Controversy generated by the aborted sale of 2.3 Gega Hertz (GHz), may be far from being over as the deal was said to have put the Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili at war with the Minister of State, Alhaji Ikra Aliyu Bilbis.
There were strong indications at the weekend that Prof. Akunyili may have parted ways with Alhaji Bilbis, following their divergent positions on the issue.
The evidence that there is apparently ‘rebranding war’ at the Radio House, the headquarters of Federal Ministry of Information and Communications (FMIC) was discovered between the two ministers as the outcome of the yet to be ‘buried’ interference by Akunyili on the concluded 2.3 spectrum auction, which ended on May 8, this year.
The parting of ways of the two ministers came to the on the account of their positions concerning the opposing stands of the two on the 2.3GHz sale.
While Akunyili in her letter, which ignited the controversy and addressed to the chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which brought about the stalemate on the 2.3GHz issue, claiming non-adherence to due process, the Minister of State, Bilbis, stated otherwise in his letter to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
In fact, Bilbis was said to had favoured the telecom regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and not only upheld the auction, but aligned himself with the procedures from A to Z.
According to Akunyili’s letter to EFCC dated May 18, 2009, “It is important to note that NCC never informed my office of its intention to license what is a scarce national resource critical to broadband and Internet availability within the Federal Republic of Nigeria and tangential to some policy initiatives of the Ministry.”
On the contrary, Bilbis in his submission to AGF Aondonkaa on the same matter, declared “… I wish to state that I was fully briefed and aware of the process right from the planning stage to eventual execution.”
Investigations by ITRealms Online revealed that at present some forces aghast to the Minister of State’s position embarked on blackmailing him with a purported letter of denial, for daring to support the NCC’s procedures on the matter under reference; 2.3GHz.
Additionally, it was revealed that even the issue of rebranding Nigeria, the two ministers who are supposed to be working together are surprisingly working apart to the disadvantage of the Nigerian populace.
One of those instances as discovered by ITRealms Online investigations is that invariably Prof. Akunyili is doing the rebranding alone without carrying the Minister of State along, given the evidence in her letter headed paper which has the current rebranding logo and slogan, while Bilbis, on the other hand is still making use of what an industry observer described as left-over of former rebranding agenda introduced by former Minister Frank Nweke Jnr; which boldly displays the map of Africa and Nigeria with the slogan: The Heart of Africa.
Equally at the newly created www.nigeriarebrands.com website, the only material of notable Nigerian available is that of Prof. Akunyili, rather than alongside other Nigerians of repute, therefore leaving nothing much to be desired on the site and campaign.
This, industry observers also said, could be an indication Akunyili is just on a jamboree as far as current rebranding of Nigeria campaign is concerned, after all, not even Yar’Adua’s resume was uploaded anywhere near that of Akunyili in the rebranding website.
Just as it was further alleged that she was using that rebranding platform to make herself relevant in the minds of Nigerians and Anambrarians particularly for anticipated 2010 game plan and beyond.
After all, it was recently rumoured she was interested in the governorship of Anambra State come 2010, which already have over 60 contestants, of which was promptly denied by her media aides.
Also, it was alleged that Akunyili was not excited with Bilbis’ submission on 2.3GHz, even as the Minister of State equally was not happy, as Akunyili tends to time without number usurp his position, at least in the foregoing controversy, as the supervising minister for NCC and so on.
As well, Bilbis was purportedly not consulted before writing to EFCC on the matter under his guidance on the licensing episode.
ITRealms Online further noted that few weeks back, the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) had advocated a repair of Nigeria at its recent Enugu convention instead of the clamour for rebranding.
Thus leaving stakeholders to wonder what exactly is the motive behind current rebranding of Nigeria’s campaign, when even a junior Minister could not be co-opted into the campaign or the current campaign letter headed paper be printed out or made available for the Minister of State.
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Wednesday, August 05, 2009
HP data centre reduces cost by 34% – CIS boss
The Managing Director, Computer Information Systems (CIS) Nigeria Limited, Mr. Charbel Bon-Eid, has said that data centre management solution from the Hewlett Packard (HP) reduces costs by 34 per cent based on the company’s green business technology initiative.
Speaking at the one-day seminar organized by CIS and HP in Lagos, Mr. Bon-Eid said that HP made this achievable through its Performance Optimized Data (POD) centre, based on dynamic smart cooling as well as thermal logic, which is based on power measurement.
To experience data centre transformation, he said, it involves the practical ways to overcome the energy and capacity limitations, operational vulnerabilities and technology constraints for energy and space efficiency among others.
He explained that why HP could reduce data centre cost by 34 per cent is because it has a combined value proposition, which showed that though the initial cost may be high, but when spread over the years the data centre would last, hence proving that total cost of ownership would be cheaper.
Mr. Bon-Eid who dwelt on “The CIS & HP Advantage in Managing Projects and Risks” noted that in this era of globalization, it has been discovered that 57 per cent of employees work in a location other than the headquarters of their companies.
Globalisation, he said, means that there exist global clients, projects and offices respectively, pointing out that only technology could transcend across all the agents smoothly without much ado, especially backed-up with the kind of partnership exhibited by CIS and HP.
He cited power consumption for instance, saying that reduction in power usage reduces cost and increases profitability.
The partnership between the two companies, he said, proffer solutions for servers, mostly on the new HP Proliant G6 servers, legacy mini-computers, replacing them with
HP integrity itanium-based servers as well as SAN and NAS equipment.
In addition, tape backup systems, tape libraries and data protector solutions are available for customers, maintaining that HP addresses management of data centres from the management point of view.
He also outlined some automation imperatives to include deep visibility, automation, data and process integration, reporting and full lifecycle support.
Also speaking at the forum, Channel Manager at HP West Africa, Mrs Rita Amuchienwa, noted that HP no longer produce camera, although they still have some stock, which are yet to be sold out.
Commending CIS, Mrs. Amuchienwa said that the focus of their partnership is on customers, partnership growth and profitability, hence committed to making its partners viable for competition and progressive in nature.
She enjoined CIS like other operators to take advantage of special pricing which is usually given to bulk deals, noting that CIS has over the years won several HP awards and urged other partners to emulate the company.
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Speaking at the one-day seminar organized by CIS and HP in Lagos, Mr. Bon-Eid said that HP made this achievable through its Performance Optimized Data (POD) centre, based on dynamic smart cooling as well as thermal logic, which is based on power measurement.
To experience data centre transformation, he said, it involves the practical ways to overcome the energy and capacity limitations, operational vulnerabilities and technology constraints for energy and space efficiency among others.
He explained that why HP could reduce data centre cost by 34 per cent is because it has a combined value proposition, which showed that though the initial cost may be high, but when spread over the years the data centre would last, hence proving that total cost of ownership would be cheaper.
Mr. Bon-Eid who dwelt on “The CIS & HP Advantage in Managing Projects and Risks” noted that in this era of globalization, it has been discovered that 57 per cent of employees work in a location other than the headquarters of their companies.
Globalisation, he said, means that there exist global clients, projects and offices respectively, pointing out that only technology could transcend across all the agents smoothly without much ado, especially backed-up with the kind of partnership exhibited by CIS and HP.
He cited power consumption for instance, saying that reduction in power usage reduces cost and increases profitability.
The partnership between the two companies, he said, proffer solutions for servers, mostly on the new HP Proliant G6 servers, legacy mini-computers, replacing them with
HP integrity itanium-based servers as well as SAN and NAS equipment.
In addition, tape backup systems, tape libraries and data protector solutions are available for customers, maintaining that HP addresses management of data centres from the management point of view.
He also outlined some automation imperatives to include deep visibility, automation, data and process integration, reporting and full lifecycle support.
Also speaking at the forum, Channel Manager at HP West Africa, Mrs Rita Amuchienwa, noted that HP no longer produce camera, although they still have some stock, which are yet to be sold out.
Commending CIS, Mrs. Amuchienwa said that the focus of their partnership is on customers, partnership growth and profitability, hence committed to making its partners viable for competition and progressive in nature.
She enjoined CIS like other operators to take advantage of special pricing which is usually given to bulk deals, noting that CIS has over the years won several HP awards and urged other partners to emulate the company.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
ICANN reopens call on gTLD evaluators
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has announced the reopening of call for the Expression of Internet for independent evaluators for the new generic Top Level Domain (gTLD) programme.
