Several Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the country today, are largely operating illegally, according to the chief executive officer (CEO), Amsco Telecom Group, Mr. Ndukwe Kalu.
In a chat with ITRealms Online, Mr. Kalu who also is the vice president, Internet Service Providers Association of Nigeria (ISPAN), denied allegation that ISPs in the country are cheating users by offering lesser bytes, arguing that though there are some bad eggs in the sub-sector, but the number is few compared to firms with integrity.
A bit is the smallest piece of information that computers use. For instance, a Personal Computer (PC) uses bits in groups of eight called bytes, that is, eight bits equals to one byte. Therefore, in most computer systems, a byte is a unit of data that is eight binary digits long.
ITRealms Online recalls that traditionally, byte size is determined by the number of bits required to represent a single character from a Western character set, of which its size was generically dependant on the number of possible characters in the supported character set and chosen to be a divisor of the computer’s word size.
Mr. Kalu reckoned with dismay that most ISPs operating in the country exist without any recourse to the telecommunications regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
“Also you should note that many firms offering ISP services are actually operating illegally , without an NCC license and supervision,” he asserted.
For this and other reasons, he said, that Internet services in the country remained largely unsupervised and that current price of bandwidth, broadband is not commercially feasible in the country.
He cited an instance with the SAT-3, which offers 1 Mega bytes per second for $3,000 (about N351,000.00) for a duplex based on bulk purchase.
Noting that broadband is sold presently at the 256 kilo bites per second (kbps) minimum, wondering how many Nigerians could pay about $1,500 (about N175,500.00) per month for broadband service.
Thus, this situation elucidated the way for heavily shared bandwidth by ISPs to realize the visible pricing of today in the nation’s Internet service.
“So, the inevitable is that bandwidth is heavily shared to achieve the price levels that we see of say, N10,000,” he said.
He predicted that the way out of the wood is the NCC inspired State Accelerated Broadband Initiative (SABI).
“Only the SABI project of NCC has decided to tackle this issue headlong,” he declared, stressing that SABI needed consistent drive to ensure that its targets are met.
As said by him, using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) could reduce the cost of Internet access for end-users, mostly in decongesting the voice network in the country, while offering very competitive rates.
“So, you would get better quality of service and reduced price,” he said, but lamented that currently, VoIP infrastructure is very minimal in the country and could be quickly deployed so as to remove distance barrier cost in service deployment.
On the impact of telecom operators creating ISP subsidiaries instead of buying over existing legacy ISPs, Mr. Kalu said that overtime, competence would determine where end users could go for their Internet acquisition.
He emphasized that data is not the same thing as voice, “so if the voice networks want to get it right they must acquire the expertise, either by merger, acquisition, partnership or poaching. Its all a matter of business sense.”
He was quick to add that there is no level playing ground for the traditional ISPs and others who are delving into the business of service provisioning such as telecom operators, who have the wherewithal to co-exist beyond their immediate core areas.
“The telco has it all, own network, frequency, numbering to name a few. Traditional ISPs are asking for just the leveling of the field,” he said.
Although, he said, NCC had started this by approving that ISPs could own their own networks, but then “this is not backed by choice of frequency.”
He expressed excitement that this issue has been receiving attention at NCC, just as numbering plan for VoIP is also critical.
“When all these are in place, then all would thrive together,” he declared, stressing that in the United States, thousands of small ISPs are making it in the land of the Verizons.
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Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Optimising your Google mail account (2)
All Mail shows you almost all of your mail; you’ll see content from your Inbox, Starred, Chats, Sent, Drafts, and all your archived messages; you won’t see Spam or Trash.
Spam is where Gmail sends the messages it thinks are suspicious.
Trash is where messages you delete end up; you can empty the trash whenever you feel like it.
Contacts lists the email addresses of people you’ve corresponded with; you can add more details as you see fit.
Organizing and sorting your mail:
Next, you’ll probably want to get organized. If you find the idea of browsing through thousands of messages to find a single conversation a little daunting, you can make things a lot easier using labels, filters, and search -- and you won’t have to delete anything. Here’s how it works:
Labels: You can create labels and apply them - manually or automatically - in order to group related messages together. For example, let’s say you want to keep messages from your mom all in one place. If you have a message from her already, just check the box next to the message in your Inbox.
Then, create a label for her messages; select New label from the More Actions drop-down menu. Enter a name for your label, and click OK. The name of your label will appear just before the subject line.
More actions ...
You can find all your messages that have this label attached by clicking the label’s name in the Labels section in the lower-left part of any Gmail page.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Spam is where Gmail sends the messages it thinks are suspicious.
Trash is where messages you delete end up; you can empty the trash whenever you feel like it.
Contacts lists the email addresses of people you’ve corresponded with; you can add more details as you see fit.
Organizing and sorting your mail:
Next, you’ll probably want to get organized. If you find the idea of browsing through thousands of messages to find a single conversation a little daunting, you can make things a lot easier using labels, filters, and search -- and you won’t have to delete anything. Here’s how it works:
Labels: You can create labels and apply them - manually or automatically - in order to group related messages together. For example, let’s say you want to keep messages from your mom all in one place. If you have a message from her already, just check the box next to the message in your Inbox.
Then, create a label for her messages; select New label from the More Actions drop-down menu. Enter a name for your label, and click OK. The name of your label will appear just before the subject line.
More actions ...
You can find all your messages that have this label attached by clicking the label’s name in the Labels section in the lower-left part of any Gmail page.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Battling climate change via ICTs
Features of the week:
Global telecom regulator, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) recently described climate change as one of the two core challenges facing the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry. REMMY NWEKE examines the efforts being put in place to curb this emerging monster.
“... Climate change is a global challenge that the world simply cannot afford to lose — not just for our sake, but for the sake of our children,” ITU Secretary General, Dr. Hamadoun Toure.
Addressing participants at the recently concluded meeting of the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) in Johannesburg, Dr. Toure noted that climate change is another profound challenge that is at work and transforming the face of the world.
He pointed out that whatever the underlying cause may be, current rates of extinction based on scientists’ predictions that two-thirds of all bird, mammal, butterfly, and plant species will be extinct by the end of this century, stressing that not only the species will be affected after all, but the very survival of the world and the planet itself, is now in jeopardy.
To this extent, Toure said, ITU is mainstreaming this major issue into its regular work programme, so as to give it the required importance on how Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) could help prevent and avert climate change.
“There is a strong role for ITU in standards for energy efficiency of the ICT equipment on which our digital economy depends. ITU has always taken the lead in setting high standards for telecommunications and ICTs, and this is another key area in which ITU can make a real difference,” he emphasized.
Also, the assemblage passed a resolution to encourage ITU member states to work towards reductions in Greenhouse Gas (GhG) emissions arising from the use of ICTs, in line with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
ITU, Toure said, aims to achieve climate neutrality for its operations within three years, and is at the forefront of this progress compared with many other international organizations.
Nigeria gets DNA:
Nigeria recently inaugurated its Designated National Authority (DNA) to enable the nation approve and implement Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects.
Head, Climate Change Unit, Federal Ministry of Environment, Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Victor Fodeke, who disclosed this in Abuja, enlightened that CDM allows emission-reduction projects in developing countries to earn Certified Emission Reduction (CER) credits, each equivalent to one tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2).
He stressed that CERs could be traded, sold and used by industrialized countries to meet a part of their emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol. Explaining that the protocol is an international deal linked to the UNFCCC with major feature to set targets for 37 industrialized nations and European community for reducing GHG emissions.
Fodeke said that the DNA would ensure that all approved CDM projects in the country conformed to sustainable development criteria. As such, DNA has the responsibility of evaluating proposed projects and issuing letters of approval in accordance to its mandate and ensures that Nigeria maintains control over the CDM projects’ expectations. He noted that CDM was approved by UNFCC as part of Kyoto Protocol to enable nations employ greener technology in their development programme locally.
