlighted the need to grow the human capacity to not only oversee the continuous growth of the local content, but also sustain the dream in the imperativeness of local content.

According to him, we could be developing local content, stressing that human capital would make it endearing to the industry and stakeholders.

He also noted that in empowering the human capital, a focus should be given to the youths in order to make them realise themselves through individual contributions on issues involving national growth of the country in its entirety.

Mr. Omo-Ettu emphasised the importance of constantly updating the educational curricular, especially at the higher institutional level in the country, with a view to optimising core ICT industry.

ITAN president, Dr. Olufuye campaigned for the involvement of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to drive the local content development.

Equally commenting, ATCON president, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem assured that the summit would be communicated to the appropriate quarters in the government, adding, “the communiqué must be implemented with follow up and ATCON would work with other agencies both public and private to aid the industry to grow.”

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AutoReg migrates to Freedom Card

The Lagos State government has begun migration of its automatic vehicle registration management, known as AutoReg to Freedom Card payment platform, managed by 3Line Card Management Limited.

This was the outcome of the strategic partnership between 3Line Card Management and Courteville Investment Limited, owners of the AutoReg trademark, according to the Chief Executive Officer, Courteville, Mr. Bola Akindele.

He also said that the system which had operated before now on scratch cards platform has now been moved to a more robust smart cards platform capable of carrying out other financial transactions immediately and in the nearest future.

He explained that the new platform is a smart card that contains a memory chip and could perform the functions of a debit card, credit card, prepaid card and other transactions such as payment for petrol and payment for lottery.

Akindele said that the scheme avails vehicle owners in the state to register their vehicles by visiting registration centres, which are the branches of banks involved in the scheme led by Oceanic Bank, which was the first bank in the country that issued the Freedom card and AutoReg co-branded cards to vehicle owners.

He also disclosed that the scheme, which began a year ago, has increased the state’s revenue generation by 300 per cent and created a million records of vehicle owners within the period under review.

Mr. Akindele equally said the scheme has eliminated problems previously linked with obtaining vehicle licenses such as touting, corruption and delay associated with manual vehicle registration.

“Now, it takes only five minutes to capture a registration process through the AutoReg scheme. It is a home-grown scheme and the first of its kind in the world,” he said.

He emphasised that his company decided to work with 3Line Card Management in order to move the AutoReg scheme to the next level and eliminate all other limitations associated with the scratch cards platform.

“We choose 3Line Card because out of all the card companies that approached us, 3Line Card has the best infrastructure that can handle all our requirements,” he said.

According to him, with a 72k chip, the highest data storage capacity in the market, AutoReg Freedom cards capacity is limitless, just as they envisioned that in the future, vehicle owners would be able to use their AutoReg Freedom Card for payment services such as buying goods at supermarkets, payment for tolls on Lagos roads, payment for fuel at filling stations across the state.

Speaking at the media launch, last weekend, Chief Executive Officer, Oceanic Bank Dr. (Mrs) Cecilia Ibru, said her bank was proud to be associated with the project.

“It is part of our commitment to co-create value in e-governance with the Lagos State government,” she declared.

As said by her, Oceanic Bank has consistently been the lead bank amongst other banks involved in the AutoReg scheme.

“We’re devising more innovative ways and methods for vehicles owners to derive maximum benefits from the upgraded scheme,” he said.

While explaining the multi-functionalities of the AutoReg new platform, Dr. Ibru said that the traditional vehicle owners’ details would be electronically stored in the cards for the purposes of verification by government agencies.

Additionally, the card could be used as a debit card or electronic purse for existing customers of the bank, and electronic purse for non-customers that do not operate any bank account.

“This is done through the creation of a virtual account for such customers. Money is stored electronically on the card, which can be used on Automated Teller Machine (ATMs), point of sale (PoS) terminals and on the web.”

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Zinox is ICT Coy of the year @ Titans of Tech-08

Zinox Computers was at the weekend honoured with yet another award, this time as the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Company of the Year 2008 at the Titans of Technology awards.

The award announced among many other sectoral prizes in the City Mall Onikan-Lagos, was bent on recognizing pioneers of ICT in the country.

