The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has announced that its 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) will hold on Thursday, August 26, 2010, at Oshun Hall, Lagos Airport Hotel, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
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Friday, June 11, 2010
NiRA announces 3rd AGM for August 26
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The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has announced that its 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) will hold on Thursday, August 26, 2010, at Oshun Hall, Lagos Airport Hotel, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
According to a statement signed by Ugo Akiri on behalf of the NiRA Secretariat, the AGM will provide members the opportunity to review the Association’s performance and financial standing for the years ended May 31, 2009, and May 31, 2010.
The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has announced that its 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) will hold on Thursday, August 26, 2010, at Oshun Hall, Lagos Airport Hotel, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
CTO tasks Nigerians on local mobile content
The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) has tasked Nigerian software developers on provision of local mobile content for the nation’s burgeoning mobile market.
CTO made this call through its Director of Programmes and Business Development, Mr. Bashir Patel, who represented the chief executive officer, CTO, Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, at the just concluded second edition of the West African Information and Communications Technology (WAFICT) 2010 congress in Lagos.
He said that with the level of growth recorded in the nation’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector through mobile penetration that what Nigeria needs is consolidation on the content, just as he described content as the ‘king’.
He advised Nigerian students and graduates alike to look inward by tapping into this area, saying he would love to see operators in the country offering mobile services on local languages such as Igbo and other major languages with good population followership.
“I would like to see local language in Igbo on mobiles,” he declared.
According to him, whether the technology in vogue is Third Generation (3G) or Fourth Generation (4G), all that matters is that they require local content to drive them, which must be driven by creativity.
He pointed out that the challenges are no longer ‘news’ because every country has its own peculiarity, but there is need to stress the potentials.
“We know of the challenges, but we must think of the potentials within and it’s only those who took the steps towards the potentials, would be the king of tomorrow,” he advised.
Mr. Patel also disclosed that CTO is planning a forum on digital readiness, even as he looks forward to about 2015, when he would be in Nigeria and freely use the Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) on his devices, without much ado.
Also speaking, the former Minister of Communications and currently an Executive Commissioner with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Chief Olawale Ige, reiterated the resolve of the Federal Government via the regulator to implement number portability in the country.
“We’re in the process of introducing number portability, which is government policy,” he said.
This, he said, would ensure that consumers are not tied down to inefficiency by any of the telecom operators.
“We hope to achieve this in the next six months,” he asserted.
Speaking at the session on ‘Broadband Technology, the chairman, Zinox Group, Chief Leo-Stan Ekeh, who was represented by the Managing Director, Mr. Mukoro Emomine, said that for the West Africa sub-region to become a 21st Century digital colony, it is a strategic imperative to have a seven-point agenda based on leapfrogging adaptation and development.
Among the seven points, he outlined include that information technology education and access should be enshrined as a fundamental human rights in the constitutions of all nations in the region.
He also said that the local content laws should focus on empowering the West African IT industry to ensure her future survivability; all profitable sectors of the economy should be included as significant contributions to the National Information Technology Development Fund (NITDF); there should be special and legalized preference for local IT professionals, locally assembled hardware and software applications.
In addition, Zinox chairman said in order to ensure that an ‘Anti-Trust’ Act is embedded as a vital part of the local content laws, West African IT professionals in the diaspora should become an essential part of the outsourcing services commissioned by the governments and corporate persons.
Just as he said, governments across the sub-region should invest heavily in ICT penetration following the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) model in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the chief host of the three-day event, which was held simultaneously with the West African International Telecommunications and ICT Exhibition (W.Afri.Tel), Mr. Mkpe Abang, the chief executive, IT & Telecom Digest, said they were spurred to host the second edition given the kind of response received from the 2009 session and thereafter.
“Since that first edition of WAFICT Congress, the response and expectations of players in the sub-region and the enthusiastic world have changed and more is expected and this has raised many important issues pertaining to this industry in the sub-region,” he said.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Nigeria, Kenya battle to host Idlelo 5
Nigeria and Kenya are now on the battle line to which of them would host the 2012 edition of the Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) continental bi-annual conference tagged Idlelo 5.
The fifth African conference on FOSS and Digital Commons will mark the 10th anniversary of the Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa and has been billed to hold in the first semester of 2012.