Collaboration with WMO:
In the global effort to combat climate change, ITU, according to Toure, has continued to help developing countries to mitigate the effects of this change, including the use of emergency telecommunications and alerting systems for disaster relief, adding that in collaboration with its membership, ITU is identifying the necessary radio-frequency spectrum for climate monitoring and disaster prediction, detection and relief, including a promising cooperation with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in the field of remote-sensing applications.
ITU further assured of continuous joint efforts in the context of the UN system, in order to ‘deliver as one’ with a principal focus on ICTs and climate change, noting that in 2000, UN members adopted the Millennium Declaration as a renewed commitment to human development, including the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
However, climate change impacts tend to offset progress being made to meet the MDGs by 2015, as a result, Toure said, it is crucial to empower developing countries by facilitating their access to the ICTs needs for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
“It is widely acknowledged that the issue of climate change is rapidly emerging as a global concern, which needs a global response. The high-level segment underlined that member states are committed to combating climate change: ITU remains committed to combating climate change. ITU’s work is in line with the needs and priorities of our member states in the vital importance of taking action to combat climate change,” Toure assured.
GreenHouse threats:
As the earth’s climate is changing, greenhouse gases are accumulating and human activities are the cause, according to experts at the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), set up in 1988, the build-up of GHGs threaten the earth inexorably on the path to an unpredictably different climate. Just as one of the main GHGs which humans are adding to the atmosphere, carbon dioxide (CO2), is increasing rapidly.
Noteworthy is that at about 1750, at the start of the Industrial Revolution in Europe, there were 280 parts per million (ppm) of CO2 in the atmosphere. Today, the overall amount of GHGs has topped 390 ppm CO2e; parts per million of carbon dioxide equivalent – all GHGs expressed as a common metric in relation to their warming potential and the figure is rising by 1.5–2 ppm annually.
Equally, some reputable scientists believe the earth’s average temperature should not rise by more than 2°C over pre-industrial levels. Among others, the European Union indicated that this is essential to minimize the risk of what UNFCCC calls dangerous climate change by keeping the costs of adapting to a warmer world bearable. In addition, scientists say there is a 50 per cent chance of keeping to 2°C if the total GHG concentration remains below 450 ppm.
Climate change:
Described as fast becoming a household name in the rapid evolution of environment, climate change problem is attributed to burning fossil fuels including coal, oil and gas and deforestation.
Experts claimed that the heat-trapping blanket of GHG in the atmosphere causes global temperatures to rise also known as global warming. This trapped energy could also cause potentially significant changes in the timing and length of the seasons as well as the amount and frequency of precipitation. As global temperatures rise, this causes climate to change; A warmer earth will lead to changes in rainfall patterns, rising sea levels, and a wide range of impacts on plants, wildlife, and humans.
Reducing GHG via ICTs:
GHG appears to be driving force behind climate change, hence the need to reduce CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions. Of which it is estimated that ICTs contribute around 2-2.5 per cent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, expectedly, this will grow as ICTs become more widely available.
Similarly, ICTs could significantly help reduce climate change by promoting the development of more energy efficient devices, applications and networks; encouraging environmentally friendly design and reducing the carbon footprint in its own industry. Hence, ICTs promise to drastically reduce GHG emissions.
Toure equally declared that ICT is active in the area of climate change for well over a decade, and ITU is now making climate change a key priority, with strategies to reduce the environmental impact through the creation of a standard methodology for calculating carbon footprint, the promotion of Next Generation Networks (NGNs) thereby reducing power consumption by up to 40 per cent.
He further said that there is need for online versus print publications, while harnessing the power of ICTs through remote collaboration, intelligent transport systems, sensor-based networks standing on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and telemetry as well as monitor climate change by conducting and managing studies on remote-sensing, providing key climate data via radio-based applications.
“To solve today’s climate problems ITU will work closely with its membership to lead efforts in achieving a climate neutral ICT industry,” he said.
Ericsson pact to address climate change:
Commenting on the Ericsson’s commitment to address the issue of radioactive emission from base stations and climate change, Managing Director, Ericsson Nigeria, Mr. Leif Edwall said, his firm is constantly looking at ways of achieving energy efficiency in all its offerings, both as a cost driver and from an innovation perspective.
“We are also looking at how telecommunications in itself can have broader benefits to society, and help in reducing CO2 emissions, a contributor to climate change,” he said, stressing that Ericsson has implemented a three-step process to achieving energy-efficient communications for products, sites, and networks, which include energy-optimized networks, site optimization and alternative energy sources.
Explaining further, Customer Solutions Manager, Ericsson Nigeria, Mr. Chinedum Akaniro, noted that his firm has a number of energy optimization innovations that reduce Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), while at the same time improving the environmental performance of mobile network growth worldwide.
“In Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) and Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) mobile networks, Radio Base Stations (RBSs) are our largest volume products and they are the highest contributors of CO2 emissions. We have improved the energy-efficiency level of our WCDMA radio base stations by up to 80 per cent in 2008, compared with the levels in 2001,” he said.
He added that Ericsson recently introduced a new feature, Base Transceiver Station Power Savings, which reduces energy consumption in mobile networks during low traffic periods by putting the radio resources of the network that are not being used into standby mode. Equally, the Ericsson Tower Tube which has led to a 30 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions associated with construction, and a 40 per cent reduction in energy consumption.
“These will significantly reduce their environmental impact as well as operational expenditure,” Mr. Akaniro said.
GSMA concerns:
The Global System for Mobile Association (GSMA), lately revealed that an interpolated 20 per cent penetration is expected to yield a target of 118,000 green power sites by 2012.
According to the spokesman, Mr. David Pringle, GSMA predicts that by 2012 up to 50 per cent of new off-grid base stations in the developing world including Nigeria, could be powered by renewable energy, thus offering a unique opportunity for its Green Power for Mobile initiative to thrive by delivering knowledge assets and methodologies, aggregation of relationships with suppliers and community building bridging operators, green power vendors and telecommunications equipment vendors.
GSMA further sought to work with operators, green power vendors, and telecommunications equipment vendors to impact a global reduction in industry-wide emissions and increase the number of people connected today.
“A cohesive community with regular events and leadership will facilitate the exchange of ideas and needs to drive the use of green power solutions within the mobile industry forward,” he said.
Additionally, Mr. Pringle, said GSMA is evaluating potentials for the industry as an aggregate to benefit from carbon credit trading. At a site level, carbon credits produced by replacing an off-grid diesel generator site with green power range from US$450-$1,500 per site, per year.
Although this amount could be said to be too small presently to warrant the overhead of carbon trading at a site level, Pringle noted that the economics of aggregating network credits are immense. So, the evaluated suitable carbon trading methodologies would support trading through UNFCCC and plans to move to a pilot phase are underway.
Summary:
Therefore, it is estimated that the ICT sector produces directly some 2-3 per cent of total GHG emissions and this share will increase as ICTs and the Internet continue to grow. Broadband deployment and the increasingly intense use of the Internet will contribute to the rise emissions.
Thus, ICTs could also help in reducing the GHG emissions of other sectors, by replacing the need for travel and by improving transport efficiency, so as to reduce the carbon footprint of individuals and companies.
Additionally, ICT industry could help other sectors to combat climate change, by looking at the mitigation impact it has on such sectors of the economy and new communication technologies as well as the evolving nature of the Internet, using ITU standards through the deployment of a high bandwidth low carbon future and broadband energy saving approaches among others.
It is commendable that Nigeria has inaugurated DNA and it would be helpful to speedy up actions to ensure that the nation’s engagement is at par with the global demand.
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Underground online economy worth N32.8bn – STAR
Latest report from Symantec’s Security Technology and Response (STAR) organisation, has revealed that there are booming underground economy, recording the sum of $276 million, (about N32,871,599,578 billion).