Also, the event saw Zinox chairman, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, honoured as one of the nation’s Legend of Technology alongside such industrialists like Chief Don Etiebet, Late Chief Tunde Odegbami, and Chief Chima Onyekwere, as well as Dr. Isaac Odeyemi.

Zinox chairman, Dr. Ekeh was given a medal of honour for his perseverance in the distribution of hardware and the provision of solutions culminating in the birth of Zinox.

“The first internationally certified computers in Nigeria and PC brand of the years 2006 and 2007,” according to the organisers.

Dr. Ekeh’s initiative to computerize Nigeria did not go unrecognised as the organisers noted his determined passion to provide affordable IT equipment to many homes, schools, and work places in Nigeria.

Accepting the awards, Dr. Ekeh explained that he has virtually received all known awards in the land but that this particular award was reassuring because the organizers of the Titans of Tech award have shown a rare understanding of the industry.

He also said that the award would encourage more patriotism in Zinox especially in the area of quality and pricing of IT products.

The company further said that the award was as a result of world-class quality standards and the relentless drive to enhance IT penetration in the country.

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Intel, HP unveil vPro

CHIEF executive officers and management personnel drawn from telecommunications, financial industry, oil and gas are expected today, Wednesday, in Lagos, at a joint event organized by Intel Corporation and Hewlett Packard (HP) to unveil vPro, a premium security solutions technology.

According to HP category manager, Tarae Onyeje, “Banking operations, IT-compliant business transaction and general activities of the financial sectors are set to enjoy enhanced security, safer and faster computing with the introduction of Intel’s vPro in the market.

Onyeje said vPro technology for desktop and notebooks, personal computers (PC) would be unveiled to information technology (IT) directors and opinion leaders at the event.

Adding that Intel and HP whose latest hardware products will be running on vPro platform are two of the world’s largest players in information and communication technology (ICT) industry.

Also, a press statement by the marketing manager, HP Nigeria, Mrs Ijeoma Onyiuke said Intel Corporation is the world’s largest semiconductor company and the inventor of series of microprocessors in PCs, HP on the other hand, is the largest global seller of PC servers, network management software, printers digital cameras among other technology products.

The marketing development manager, Intel Nigeria Mr. Babajide Olufemi said “the vPro platform delivers immediate improvements in the contribution of IT infrastructure to business operations.

Stating that with vPro it is possible to monitor and manage PCs remotely, even when the PCs are turned off or the operating system is inoperable, thereby increasing business uptime and drastically reducing desk-side visits.

Mr. Olufemi said “vPro provides advances in security, data protection, performance, collaboration, and manageability resulting in better all-round performance and longer battery life in notebooks.”

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Stakeholders eulogise Ndukwe @ A Walk in Tandem

It was eulogy symposium for the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, last Saturday during a book launch on him in Lagos.

The book titled “Ndukwe & Telecom Regulation: A Walk In Tandem,” attempts to chronicle the EVC’s notable works and achievements in the telecommunications sector, spanning over 25 years.

Written by Aaron Ukodie, Deputy Business Editor and head of IT.Telecom Desk of Daily Independent, the book launch attracted commendations from industry players and eulogies for the EVC.

Leading the pack was the special guest at the occasion, Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Dr. Hamadoun Toure who stood in for the friends of Ndukwe in diaspora.

“I am here to celebrate one of our international friends and I am representing the international community,” Dr. Toure said, adding that he is very comfortable talking about Dr. Ndukwe just as he did not leave out the former Minister of Communications and commissioner at NCC, Chief Olawale Ige, who he described as his role model.

Dr. Toure also commended the work done so far by Ndukwe and his team at the NCC, noting that for the Information and Communication Technology sector of the international community, “Ernest is one of the most vibrant regulator. I am pleased to have Ernest as a friend over the years.

Stressing that it is about time Africa had leaders like Dr. Ndukwe, pointing out that good leadership has to be commended and that is why he is excited to be home in Nigeria.

He, therefore, committed himself to support Dr. Ndukwe at NCC, cautioning that it has become a kind of trademark on the continent to remove a performing and distinguished leader in a chosen aspect of the economy, even as he enjoined the government of Yar’Adua to continue to support the leadership at NCC.

“When we have great leaders and have great people following them that means we have a great future in Africa,” he asserted.

Dr. Toure equally commended Mr. Ukodie for taking the time off his usual schedule as a journalist to write a book on Dr. Ndukwe.