Disclosing these to ITRealms Online at the recently ended Idlelo 4 in the city of
Accra, the re-elected chairperson of FOSSFA, Ms Nnenna Nwakanma, said that at the end of the call for proposal on May 17, 2010, two countries expressed interest to host Idlelo 5 in 2012, namely Nigeria and Kenya.
The 2010 weeklong Idlelo 4 conference was held at the Kofi Annan Indian Centre for Excellence on Information and Communication Technologies (KAICE) in addition to a three-day pre-conference workshops and trainings on FOSS-related applications.
Also, Ms Nwakanma said FOSSFA council is studying the two proposals and would revert to members in the coming weeks, not exceeding this month, but enjoined the two contending countries to go back to their countries and continue to enhance opportunities that could aid their chances.
Nigeria’s proposal was made by Mandriva West Africa with office in Nigeria on behalf of FOSS community in the country and led by Dr. Dele Ajisomo, while the Kenyan proposal was submitted by the Strathmore University of Kenya and led by Dr. Joseph Sevilla.
The contending countries were equally asked to submit in addition to FOSSFA secretariat, affirmation of supports from related government, collaborating institutions and its agencies.
ITRealms Online gathered that usually following the decision on the choice of a country, FOSSFA’s programme committee would be set up to open invitation for papers and presentations of all topics and in all disciplines related to Free and open Source Software and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in general.
Accordingly, sessions often consist of three 30-minute presentations and proposals which should be geared to that length, even as the committee may introduce a different format for some sessions after the proposals have been reviewed.
Noteworthy is that Idlelo conference was instituted to bring together Information Technology (IT) and FOSS experts from all over Africa and the world at large.
Further, the programme committee tends to capitalize on this strength by encouraging sessions that would address subjects of interest to a wide range of FOSS experts and put experts from different disciplines in dialogue with each other.
Additionally, the request for proposals to host Idlelo 5, FOSSFA said that bidders must be a member of the continental body, with affirmation from the government and has in existence, a national network of FOSS actors, propose a host institution and certain of at least three national partners in addition to the capacity to organise a high-level IT conference and having earlier participated in, at least, one Idlelo before the time of submitting proposal.
FOSSFA insists that proposal must be sent via electronic mail to its secretariat.
So far, Idlelo has been hosted in South Africa, Kenya, Senegal and Ghana, maintaining that all countries have equal chances to bid.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
The fifth African conference on FOSS and Digital Commons will mark the 10th anniversary of the Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa and has been billed to hold in the first semester of 2012.
Disclosing these to ITRealms Online at the recently ended Idlelo 4 in the city of
Accra, the re-elected chairperson of FOSSFA, Ms Nnenna Nwakanma, said that at the end of the call for proposal on May 17, 2010, two countries expressed interest to host Idlelo 5 in 2012, namely Nigeria and Kenya.
The 2010 weeklong Idlelo 4 conference was held at the Kofi Annan Indian Centre for Excellence on Information and Communication Technologies (KAICE) in addition to a three-day pre-conference workshops and trainings on FOSS-related applications.
Also, Ms Nwakanma said FOSSFA council is studying the two proposals and would revert to members in the coming weeks, not exceeding this month, but enjoined the two contending countries to go back to their countries and continue to enhance opportunities that could aid their chances.
Nigeria’s proposal was made by Mandriva West Africa with office in Nigeria on behalf of FOSS community in the country and led by Dr. Dele Ajisomo, while the Kenyan proposal was submitted by the Strathmore University of Kenya and led by Dr. Joseph Sevilla.
The contending countries were equally asked to submit in addition to FOSSFA secretariat, affirmation of supports from related government, collaborating institutions and its agencies.
ITRealms Online gathered that usually following the decision on the choice of a country, FOSSFA’s programme committee would be set up to open invitation for papers and presentations of all topics and in all disciplines related to Free and open Source Software and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in general.
Accordingly, sessions often consist of three 30-minute presentations and proposals which should be geared to that length, even as the committee may introduce a different format for some sessions after the proposals have been reviewed.
Noteworthy is that Idlelo conference was instituted to bring together Information Technology (IT) and FOSS experts from all over Africa and the world at large.
Further, the programme committee tends to capitalize on this strength by encouraging sessions that would address subjects of interest to a wide range of FOSS experts and put experts from different disciplines in dialogue with each other.