The report generated from STAR servers between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008, showed that online underground economy has matured into an efficient, global marketplace in which stolen goods and fraud-related services are regularly bought and sold, and where the estimated value of goods offered by individual traders is measured in millions of dollars.
Symantec said, the report was motivated to help consumers and organizations secure and manage their information-driven world.
“Our software and services protect against more risks at more points, more completely and efficiently, enabling confidence wherever information is used or stored,” the report stated.
The potential value of total advertised goods observed by Symantec was more than $276 million (about N32.2b) for the period under review.
This value, the report indicated was determined using the advertised prices of the goods and services and measured how much advertisers would make if they liquidated their inventory.
Credit card information was the most advertised category of goods and services on the underground economy, accounting for 31 per cent of the total.
While stolen credit card numbers sell for as little as $0.10 to $25 per card, the average advertised stolen credit card limit observed by Symantec was more than $4,000.
Whereas Symantec has calculated that the potential worth of all credit cards advertised during the reporting period was $5.3 billion.
The popularity of credit card information, according to STAR is likely due to the many ways this information could be obtained and used for fraud; credit cards are easy to use for online shopping and it’s often difficult for merchants or credit providers to identify and address fraudulent transactions before fraudsters complete these transactions and receive their goods.
Also, credit card information is often sold to fraudsters in bulk, with discounts or free numbers provided with larger purchases.
The second most common category of goods and services advertised was financial accounts at 20 per cent of the total. While stolen bank account information sells for between $10 and $1,000, the average advertised stolen bank account balance is nearly $40,000.
Calculating the average advertised balance of a bank account together with the average price for stolen bank account numbers, the worth of the bank accounts advertised during this reporting period was $1.7 billion.
Even as the popularity of financial account information is likely due to its potential for high payouts and the speed at which payouts can be made. In one case, financial accounts were cashed out online to untraceable locations in less than 15 minutes.
During the reporting period, Symantec also observed 69,130 distinct active advertisers and 44,321,095 total messages posted to underground forums.
The potential value of the total advertised goods for the top 10 most active advertisers was $16.3 million for credit cards and $2 million for bank accounts.
Furthermore, the potential worth of the goods advertised by the single most active advertiser identified by Symantec during the study period was $6.4 million.
The underground economy is geographically diverse and generates revenue for cybercriminals who range from loose collections of individuals to organised and sophisticated groups.
During this reporting period, North America hosted the largest number of such servers, with 45 per cent of the total; Europe/Middle East/Africa hosted 38 per cent; followed by Asia/Pacific with 12 per cent and Latin America with 5 per cent.
The geographical locations of underground economy servers are constantly changing to evade detection.
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The report generated from STAR servers between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008, showed that online underground economy has matured into an efficient, global marketplace in which stolen goods and fraud-related services are regularly bought and sold, and where the estimated value of goods offered by individual traders is measured in millions of dollars.
Symantec said, the report was motivated to help consumers and organizations secure and manage their information-driven world.
“Our software and services protect against more risks at more points, more completely and efficiently, enabling confidence wherever information is used or stored,” the report stated.
The potential value of total advertised goods observed by Symantec was more than $276 million (about N32.2b) for the period under review.
This value, the report indicated was determined using the advertised prices of the goods and services and measured how much advertisers would make if they liquidated their inventory.
Credit card information was the most advertised category of goods and services on the underground economy, accounting for 31 per cent of the total.
While stolen credit card numbers sell for as little as $0.10 to $25 per card, the average advertised stolen credit card limit observed by Symantec was more than $4,000.
Whereas Symantec has calculated that the potential worth of all credit cards advertised during the reporting period was $5.3 billion.
The popularity of credit card information, according to STAR is likely due to the many ways this information could be obtained and used for fraud; credit cards are easy to use for online shopping and it’s often difficult for merchants or credit providers to identify and address fraudulent transactions before fraudsters complete these transactions and receive their goods.
Also, credit card information is often sold to fraudsters in bulk, with discounts or free numbers provided with larger purchases.
The second most common category of goods and services advertised was financial accounts at 20 per cent of the total. While stolen bank account information sells for between $10 and $1,000, the average advertised stolen bank account balance is nearly $40,000.
Calculating the average advertised balance of a bank account together with the average price for stolen bank account numbers, the worth of the bank accounts advertised during this reporting period was $1.7 billion.
Even as the popularity of financial account information is likely due to its potential for high payouts and the speed at which payouts can be made. In one case, financial accounts were cashed out online to untraceable locations in less than 15 minutes.
During the reporting period, Symantec also observed 69,130 distinct active advertisers and 44,321,095 total messages posted to underground forums.
The potential value of the total advertised goods for the top 10 most active advertisers was $16.3 million for credit cards and $2 million for bank accounts.
Furthermore, the potential worth of the goods advertised by the single most active advertiser identified by Symantec during the study period was $6.4 million.
The underground economy is geographically diverse and generates revenue for cybercriminals who range from loose collections of individuals to organised and sophisticated groups.
During this reporting period, North America hosted the largest number of such servers, with 45 per cent of the total; Europe/Middle East/Africa hosted 38 per cent; followed by Asia/Pacific with 12 per cent and Latin America with 5 per cent.
The geographical locations of underground economy servers are constantly changing to evade detection.
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NiRA inaugurates Auction Committee for .ng
The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), would Wednesday, December 3, inaugurate an Auction Committee for the sale of the nation's country code Top Level Domain name, .ng.
This is coming on the heels of the advanced plans for the full commercial operations NIRA.
According to NiRA President, Mr. Ndukwe Kalu the committee would be charged with the responsibility of fashioning out auction guidelines and procedures for the .ng domain.
‘This is both for special registrations on the first level like mybank.ng, and also premium domains on the second level, like doctors.com.ng, shop.com.ng, among others,‘ he said.
Ndukwe also revealed that the committee would be chaired by the Vice President, NiRA and Director, Licensing at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mrs. Mary Uduma.
She would be joined in the committee by NIRA Director and Managing Director, Resort Saving & Loans Plc, Mr. Bimbo Olayinka as deputy chairman the publisher, Technology Times, Mr. Shina Badru and another NIRA director and Head, Information Technology (IT), Aluko, Oyebode & Co. Ms Yetunde Johnson.
In addition, the committee includes three of the newly accredited registrars, Messrs Omoniyi Ewete, Eugene Ohu and Destiny Amana, while Registrar Laison officer of NIRA, Mr. Emmanuel Amadi would serve as secretary to the committee.
He explained that premium domains were one of the highlights of the policies released by NIRA earlier in the year.
This, he said, would enabled NIRA to provide for one of the lowest charges in the world of any country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) or Generic Top Level Domain (gTLD).
Kalu further said that the concept would enable every Nigerian to have a .ng domain at a very low price, while premium domains could be used to augment the financial demands.
‘Since the release of the policy NIRA has been inundated with enquiries on the modalities for the acquisition of the premium domains and registering on the first level from all over the world. There was therefore need to ensure that we have a world class and transparent process in place,’ Kalu said.
Stressing that the establishment of this committee marks a landmark in the fulfillment of the promise of the current board to provide a platform for all Nigerians to express themselves on the web.
Giving further reason on the importance of the committee, he noted that it has taken this long since the release of the guidelines, because the initial focus was on putting in place a first class technical infrastructure.
‘This has been done since October 1, and fully tested and ready for service,’ he said.
As said by Kalu, NiRA has to make sure it has a product to offer first before talking of auctions.
‘The work of the committee is expected to herald a new beginning in the utilization of .ng and is expected to submit its final report in early January with the first auctions expected either late January or first week of February,’ he said.
Meanwhile, NiRA, a holistic stakeholders body charged with the responsibility of increasing Internet penetration in Nigeria through the popularization of the country’s code Top Level Domain (TLD), dot ng, has said its target in the next 18 months is to grow Internet usage to 2 million.