ICANN in a press statement made available to ITRealms Online said that its reopening the Expressions of Interest (EOI) period for independent evaluators to perform key roles in reviewing applications for new generic top-level domains, scheduled to launch in 2010.
The new Expressions of Interest period, ICANN said, opens on July 31, 2009 and closes on 15 September, 2009.
The evaluation areas needed, according to the organization body include the applicant evaluation teams (Technical and Financial Evaluation), geographic name evaluation, string similarity examiners, community priority evaluation panel - formerly known as the comparative evaluation panel.
For further criteria for each panel, interest parties are directed to visit: http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-02apr09-en.htm
ITRealms Online recalls that ICANN during the initial open search period which lasted between February 25 and June 11, 2009; it received expressions of interest from nine, well-qualified candidates interested in serving as independent evaluators.
ICANN in acknowledging the initial respondents, said it would continue to engage in further discussions with the current candidates and will shortly hold an “EOI responders conference” limited to the firms that responded by the original due date of June 11, 2009.
The outcome of this conference, the Internet coordinating body said, would be shared with the public and used to better inform potential new candidates, even as the existing candidates would also be able to update their proposals based on this interaction.
ICANN pointed out that the decision to reopen the search period was made to accommodate the internal requirement to build a robust and scalable operations process with primary and secondary service providers as well as to eliminate the appearance of conflict in the evaluation process.
The Independent Evaluators are expected to be identified by ICANN in Q4, 2009.
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ICANN in a press statement made available to ITRealms Online said that its reopening the Expressions of Interest (EOI) period for independent evaluators to perform key roles in reviewing applications for new generic top-level domains, scheduled to launch in 2010.
The new Expressions of Interest period, ICANN said, opens on July 31, 2009 and closes on 15 September, 2009.
The evaluation areas needed, according to the organization body include the applicant evaluation teams (Technical and Financial Evaluation), geographic name evaluation, string similarity examiners, community priority evaluation panel - formerly known as the comparative evaluation panel.
For further criteria for each panel, interest parties are directed to visit: http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-02apr09-en.htm
ITRealms Online recalls that ICANN during the initial open search period which lasted between February 25 and June 11, 2009; it received expressions of interest from nine, well-qualified candidates interested in serving as independent evaluators.
ICANN in acknowledging the initial respondents, said it would continue to engage in further discussions with the current candidates and will shortly hold an “EOI responders conference” limited to the firms that responded by the original due date of June 11, 2009.
The outcome of this conference, the Internet coordinating body said, would be shared with the public and used to better inform potential new candidates, even as the existing candidates would also be able to update their proposals based on this interaction.
ICANN pointed out that the decision to reopen the search period was made to accommodate the internal requirement to build a robust and scalable operations process with primary and secondary service providers as well as to eliminate the appearance of conflict in the evaluation process.
The Independent Evaluators are expected to be identified by ICANN in Q4, 2009.
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APC’s Galaxy 7000 hits market
APC by Schneider Electric has launched its Galaxy 7000 into the nation’s market for data centres of all sizes.
According to the Regional Director, Africa, Indian Ocean Islands and South Caribbean, Mr. Carl Kleynhans, the introduction of the APC Galaxy 7000 was part of the firm’s annual product update for Nigerian resellers, aimed at informing local partners both on its latest product roadmap as well as the company’s Reliability Partner Programme (RPP).
The big focus, he said, is on the Symmetra UPSes and the most recently introduced Galaxy 7000 model UPS in Nigeria.
“The Symmetra heralded the first UPS with redundancy and scalability within a single chassis. Engineered to deliver the highest level of business continuity, its modular, redundant architecture can scale power and run time as demand increases or when higher levels of availability are required,” he said.
Kleynhans also said that the integrated network manageability provides real time status updates of UPS health and environmental conditions.
“Hot-swappable, user replaceable power, battery, and intelligence modules enables low MTTR and ease of service,” he said, stressing that the Symmetra’s modular design provides redundant power in a single chassis for business-critical applications in server rooms and network closets.
While the Galaxy 7000 model offers new levels of high efficiency power protection for Information Technology (IT) and other mission critical equipment, “Its digital design, coupled with a comprehensive range of options enables the new UPS to be fully adapted for use in a range of applications from large data centres to industrial and manufacturing operations,“ he said.
Kleynhans explained that in data centre applications, the Galaxy 7000 meets the combined need for high levels of power availability and runtime in a small footprint.
Pointing out that in standard form, the UPS as unitary could support a load from 250kVA to 500kVA and provide up to two hours of autonomy in the event of a mains power failure.
“Its compact size and back-to-back or back-to-wall installation allows more room to be utilised for other equipment in the technical room than traditional UPS systems,” he declared, noting that the UPS could be upgraded to ensure available and secure power infrastructure for current as well as future demands.
“The Galaxy 7000 boasts a 94.5 per cent efficiency rating in double conversion mode, with up to 97 per cent in optional economy mode, and therefore enables customers to reduce energy wastage as well as operating expenses,” Kleynhans asserted, underscoring the fact that it would be of good value to organisations with an interest in ‘greening’ their power infrastructure as well as those that are simply cost conscious.
He outlined that standard features of the product include a new transformer less UPS topology, built in static switch and maintenance is by-passed, in addition to an Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) rectifier with power factor correction for low input current total harmonic distortion.
The MGE Galaxy 7000, he also said, features cold start, soft start, walk-in charger and inrush current limit for compatibility with generator sets, while the full redundancy of its cooling system provides a high level of reliability.
Thus, the UPS supports paralleling for power upgrades or additional redundancy and could be incorporated into a wide variety of high availability architectures.
“Its 0.9 output power factor provides more available kW to be fully compliant with the latest power factor corrected IT loads,” he said.
The beauty of Galaxy 7000, he said, is that it has been designed for ease of installation as well as maintenance, all connectors and switches are either incorporated or accessible from the front of the new system and therefore no access is required via side or rear panels either during installation or operation.
“The Galaxy 7000 is also supplied ready for connection to all standard earthing arrangements,” the regional director said.
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According to the Regional Director, Africa, Indian Ocean Islands and South Caribbean, Mr. Carl Kleynhans, the introduction of the APC Galaxy 7000 was part of the firm’s annual product update for Nigerian resellers, aimed at informing local partners both on its latest product roadmap as well as the company’s Reliability Partner Programme (RPP).
The big focus, he said, is on the Symmetra UPSes and the most recently introduced Galaxy 7000 model UPS in Nigeria.
“The Symmetra heralded the first UPS with redundancy and scalability within a single chassis. Engineered to deliver the highest level of business continuity, its modular, redundant architecture can scale power and run time as demand increases or when higher levels of availability are required,” he said.
Kleynhans also said that the integrated network manageability provides real time status updates of UPS health and environmental conditions.
“Hot-swappable, user replaceable power, battery, and intelligence modules enables low MTTR and ease of service,” he said, stressing that the Symmetra’s modular design provides redundant power in a single chassis for business-critical applications in server rooms and network closets.
While the Galaxy 7000 model offers new levels of high efficiency power protection for Information Technology (IT) and other mission critical equipment, “Its digital design, coupled with a comprehensive range of options enables the new UPS to be fully adapted for use in a range of applications from large data centres to industrial and manufacturing operations,“ he said.
Kleynhans explained that in data centre applications, the Galaxy 7000 meets the combined need for high levels of power availability and runtime in a small footprint.
Pointing out that in standard form, the UPS as unitary could support a load from 250kVA to 500kVA and provide up to two hours of autonomy in the event of a mains power failure.
“Its compact size and back-to-back or back-to-wall installation allows more room to be utilised for other equipment in the technical room than traditional UPS systems,” he declared, noting that the UPS could be upgraded to ensure available and secure power infrastructure for current as well as future demands.
“The Galaxy 7000 boasts a 94.5 per cent efficiency rating in double conversion mode, with up to 97 per cent in optional economy mode, and therefore enables customers to reduce energy wastage as well as operating expenses,” Kleynhans asserted, underscoring the fact that it would be of good value to organisations with an interest in ‘greening’ their power infrastructure as well as those that are simply cost conscious.
He outlined that standard features of the product include a new transformer less UPS topology, built in static switch and maintenance is by-passed, in addition to an Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) rectifier with power factor correction for low input current total harmonic distortion.