Reviewer of the book, Monsignor Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah represented by Mr. Mike Magaji also eulogised Ndukwe and the author, noting that Nigerians should not forget in a hurry what it was like before the boom in telecommunications ignited by the transparent auctioning of the Digital Mobile Licenses.

“It is a beautiful work that could be read in two hours and made up of 11 chapters,” he said.

Nigeria, he said, has benefited from Ndukwe’s dynamism embedded in GSM, adding that it has changed lives and could still be improved upon, especially in the areas of tariff reduction and service quality.

He suggested that the book be made available in compact disc (CD) version and electronic book (e-book) format for people outside the shores of Nigeria to easily access the work.

Minister of state for Information and Communication, Alhaji Ibrahim Nakande, said the book is about a legend in his own time and the efforts he has made for humanity, adding that Ndukwe’s tenure brought stability into the sector.

He also pledged on behalf of the government to continue to support Ndukwe by looking at existing policies and making same better.

Corp Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr. Osita Chidoka who was represented by the Lagos zonal commander, Mr. Chike Nwaka, said his commission has benefited from the impact of ICT revolution in the country and bought five copies for N50,000.

President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, said that the group would recommend a copy each for its over 160-member companies, just as Teledom Group International would donate a copy each to every university with Ile-Ife having three copies.

Equally commending Dr. Ndukwe’s contribution to the growth of ICT in the country, President, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), Mr. Lanre Ajayi, said his group would buy a copy for every of its members students to spur them.

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) said it would buy 10 copies for N100,000, according to its chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, who also gave kudos to the author for the idea.

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Etisalat for W.Afri.Tel

The fifth licensed Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) operator in the country, Etisalat, has concluded plans to make a debut at the esteemed West African International Telecommunications and Information Communication Technology Exhibition (W.Afri.Tel) exhibition.

The 2008 W.Afri.Tel holding at the New Expo Centre, Ocean View, Victoria Island, Lagos, from June 3 through 5, according to the organisers, would be the first major platform for the telco to launch headlong with the Nigerian public.

“Already, Etisalat is promising to bring to the show a bouquet of telecom products and services as well as packaged offerings that will excite the market,” a press statement from the organisers informed.

Affirming this development, chief host of the event and Editor-in-Chief of IT & Telecom Digest, the sole Nigeria agent for W.AfriTel, Mr Mkpe Abang, said they are happy to welcome the new company into the Nigerian market.

“Its hoped that with Etisalat’s entry, the market will get even more robust,” he declared, adding, “We hope that Etisalat’s entry will further boost the growth that we have been experiencing in the market since 2001, and no doubt also increase the competition and give the consumer a better deal from all operators.”

The organisers stated that they are glad to register Etisalat, stressing that after their application the teleco acted quite fast and so they got a space even when many other companies are still struggling to get a space.

“So, I think they are quite serious about being in this market and we look forward to seeing what they have to offer the Nigerian people, and hope that they take full advantage of W.Afri.Tel to showcase the best that they have to offer,” he said.

Champion Infotel recalls that chairman, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Hakeem Belo-Osagie had said at the media launch of the company in Lagos that the telco acquired a 40 per cent stake in Emerging Market Telecommunications Service (EMTS) and would operate the licence.

“Etisalat is a renowned telecommunications services provider and is a natural choice as operator based on its outstanding performance in the Middle East and various parts of Africa.

“I strongly believe that while communications is no substitute for roads or runways, ports or power, it is a powerful lifeline for integrating a fragmented economy, creating a market, raising productivity, and breaking down the geographical barriers that keep people in economic and physical isolation,” he said.

“Our vision for Nigeria is to facilitate access to this reality. Indeed backed by Etisalat’s legendary track record of quality and performance we are committed to building Etisalat Nigeria into a World Class Service Provider, known for its standards of quality, operational performance and efficiency and admired for its record of consistently creating value for customers,” he stated.

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Ericsson predicts exciting future

President, Ericsson, Mr. Carl-Henric Svanberg has predicted an exciting future in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector globally, especially for the telco’s shareholders.

According to him, the telecoms market faces an exciting future with many possibilities, but that the market was occasionally affected by external factors, such as shifts in technology and other changes.