Additionally, the request for proposals to host Idlelo 5, FOSSFA said that bidders must be a member of the continental body, with affirmation from the government and has in existence, a national network of FOSS actors, propose a host institution and certain of at least three national partners in addition to the capacity to organise a high-level IT conference and having earlier participated in, at least, one Idlelo before the time of submitting proposal.
FOSSFA insists that proposal must be sent via electronic mail to its secretariat.
So far, Idlelo has been hosted in South Africa, Kenya, Senegal and Ghana, maintaining that all countries have equal chances to bid.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Bharti Airtel seals deal on Zain Africa
* Appoints Otudeko chairman in Nigeria
In fulfillment of the desire to acquire Zain African operations, the Indian telecom giant, Bharti Airtel Limited, has finally sealed the deal by making relevant payment.
The Asian leading telecom giant, Bharti Airtel, had in March 30, this year, announced its decision to acquire Zain Africa BV and entered into an understanding worth USD 10.7 billion, about N 1,620,429,368,652.34.
This came as the founding Chairman, Econet Wireless Nigeria Limited and director of Celtel Nigeria Limited, which acquired the network and rebranded in 2007 to Zain, Mr. Oba Otudeko, has been returned as the chairman, Zain Nigeria in order to wield off the long standing dispute between him and Zain in the country.
With the latest, Bharti Airtel becomes the first Indian telecom assume global operator status with the completion of the largest cross continent transaction in emerging markets, which also positioned Bharti as the fifth largest mobile operators in the world.
Conclusion of the acquisition of African operation gives Bharti access to 15 Zain operating countries on the continent and is expected to jack Bharti subscriber-base to over 180 million.
The General Manager, Corporate Communications, Bharti Airtel India, Mr. Senjam Raj Sekhar in a press statement made available to Daily Champion on Tuesday, said that they were pleased to announce a significant development in Nigeria as a follow up to the conclusion of the deal on Zain African operations.
According to Sekhar in a press statement made available endorsed by the Public Relations Manager, Zain Nigeria, Mr. Emmanuel Otokohine, this development brought to an end the long standing disputes on multiple fronts by its main local partner, Broad Communications Group and its affiliates, owned, controlled and managed by Mr. Oba Otudeko and his family.
“This has been satisfactorily settled. Mr. Otudeko will also be appointed as the chairman of our company in Nigeria,” Sekhar said, noting that this would give way for the aggressive development of the operation and businesses in the country, which is one of the largest growth markets in the world.
As said by Sekhar, Mr. Otudeko, who is a highly regarded business leader in Nigeria, is expected to bring all his resources to make the teleco a leader in mobile telephony in the country.
He quoted the group chairman, Bharti Airtel, Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal, as saying that this was in line with Bharti’s philosophy of forging long term, strategic partnerships, hence they were delighted to have joined hands with its local partner in Nigeria, Mr. Oba Otudeko and his family.
“I have no doubt that this partnership will ensure leadership for Bharti in Nigeria for the benefit of all stakeholders,” Mittal declared at the conclusion of the deal and dispute in Nigeria operation, noting that Bharti has been working towards its vision of expansion into Africa, and reiterated commitment to contribute to the growth of telecom in the region by taking networks deep into these countries and providing affordable services that touch the common man.
“We also promise our customers in Africa a superior brand experience and a portfolio of innovative products & services,” he asserted, assuring that the over 6,500 talented and highly qualified professionals are welcome to the Bharti family as he looks forward to working with them to take these operations from strength to strength.
“We would like to thank the Zain team for their professionalism, which enabled us to close this transaction in a record time,” he said.
Responding, Mr. Oba Otudeko said they also welcome Bharti Airtel as new partner.
“We welcome Bharti Airtel as our new partner. I am aware of the leadership that Airtel has established in the telecom space and I am keenly looking for them to bring their expertise in the mobile telephony for the benefit of Nigeria and its people,” he said.
Equally commenting on the latest deal, Chairman, Zain Group, Mr. Asaad Al-Banwan, said they wish Bharti Airtel great success in continuing the development of telecommunications across the African continent and expressed confident that the people of Africa will welcome such a committed and reputable telecom powerhouse.
Bharti’s acquisition of Zain’s African mobile services operations covers 15 countries with a total customer base of over 42 million. The total population base covered is over 450 million with telecom penetration of approximately 32 per cent.