The MGE Galaxy 7000, he also said, features cold start, soft start, walk-in charger and inrush current limit for compatibility with generator sets, while the full redundancy of its cooling system provides a high level of reliability.
Thus, the UPS supports paralleling for power upgrades or additional redundancy and could be incorporated into a wide variety of high availability architectures.
“Its 0.9 output power factor provides more available kW to be fully compliant with the latest power factor corrected IT loads,” he said.
The beauty of Galaxy 7000, he said, is that it has been designed for ease of installation as well as maintenance, all connectors and switches are either incorporated or accessible from the front of the new system and therefore no access is required via side or rear panels either during installation or operation.
“The Galaxy 7000 is also supplied ready for connection to all standard earthing arrangements,” the regional director said.
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LG to launch GM 200 dual speakers
Contemporary leader in mobile communications design, LG Electronics Nigeria, has advanced plans to launch the LG-GM200, otherwise known as the world’s first three-way surround sound dual side speaker phone, into the market.
The General Manager, Mobile Communications, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Steve Koh, who made this disclosure at the weekend, said that LG-GM200 was designed to meet the in-trend demand of the contemporary life style, and comes with an MP3 Music and a wireless FM Radio capability that also allows for recording and editing even while in-play.
He pointed out that the LG-GM200 is suitable for on-the-go life pattern of the increasingly urbane population as its dual side speakers, located in opposite sides of the phone produces a three-way surround sound playable with utmost clarity and possibilities in loudness, while its powerful stereo subwoofer, strategically located at the back of the phone provides a unique bass that greatly enhances sound, creating richer and more fulfilling listening.
“Mobile devices have assumed a very crucial part of all facets of human existence either used in businesses or pleasure to ease communications at home and out of home,” he said, stressing that LG-GM200 has in addition to the basic functions a 2.1 channel subwoofer that produces a sound quality with detail sound clarity enjoyed in any environment because of the distinctive details that comes with its sound production.
Also known as the Dolby Mobile, the LG-GM200, he said, it provides clear, crisp and well-balanced sound in a mobile phone experience that leaves the user immersed in rich and vibrant music.
“Another unique feature of the LG-GM200 is the smart-profiling ring tone adjustment which provides the perfect sound level based on the prevailing noise level in the surrounding environment,” he said.
Koh noted that the user in this case is only required to hold-on the volume button while the LG-GM200 ensures that the tone volume is adjusted to suit the need of the user.
He said, the radio onboard capability of the LG-GM200 allows users to be constantly tuned to any radio stations with the extra-convenience of not requiring headset or earphones as the phone enables wireless access to FM radio stations as on the go.
According to him, this feature offers the possibility of recording and editing as users capture, record and edit radio according to their taste and could even manoeuvre contents recorded from live radio programming as personalised ring tones, just as the radio alarm could be set in such a way that users could wake up to favourite stations at predetermined time .
The LG-GM200 phone also comes with 2 mega pixels camera with Bluetooth connectivity and an in-built micro storage device that enables storage of large volume of music and data.
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The General Manager, Mobile Communications, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Steve Koh, who made this disclosure at the weekend, said that LG-GM200 was designed to meet the in-trend demand of the contemporary life style, and comes with an MP3 Music and a wireless FM Radio capability that also allows for recording and editing even while in-play.
He pointed out that the LG-GM200 is suitable for on-the-go life pattern of the increasingly urbane population as its dual side speakers, located in opposite sides of the phone produces a three-way surround sound playable with utmost clarity and possibilities in loudness, while its powerful stereo subwoofer, strategically located at the back of the phone provides a unique bass that greatly enhances sound, creating richer and more fulfilling listening.
“Mobile devices have assumed a very crucial part of all facets of human existence either used in businesses or pleasure to ease communications at home and out of home,” he said, stressing that LG-GM200 has in addition to the basic functions a 2.1 channel subwoofer that produces a sound quality with detail sound clarity enjoyed in any environment because of the distinctive details that comes with its sound production.
Also known as the Dolby Mobile, the LG-GM200, he said, it provides clear, crisp and well-balanced sound in a mobile phone experience that leaves the user immersed in rich and vibrant music.
“Another unique feature of the LG-GM200 is the smart-profiling ring tone adjustment which provides the perfect sound level based on the prevailing noise level in the surrounding environment,” he said.
Koh noted that the user in this case is only required to hold-on the volume button while the LG-GM200 ensures that the tone volume is adjusted to suit the need of the user.
He said, the radio onboard capability of the LG-GM200 allows users to be constantly tuned to any radio stations with the extra-convenience of not requiring headset or earphones as the phone enables wireless access to FM radio stations as on the go.
According to him, this feature offers the possibility of recording and editing as users capture, record and edit radio according to their taste and could even manoeuvre contents recorded from live radio programming as personalised ring tones, just as the radio alarm could be set in such a way that users could wake up to favourite stations at predetermined time .
The LG-GM200 phone also comes with 2 mega pixels camera with Bluetooth connectivity and an in-built micro storage device that enables storage of large volume of music and data.
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Quabin wants co-location law enforced
Chief Executive Officer, Starcomms Plc, Mr. Maher Qubain has requested the National Assembly (NA) to ensure enforcement of guidelines on co-location of infrastructure in the country.
He made this call while welcoming visiting members of the House Committee on Communications to his office last week, saying that the nation’s telecommunications industry would grow faster if the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) regulations on infrastructure sharing would have enabling backing law for its enforcement.
Mr. Qubain told the House of Representatives Committee on Communications led by the Vice chairman, Hajia Khadija Abba Ibrahim on a working visit to his firm’s headquarters in Lagos, that infrastructure sharing would help smaller telecos to use and pay for infrastructure with already entrenched networks who could get back some of the money they paid for right of ways through the arrangement.
According to him, with the progress of Starcomms since 2007 when it started a comprehensive operation in the Nigerian telecommunications market, and provision of a good environment based on the rule of law that the nation would be the best for it.
He recalled that NCC in its guidelines on collocation and infrastructure sharing of 2006, encouraged telecommunications industry to engage in infrastructure sharing so as to “ensure that the incidence of unnecessary duplication of infrastructure is minimized or completely avoided; protect the environment by reducing the proliferation of infrastructure and facilities installations and promote fair competition through equal access being granted to the installations and facilities of operators on mutually agreed terms.”
Equally, he noted that the commission had, among other things, listed infrastructure like rights of way, masts, poles, antenna mast and tower structures as well as ducts and trenches as those that can be shared by networks to enhance growth in the industry.
ITRealms Online recalled that NCC stipulated that the owner of a facility amenable for sharing must not obstruct or delay negotiations or resolution of disputes, refuse to provide information relevant to an agreement including information necessary to identify the facility needed and cost data or refuse to designate a representative to make binding commitments.
In addition, Mr. Qubain pointed out that smaller companies in the telecommunications industry like Starcomms are slow in expanding because bigger companies who already had right of ways and pipes underground are not willing to allow them hook fibers to the ducts which the former already have in place.
The vice chairman, Hajia Khadija Abba Ibrahim said that the committee was impressed by the role that the only telecommunications company listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange is playing in the industry, while promising to look into the challenges enumerated by Qubain, as soon as they get to the house.
Other members of the committee in the company of Hajia Abba Ibrahim included Dr. Tayo Fawehinmi, Sani Mohammed Aliyu, Bala adamu Kuta, Charles Chiwendu Odedo and Labaran Dambata.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
He made this call while welcoming visiting members of the House Committee on Communications to his office last week, saying that the nation’s telecommunications industry would grow faster if the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) regulations on infrastructure sharing would have enabling backing law for its enforcement.
Mr. Qubain told the House of Representatives Committee on Communications led by the Vice chairman, Hajia Khadija Abba Ibrahim on a working visit to his firm’s headquarters in Lagos, that infrastructure sharing would help smaller telecos to use and pay for infrastructure with already entrenched networks who could get back some of the money they paid for right of ways through the arrangement.
According to him, with the progress of Starcomms since 2007 when it started a comprehensive operation in the Nigerian telecommunications market, and provision of a good environment based on the rule of law that the nation would be the best for it.
He recalled that NCC in its guidelines on collocation and infrastructure sharing of 2006, encouraged telecommunications industry to engage in infrastructure sharing so as to “ensure that the incidence of unnecessary duplication of infrastructure is minimized or completely avoided; protect the environment by reducing the proliferation of infrastructure and facilities installations and promote fair competition through equal access being granted to the installations and facilities of operators on mutually agreed terms.”