NiRA, also said, it has identified three opportunities to boost internet penetration in Nigeria including the proliferation of data market within the core telecommunications industry, person cum brand protection and rising content need in the Nigerian market.
According to him, NiRA would capitalize on the federal government’s projects such as the State Accelerated Broadband Initiative (SABI) being propagated by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) through the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF).
“We see this as the next driver with massive infrastructure deployments to support the data,” he declared, adding that coupled with the massive government attention to broadband connectivity both in the rural and urban center through the NCC and USPF, this projection is viable and could even be surpassed.
Stressing that with all this, NiRA estimates that there will be over one million connected broadband users in 18 months time, “with total Internet users of about two million.”
This growth, Kalu noted would see to massive number of online users expected to have some presence on the Internet, which in turn would translate to domain registrations on .ng.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
This is coming on the heels of the advanced plans for the full commercial operations NIRA.
According to NiRA President, Mr. Ndukwe Kalu the committee would be charged with the responsibility of fashioning out auction guidelines and procedures for the .ng domain.
‘This is both for special registrations on the first level like mybank.ng, and also premium domains on the second level, like doctors.com.ng, shop.com.ng, among others,‘ he said.
Ndukwe also revealed that the committee would be chaired by the Vice President, NiRA and Director, Licensing at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mrs. Mary Uduma.
She would be joined in the committee by NIRA Director and Managing Director, Resort Saving & Loans Plc, Mr. Bimbo Olayinka as deputy chairman the publisher, Technology Times, Mr. Shina Badru and another NIRA director and Head, Information Technology (IT), Aluko, Oyebode & Co. Ms Yetunde Johnson.
In addition, the committee includes three of the newly accredited registrars, Messrs Omoniyi Ewete, Eugene Ohu and Destiny Amana, while Registrar Laison officer of NIRA, Mr. Emmanuel Amadi would serve as secretary to the committee.
He explained that premium domains were one of the highlights of the policies released by NIRA earlier in the year.
This, he said, would enabled NIRA to provide for one of the lowest charges in the world of any country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) or Generic Top Level Domain (gTLD).
Kalu further said that the concept would enable every Nigerian to have a .ng domain at a very low price, while premium domains could be used to augment the financial demands.
‘Since the release of the policy NIRA has been inundated with enquiries on the modalities for the acquisition of the premium domains and registering on the first level from all over the world. There was therefore need to ensure that we have a world class and transparent process in place,’ Kalu said.
Stressing that the establishment of this committee marks a landmark in the fulfillment of the promise of the current board to provide a platform for all Nigerians to express themselves on the web.
Giving further reason on the importance of the committee, he noted that it has taken this long since the release of the guidelines, because the initial focus was on putting in place a first class technical infrastructure.
‘This has been done since October 1, and fully tested and ready for service,’ he said.
As said by Kalu, NiRA has to make sure it has a product to offer first before talking of auctions.
‘The work of the committee is expected to herald a new beginning in the utilization of .ng and is expected to submit its final report in early January with the first auctions expected either late January or first week of February,’ he said.
Meanwhile, NiRA, a holistic stakeholders body charged with the responsibility of increasing Internet penetration in Nigeria through the popularization of the country’s code Top Level Domain (TLD), dot ng, has said its target in the next 18 months is to grow Internet usage to 2 million.
NiRA, also said, it has identified three opportunities to boost internet penetration in Nigeria including the proliferation of data market within the core telecommunications industry, person cum brand protection and rising content need in the Nigerian market.
According to him, NiRA would capitalize on the federal government’s projects such as the State Accelerated Broadband Initiative (SABI) being propagated by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) through the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF).
“We see this as the next driver with massive infrastructure deployments to support the data,” he declared, adding that coupled with the massive government attention to broadband connectivity both in the rural and urban center through the NCC and USPF, this projection is viable and could even be surpassed.
Stressing that with all this, NiRA estimates that there will be over one million connected broadband users in 18 months time, “with total Internet users of about two million.”
This growth, Kalu noted would see to massive number of online users expected to have some presence on the Internet, which in turn would translate to domain registrations on .ng.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
ITU canvasses infrastructure sharing
Global telecommunications watchdog, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), has canvassed for infrastructure sharing among operators to reduce investment drought, according to its latest Trends in Telecommunication Reform Report.
The report also said that if operators explore this, it would lower costs for network rollouts.
The ITU published annual report for 2008 has six degrees of sharing, detailing a set of regulatory strategies designed to lower the costs of network rollout globally, even as it would mark up unparalleled numbers of voice and Internet consumers in both the developing and developed world, due to the result of network growth and expansion.
Chief, Media Relations and Public Information, ITU, Mr. Sanjay Acharya, in a press statement made available to ITRealms Online, said that this year has also seen an unparalleled global financial crisis which may make it more difficult for investors to obtain financing for continuing network development.
So, he said, sharing strategies, examined in the new ITU report, are seen as conducive for infrastructure development in the telecommunications and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, particularly in light of the deepening global financial crisis.
“Sharing strategies are increasingly necessary to ensure that operators can deploy their networks at low cost while guaranteeing that consumers have access to affordable services,” he said.
He quoted, the Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, Mr. Sami Al Basheer, as saying that now, more than ever, sharing strategies make sense as operators are forced to reduce the costs of network deployment as they compete for scarce investment funds. This is a forward-looking perspective in light of the current financial and economic uncertainty.
He stressed that sharing strategies include the sharing of civil engineering costs in deploying networks, promoting open access to network support infrastructure - poles, ducts, conduits; essential facilities comprising submarine cable landing stations and international gateways as well as access to radio-frequency spectrum and end-user devices.
ITRealms Online recollects that “Six Degrees of Sharing” formed the theme of first discussion earlier in the year held in Thailand at the ITU’s 2008 Global Symposium for Regulators. Few observers could then have anticipated the rough ride that would be in store for financial markets a few months down the road.
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The report also said that if operators explore this, it would lower costs for network rollouts.
The ITU published annual report for 2008 has six degrees of sharing, detailing a set of regulatory strategies designed to lower the costs of network rollout globally, even as it would mark up unparalleled numbers of voice and Internet consumers in both the developing and developed world, due to the result of network growth and expansion.
Chief, Media Relations and Public Information, ITU, Mr. Sanjay Acharya, in a press statement made available to ITRealms Online, said that this year has also seen an unparalleled global financial crisis which may make it more difficult for investors to obtain financing for continuing network development.
So, he said, sharing strategies, examined in the new ITU report, are seen as conducive for infrastructure development in the telecommunications and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, particularly in light of the deepening global financial crisis.
“Sharing strategies are increasingly necessary to ensure that operators can deploy their networks at low cost while guaranteeing that consumers have access to affordable services,” he said.
He quoted, the Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, Mr. Sami Al Basheer, as saying that now, more than ever, sharing strategies make sense as operators are forced to reduce the costs of network deployment as they compete for scarce investment funds. This is a forward-looking perspective in light of the current financial and economic uncertainty.
He stressed that sharing strategies include the sharing of civil engineering costs in deploying networks, promoting open access to network support infrastructure - poles, ducts, conduits; essential facilities comprising submarine cable landing stations and international gateways as well as access to radio-frequency spectrum and end-user devices.
ITRealms Online recollects that “Six Degrees of Sharing” formed the theme of first discussion earlier in the year held in Thailand at the ITU’s 2008 Global Symposium for Regulators. Few observers could then have anticipated the rough ride that would be in store for financial markets a few months down the road.
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Anabel to unveil products in Lagos
All is now set for the official unveiling of Anabel mobile products into the nation’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) market space with its Professional Series (PS), tomorrow, Thursday in Lagos for a media launch.