A press statement made available to Champion Infotel endorsed by the Head, Corporate and Marketing Communications, Ericsson West Africa, Mr. Olabode Sowunmi Jnr, quoted Mr. Svanberg as saying “It was therefore important to maintain a long-term perspective.”

He also disclosed that Ericsson sales for 2007 rose by five per cent to SEK 188 billion and the profit for 2007 was almost SEK 31 billion.

This, he said, means that Ericsson accounted for one-quarter of the industry’s sales and for more than two-thirds of the profits.

Mr. Svanberg also outlined the three business units’ operations, namely business unit networks, global service business and multimedia.

He explained that Business Unit Networks is the largest area and accounts for two-thirds of sales.

“In 2007, it delivered its millionth base station. Each month, 300 billion traffic minutes pass through Ericsson’s base stations,” Svanberg said, emphasising that it was vital for customers to have a major supplier that is on the cutting edge and first out with new products.

On Ericsson’s Global Services business, he said, it has doubled turnover in the past five years and now represents a quarter of the group’s sales.

“All the new advanced technology means that network complexity is increasing; as a result, so is the need for systems integration, an area that is growing particularly quickly,” he said.

Ericsson, he said, manages more than 800 networks, with 1 billion subscribers - a third of the world’s subscribers. Ericsson also runs networks with 185 million subscribers, on a level with the world’s largest operators.

Equally on Multimedia, he said, that the unit formed over a year ago is an area for the future in which Ericsson is investing heavily on research and development. He pointed out that services such as YouTube are expected to increase the use of mobile networks significantly over the next few years, creating exciting business possibilities for Ericsson’s Multimedia business unit.

“This means operators will have to invest in both capacity and software from Business Unit Networks so that they can cope with the increased traffic,” he said.

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Visafone kicks off bonanza

Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operator in the country, Visafone Limited, has introduced an unprecedented bonanza sale of Nokia branded handsets in its stock.

The sales bonanza, according to a press statement endorsed by Head, Corporate Communication at Visafone, Mr. Toni Kan said Visafone has slashed off over 50 per cent of the recommended retail prices.

This, he said, would see Nigerians walking away with high quality Nokia branded handsets for as little as N3,499.

The deal, he said, is to put quality and affordable handsets in the hands of Nigerians to enable them fully experience the joy of communication as promised by the telco.

He recalled that Visafone’s fantastic offer, which ran through the Easter period received overwhelming patronage from Nigerians who thronged Visafone shops and dealer outlets to snap up handsets, ranging from N1,600 to N1,900 for those with Frequency Modulated (FM) radio facility.

Meanwhile, Visafone is offering two weeks free Internet access to all its data subscribers who signed on within the company’s first month of operations in appreciation for being an early birds.

Subscribers have commented positively on Visafone’s fast paced Internet connection riding on the 3G RevA platform.

Visafone, a wholly owned Nigerian mobile company which commenced full commercial operations in February 2008 in 12 states and over 40 cities now has coverage in 13 states and over 100 towns and cities across Nigeria in furtherance of its promise to grant Nigerians a passport to reach the world.

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Moto U9 makes a debut in Nigeria

MOTO U9 is also equipped with 20 floating animated screen savers that appear on a borderless organic light emitting diode (OLED) external display.

Also, last December, Motorola introduced Motorazr2v8, which according to officials of the company, is a luxury edition engraved in diamond patterns, fine menu wheel etching and touch sensitive keys.

The phone also has a 2.0 mega pixel camera, video capture and playback, affording users to read and send messages without ever opening the phone with one of the largest external screens in its class.

In addition, officials of Motorola said that the new RAZR has been reconfigured and re-imagined in the most luxurious material bathed in gold and clothed in snake like skin.

The phone is eye-catching and ready for its close-up and has a full suite of in demand features.

These include accessories for conscious consumers seeking a glamorous design as Razr2 also maximizes the music experience with up to 2Gegabyte (GB) of on board storage capacity up to 1000 songs and a power house processor for fast over the air download.

Officials equally informed that it comes with a complete Motorola H680 bluetooth headset with 18 gold-plated accents included in box.