Equally, he noted that the commission had, among other things, listed infrastructure like rights of way, masts, poles, antenna mast and tower structures as well as ducts and trenches as those that can be shared by networks to enhance growth in the industry.
ITRealms Online recalled that NCC stipulated that the owner of a facility amenable for sharing must not obstruct or delay negotiations or resolution of disputes, refuse to provide information relevant to an agreement including information necessary to identify the facility needed and cost data or refuse to designate a representative to make binding commitments.
In addition, Mr. Qubain pointed out that smaller companies in the telecommunications industry like Starcomms are slow in expanding because bigger companies who already had right of ways and pipes underground are not willing to allow them hook fibers to the ducts which the former already have in place.
The vice chairman, Hajia Khadija Abba Ibrahim said that the committee was impressed by the role that the only telecommunications company listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange is playing in the industry, while promising to look into the challenges enumerated by Qubain, as soon as they get to the house.
Other members of the committee in the company of Hajia Abba Ibrahim included Dr. Tayo Fawehinmi, Sani Mohammed Aliyu, Bala adamu Kuta, Charles Chiwendu Odedo and Labaran Dambata.
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Glo commences int’l MMS
Glo Mobile Nigeria, has commenced the offering of its international Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), which the operator said, is the first by any telecommunication network in the country.
Affirming this, Glo’s Head, Gateway Division, Mr. Ibrahim Fadipe said the service enables subscribers to exchange multimedia messages with their loved ones in over 10 countries worldwide at the cost of 100 Naira only.
He also said that with this new service, Glo subscribers have become the only privileged ones in the Nigerian telecom market to send and receive MMS from across the world.
Fadipe outlined that the International MMS destinations already covered by the service include Norway, UK, Saudi Arabia, China, Pakistan, Oman, Switzerland, Portugal, Hungary, and Liechtenstein.
As said by him, the telecom giant plans to extend the international MMS destinations aggressively in the coming months.
“One of the enduring legacies of telecommunication is its ability to foster relationships. We are delighted that with the International MMS service, we are bringing our subscribers closer to their loved ones within and outside the country.
Glo subscribers can now send and receive pictures, video, sounds and extra long texts via MMS to and from 11 networks in 10 countries across the international mobile space, making the Glo subscribers trend setters,” he said.
Mr. Fadipe disclosed that Glo always derived pleasure in providing value added services for its subscribers by granting them access to advanced services available to users in other advance telecom markets.
He expressed optimism that with this launch, sending telephony messages in the form of MMS on special occasions like birthdays, birth announcements, graduations, xmas would now become extremely popular among Nigerian telecom subscribers.
International MMS, he said, is considered fast, inexpensive and reliable and could be sent from any MMS capable handset from anywhere in Nigeria within the Glo coverage area.
“With this landmark achievement, Glo Mobile has become the country’s first GSM operator to enable its subscribers to share precious, memorable moments and greetings with relatives, friends and even business associates abroad in a simple, faster and cost effective way,” he said.
Multimedia messaging is a next generation message service that allows a variety of message elements to be sent over a network, including picture, video, long text, animations, sounds etc.
Glo subscribers can activate this service by sending MMS to 667 stating handset type and Model.
The use of MMS for business and entertainment purposes is on the rise globally, particularly as Glo currently has roaming footprint in 277 destinations for Voice and SMS roaming as well as 118 destinations for GPRS Roaming.
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Affirming this, Glo’s Head, Gateway Division, Mr. Ibrahim Fadipe said the service enables subscribers to exchange multimedia messages with their loved ones in over 10 countries worldwide at the cost of 100 Naira only.
He also said that with this new service, Glo subscribers have become the only privileged ones in the Nigerian telecom market to send and receive MMS from across the world.
Fadipe outlined that the International MMS destinations already covered by the service include Norway, UK, Saudi Arabia, China, Pakistan, Oman, Switzerland, Portugal, Hungary, and Liechtenstein.
As said by him, the telecom giant plans to extend the international MMS destinations aggressively in the coming months.
“One of the enduring legacies of telecommunication is its ability to foster relationships. We are delighted that with the International MMS service, we are bringing our subscribers closer to their loved ones within and outside the country.
Glo subscribers can now send and receive pictures, video, sounds and extra long texts via MMS to and from 11 networks in 10 countries across the international mobile space, making the Glo subscribers trend setters,” he said.
Mr. Fadipe disclosed that Glo always derived pleasure in providing value added services for its subscribers by granting them access to advanced services available to users in other advance telecom markets.
He expressed optimism that with this launch, sending telephony messages in the form of MMS on special occasions like birthdays, birth announcements, graduations, xmas would now become extremely popular among Nigerian telecom subscribers.
International MMS, he said, is considered fast, inexpensive and reliable and could be sent from any MMS capable handset from anywhere in Nigeria within the Glo coverage area.
“With this landmark achievement, Glo Mobile has become the country’s first GSM operator to enable its subscribers to share precious, memorable moments and greetings with relatives, friends and even business associates abroad in a simple, faster and cost effective way,” he said.
Multimedia messaging is a next generation message service that allows a variety of message elements to be sent over a network, including picture, video, long text, animations, sounds etc.
Glo subscribers can activate this service by sending MMS to 667 stating handset type and Model.
The use of MMS for business and entertainment purposes is on the rise globally, particularly as Glo currently has roaming footprint in 277 destinations for Voice and SMS roaming as well as 118 destinations for GPRS Roaming.
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... As Gloworld opens in Ijebu Ode
The customer care centre of the Second National Operator known as Gloworld has opened the 43rd shop in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, according to the Managing Director of Gloworld, Mrs. Sade Olusope.
This is coming as the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, has commended the chairman of Globacom, Otunba Mike Adenuga, describing him as the pride of the nation.
Mrs. Olusope also said that the company had a strategic plan to increase its customer service centers to 60 outlets before the year ends.
“In this Gloworld outlet, you can get quick solutions to all your issues ranging from SIM replacements to recovery of over-scratched recharge cards, refill unblock, phone and laptop configurations,” she said.
Customers, she said, could also purchase all Glo and other complimentary products, and make relevant enquiries as well as pay their phone bills at Gloworld.
Olusope pointed out that telecommunications in Nigeria has entered a stage whereby customer loyalty and retention is not engendered by technical and commercial considerations alone but most importantly by the quality of customer care service.
In his speech at the occasion, Oba Adetona eulogized the chairman of Globacom, saying that his telecom company has exhibited an extra-ordinary quality as a Nigerian firm.
Also, Oba Adetona who was one of the eminent Nigerians that graced the commissioning of Gloworld shop in Ijebu Ode, said Adenuga has become a beacon of hope to many Nigerians.
Globacom, he said, is a success story and an inspiration to would-be investors in the Nigerian economy in spite of the prevailing economic downturn and urged the company to continue on its expansion drive nationwide.
The efforts at reaching out to other parts of the country, he said is a welcome development which would make it possible for every Nigerian to communicate within and outside the country in a manner that would facilitate the growth of the socio-economic life of the people.
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This is coming as the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, has commended the chairman of Globacom, Otunba Mike Adenuga, describing him as the pride of the nation.
Mrs. Olusope also said that the company had a strategic plan to increase its customer service centers to 60 outlets before the year ends.
“In this Gloworld outlet, you can get quick solutions to all your issues ranging from SIM replacements to recovery of over-scratched recharge cards, refill unblock, phone and laptop configurations,” she said.
Customers, she said, could also purchase all Glo and other complimentary products, and make relevant enquiries as well as pay their phone bills at Gloworld.
Olusope pointed out that telecommunications in Nigeria has entered a stage whereby customer loyalty and retention is not engendered by technical and commercial considerations alone but most importantly by the quality of customer care service.
In his speech at the occasion, Oba Adetona eulogized the chairman of Globacom, saying that his telecom company has exhibited an extra-ordinary quality as a Nigerian firm.
Also, Oba Adetona who was one of the eminent Nigerians that graced the commissioning of Gloworld shop in Ijebu Ode, said Adenuga has become a beacon of hope to many Nigerians.
Globacom, he said, is a success story and an inspiration to would-be investors in the Nigerian economy in spite of the prevailing economic downturn and urged the company to continue on its expansion drive nationwide.