The countries in which Bharti has acquired the operations include Burkina Faso, Chad, Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
Additionally, Zain is reported to be the market leader in 10 of the 15 countries and second in four countries, hitherto.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
In fulfillment of the desire to acquire Zain African operations, the Indian telecom giant, Bharti Airtel Limited, has finally sealed the deal by making relevant payment.
The Asian leading telecom giant, Bharti Airtel, had in March 30, this year, announced its decision to acquire Zain Africa BV and entered into an understanding worth USD 10.7 billion, about N 1,620,429,368,652.34.
This came as the founding Chairman, Econet Wireless Nigeria Limited and director of Celtel Nigeria Limited, which acquired the network and rebranded in 2007 to Zain, Mr. Oba Otudeko, has been returned as the chairman, Zain Nigeria in order to wield off the long standing dispute between him and Zain in the country.
With the latest, Bharti Airtel becomes the first Indian telecom assume global operator status with the completion of the largest cross continent transaction in emerging markets, which also positioned Bharti as the fifth largest mobile operators in the world.
Conclusion of the acquisition of African operation gives Bharti access to 15 Zain operating countries on the continent and is expected to jack Bharti subscriber-base to over 180 million.
The General Manager, Corporate Communications, Bharti Airtel India, Mr. Senjam Raj Sekhar in a press statement made available to Daily Champion on Tuesday, said that they were pleased to announce a significant development in Nigeria as a follow up to the conclusion of the deal on Zain African operations.
According to Sekhar in a press statement made available endorsed by the Public Relations Manager, Zain Nigeria, Mr. Emmanuel Otokohine, this development brought to an end the long standing disputes on multiple fronts by its main local partner, Broad Communications Group and its affiliates, owned, controlled and managed by Mr. Oba Otudeko and his family.
“This has been satisfactorily settled. Mr. Otudeko will also be appointed as the chairman of our company in Nigeria,” Sekhar said, noting that this would give way for the aggressive development of the operation and businesses in the country, which is one of the largest growth markets in the world.
As said by Sekhar, Mr. Otudeko, who is a highly regarded business leader in Nigeria, is expected to bring all his resources to make the teleco a leader in mobile telephony in the country.
He quoted the group chairman, Bharti Airtel, Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal, as saying that this was in line with Bharti’s philosophy of forging long term, strategic partnerships, hence they were delighted to have joined hands with its local partner in Nigeria, Mr. Oba Otudeko and his family.
“I have no doubt that this partnership will ensure leadership for Bharti in Nigeria for the benefit of all stakeholders,” Mittal declared at the conclusion of the deal and dispute in Nigeria operation, noting that Bharti has been working towards its vision of expansion into Africa, and reiterated commitment to contribute to the growth of telecom in the region by taking networks deep into these countries and providing affordable services that touch the common man.
“We also promise our customers in Africa a superior brand experience and a portfolio of innovative products & services,” he asserted, assuring that the over 6,500 talented and highly qualified professionals are welcome to the Bharti family as he looks forward to working with them to take these operations from strength to strength.
“We would like to thank the Zain team for their professionalism, which enabled us to close this transaction in a record time,” he said.
Responding, Mr. Oba Otudeko said they also welcome Bharti Airtel as new partner.
“We welcome Bharti Airtel as our new partner. I am aware of the leadership that Airtel has established in the telecom space and I am keenly looking for them to bring their expertise in the mobile telephony for the benefit of Nigeria and its people,” he said.
Equally commenting on the latest deal, Chairman, Zain Group, Mr. Asaad Al-Banwan, said they wish Bharti Airtel great success in continuing the development of telecommunications across the African continent and expressed confident that the people of Africa will welcome such a committed and reputable telecom powerhouse.
Bharti’s acquisition of Zain’s African mobile services operations covers 15 countries with a total customer base of over 42 million. The total population base covered is over 450 million with telecom penetration of approximately 32 per cent.
The countries in which Bharti has acquired the operations include Burkina Faso, Chad, Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
Additionally, Zain is reported to be the market leader in 10 of the 15 countries and second in four countries, hitherto.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
MTN closes N318bn syndication deal with 17 banks
The largest Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) operator in the country, MTN Nigeria, has obtained a medium term funding worth N318 billion from 15 local financial institutions and two foreign members of the consortium.