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Odufuwa picks Nigeria, SA as global players

NIGERIA and South Africa have the potentials of emerging as the world’s largest information and communication technology (ICT) markets after Britain, Russia , India and China (BRIC) if these potentials are properly harnessed, according the African Director at Nova Global Markets Group, Mr. Fola Odufuwa, reports CHARLES OKOH.

Speaking during a two-day seminar organised by Technology Africa at the MUSON Centre Onikan-Lagos, recently, Mr. Odufuwa said the BRIC nations are believed by global economists to become the most dominant players by 2050.

These countries, he said, cover a quarter of the world’s land mass, 40 per cent of world’s population and have a combined gross domestic product (GDP) in excess of $75 trillion.

“Over the past 20 years, the BRIC countries have initiated successful economic and political reforms, embraced global capitalism, stressed education, adopted innovative technologies, attracted solid foreign investments, encouraged domestic consumption and empowered local entrepreneurs,” he said.

He added that a similar theory has been proposed by African economists that South Africa, Algeria, Nigeria and Egypt (SANE) would lead Africa into a renaissance as the continent’s biggest markets.

Of these African countries, he noted that Nigeria and South Africa are widely believed to hold the potentials of becoming the world’s next markets following BRIC.

Mr. Odufuwa said that the SANE countries currently have over a third of the population of Africa, half of its GDP, and reserves in excess of $200m.

He further said that whereas Nigeria has overtaken South Africa as the biggest telecoms market and has the largest number of internet users in SENA but has only 500 broadband users compared to South Africa (165,300), Algeria (195,000) and Egypt (205,500).

As said by him, telephone penetration is less than a third of the Nigerian population as only 29 per cent of Nigerians have access to telephone compared to 85 per cent of South Africans, stating that even this figure is doubtful because the trend in the country is multiple phone ownership.

Odufuwa said that factors such as an unfilled market gap for wholesale telecoms infrastructure including national satellite, submarine cables and national transmission trunks.

The absence of which, he said, is responsible for the widespread poor quality of services observed at the retail end of the telecoms services.

He added that telecoms infrastructure itself depends heavily on public power, the absence of which diminishes the growth capability of domestic business.

He said that there is also a need to confront officialdom (red tape and bureaucracy) evidenced by multiple taxation of operators, multi-level industry regulation of different agencies and layers of government, redundant licenses as well as need to make a success of several innovative interventions of government such WiN, SABi and USPF.

The Nigerian telecoms markets, he stated, is competitively inefficient because of common pricing of services across networks, low levels of innovation and absence of contemporary solutions as emergency services, toll-free lines etc.

Dysfunctional legacy networks and the inability of the second national operator to effectively compete with Nitel 6 years after licensing, monopoly of SAT-3, rudimentary payment systems and exclusion from the ecommerce universe as well as market domination by a few extremely big players, he said, are some of factors that are inhibiting the growth of the country in ICT.

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22 winners get cars on Win & Rule promo

In conformation of lifting of ban on its Win and Rule promo by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Glo Mobile, Tuesday in Lagos presented 22 cars to their respective winners in continuation of the promo which was stopped early in the year.

In his remark, Globacom’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Mr. Mohammed Jameel represented by Executive Director, Legal, Mrs. Gladys Talabi welcomed the winners in the second presentation ceremony on the on-going promo.

“Today’s event is a double celebration, as we are also celebrating the quality of our network in the midst of great challenges like power, security and the bureaucratic inhibitions we face in the course of our operations,” he said.

He also noted that just a few weeks ago, NCC gave Globacom a pass mark in terms of quality of service, hence “we have recommenced this promo.”

Champion Infotel recalled that NCC last February banned all promotions on the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) culminating into temporary stoppage of the promo, leaving 440 cars in the Glo Win and Rule promo.

“I am happy to announce that Glo was the only company given the nod to run promos and today, we resume all activities around the promo with this presentation and draw ceremony,” he said.

Mr. Jameel added that the only condition Globacom has for continuing with this largesse for customers is to keep the network’s quality high.

“We’re ready for this. As a truly Nigerian company, Globacom is ploughing back its proceeds into building a first class network as well as investing heavily in our valued customers,” he declared.

He pointed out that Globacom has by this commencement demonstrated commitment towards network improvement by striving to complete its optic fibre backbone around the country.