The efforts at reaching out to other parts of the country, he said is a welcome development which would make it possible for every Nigerian to communicate within and outside the country in a manner that would facilitate the growth of the socio-economic life of the people.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Tejan Kabbah for ‘09 Telecom fiesta
Former President of Sierra Leone, Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah has been billed to lead dignitaries to the 2009 edition of a three-day Nigerian Telecom fiesta to be held in Lagos, beginning today.
Secretary General of the organizing committee, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, said Nigerian Telecom Fiesta is a blend of activities that comprise the Nigerian Telecom Development Lecture (NITDEL), Nigerian Telecom IT Exhibition (NITTEX), Nigerian Telecom Awards, and Miss Telecom Nigerian Beauty Pageant.
He also said that other dignitaries expected to join Alhaji Kabbah at the occasion include the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) and his counterpart in Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko as well as the former Head of States, General Mohammadu Buhari.
Additionally, he said, the Esama of Benin, Sir Gabriel Igbinedion, Igwe Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency, Prof. Cleopas Angaye, among others.
Ajiboye equally said that the event put together by Logical Communications Limited and TimeBridge Limited, has been scheduled to hold at Eko Le Meridien, on August 5 with the Nigerian Telecom & IT Exhibition, a world class expo strongly supported and facilitated by National information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), which holds alongside an industry lecture focused on global trends in IT regulation.
He said, NITDEL, for instance, is a lecture with the objective of a contributive discourse on the state of our nation especially on the Nigerian operational environment, which habours business and politics whereby business is done without corruption, and politics without bitterness, noting that telecom has contributed so much into the national Gross Domestic Product, and has been scheduled to hold on Friday August 7, at Oriental Hotels, Victoria Island.
This year’s lecture, Ajiboye said, has speakers drawn from the two sectors of politics and security with the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) speaking on “E-Governance, Verile Streategy to Curb in Nigeria.”
As said by him, the former governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, would be delivering a paper on “Modern Democracy, an Emerging Political Reality in Nigeria”, while “Evolution of a secured Nigeria; principles and practicalities,” would be delivered by Marvel Akpoyibo Commissioner of Police, Lagos State.
Former Ambassador of Nigeria to South Africa, Alhaji Shehu Malami would chair the lecture while Chief Bisi Akande, Chairman of the Action Congress, Gamaliel Onosode, Chairman, Zain Nigeria, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, President ALTON, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, President, ATCON, Engr. Lanre Ajayi, president, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), among other dignitaries and industry chieftains.
He explained that the Nigerian Telecom Awards which is on its fifth edition, comes up on Saturday August 8, 2009, with the President of Sierra–Leone, Alhaji Kabbah, presiding at this year’s awards.
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Secretary General of the organizing committee, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, said Nigerian Telecom Fiesta is a blend of activities that comprise the Nigerian Telecom Development Lecture (NITDEL), Nigerian Telecom IT Exhibition (NITTEX), Nigerian Telecom Awards, and Miss Telecom Nigerian Beauty Pageant.
He also said that other dignitaries expected to join Alhaji Kabbah at the occasion include the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) and his counterpart in Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko as well as the former Head of States, General Mohammadu Buhari.
Additionally, he said, the Esama of Benin, Sir Gabriel Igbinedion, Igwe Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency, Prof. Cleopas Angaye, among others.
Ajiboye equally said that the event put together by Logical Communications Limited and TimeBridge Limited, has been scheduled to hold at Eko Le Meridien, on August 5 with the Nigerian Telecom & IT Exhibition, a world class expo strongly supported and facilitated by National information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), which holds alongside an industry lecture focused on global trends in IT regulation.
He said, NITDEL, for instance, is a lecture with the objective of a contributive discourse on the state of our nation especially on the Nigerian operational environment, which habours business and politics whereby business is done without corruption, and politics without bitterness, noting that telecom has contributed so much into the national Gross Domestic Product, and has been scheduled to hold on Friday August 7, at Oriental Hotels, Victoria Island.
This year’s lecture, Ajiboye said, has speakers drawn from the two sectors of politics and security with the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) speaking on “E-Governance, Verile Streategy to Curb in Nigeria.”
As said by him, the former governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, would be delivering a paper on “Modern Democracy, an Emerging Political Reality in Nigeria”, while “Evolution of a secured Nigeria; principles and practicalities,” would be delivered by Marvel Akpoyibo Commissioner of Police, Lagos State.
Former Ambassador of Nigeria to South Africa, Alhaji Shehu Malami would chair the lecture while Chief Bisi Akande, Chairman of the Action Congress, Gamaliel Onosode, Chairman, Zain Nigeria, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, President ALTON, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, President, ATCON, Engr. Lanre Ajayi, president, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), among other dignitaries and industry chieftains.
He explained that the Nigerian Telecom Awards which is on its fifth edition, comes up on Saturday August 8, 2009, with the President of Sierra–Leone, Alhaji Kabbah, presiding at this year’s awards.
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Phase3 Telecom expands aerial backbone
In the bid to make certain its platform has bountiful capacity in the country, telecommunications carrier service provider, Phase3 Telecom, has completed the expansion and upgrade of its national aerial backbone.
This, the company said, covered the aerial fibre optic expansion to many cities and towns including Oshogbo, Asaba, Ilorin, Akure and Abeokuta.
Chief Executive Officer, Phase3, Mr. Stanley Jegede, told ITRealms Online, weekend that the increasing demand for capacity by existing clients and new entrants into the industry necessitated the need to embark on extensive expansion of its network.
He also said that with the level of work so far achieved in the expansion scheme, various clients could now take immediate advantage of secured, reliable Internet Protocol (IP) and clear channel capacity to these cities.
Mr. Jegede equally said that the upgrade would make its IP backbone available to cater for emerging broadband services required by telecom operators, financial institutions, Internet service providers and other service providers.
He highlighted one of the major concerns of his firm, saying that the quality of service in the industry is of utmost importance, stressing that uninterrupted transmission of voice, data and video services was guaranteed on the Phase3 network, especially deploying its unique aerial fibre IP backbone by operators.
Phase3, he said, is determined to create the most widely available and capable data backbone in West Africa and this expansion is in line with this vision.
The Phase3 Telecom’s aerial fiber backbone network is one of the largest in Nigeria covering most cities in the western half of the country, including Lagos, Ibadan, Benin, Abeokuta, Ilorin, Abuja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano to name a few.
“Our network boasts of unprecedented capacity, security, reach and flexibility,” he declared, stressing that the aerial fiber optic network on his platform boasts of over 4500 km of fiber; with add/drop sites located in key cities and other key locations in the country.
“We are also enabling interconnection services where we will be able to sell wholesale minutes to and from various Tier-1 operators round the world,” he said.
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This, the company said, covered the aerial fibre optic expansion to many cities and towns including Oshogbo, Asaba, Ilorin, Akure and Abeokuta.
Chief Executive Officer, Phase3, Mr. Stanley Jegede, told ITRealms Online, weekend that the increasing demand for capacity by existing clients and new entrants into the industry necessitated the need to embark on extensive expansion of its network.
He also said that with the level of work so far achieved in the expansion scheme, various clients could now take immediate advantage of secured, reliable Internet Protocol (IP) and clear channel capacity to these cities.
Mr. Jegede equally said that the upgrade would make its IP backbone available to cater for emerging broadband services required by telecom operators, financial institutions, Internet service providers and other service providers.
He highlighted one of the major concerns of his firm, saying that the quality of service in the industry is of utmost importance, stressing that uninterrupted transmission of voice, data and video services was guaranteed on the Phase3 network, especially deploying its unique aerial fibre IP backbone by operators.
Phase3, he said, is determined to create the most widely available and capable data backbone in West Africa and this expansion is in line with this vision.
The Phase3 Telecom’s aerial fiber backbone network is one of the largest in Nigeria covering most cities in the western half of the country, including Lagos, Ibadan, Benin, Abeokuta, Ilorin, Abuja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano to name a few.
“Our network boasts of unprecedented capacity, security, reach and flexibility,” he declared, stressing that the aerial fiber optic network on his platform boasts of over 4500 km of fiber; with add/drop sites located in key cities and other key locations in the country.
“We are also enabling interconnection services where we will be able to sell wholesale minutes to and from various Tier-1 operators round the world,” he said.