Anabel mobile is touted to be of equal ranking with the likes of Blackberry and Apple iPhone devices among other smart phones in the market, but was designed and manufactured for Africa by Africans.
It is also said to be coming to the market with value added services (VAS) and functionalities including push and pull email, which has been the hallmark of the high-end mobile devices.
A press statement from the firm made available to ITRealms Online, Anabel Mobile said that as a global brand created by Nigerians, the telco has chosen to start with the Nigerian market with its products.
This, the firm also said, is to give Nigerians the respect and focus that many international brands lack.
ITRealms Online sources also said that Anabel Mobile devices are designed to meet the desires of high profile students and business class who are engaged on advanced programmes and need cutting edge mobile devices for data analysis, communication and reporting, as well as for sharing large files whether data, voice, music or video.
Just as it’s stylish, user friendly and runs on Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1 version applications, thus enabling it to be compatible with any Personal Computer (PC) globally.
Equally, the Anabel Professional Series (PS), comes in the ranges of PS 100 and PS 200, thereby allowing users to synchronize with Anabel brand of Smart phones.
Licensed by the telecom regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Anabel Mobile, is to operate in the country for the sales of its full range of products.
“Anabel mobile, the first Nigerian company owned by Nigerians enters the market to provide customised smart phones that are truly Nigerian and built to international standards,” our source said.
Stressing that Anabel mobile promises to give Nigerians excellent mobile multimedia experience in accordance to its vision to take Nigerians to the future by producing modern Smart phones that would accord its population the opportunity of reaching the world at their finger tips.
Anabel, therefore, prides itself as the first indigenous company to manufacture customised Smart phones locally.
ITRealms Online further gathered that Anabel mobile devices tend to focus on the professional and Small and Medium Scale (SME) markets by providing them with a mobile device for data transmission, communication, internet access, e-mail to name a few, thus an exceptional mobile office.
The commercial launch has been slated for December 12, also in Lagos.
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Anabel mobile is touted to be of equal ranking with the likes of Blackberry and Apple iPhone devices among other smart phones in the market, but was designed and manufactured for Africa by Africans.
It is also said to be coming to the market with value added services (VAS) and functionalities including push and pull email, which has been the hallmark of the high-end mobile devices.
A press statement from the firm made available to ITRealms Online, Anabel Mobile said that as a global brand created by Nigerians, the telco has chosen to start with the Nigerian market with its products.
This, the firm also said, is to give Nigerians the respect and focus that many international brands lack.
ITRealms Online sources also said that Anabel Mobile devices are designed to meet the desires of high profile students and business class who are engaged on advanced programmes and need cutting edge mobile devices for data analysis, communication and reporting, as well as for sharing large files whether data, voice, music or video.
Just as it’s stylish, user friendly and runs on Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1 version applications, thus enabling it to be compatible with any Personal Computer (PC) globally.
Equally, the Anabel Professional Series (PS), comes in the ranges of PS 100 and PS 200, thereby allowing users to synchronize with Anabel brand of Smart phones.
Licensed by the telecom regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Anabel Mobile, is to operate in the country for the sales of its full range of products.
“Anabel mobile, the first Nigerian company owned by Nigerians enters the market to provide customised smart phones that are truly Nigerian and built to international standards,” our source said.
Stressing that Anabel mobile promises to give Nigerians excellent mobile multimedia experience in accordance to its vision to take Nigerians to the future by producing modern Smart phones that would accord its population the opportunity of reaching the world at their finger tips.
Anabel, therefore, prides itself as the first indigenous company to manufacture customised Smart phones locally.
ITRealms Online further gathered that Anabel mobile devices tend to focus on the professional and Small and Medium Scale (SME) markets by providing them with a mobile device for data transmission, communication, internet access, e-mail to name a few, thus an exceptional mobile office.
The commercial launch has been slated for December 12, also in Lagos.
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Igbalode clinches NMMA’s ‘08-Telecom award
Senior Reporter with IT & Telecom Digest, Mr. Seun Igbalode, has clinched the 2008 edition of the Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA) award in the MTN sponsored Telecom Reporter of the Year category.
The NMMA recognizes outstanding performance by journalists in different areas of the media and is regarded as the premier awards for excellence in journalism.Mr.
Igbalode was presented the award at the grand reception of the event which was held at the Banquet Hall of the Royal Tropicana Hotel, Kano State.
The Telecom Reporter of the Award is endowed by leading telecom operator, MTN Nigeria, as a way of encouraging the reportage of the industry that continues to attract rave comments.
The award prize included a laptop and the award plaque which was presented to the recipient at the occasion by the External Communications Manager, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Okeleke.
Speaking at the grand presentation ceremony which was held last month, former Information Minister and chairman of the awards nominating panel as well as a member of the Board of Trustees, Prince Tony Momoh, revealed that more than 400 reporters made entries for this year’s awards ceremony and there were 44 categories in all.
Reacting to the award won by Mr. Igbalode, the Editor-in-Chief of IT & Telecom Digest, Mr. Mkpe Abang said, he is proud of him.
“I know he will go places. At IT & Telecom Digest we crave for excellence and we will continue to encourage him. It is a challenging field; and, for Seun to have come out tops in such a competitive field also goes to show that we are living up to the professional goals we set for ourselves as a media house,” Abang said.
At the 2007 edition of the NMMA which was hosted by the Osun State government, Mr. Igbalode was the first runner up in the Telecom Reporter of the Year category. He was also nominated in the Capital Market Reporter of the Year Category at the same awards ceremony.
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The NMMA recognizes outstanding performance by journalists in different areas of the media and is regarded as the premier awards for excellence in journalism.Mr.
Igbalode was presented the award at the grand reception of the event which was held at the Banquet Hall of the Royal Tropicana Hotel, Kano State.
The Telecom Reporter of the Award is endowed by leading telecom operator, MTN Nigeria, as a way of encouraging the reportage of the industry that continues to attract rave comments.
The award prize included a laptop and the award plaque which was presented to the recipient at the occasion by the External Communications Manager, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Okeleke.
Speaking at the grand presentation ceremony which was held last month, former Information Minister and chairman of the awards nominating panel as well as a member of the Board of Trustees, Prince Tony Momoh, revealed that more than 400 reporters made entries for this year’s awards ceremony and there were 44 categories in all.
Reacting to the award won by Mr. Igbalode, the Editor-in-Chief of IT & Telecom Digest, Mr. Mkpe Abang said, he is proud of him.
“I know he will go places. At IT & Telecom Digest we crave for excellence and we will continue to encourage him. It is a challenging field; and, for Seun to have come out tops in such a competitive field also goes to show that we are living up to the professional goals we set for ourselves as a media house,” Abang said.
At the 2007 edition of the NMMA which was hosted by the Osun State government, Mr. Igbalode was the first runner up in the Telecom Reporter of the Year category. He was also nominated in the Capital Market Reporter of the Year Category at the same awards ceremony.
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Ammar explains Etisalat’s call notification
The Vice President Marketing, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Wael Ammar, has shed more light on how the operator’s Missed Calls Notification feature on its pre-paid package, the Easy Starter, could be optimized.
According to him, the value added service (VAS) allows subscribers on the network to know who tried to reach them even when they were not immediately available or while their phones were switched off.
Ammar also said the Missed Calls Notification feature is available to all subscribers on the Etisalat network at no cost, stressing that it allows subscribers to be notified of any and all attempts made to reach them at times when their phones are unreachable for a number of reasons.
A press statement endorsed by the Head Communications at Etisalat, Mrs. Nwugo Nwoke and made available to ITRealms Online, quoted Mr. Ammar as saying that the telco is helping to promote better business and personal relationships.
“Should a subscriber be out of coverage area or should they switch off their phones, they would still be able to know who tried to reach them when they turn their phones back on or get back into an area where there is coverage. This implies that all attempts to reach a subscriber on the Etisalat network are registered as appropriate and the subscriber is notified whenever they are back on the network, he said.