Mr. Jameel stressed that in the last few weeks Globacom has commissioned the installations in Enugu, Owerri, and Onitsha to make telecoms services; phone calls, data transmission and video communication more accessible and qualitative for its subscribers.

“For us at Globacom, the customer is indeed, king,” he declared.

Mr. Jameel went on to caution subscribers on the network to beware of some fraudsters that are desperately trying to use fake promos to defraud innocent people.

“Whilst I urge Nigerians not to abuse the generosity of Globacom, I implore you all to be vigilant and careful. Any promo that requires your sending recharge Personal Identification Number (PIN) to a certain Glo telephone number is not genuine. You can always crosscheck the veracity of the information that you receive from any of our offices,” Mr. Jameel warned.

The cars on offer include BMW, Mercedes Benz, Peugeot and Kia.

Special guest at the occasion namely the Director General, APCON, Alhaji Bello and sports analyst, Mr. Mitchel Obi commended Globacom and enjoined Nigerians to continue glowing on the network by making more calls, noting that its only when they make calls on the network that they would have the chance of winning part of the largesse.

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Linkserve bags double awards @ Titans of Tech

It was no doubt a fantastic outing for the pioneer Internet Service Provider (ISP) in the country, Linkserve Limited as it clinched two prizes at the 2008 Titans of Tech awards.

The awards nite, which held at the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) Centre, Onikan-Lagos, saw Linkserve Limited blazing the trial as Broadband Company of the Year and ISP of the Year.

Equally Linkserve founder, Chief Chima Apugo Onyekwere, OON, bagged ‘A Legend of Technology’ prize at the award ceremony.

Excited Managing Director, Linkserve Limited, Mr. Victor Emordi, said that they see the award as further recognition of the contributions of the company towards making qualitative and affordable Internet connections available to all Nigerians, particularly our customers.

He also said that Linkserve is committed to this goal and is what informed the recent strategic partnership with Nigcomsat and ViaSat.

He added that these awards provide motivation for the company to continue to strive towards even higher quality of service.

“Our focus going forward is to ensure good quality of service that makes surfing on our network, a very pleasurable and satisfying experience at all times,” he said.

Mr. Emordi further dedicated the awards to all Linkserve customers, partners in progress who have kept faith with them, assuring on their determination to continuously push for unparalleled professional services at all times.

“We also dedicate the awards to the spirit of pioneering, innovation and resourcefulness,” he asserted.

Mr. Emordi equally said that these values, underscored the culture at Linkserve and personified in its founder and chairman, Chief Chima Apugo Onyekwere, OON, who was also honoured at the award ceremony as A Legend of Technology in recognition of his pioneering role in creating Internet connectivity in the country.

Other recipients of the Legend of Technology award were Chief Don Etiebet, former Petroleum Minister and founder of Earth Sciences/Data Sciences Limited, Dr. Odeyemi, founder of Debis Computers who was the first Nigerian to earn a PhD in Computer Science and Chief Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman Zinox Group for the first Microsoft certified made in Nigeria computer.

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MTN reassures on quality service

MTN Communications Nigeria Limited, has reassured subscribers on its network of positive relationship, especially on improved quality of service (QoS).

Head Corporate Communications at MTN Nigeria, Mrs Funmi Omogbenigun gave this commitment at a customers forum organised by the telco in Lagos.

She said that the interactive forum at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel provided an opportunity for senior officials of the telecommunication company to meet and interact with some of its customers in the Lagos region.

She explained that the company understands the unique position of the customers to the success of the company, and the forum was in acknowledgment of that, which provides an opportunity for both parties to share their experiences on the various services and offerings by the network.

As said by her, the forum also provides the platform for customer feedback that would help the company to deliver better services.

“Our customers are our reason for being. All our efforts are geared towards ensuring that our customers enjoy a pleasant experience on our network. That is why we develop innovative products and services and continue to invest heavily in cutting edge infrastructure, make strenuous efforts to overcome environmental challenges, and strive to provide good quality of service,” she said.

Mrs Omogbenigun also said that in furtherance of this objective, MTN customer forums were designed to give the telco relevant grounds to interact more closely with customers and hear directly from them.

“It also provides our customers with the opportunity to speak freely on burning issues, ask questions, seek clarification, offer advice or to simply meet the people behind the brand. And the feedback that we obtain from this interaction is very critical to assisting us to serve you better,” she said.