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Cisco warns over online scams
Worldwide leader in system networking, Cisco has released its 2009 Mid-year Security Report that shows Internet criminals are increasingly becoming sophisticated by borrowing some of the best strategies from legitimate companies and forming partnerships with one another to help make their illegal activities more lucrative, reports CHARLES OKOH.
In the midyear edition of the Cisco Annual Security Report, the company outlined some of the most common technical and business strategies that criminals use to breach major corporate networks, compromise legitimate websites to spread malware, and steal personal information and money from individuals.
In the report, Cisco offers recommendations for protecting against some of the newer types of attacks that have surfaced recently – recommendations that incorporate people, processes, and technology as a holistic risk management solution – and advises heightened vigilance against some “old school” approaches that are just as sophisticated and prevalent as new threats.
General Manager, Cisco Nigeria, Mr David Seda, said the Conficker worm, which began infecting computer systems late last year exploiting Windows operating system vulnerability, continues to spread.
According to him, “Several million computer systems were under Conficker’s control as of June 2009 and also Internet criminals are up on current events and making the most of them. Following the outbreak of H1N1 influenza (“swine flu”) in April, cybercriminals quickly blanketed the Web with spam advertising preventive drugs and linking to fake pharmacies. Cybercriminals will often seize upon major news events to launch this type of attack, hence caution is very important,” he said.
The report also said some specific threats observed include; botnets; spam- which has remained a major problem in spreading of worms and malware, as well as clogging Internet traffic; worms- made increasingly popular by the rise of social networking sites where people are more likely to click on downloads content they believe to be sent by people they know and trust.
On spamdexing- because many consumers tend to trust and not be suspicious of rankings on leading search engines, they may readily download one of the fake software packages assuming it is legitimate; text message scams and insiders threats.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
In the midyear edition of the Cisco Annual Security Report, the company outlined some of the most common technical and business strategies that criminals use to breach major corporate networks, compromise legitimate websites to spread malware, and steal personal information and money from individuals.
In the report, Cisco offers recommendations for protecting against some of the newer types of attacks that have surfaced recently – recommendations that incorporate people, processes, and technology as a holistic risk management solution – and advises heightened vigilance against some “old school” approaches that are just as sophisticated and prevalent as new threats.
General Manager, Cisco Nigeria, Mr David Seda, said the Conficker worm, which began infecting computer systems late last year exploiting Windows operating system vulnerability, continues to spread.
According to him, “Several million computer systems were under Conficker’s control as of June 2009 and also Internet criminals are up on current events and making the most of them. Following the outbreak of H1N1 influenza (“swine flu”) in April, cybercriminals quickly blanketed the Web with spam advertising preventive drugs and linking to fake pharmacies. Cybercriminals will often seize upon major news events to launch this type of attack, hence caution is very important,” he said.
The report also said some specific threats observed include; botnets; spam- which has remained a major problem in spreading of worms and malware, as well as clogging Internet traffic; worms- made increasingly popular by the rise of social networking sites where people are more likely to click on downloads content they believe to be sent by people they know and trust.
On spamdexing- because many consumers tend to trust and not be suspicious of rankings on leading search engines, they may readily download one of the fake software packages assuming it is legitimate; text message scams and insiders threats.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
MMF, IHS back forum on mobile phones, health
THE Belgium based Mobile Manufacturers Forum (MMF), telecoms giant MTN Nigeria, telecoms infrastructure provider, IHS and the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), have given their backing for the forum on ‘Mobile Phones, Base Stations and Health Concerns’.
The event is being organized by ITWorld International in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
A press statement from the organisers, endorsed by Mr. Enyi Moses, indicated that MMF team would be led by Director, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Mr. Thomas Barmueller.
The MMF director was also quoted as saying that their participation would clarify and expose some industrial concerns at the forum.
“Much of the public concern relates to the possibility of health hazards from long term exposures to electromagnetic radiation. There is need to set the records straight and that is what the MMF is set to achieve at the forum,” he said.
The forum, which holds on August 11 at the Golden Gate Restaurant, Ikoyi-Lagos, he said, is taking place under ITWorld International Magazine’s enlightenment programme on issues of public interest to Nigerians on the use of technology in its various formats.
Additionally, he said, the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has endorsed the forum, even as its chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, would also preside over the round-table.
Responding on his role as the forum chairman, Mr. Adebayo commended the organizers, stressing that the event is topical and timely.
“ALTON fully supports the forum and hope it will be an annual event,” he declared.
Speaking further, Mr. Moses, who is the chief executive officer, ITWorld International said that the forum promises to make the issues of radiation from mobile phone systems and base stations more understandable.
“That is why the forum presentations have been categorized under safety standards, infrastructure and social issues. Safety Standards and compliance for mobile communications, the impact of mobile phone base station towers on the environment, electromagnetic radiation issues and articulated views by the MMF are some of the high-powered presentations expected at the forum,” he said.
According to him, the forum would equally feature a panel of discussants drawn from a cross section of mobile & fixed wireless operators as well as mobile phone vendors.
Confirmed speakers at this one day forum include the Managing Director, IHS Plc, Mr. William Saad, Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, Corporate Services Executive of MTN, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, and Dr Abbas-salam of Dept of Radiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.
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The event is being organized by ITWorld International in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
A press statement from the organisers, endorsed by Mr. Enyi Moses, indicated that MMF team would be led by Director, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Mr. Thomas Barmueller.
The MMF director was also quoted as saying that their participation would clarify and expose some industrial concerns at the forum.
“Much of the public concern relates to the possibility of health hazards from long term exposures to electromagnetic radiation. There is need to set the records straight and that is what the MMF is set to achieve at the forum,” he said.
The forum, which holds on August 11 at the Golden Gate Restaurant, Ikoyi-Lagos, he said, is taking place under ITWorld International Magazine’s enlightenment programme on issues of public interest to Nigerians on the use of technology in its various formats.
Additionally, he said, the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has endorsed the forum, even as its chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, would also preside over the round-table.
Responding on his role as the forum chairman, Mr. Adebayo commended the organizers, stressing that the event is topical and timely.
“ALTON fully supports the forum and hope it will be an annual event,” he declared.
Speaking further, Mr. Moses, who is the chief executive officer, ITWorld International said that the forum promises to make the issues of radiation from mobile phone systems and base stations more understandable.
“That is why the forum presentations have been categorized under safety standards, infrastructure and social issues. Safety Standards and compliance for mobile communications, the impact of mobile phone base station towers on the environment, electromagnetic radiation issues and articulated views by the MMF are some of the high-powered presentations expected at the forum,” he said.
According to him, the forum would equally feature a panel of discussants drawn from a cross section of mobile & fixed wireless operators as well as mobile phone vendors.
Confirmed speakers at this one day forum include the Managing Director, IHS Plc, Mr. William Saad, Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, Corporate Services Executive of MTN, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, and Dr Abbas-salam of Dept of Radiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.
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Monday, August 03, 2009
NCC dispels rumour over NITEL SAT-3 cut
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has dispelled the rumours making a round that the Nigerian Telecommunications Plc (NITEL) part of the SAT-3 cable was cut due to unpaid debt profile.
ITRealms Online recalls that the media was awash last weekend concerning the cutting of SAT-3 submarine cable adducing various reasons for the ‘disrupted services on Sat – 3 Fibre Cable.’
In its response, NCC through the Head, Public Affairs, Mr. Reuben Muoka, noted that various concerns have been expressed by users and members of the public who fear the impact such disruption could have on telecommunications services.
According to him, NCC is equally concerned and sympathized with those going through some hardship directly, because of service disruptions at the moment.
He pointed out that based on NCC’s investigations, NCC denied any cutting of NITEL wing of the cable in the first instance.
“We want to confirm that no damage has been done to the Nitel Sat – 3 Cable at this time and as such services on the platform have not been affected,” he stated.
NCC, however, confirmed reports of cable cut on the Cotonou link of the Sat – 3 Cable and “this unfortunately has affected services in Nigeria for the reason that Suburban Telecom, a Nigerian service provider, that is connected to Sat-3 at the Cotonou end, from where it runs services into Nigeria.”
Further, he explained that based on the above, getting a link from Cotonou enabled Suburban to introduce an alternative access to NITEL Sat-3 at very competitive pricing, which in turn has attracted a lot of customers to its platform, which include major commercial enterprises, financial houses and some telecommunications operators located in some major cities of the country.