Announcing this in Lagos at a press conference, Wednesday, at the signing ceremony with the consortium, the chief executive officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Ahmad Farroukh, accompanied by his chairman, Dr. Pascal Dozie alongside the CEOs of the partnering banks, said that the fund would be used to expand network infrastructure so as to improve quality of services in the country.
Describing the facility as another historical milestone in the development of telecommunications in Nigeria, Mr. Farroukh, noted that in 2007, MTN got $2 billion facility, and stressed that the current facility of N318 billion is a medium term funding spread across five years.
Some members of the latest fund syndication includes Access Bank Plc, Afribank Nigeria Plc, Bank PHB Plc, Citibank Nigeria Limited, Diamond Bank Plc, Ecobank Nigeria Plc, First City Monument Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc.
Others are Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, United Bank of Africa Plc, and Zenith Bank Plc.
He also explained that the dollar denominated part of the funding consists of two
facilities from KfW IPEX-Bank of Germany and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China worth US$250 million export credit and $200 million buyer’s credit facility respectively.
According to him, a US$250m export credit facility from KfW IPEX-Bank of Germany, is benefiting from the Swedish Export Credit Agency (EKN), which covers the Ericsson’s equipment purchases for MTN.
“This is the first time MTN Nigeria has leveraged its purchases from Ericsson to secure export credit backed funding,” he said, adding that the US$200m Buyer’s Credit facility from Industrial and Commercial Bank of China is for purchasing of equipment from Huawei.
“The first time that any member of the MTN Group has secured funding from ICBC,” he asserted.
Farroukh also revealed that with the investment of over N700 billion in fixed assets and facilities nationwide, MTN Nigeria has the most expansive network coverage, spread across the 36 states of the federation and the capital, Abuja.
These facilities, he pointed out, would provide the telecom operator the strong financial base to pursue its goal of extending services to more Nigerians who are yet to experience the telecom revolution.
“The loans demonstrate immense confidence by these global financial players in the managerial competence of MTN and its commitment to its mission of providing peerless telecom services across Nigeria,” he said, emphasizing that the loan would go a long way in fast-tracking the network’s enhancement efforts in the country.
In his comments, Chief Financial Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Bill, disclosed that the facilities took about six months to put together, insisting that it is in conformity with the directives of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
For the chairman, MTN Nigeria, Dr. Pascal Dozie, they are grateful to the financial institutions both locally and foreign based for the partnership trust they have on MTN for this fund, noting that MTN has almost touched every part of the Nigeria’s population and with this development, more impact is expected.
“The communications industry has tried to bring Nigerians closer to the world,” he said, adding that MTN through its foundation has been touching lives and expressed the hope that the effect of its MTN Foundation would be more pronounced.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Announcing this in Lagos at a press conference, Wednesday, at the signing ceremony with the consortium, the chief executive officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Ahmad Farroukh, accompanied by his chairman, Dr. Pascal Dozie alongside the CEOs of the partnering banks, said that the fund would be used to expand network infrastructure so as to improve quality of services in the country.
Describing the facility as another historical milestone in the development of telecommunications in Nigeria, Mr. Farroukh, noted that in 2007, MTN got $2 billion facility, and stressed that the current facility of N318 billion is a medium term funding spread across five years.
Some members of the latest fund syndication includes Access Bank Plc, Afribank Nigeria Plc, Bank PHB Plc, Citibank Nigeria Limited, Diamond Bank Plc, Ecobank Nigeria Plc, First City Monument Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc.
Others are Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, United Bank of Africa Plc, and Zenith Bank Plc.
He also explained that the dollar denominated part of the funding consists of two
facilities from KfW IPEX-Bank of Germany and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China worth US$250 million export credit and $200 million buyer’s credit facility respectively.
According to him, a US$250m export credit facility from KfW IPEX-Bank of Germany, is benefiting from the Swedish Export Credit Agency (EKN), which covers the Ericsson’s equipment purchases for MTN.
“This is the first time MTN Nigeria has leveraged its purchases from Ericsson to secure export credit backed funding,” he said, adding that the US$200m Buyer’s Credit facility from Industrial and Commercial Bank of China is for purchasing of equipment from Huawei.
“The first time that any member of the MTN Group has secured funding from ICBC,” he asserted.
Farroukh also revealed that with the investment of over N700 billion in fixed assets and facilities nationwide, MTN Nigeria has the most expansive network coverage, spread across the 36 states of the federation and the capital, Abuja.