Ammar explained that the information is sent as a short messaging service (SMS) and includes the number(s) that tried to reach them, the date that the attempts were made, the time the number(s) called them and the number of times the number(s) tried to reach them.
“This is a first in Nigeria’s telecommunications market and is a default service on the Etisalat network that does not require the subscriber to take any action to activate it,” he said.
Ammar further said that the feature is unique to the Nigerian market and is in line with Etisalat’s sincere desire to get Nigerians talking a lot more.
“We are interested in getting people talking a lot more. That is why we have loaded our 128k Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card with a lot of powerful features to help our subscribers stay connected at all times.”
The missed calls notification feature, he pointed out, ensures that whether subscribers available or not at any particular time, he said, will still be able to determine who tried to reach you and when.
“You can then call the person(s) back as soon as you are able. That way, you don’t miss important business or family calls again. This would have a huge impact on your business and personal relationships which would certainly grow exponentially as you are able to talk to keep them going smoothly,” he said.
Describing this feature as another in the list of impressive free features that come with your 128k Etisalat SIM card, Ammar said other features include the Homezone, Recharge Others and Receiver Pays.
All of these features are value added services that Etisalat has introduced into the market in order to make life simpler for its subscribers,” the statement further said.
Etisalat Nigeria launched commercial operations in Nigeria last month with its Easy Starter package.
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According to him, the value added service (VAS) allows subscribers on the network to know who tried to reach them even when they were not immediately available or while their phones were switched off.
Ammar also said the Missed Calls Notification feature is available to all subscribers on the Etisalat network at no cost, stressing that it allows subscribers to be notified of any and all attempts made to reach them at times when their phones are unreachable for a number of reasons.
A press statement endorsed by the Head Communications at Etisalat, Mrs. Nwugo Nwoke and made available to ITRealms Online, quoted Mr. Ammar as saying that the telco is helping to promote better business and personal relationships.
“Should a subscriber be out of coverage area or should they switch off their phones, they would still be able to know who tried to reach them when they turn their phones back on or get back into an area where there is coverage. This implies that all attempts to reach a subscriber on the Etisalat network are registered as appropriate and the subscriber is notified whenever they are back on the network, he said.
Ammar explained that the information is sent as a short messaging service (SMS) and includes the number(s) that tried to reach them, the date that the attempts were made, the time the number(s) called them and the number of times the number(s) tried to reach them.
“This is a first in Nigeria’s telecommunications market and is a default service on the Etisalat network that does not require the subscriber to take any action to activate it,” he said.
Ammar further said that the feature is unique to the Nigerian market and is in line with Etisalat’s sincere desire to get Nigerians talking a lot more.
“We are interested in getting people talking a lot more. That is why we have loaded our 128k Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card with a lot of powerful features to help our subscribers stay connected at all times.”
The missed calls notification feature, he pointed out, ensures that whether subscribers available or not at any particular time, he said, will still be able to determine who tried to reach you and when.
“You can then call the person(s) back as soon as you are able. That way, you don’t miss important business or family calls again. This would have a huge impact on your business and personal relationships which would certainly grow exponentially as you are able to talk to keep them going smoothly,” he said.
Describing this feature as another in the list of impressive free features that come with your 128k Etisalat SIM card, Ammar said other features include the Homezone, Recharge Others and Receiver Pays.
All of these features are value added services that Etisalat has introduced into the market in order to make life simpler for its subscribers,” the statement further said.
Etisalat Nigeria launched commercial operations in Nigeria last month with its Easy Starter package.
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Glo picks 2 awards @ City People
In its tradition, Globacom has emerged the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) Company of the Year and the Telecoms Company of the Year at the maiden City People brands award held at Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos at the weekend.
ITRealms Online recalls that Glo had earlier won the GSM Company of the Year at the 11th City People Awards for Excellence last March, this year.
Organizers of the event, the City People Media Group, stated in the citation that Globacom picked the awards because of its remarkable contributions to the telecoms sector.
“Though it came in late, in five years of operations, Globacom has proven itself to be a network to be reckoned with. It has pioneered a lot of firsts since it came on board. It was the first to introduce Per Second Billing (PSB) and it also crashed the price of SIM cards to the lowest level in the industry.
“The company also brought in new innovations like 3G Plus, the Blackberry, Mobile Banking, MMS, and Glo Fleet Manager. Globacom is already rolling out services in some West African countries, beginning with the Republic of Benin,” the organizers declared.
The City People Brands Award recognizes and celebrates brands and consumer products that stood out in their respective segments of the market in 2008 as well as brands that have been around for a very long time and remained untoppled in the market.
Globacom has won a number of awards since it began operations in 2003. The company has won the ThisDay Company of the Year award for three consecutive years in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
In 2006, it was voted Best Mobile Telephone Company and Best Telephone Company 2006 by the Nigerian Technology and Telecom Awards (NIITA). It also won the Global Excellence 2006 Company of the Year as well as West Africa’s Most Preferred Telecommunications Company of the Year 2006 award by the Institute of Direct marketing of Nigerian (IDML).
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ITRealms Online recalls that Glo had earlier won the GSM Company of the Year at the 11th City People Awards for Excellence last March, this year.
Organizers of the event, the City People Media Group, stated in the citation that Globacom picked the awards because of its remarkable contributions to the telecoms sector.
“Though it came in late, in five years of operations, Globacom has proven itself to be a network to be reckoned with. It has pioneered a lot of firsts since it came on board. It was the first to introduce Per Second Billing (PSB) and it also crashed the price of SIM cards to the lowest level in the industry.
“The company also brought in new innovations like 3G Plus, the Blackberry, Mobile Banking, MMS, and Glo Fleet Manager. Globacom is already rolling out services in some West African countries, beginning with the Republic of Benin,” the organizers declared.
The City People Brands Award recognizes and celebrates brands and consumer products that stood out in their respective segments of the market in 2008 as well as brands that have been around for a very long time and remained untoppled in the market.
Globacom has won a number of awards since it began operations in 2003. The company has won the ThisDay Company of the Year award for three consecutive years in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
In 2006, it was voted Best Mobile Telephone Company and Best Telephone Company 2006 by the Nigerian Technology and Telecom Awards (NIITA). It also won the Global Excellence 2006 Company of the Year as well as West Africa’s Most Preferred Telecommunications Company of the Year 2006 award by the Institute of Direct marketing of Nigerian (IDML).
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Monday, December 01, 2008
Usman cautions Nigeria on NigComSAT-1
United States-based Nigerian chief software architect of Schaide Technologies, Mr. Modibo Yunusa Usman, has called for caution on the issues surrounding the recent demise of the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NigComSAT-1).
He said that Nigerians should not be quick to conclude on the vexed satellite, because it is not the first or will it be the last to experience failure.
Commenting weekend on NigComSAT-1, Usman urged Nigerians to see the failure of this initial satellite as a stepping stone to greater height by involving more research work on how to have a better satellite in the near future.
“As we remain the only country in the world with a success on first launch record. I hope our distrust for elected officials and our hand-them- high mentality for perceived failure without understanding the facts will be re-evaluated, at least, for the sake of national development,” he said.
Usman noted that at this critical time in Nigeria’s development, “we must begin to understand that our failure belongs to our leaders as much as theirs eventually becoming ours.”
He pointed out that Nigerians must learn that if our leaders are expected to succeed by way of doing the right things, “so also we affect their success and ultimately ours by beginning to do the right things.”
The software expert also said that Nigerians must learn to have the facts before them in order to offer relevant criticism instead of jumping into conclusion on the slight-less actions, especially by those in the authority.
“We must learn the truth about issues and have the courage to support what is right against popular or partisan consensus,” he said.