This is the reason the effect of this disruption has been noticed almost immediately in Nigeria because of the fairly huge usage the Suburban link connected through the Cotonou Sat -3 Fibre cable.
Even as Suburban assured the Commission that efforts are being made to carry out immediate repairs, stressing that the company has informed the Commission that the Cotonou Sat -3 managers have been contacted by them and they have made urgent international arrangements to fix the problem. Unfortunately, the ship coming to Cotonou to carry out the under-sea job will pass through Cape Town and that will take about two weeks.
Mr. Muoka said that in the mean time, efforts are being made by both Suburban and Cotonou operators to lease capacity from either NITEL or the operator in Ivory Coast.
“Such efforts are intended to give immediate relief to the customers,” he said.
Additionally, he said, NCC is monitoring the situation closely and is ready to make intervention that would favour the service users, pointing out that this would include, “but not limited to encouraging the international cable operators to have an arrangement whereby if there is cable cut in one country, subscribers can be immediately switched to the cable infrastructure of a neighbouring country.”
This, he said, is similar to what happens in the aviation industry where if one airline has a problem with its aircraft, its customers could immediately be endorsed to other airlines.
Such an arrangement between Suburban and NITEL, NCC explained, could in future be highly beneficial to both companies and ensure a higher quality of service in the industry.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
ITRealms Online recalls that the media was awash last weekend concerning the cutting of SAT-3 submarine cable adducing various reasons for the ‘disrupted services on Sat – 3 Fibre Cable.’
In its response, NCC through the Head, Public Affairs, Mr. Reuben Muoka, noted that various concerns have been expressed by users and members of the public who fear the impact such disruption could have on telecommunications services.
According to him, NCC is equally concerned and sympathized with those going through some hardship directly, because of service disruptions at the moment.
He pointed out that based on NCC’s investigations, NCC denied any cutting of NITEL wing of the cable in the first instance.
“We want to confirm that no damage has been done to the Nitel Sat – 3 Cable at this time and as such services on the platform have not been affected,” he stated.
NCC, however, confirmed reports of cable cut on the Cotonou link of the Sat – 3 Cable and “this unfortunately has affected services in Nigeria for the reason that Suburban Telecom, a Nigerian service provider, that is connected to Sat-3 at the Cotonou end, from where it runs services into Nigeria.”
Further, he explained that based on the above, getting a link from Cotonou enabled Suburban to introduce an alternative access to NITEL Sat-3 at very competitive pricing, which in turn has attracted a lot of customers to its platform, which include major commercial enterprises, financial houses and some telecommunications operators located in some major cities of the country.
This is the reason the effect of this disruption has been noticed almost immediately in Nigeria because of the fairly huge usage the Suburban link connected through the Cotonou Sat -3 Fibre cable.
Even as Suburban assured the Commission that efforts are being made to carry out immediate repairs, stressing that the company has informed the Commission that the Cotonou Sat -3 managers have been contacted by them and they have made urgent international arrangements to fix the problem. Unfortunately, the ship coming to Cotonou to carry out the under-sea job will pass through Cape Town and that will take about two weeks.
Mr. Muoka said that in the mean time, efforts are being made by both Suburban and Cotonou operators to lease capacity from either NITEL or the operator in Ivory Coast.
“Such efforts are intended to give immediate relief to the customers,” he said.
Additionally, he said, NCC is monitoring the situation closely and is ready to make intervention that would favour the service users, pointing out that this would include, “but not limited to encouraging the international cable operators to have an arrangement whereby if there is cable cut in one country, subscribers can be immediately switched to the cable infrastructure of a neighbouring country.”
This, he said, is similar to what happens in the aviation industry where if one airline has a problem with its aircraft, its customers could immediately be endorsed to other airlines.
Such an arrangement between Suburban and NITEL, NCC explained, could in future be highly beneficial to both companies and ensure a higher quality of service in the industry.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Robin lead speakers to RIMA ‘09 workshop
THE United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Sander Robin, would later this month lead information management stakeholders to a two-day workshop and awards in Lagos.
The two-day event is being organized by the Records Information Management Awareness Foundation (RIMA), a non-profit organization which focuses on information management on the continent.
Tagged: RIMAW 2009, the workshop which will hold at the Lagos, on August 28, this year, and the award the following day, August 29, would provide attendees with the opportunity to meet leading information management technology and security firms.
A press statement made available to ITRealms Online by RIMA president, Mr. Oyedokun Ayodeji Oyewole, disclosed that the US Ambassador, Ms. Robin’s speech would be on Cyber threat, an impediment to national development.
According to him, some of the participanting firms would include Fujifilm, Abiola Publishing, Docuscan Africa Ltd, IGI, Busicon Nigeria Limited, McAfee, Hadey, Xerox, Cohasset Associate, GIT Ltd, Trinicle Limited, Nokia, Officetron, Josanti Info-Imaging Ghana among others.
RIMAW 2009, Oyewole said, will address major issues affecting information management and security industry in Nigeria and Africa as well as proffer definitive answers to growing information management and security needs and issues.
“Chief Executives, key stakeholders and officers of corporate organizations, Banks, Insurance, Oil & Gas, Government, Law enforcement including professionals involved in information management and security will be attending the 2009 event.
Attendees will among other things be able to learn and compare concepts, solutions and meet suppliers with an opportunity to discuss and share best practices with industry experts and existing users,” he said.
The one day workshop will begin with a keynote presentation, followed by a number of parallel exposition and solution centre track.
“RIMAW 2009 Expo is the only place where end users can truly assess the latest products and services from all the major information management, security and technology players in a face-to-face environment,” Oyewole said.
The Expo would also open all day to allow vendors and exhibitors showcase solutions that facilitate effective information management and security, business processes management, improve productivity and enhance collaboration in today’s organization.
Equally, he said, there will also be opportunity to network and develop relationships with exhibitors who are looking to expand their channel presence in Nigeria and Africa.
He further said information management awareness in the country is still in its lowest ebb and that the Foundation is doing everything possible to make Nigerians see the importance of managing and securing records and information at all levels of operations, be it governmental, private or public.
The awards, which will mark the climax of the workshop and exhibition, will be given to individuals and corporate organizations for their contributions towards promoting records and information management in the country.
RIMA Foundation, being a resource to the Information Management (IM) Industry in Nigeria and Africa has recently been involved in different collaborative activities with different international organisations on information management and security awareness to ensure wider coverage, acceptance and adoption at the grass root level.
Intending participants for the RIMAW 2009 events are requested to register at RIMA Foundation’s website for free.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
The two-day event is being organized by the Records Information Management Awareness Foundation (RIMA), a non-profit organization which focuses on information management on the continent.
Tagged: RIMAW 2009, the workshop which will hold at the Lagos, on August 28, this year, and the award the following day, August 29, would provide attendees with the opportunity to meet leading information management technology and security firms.
A press statement made available to ITRealms Online by RIMA president, Mr. Oyedokun Ayodeji Oyewole, disclosed that the US Ambassador, Ms. Robin’s speech would be on Cyber threat, an impediment to national development.
According to him, some of the participanting firms would include Fujifilm, Abiola Publishing, Docuscan Africa Ltd, IGI, Busicon Nigeria Limited, McAfee, Hadey, Xerox, Cohasset Associate, GIT Ltd, Trinicle Limited, Nokia, Officetron, Josanti Info-Imaging Ghana among others.
RIMAW 2009, Oyewole said, will address major issues affecting information management and security industry in Nigeria and Africa as well as proffer definitive answers to growing information management and security needs and issues.
“Chief Executives, key stakeholders and officers of corporate organizations, Banks, Insurance, Oil & Gas, Government, Law enforcement including professionals involved in information management and security will be attending the 2009 event.
Attendees will among other things be able to learn and compare concepts, solutions and meet suppliers with an opportunity to discuss and share best practices with industry experts and existing users,” he said.
The one day workshop will begin with a keynote presentation, followed by a number of parallel exposition and solution centre track.
“RIMAW 2009 Expo is the only place where end users can truly assess the latest products and services from all the major information management, security and technology players in a face-to-face environment,” Oyewole said.
The Expo would also open all day to allow vendors and exhibitors showcase solutions that facilitate effective information management and security, business processes management, improve productivity and enhance collaboration in today’s organization.
Equally, he said, there will also be opportunity to network and develop relationships with exhibitors who are looking to expand their channel presence in Nigeria and Africa.