These facilities, he pointed out, would provide the telecom operator the strong financial base to pursue its goal of extending services to more Nigerians who are yet to experience the telecom revolution.
“The loans demonstrate immense confidence by these global financial players in the managerial competence of MTN and its commitment to its mission of providing peerless telecom services across Nigeria,” he said, emphasizing that the loan would go a long way in fast-tracking the network’s enhancement efforts in the country.
In his comments, Chief Financial Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Bill, disclosed that the facilities took about six months to put together, insisting that it is in conformity with the directives of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
For the chairman, MTN Nigeria, Dr. Pascal Dozie, they are grateful to the financial institutions both locally and foreign based for the partnership trust they have on MTN for this fund, noting that MTN has almost touched every part of the Nigeria’s population and with this development, more impact is expected.
“The communications industry has tried to bring Nigerians closer to the world,” he said, adding that MTN through its foundation has been touching lives and expressed the hope that the effect of its MTN Foundation would be more pronounced.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Galaxy to automate FEC’s memo
Plans are up by Galaxy Backbone Plc, to automate the information management system of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) before December 2010.
This would enable the council memos to be circulated to members online or electronically, ahead of its weekly meetings, among other benefits.
Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone Plc, Mr. Gerald Ilukwe, gave this insight at a courtesy visit to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, accompanied by the management team of the company in Abuja.
He said that the implementation of the government-wide email service is designed to enhance secured communication between the Executive Council Office (EXCOF) and its members as well as to improve efficiency in the operations of the council.
“This will be Galaxy Backbone’s 50th independence anniversary gift to the country,” he declared.
ITRealms Online recalls that Galaxy Backbone is a public enterprise of the Federal
Government established in 2006 to build and operate a single nation-wide IP broadband network to provide network services to all Federal Government MDAs.
The company is also the provider of transversal infrastructure and services to all Federal Government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including the management of government data centers and databases, identity management, IP-telephony and other solutions, and will leverage the capacity of the network to provide connectivity, internet access and extend Government services to rural and underserved communities.
However, Ilukwe reiterated that his company is committed to achieving the government’s objectives in setting up the ICT company and has developed a single ICT platform concept which is a secure, common platform for addressing the connectivity and other technology imperatives of Government MDAs.
The platform, he said, is designed to achieve significant cost savings through economies of scale and reduce duplication in the system.
“It will also ensure the availability of skilled manpower to manage ICT facilities and services in government,” he said.
Ilukwe added that though it appears to be new in Nigeria, the concept is consistent with government policy and practice in many emerging economies such as South Africa, Mauritius, Iran, India, to name a few.
He cited for instance that the concept provides the technology platform to support government’s IT enabled transversal services.
Ilukwe further stated that Galaxy Backbone has installed 2900 remote sites nationwide under the NICEP project, while currently expanding fiber optic rollout of 200kms to cover all key MDAs in Abuja metropolis and this will be supported by terrestrial wireless radio infrastructure.
Mr. Ilukwe said that the company has completed the networking of Federal Secretariat phases 1 & 2 with 2500 nodes each and is providing Internet Access and Virtual Private Network services to over 250 MDAs nationwide. According to Ilukwe, “All Ministries Head quarters and key establishments in Abuja are currently serviced by Galaxy Backbone with connectivity to more than 70% of the MDAs since 2008.”
Mr. Gerald Ilukwe also mentioned that the Government Data Centre built and operated by Galaxy Backbone is currently hosting servers and applications for MDAs including NAN, Head of Service (HOS); pensions, PENCOM, Kaduna board of Internal Revenue to name a few, stressing that Galaxy Backbone is also providing consulting and professional Services to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Intelligence Agency, Ministry of Agriculture among others.
He therefore solicited the cooperation of the SGF in ensuring that MDAs comply with government’s directive that mandated them to secure their ICT requirements from Galaxy Backbone.
He also outlined some challenges before Galaxy, saying these include the absence of a strategic and holistic approach to ICT in Public Sector and Education as well as the prevailing culture of spending as opposed to cost-effective service delivery.
Ilukwe cited an instance the failure of budgetary provisions to match steep rise in demand for Galaxy Backbone’s services, power and other infrastructural issues in most MDAs, weak budgetary process which continues to encourage separate and wasteful approach to ICT services delivery in the public sector and the seeming reluctance by autonomous MDAs to comply with SGF circular on Galaxy’s mandate.