Concerning the failed NigComSAT-1, Usman said that there are no easy solutions for the failing satellite globally, warning that Nigerians should desist from asking for the sack of those in authorities because something went wrong, “but let us not start by throwing away the baby with the bath water. Let us not discard all we have learnt since the inception of NigComSAT.”
Nigeria, he said, must forge ahead as one great nation and one people in all areas of technological endeavor.
“We must be our brother’s keepers, simply because no one else would do this,” he asserted, warning that one day Nigeria’s honey moon with big oil wells will come to pass, and argued that Nigerians should centre attention on sustenance of NigComSAT.
Adducing some reasons why the satellite failed, Usman said the truth is that nobody builds a house and expects it to burn or does one spawn a child and expects that it would die prematurely.
“Accidents do happen, no where is this more prevalent, than in the area of orbital and technology research,” he said.
In the recent past, Usman noted that the United States has lost over 1.3 trillion dollars in space and orbital research technology since the early 90’s.
“US space shuttles and satellites have crashed-exploded and have been lost in space for decades. Even when countless human lives were lost, no one was asked to resign in National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the government and agency were not chided or rebuked because every American understood that this was a necessary sacrifice for technological advancement and superiority,” he said.
Rather, he said, the American people celebrated the successes of their space agency, NASA, and the brilliant people who work their, advocating for more sponsorship to get the job done better where failures were observed.
Recently, he explained that he had to return a brand new Nissan because of electrical failure.
“How then do we expect advanced orbital systems to be fail proof? I can’t recall how many times NASA has had to abandoned space missions because of a faulty chip on the satellite, but what I do know is that Nigeria is one of the 45 countries in the world that have a satellite in space and one of 17 that has more than one payload deployed,” he said.
Many of these countries, Usman emphasized, have had a rough road to becoming one of the 45, recalling that India’s failed launch destroyed a 2 ton communications satellite on July 10, 2006, while Brazil had 3 failed attempts and lost their satellite on October 22, 1999, while China had 11 collective failed attempts. South Korea also lost their first satellite in space Jan 6th 2008.
In addition, he said, that Australia, Russia on June 23 2005 took turn in the failed satellite deal with US; Japanese satellite for direct TV broadcast in 2001 and the 500 million pounds EU super satellite on 2001 have all been lost in space.
“Almost every member of the 45 country club has lost a satellite in space, with the exception of the more recent newcomers, and yet there has been no call for resignations or even a mockery of the government as some Nigerians are advocating,” he said.
Describing the failed NigComSAT-1 should serve as part of the learning curve in orbital and space research, saying it is a little price to pay to achieve technological advancement that would directly impact the lives of Nigerians.
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He said that Nigerians should not be quick to conclude on the vexed satellite, because it is not the first or will it be the last to experience failure.
Commenting weekend on NigComSAT-1, Usman urged Nigerians to see the failure of this initial satellite as a stepping stone to greater height by involving more research work on how to have a better satellite in the near future.
“As we remain the only country in the world with a success on first launch record. I hope our distrust for elected officials and our hand-them- high mentality for perceived failure without understanding the facts will be re-evaluated, at least, for the sake of national development,” he said.
Usman noted that at this critical time in Nigeria’s development, “we must begin to understand that our failure belongs to our leaders as much as theirs eventually becoming ours.”
He pointed out that Nigerians must learn that if our leaders are expected to succeed by way of doing the right things, “so also we affect their success and ultimately ours by beginning to do the right things.”
The software expert also said that Nigerians must learn to have the facts before them in order to offer relevant criticism instead of jumping into conclusion on the slight-less actions, especially by those in the authority.
“We must learn the truth about issues and have the courage to support what is right against popular or partisan consensus,” he said.
Concerning the failed NigComSAT-1, Usman said that there are no easy solutions for the failing satellite globally, warning that Nigerians should desist from asking for the sack of those in authorities because something went wrong, “but let us not start by throwing away the baby with the bath water. Let us not discard all we have learnt since the inception of NigComSAT.”
Nigeria, he said, must forge ahead as one great nation and one people in all areas of technological endeavor.
“We must be our brother’s keepers, simply because no one else would do this,” he asserted, warning that one day Nigeria’s honey moon with big oil wells will come to pass, and argued that Nigerians should centre attention on sustenance of NigComSAT.
Adducing some reasons why the satellite failed, Usman said the truth is that nobody builds a house and expects it to burn or does one spawn a child and expects that it would die prematurely.
“Accidents do happen, no where is this more prevalent, than in the area of orbital and technology research,” he said.
In the recent past, Usman noted that the United States has lost over 1.3 trillion dollars in space and orbital research technology since the early 90’s.
“US space shuttles and satellites have crashed-exploded and have been lost in space for decades. Even when countless human lives were lost, no one was asked to resign in National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the government and agency were not chided or rebuked because every American understood that this was a necessary sacrifice for technological advancement and superiority,” he said.
Rather, he said, the American people celebrated the successes of their space agency, NASA, and the brilliant people who work their, advocating for more sponsorship to get the job done better where failures were observed.
Recently, he explained that he had to return a brand new Nissan because of electrical failure.
“How then do we expect advanced orbital systems to be fail proof? I can’t recall how many times NASA has had to abandoned space missions because of a faulty chip on the satellite, but what I do know is that Nigeria is one of the 45 countries in the world that have a satellite in space and one of 17 that has more than one payload deployed,” he said.
Many of these countries, Usman emphasized, have had a rough road to becoming one of the 45, recalling that India’s failed launch destroyed a 2 ton communications satellite on July 10, 2006, while Brazil had 3 failed attempts and lost their satellite on October 22, 1999, while China had 11 collective failed attempts. South Korea also lost their first satellite in space Jan 6th 2008.
In addition, he said, that Australia, Russia on June 23 2005 took turn in the failed satellite deal with US; Japanese satellite for direct TV broadcast in 2001 and the 500 million pounds EU super satellite on 2001 have all been lost in space.
“Almost every member of the 45 country club has lost a satellite in space, with the exception of the more recent newcomers, and yet there has been no call for resignations or even a mockery of the government as some Nigerians are advocating,” he said.
Describing the failed NigComSAT-1 should serve as part of the learning curve in orbital and space research, saying it is a little price to pay to achieve technological advancement that would directly impact the lives of Nigerians.
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APC advances LCD status indicators
Global leader in integrated critical power and cooling services, APC by Schneider Electric, has announced the APC Back-UPS RS 1200 and 1500 with integrated Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD).
These new models, the firm said, introduce an advanced LCD panel that provides status information, including more than 20 status indicators that give available runtime, load and a power event counter.
Additionally, the firm said surge protection, battery backup, automatic voltage regulation (AVR) and management software make the Back-UPS RS 1200 and 1500 LCD ideal solutions for protecting home and business users from data loss caused by power problems.
Manager for English Speaking Area and Service Centre West and Central Africa and Indian Ocean at APC by Schneider Electric, Mr. Paul-Marie Dable, said, that his firm has continued to make great strides in the advancement of APC’s Back-UPS family to meet the evolving needs of consumers.
Besides, he said, the standard features the new Back-UPS RS models offer, include the advanced LCD display which help consumers easily access the critical information they need regarding the status of their unit and power.
He added that the Back-UPS RS 1200 and 1500 LCD offer high performance protection for homes and business computer systems.
These new units, he said, provide abundant battery back up power, allowing users to work through medium and extended power outages with runtimes of up to 131minutes, depending on the units’ load.
According to him, with eight outlets, six with battery backup and two with surge protection only, he said, the Back-UPS RS also safeguards equipment from damaging surges and spikes that travel along utility, phone cable lines.
“The Back-UPS RS series features AVR, which adjusts low voltages to safe levels, so consumers can work indefinitely during brownouts. In addition, APC’s PowerChute Personal Edition software gracefully powers down the computer system automatically in the event of an extended power outage. A distinctive feature of the new BR 1200 LCD and BR1500LCD is the liquid crystal display (LCD) visual indicators and audible alarms, which makes it easy for the user to operate the unit,” he said.