At the session, customers raised issues on network challenges and the various packages available. The MTN officials took time to inform them on efforts being put in place to ensure the best possible network for the customers.

In her contribution, the manager, MTN XtraConnect brand, Mrs Saidat Lawal Mohammed explained the benefits of being on the platform, which is targeted at the family and friends group. Among the benefits enjoyed by subscribers on the XtraConnect package is the advantage of making calls at 50 per cent discount rate to three registered family and friend numbers.

On the High Value Brand, the manager in charge, Kelvin Orifa, presented the three offerings in the category – XtraPro, XtraSpecial and XtraValue. According to him, the MTN XtraPro is for middle-aged professionals in business (public or private enterprises). “These are people that are dynamic, goal-oriented, performance-driven, ambitious to achieve, information conscious and seekers of success,” he said.

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MTS offers freebies

A national telecommunications company permitted to operate wireless telephone service, MTSfirst wireless Limited, is offering unlimited freebies to customers including Nokia 6165 and 2126 handsets, reports GERALDINE OKOLIE.

Head of sales at MTS, Mr. Shigah Abellegah disclosed this adding that the Nokia 6165 and its variant is a high device that comes with an inbuilt 1.0 mega pixel camera which has multiple capacities of multimedia services allowing users to send and receive messages.

He also said that the Nokia 2126 could conveniently take care of strict trademark and connectivity.” There is also a slip fleek open mobile phone, a mini browser Bluetooth that can be used simultaneously with personal computers” he said.

Speaking on the objectives of the freebies, Mr. Abellegah said that the Telco aims at curtailing the high cost of phone and offering customers on the network unbeatable services at reduced prices.

He, however, urged customers to come on board and enjoy the free calls and free net service on weekends.

Mr. Abellegah explained the inception of MTS first wireless limited saying that it started its operation in 1992 and re-launched its wireless service in august 2004, using the state of the art CDMA 2000 ix technology. He assured customers of quality service and meeting their needs in whatever package that suits them.

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HP unveils enterprise suite

Information Technology (IT) company, Hewlett Packard (HP) has unveiled an enterprise suite cutting across imaging and printing devices.

Marketing Manager, HP Nigeria, Ms Ijeoma Onyiuke in a press statement made available to Champion Infotel, said that it’s a broad expansion of its imaging and printing portfolio for large businesses.

She also said that the company’s latest offerings help enterprises manage, secure and simplify their imaging and printing environments and improve workflows to reduce costs and enhance productivity.

According to her, the new offerings include six HP LaserJet printers, an enterprise-class scanner for document capture, three access control printing solutions, four printing services and an accreditation, certification and test programme for HP’s software solution development partners.

“HP also extended the reach of its $300 million “What Do You Have To Say?” global interactive marketing campaign to target large businesses,” she noted, adding that the expansion, print and online advertising as well as interactive tools would showcase how 3M worked with HP to globally reduce its device count by 47 per cent and save more than $3 million in just two years.

Executive Vice President, Imaging and Printing Group, HP, Vyomesh Joshi, pointed out that HP has cultivated three factors essential to the global enterprise business; people, partnerships and portfolio.

“We have quadrupled the total contract value of HP Managed Print Services, bolstered our Print 2.0 strategy with the recent acquisition of Exstream Software and expanded our focus on imaging and printing solutions that help customers optimize their infrastructure, manage their environment and improve workflows,” Joshi said.

Stressing that the new HP solutions business partner accreditation, Certification and Test program (ACT) is the industry’s first to accredit partners’ internal processes, review their designs and certify their solutions.

The programme, Joshi pointed out, gives customers’ confidence in the quality and feature richness of the solution, while reducing their implementation time and support costs.

Through the ACT program, HP ensures that the partner’s internal development and support processes are pre-qualified using HP’s stringent criteria and that applications have been tested to work with HP devices and software.

As said by Joshi, partners in the programme must demonstrate consistent, high-quality delivery of specific solutions built on HP’s software development kits and the HP Open Extensibility Platform.

Ten partners, including Assentis, Capella Technologies, Captaris, Equitrac, Jetmobile, Kofax, MPI, Omtool, Pharos Systems and ReadSoft, are now accredited and have specific solutions in the certification process.

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