In his response, Alhaji Ahmed assured his visitors of the government’s support achieving its mandate and government objectives for setting up the company.
He urged the Galaxy team to work towards bringing about the expected efficiency in the running of government business through the provision of quality and value adding ICT services, advising them to develop a strategy to ensure the buy-in and support of its stakeholders.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
This would enable the council memos to be circulated to members online or electronically, ahead of its weekly meetings, among other benefits.
Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone Plc, Mr. Gerald Ilukwe, gave this insight at a courtesy visit to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, accompanied by the management team of the company in Abuja.
He said that the implementation of the government-wide email service is designed to enhance secured communication between the Executive Council Office (EXCOF) and its members as well as to improve efficiency in the operations of the council.
“This will be Galaxy Backbone’s 50th independence anniversary gift to the country,” he declared.
ITRealms Online recalls that Galaxy Backbone is a public enterprise of the Federal
Government established in 2006 to build and operate a single nation-wide IP broadband network to provide network services to all Federal Government MDAs.
The company is also the provider of transversal infrastructure and services to all Federal Government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including the management of government data centers and databases, identity management, IP-telephony and other solutions, and will leverage the capacity of the network to provide connectivity, internet access and extend Government services to rural and underserved communities.
However, Ilukwe reiterated that his company is committed to achieving the government’s objectives in setting up the ICT company and has developed a single ICT platform concept which is a secure, common platform for addressing the connectivity and other technology imperatives of Government MDAs.
The platform, he said, is designed to achieve significant cost savings through economies of scale and reduce duplication in the system.
“It will also ensure the availability of skilled manpower to manage ICT facilities and services in government,” he said.
Ilukwe added that though it appears to be new in Nigeria, the concept is consistent with government policy and practice in many emerging economies such as South Africa, Mauritius, Iran, India, to name a few.
He cited for instance that the concept provides the technology platform to support government’s IT enabled transversal services.
Ilukwe further stated that Galaxy Backbone has installed 2900 remote sites nationwide under the NICEP project, while currently expanding fiber optic rollout of 200kms to cover all key MDAs in Abuja metropolis and this will be supported by terrestrial wireless radio infrastructure.
Mr. Ilukwe said that the company has completed the networking of Federal Secretariat phases 1 & 2 with 2500 nodes each and is providing Internet Access and Virtual Private Network services to over 250 MDAs nationwide. According to Ilukwe, “All Ministries Head quarters and key establishments in Abuja are currently serviced by Galaxy Backbone with connectivity to more than 70% of the MDAs since 2008.”
Mr. Gerald Ilukwe also mentioned that the Government Data Centre built and operated by Galaxy Backbone is currently hosting servers and applications for MDAs including NAN, Head of Service (HOS); pensions, PENCOM, Kaduna board of Internal Revenue to name a few, stressing that Galaxy Backbone is also providing consulting and professional Services to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Intelligence Agency, Ministry of Agriculture among others.
He therefore solicited the cooperation of the SGF in ensuring that MDAs comply with government’s directive that mandated them to secure their ICT requirements from Galaxy Backbone.
He also outlined some challenges before Galaxy, saying these include the absence of a strategic and holistic approach to ICT in Public Sector and Education as well as the prevailing culture of spending as opposed to cost-effective service delivery.
Ilukwe cited an instance the failure of budgetary provisions to match steep rise in demand for Galaxy Backbone’s services, power and other infrastructural issues in most MDAs, weak budgetary process which continues to encourage separate and wasteful approach to ICT services delivery in the public sector and the seeming reluctance by autonomous MDAs to comply with SGF circular on Galaxy’s mandate.
In his response, Alhaji Ahmed assured his visitors of the government’s support achieving its mandate and government objectives for setting up the company.
He urged the Galaxy team to work towards bringing about the expected efficiency in the running of government business through the provision of quality and value adding ICT services, advising them to develop a strategy to ensure the buy-in and support of its stakeholders.
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Samsung, DajCom set up assembling plant in Lagos
A new deal was last weekend sealed between electronics and home appliances giant, Samsung Electronics and one of its key distributors in the country, DajCom Limited to set up production assembly in Lagos, the commercial nerve centre of the nation, just as Samsung declared its not afraid of competition, while assuring on quality.