APC by Schneider Electric, prides itself as a global leader in critical power and cooling services, provides industry leading product, software and systems for home, office, data centre and factory floor applications.
Dable noted that APC backed by the strength, experience, and wide network of Schneider Electric’s Critical Power & Cooling Services, delivers well planned, flawlessly installed and maintained solutions throughout their lifecycle.
Stressing that through APC’s unparalleled commitment to innovation, offers pioneering, energy efficient solutions for critical technology and industrial applications.
ITRealms Online recalls that in 2007, Schneider Electric acquired APC and combined it with MGE UPS Systems to form Schneider Electric’s Critical Power and Cooling Services Business Unit, which recorded 2007 revenue of $3.5 billion and employed 12,000 people worldwide.
APC solutions include uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), precision cooling units, racks, physical security and design and management software, including APC’s InfraStruXure architecture the industry’s most comprehensive integrated power, cooling, and management solution.
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These new models, the firm said, introduce an advanced LCD panel that provides status information, including more than 20 status indicators that give available runtime, load and a power event counter.
Additionally, the firm said surge protection, battery backup, automatic voltage regulation (AVR) and management software make the Back-UPS RS 1200 and 1500 LCD ideal solutions for protecting home and business users from data loss caused by power problems.
Manager for English Speaking Area and Service Centre West and Central Africa and Indian Ocean at APC by Schneider Electric, Mr. Paul-Marie Dable, said, that his firm has continued to make great strides in the advancement of APC’s Back-UPS family to meet the evolving needs of consumers.
Besides, he said, the standard features the new Back-UPS RS models offer, include the advanced LCD display which help consumers easily access the critical information they need regarding the status of their unit and power.
He added that the Back-UPS RS 1200 and 1500 LCD offer high performance protection for homes and business computer systems.
These new units, he said, provide abundant battery back up power, allowing users to work through medium and extended power outages with runtimes of up to 131minutes, depending on the units’ load.
According to him, with eight outlets, six with battery backup and two with surge protection only, he said, the Back-UPS RS also safeguards equipment from damaging surges and spikes that travel along utility, phone cable lines.
“The Back-UPS RS series features AVR, which adjusts low voltages to safe levels, so consumers can work indefinitely during brownouts. In addition, APC’s PowerChute Personal Edition software gracefully powers down the computer system automatically in the event of an extended power outage. A distinctive feature of the new BR 1200 LCD and BR1500LCD is the liquid crystal display (LCD) visual indicators and audible alarms, which makes it easy for the user to operate the unit,” he said.
APC by Schneider Electric, prides itself as a global leader in critical power and cooling services, provides industry leading product, software and systems for home, office, data centre and factory floor applications.
Dable noted that APC backed by the strength, experience, and wide network of Schneider Electric’s Critical Power & Cooling Services, delivers well planned, flawlessly installed and maintained solutions throughout their lifecycle.
Stressing that through APC’s unparalleled commitment to innovation, offers pioneering, energy efficient solutions for critical technology and industrial applications.
ITRealms Online recalls that in 2007, Schneider Electric acquired APC and combined it with MGE UPS Systems to form Schneider Electric’s Critical Power and Cooling Services Business Unit, which recorded 2007 revenue of $3.5 billion and employed 12,000 people worldwide.
APC solutions include uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), precision cooling units, racks, physical security and design and management software, including APC’s InfraStruXure architecture the industry’s most comprehensive integrated power, cooling, and management solution.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
ICT4D committee submits report to NITDA
Six years after its inauguration, the Information and Communications Technology for Development (ICT4D) committee by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has submitted its final report to the agency.
ITRealms Online recalls that the committee was set up by the erstwhile Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Turner T. Isoun in August 2003 to formulate the nation’s ICT4D document with a 12-man resource persons including the President, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Prof. Charles Uwadia, Prof. Charles Akinyokun, Dr. John Dada, Mr. Bankole Olubamise, Mr Jide Awe, Dr (Mrs) Aisha Mamood, Mr. Hakeem Ajijola and Mr. Adeolu Odusote among others.
The project was sponsored by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) with Prof. Clement Dzidonu of Ghana supervising the work, while it was co-ordinated by Dr. Moses Ubaru, Director, Planning Research and Statistics, NITDA.
The committee, presided over by Dr. Armstrong Takang, worked through resource persons engaged by NITDA to produce the Nigerian ICT4D plan.
The purpose of the plan is to integrate ICT into national development with focus on the sectors and areas identified as requiring priority attention of ICT deployment in the document include agriculture, education, infrastructure, e-Government, national security and law enforcement, health, governance and legislature, IT popularization and awareness human resource development, research & development, private sector participation in the area of e-commerce, tourism and culture and transportation among others.
Speaking at the presentation of the report, Dr. Takang noted that the identified sectors were inline with the President Musa Yar Adua’s 7-Points agenda and Vision 2020.
According to him, the ICT4D document would serve as a road map on how the national Information Technology System would be upgraded and used in addressing several developmental issues.
Dr. Takang also commended NITDA for the initiative and the resource persons for their sacrifices and commitment towards the production of the final document, just as he implored NITDA to ensure a dedicated implementation of the outlined programmes.
Responding, the Director-General, NITDA, Prof. Cleopas Officer Angaye, who was represented by the Director, Finance and Administration, Mr. Garba Umar, expressed appreciation to the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), which sponsored the work and commended the resource persons for doing a good job.
He noted that the completion of the report was just the beginning as necessary strategies would be put in place to popularize and implement the plan, stressing that immediate action would be taken in presenting the document to the Minister of Science and Technology, Chief (Mrs) Grace Ekpiwhre, who would in-turn present it to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for adoption.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
ITRealms Online recalls that the committee was set up by the erstwhile Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Turner T. Isoun in August 2003 to formulate the nation’s ICT4D document with a 12-man resource persons including the President, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Prof. Charles Uwadia, Prof. Charles Akinyokun, Dr. John Dada, Mr. Bankole Olubamise, Mr Jide Awe, Dr (Mrs) Aisha Mamood, Mr. Hakeem Ajijola and Mr. Adeolu Odusote among others.
The project was sponsored by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) with Prof. Clement Dzidonu of Ghana supervising the work, while it was co-ordinated by Dr. Moses Ubaru, Director, Planning Research and Statistics, NITDA.
The committee, presided over by Dr. Armstrong Takang, worked through resource persons engaged by NITDA to produce the Nigerian ICT4D plan.
The purpose of the plan is to integrate ICT into national development with focus on the sectors and areas identified as requiring priority attention of ICT deployment in the document include agriculture, education, infrastructure, e-Government, national security and law enforcement, health, governance and legislature, IT popularization and awareness human resource development, research & development, private sector participation in the area of e-commerce, tourism and culture and transportation among others.
Speaking at the presentation of the report, Dr. Takang noted that the identified sectors were inline with the President Musa Yar Adua’s 7-Points agenda and Vision 2020.
According to him, the ICT4D document would serve as a road map on how the national Information Technology System would be upgraded and used in addressing several developmental issues.
Dr. Takang also commended NITDA for the initiative and the resource persons for their sacrifices and commitment towards the production of the final document, just as he implored NITDA to ensure a dedicated implementation of the outlined programmes.
Responding, the Director-General, NITDA, Prof. Cleopas Officer Angaye, who was represented by the Director, Finance and Administration, Mr. Garba Umar, expressed appreciation to the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), which sponsored the work and commended the resource persons for doing a good job.
He noted that the completion of the report was just the beginning as necessary strategies would be put in place to popularize and implement the plan, stressing that immediate action would be taken in presenting the document to the Minister of Science and Technology, Chief (Mrs) Grace Ekpiwhre, who would in-turn present it to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for adoption.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
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