He further said information management awareness in the country is still in its lowest ebb and that the Foundation is doing everything possible to make Nigerians see the importance of managing and securing records and information at all levels of operations, be it governmental, private or public.
The awards, which will mark the climax of the workshop and exhibition, will be given to individuals and corporate organizations for their contributions towards promoting records and information management in the country.
RIMA Foundation, being a resource to the Information Management (IM) Industry in Nigeria and Africa has recently been involved in different collaborative activities with different international organisations on information management and security awareness to ensure wider coverage, acceptance and adoption at the grass root level.
Intending participants for the RIMAW 2009 events are requested to register at RIMA Foundation’s website for free.
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MainOne reaffirms on cable project completion
Main One Cable Company has reaffirmed determination to complete its submarine cable on schedule so as to alleviate the inconveniences currently facing Nigerians, especially on Internet access.
Managing Director, Ms Funke Opeke, gave this insight in Lagos, at the weekend, saying that the completion of the project, mostly as scheduled would see to an end to the poor internet service for the citizens of West African sub-region.
She noted that the company remains committed to complete its 7,000 kilometer transatlantic submarine cable on schedule for the middle of next year, 2010, stressing that the first phase of the massive project will extend from Portugal to Lagos, Nigeria and Accra, Ghana respectively.
Main One Cable Company, Ms Opeke said, would deploy latest technology in submarine fiber optic cabling, by way of using Dense Wave Multiplexing technology of 1.98 Terabits per second with two fiber pairs.
Main One submarine cable, she said, will deliver more broadband Internet capacity to the West Africa sub-region than any other existing or proposed undersea fiber projects.
“We remain painstaking in our determination to ensure that the first phase of the Main One cable project is concluded by mid 2010. Indeed, we are already working with our initial set of customers to plan for the interconnection of their networks to our cable system when it lands in Nigeria and Ghana,” he said.
She said, was awarded the first ever private submarine cable landing licenses by the duo of the Nigerian Communications Commission and Ghana’s National Communication’s Authority last December.
Additionally, Opeke said, Main One has since secured commitments for all of the $240m required to fully fund the transatlantic transmission cable and the various suppliers on the Main One project are working steadily towards the vital goal of on-time project completion.
“We trust that on completion, Main One cable will help to minimize the problems regularly encountered by millions of end-users in the sub-region on account of the shortcomings and occasional glitches on the pre-existing submarine cable,” she said, emphasizing that Main One will crash Internet bandwidth tariffs in the sub-region as it tariffs will be less than half of what operators currently pay for bandwidth from SAT 3 or satellite service operators.
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Managing Director, Ms Funke Opeke, gave this insight in Lagos, at the weekend, saying that the completion of the project, mostly as scheduled would see to an end to the poor internet service for the citizens of West African sub-region.
She noted that the company remains committed to complete its 7,000 kilometer transatlantic submarine cable on schedule for the middle of next year, 2010, stressing that the first phase of the massive project will extend from Portugal to Lagos, Nigeria and Accra, Ghana respectively.
Main One Cable Company, Ms Opeke said, would deploy latest technology in submarine fiber optic cabling, by way of using Dense Wave Multiplexing technology of 1.98 Terabits per second with two fiber pairs.
Main One submarine cable, she said, will deliver more broadband Internet capacity to the West Africa sub-region than any other existing or proposed undersea fiber projects.
“We remain painstaking in our determination to ensure that the first phase of the Main One cable project is concluded by mid 2010. Indeed, we are already working with our initial set of customers to plan for the interconnection of their networks to our cable system when it lands in Nigeria and Ghana,” he said.
She said, was awarded the first ever private submarine cable landing licenses by the duo of the Nigerian Communications Commission and Ghana’s National Communication’s Authority last December.
Additionally, Opeke said, Main One has since secured commitments for all of the $240m required to fully fund the transatlantic transmission cable and the various suppliers on the Main One project are working steadily towards the vital goal of on-time project completion.
“We trust that on completion, Main One cable will help to minimize the problems regularly encountered by millions of end-users in the sub-region on account of the shortcomings and occasional glitches on the pre-existing submarine cable,” she said, emphasizing that Main One will crash Internet bandwidth tariffs in the sub-region as it tariffs will be less than half of what operators currently pay for bandwidth from SAT 3 or satellite service operators.
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Why we target local contractors – APC
Global critical data solution company, APC by Schneider Electric has adduced reasons why it recently hosted Nigerian electrical contractors to a session in Lagos.
Territory account manager for English speaking West Africa at APC by Schneider Electric, Mr. Kennedy Otedoh, gave this indication during his presentation at the meeting, which centred on APC’s data centre solutions, covering the company’s InfraStruXure and Smart-UPS VT offerings, while Daniel Odibo, Enterprise Account Manager for English Speaking West Africa acquainted delegates with the Galaxy range.
Otedoh said that by using an open, building-block approach and standardized, modular components, InfraStruXure fully integrates power, cooling, and environmental management within a rack-optimised design.
“InfraStruXure allows businesses to install only what is required today, yet easily scale to meet future demands. It also increases system availability while decreasing design and install time from months to days,” he said.
Otedoh, explained that when integrated with the Smart-UPS VT model, the system offers quick connect components and turnkey features to speed up deployment time, maintaining that the InfraStruXure with Smart-UPS VT architecture also decreases total-cost-of-ownership by minimising space and reducing operating, installation and expansion costs.
As said by him, APC’s Smart-UPS line coupled with the InfraStruXure architecture provides customers with highly agile and available solutions for their Information Technology (IT) environments.
Equally in his address to the occasion, the regional director, Africa, Indian Ocean Islands and South Caribbean at APC by Schneider Electric, Mr. Carl Kleynhans, said the system’s high power density, with small form factor and modular architecture make it ideal for applications ranging from high density, disaster recovery and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP/IP) telephony.
The solution, therefore, he said, offers a fully integrated system at a lower initial investment and incorporates several features including a single rack-based design for better utilisation of floor space, higher power efficiency for lower operating costs and a new power distribution design for simplified installation and expansion.
“Finally, the system improves availability with additional internal battery capacity for runtime scalability,” he said.
Stressing that data centres form the heart of Africa’s next generation businesses and are playing a mission critical driving role meaning that attendance of this conference is a must for all local electrical contractors.
APC by Schneider Electric, is known as a global leader in critical power and cooling services, providing industry leading product, software and systems for home, office, data centre and factory floor applications.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Territory account manager for English speaking West Africa at APC by Schneider Electric, Mr. Kennedy Otedoh, gave this indication during his presentation at the meeting, which centred on APC’s data centre solutions, covering the company’s InfraStruXure and Smart-UPS VT offerings, while Daniel Odibo, Enterprise Account Manager for English Speaking West Africa acquainted delegates with the Galaxy range.
Otedoh said that by using an open, building-block approach and standardized, modular components, InfraStruXure fully integrates power, cooling, and environmental management within a rack-optimised design.
“InfraStruXure allows businesses to install only what is required today, yet easily scale to meet future demands. It also increases system availability while decreasing design and install time from months to days,” he said.
Otedoh, explained that when integrated with the Smart-UPS VT model, the system offers quick connect components and turnkey features to speed up deployment time, maintaining that the InfraStruXure with Smart-UPS VT architecture also decreases total-cost-of-ownership by minimising space and reducing operating, installation and expansion costs.
As said by him, APC’s Smart-UPS line coupled with the InfraStruXure architecture provides customers with highly agile and available solutions for their Information Technology (IT) environments.
Equally in his address to the occasion, the regional director, Africa, Indian Ocean Islands and South Caribbean at APC by Schneider Electric, Mr. Carl Kleynhans, said the system’s high power density, with small form factor and modular architecture make it ideal for applications ranging from high density, disaster recovery and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP/IP) telephony.
The solution, therefore, he said, offers a fully integrated system at a lower initial investment and incorporates several features including a single rack-based design for better utilisation of floor space, higher power efficiency for lower operating costs and a new power distribution design for simplified installation and expansion.
“Finally, the system improves availability with additional internal battery capacity for runtime scalability,” he said.
Stressing that data centres form the heart of Africa’s next generation businesses and are playing a mission critical driving role meaning that attendance of this conference is a must for all local electrical contractors.
APC by Schneider Electric, is known as a global leader in critical power and cooling services, providing industry leading product, software and systems for home, office, data centre and factory floor applications.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
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