At a press conference to announce this deal, the Managing Director, DajCom Limited, Mr. David Safa, said they would focus on the production line of assembling Samsung’s Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and Plasma screens.
“I am glad to formally announce that effective from June 1, 2010, Dajcom officially became Distributor of Samsung Electronics and Home appliances products in Nigeria,” he declared.
Mr. Safa said that this collaboration comes with a package designed to greatly enrich the Nigerian business environment, enhance employment of labour and redefine the way distribution business is conducted in the West African sub region.
Stressing that Samsung presently controls 41 per cent of the LCD and 64 per cent of Plasma market share respectively, in the country, in addition to 15 official Samsung showrooms.
The plant, he further said would start operation in October this year and hopes to cover the 50 per cent of Nigerian market before the end of 2010, based on three strategies, including network, distribution and service centres in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Ibadan, Benin and Port Harcourt.
Dajcom, he disclosed, was formally incorporated in the country since eight years ago, as a manufacturing and trading company, with the goal to become the premier manufacturer of electronics and home appliances not just in Nigeria, but in the West African sub-region.
Equally speaking at the occasion, Managing Director, Samsung West Africa, Mr. Jin Uk Shin, accompanied by the Head, Corporate Marketing, Mrs. Funke Michaels-Ntekim, described the deal as a landmark.
“Today marks a great point on the road to greater success for the Samsung brand in Nigeria. Samsung will continually seek out new and better avenues to constantly improve the delivery of its products to our customers all over the country,” he said, adding that this partnership is another progressive step in this direction.
Based on the background of both companies, Mr. Shin said that it is clear that this match is an excellent one.
“Together, Samsung and Dajcom will help to further enrich the Nigerian economy as employers of labour, providers of quality service, and joint partners in national progress,” he said, urging Nigerians to join them on this great journey by trusting in the Samsung brand.
As said by him, Samsung made over $117 billion worldwide last year and is well positioned to drive its interest in the Nigerian market despite competition.
“I don’t worry about competition. So, we’re not afraid of competition and look forward about being No 1 very soon,” he asserted, assuring that Samsung would not compromise on quality.
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At a press conference to announce this deal, the Managing Director, DajCom Limited, Mr. David Safa, said they would focus on the production line of assembling Samsung’s Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and Plasma screens.
“I am glad to formally announce that effective from June 1, 2010, Dajcom officially became Distributor of Samsung Electronics and Home appliances products in Nigeria,” he declared.
Mr. Safa said that this collaboration comes with a package designed to greatly enrich the Nigerian business environment, enhance employment of labour and redefine the way distribution business is conducted in the West African sub region.
Stressing that Samsung presently controls 41 per cent of the LCD and 64 per cent of Plasma market share respectively, in the country, in addition to 15 official Samsung showrooms.
The plant, he further said would start operation in October this year and hopes to cover the 50 per cent of Nigerian market before the end of 2010, based on three strategies, including network, distribution and service centres in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Ibadan, Benin and Port Harcourt.
Dajcom, he disclosed, was formally incorporated in the country since eight years ago, as a manufacturing and trading company, with the goal to become the premier manufacturer of electronics and home appliances not just in Nigeria, but in the West African sub-region.
Equally speaking at the occasion, Managing Director, Samsung West Africa, Mr. Jin Uk Shin, accompanied by the Head, Corporate Marketing, Mrs. Funke Michaels-Ntekim, described the deal as a landmark.
“Today marks a great point on the road to greater success for the Samsung brand in Nigeria. Samsung will continually seek out new and better avenues to constantly improve the delivery of its products to our customers all over the country,” he said, adding that this partnership is another progressive step in this direction.
Based on the background of both companies, Mr. Shin said that it is clear that this match is an excellent one.
“Together, Samsung and Dajcom will help to further enrich the Nigerian economy as employers of labour, providers of quality service, and joint partners in national progress,” he said, urging Nigerians to join them on this great journey by trusting in the Samsung brand.
As said by him, Samsung made over $117 billion worldwide last year and is well positioned to drive its interest in the Nigerian market despite competition.
“I don’t worry about competition. So, we’re not afraid of competition and look forward about being No 1 very soon,” he asserted, assuring that Samsung would not compromise on quality.
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Glo connects consumers on Facebook, YouTube
As part of innovative way of connecting with its teeming customers, the Second National Operator (SNO) Globacom has opened account pages in the popular social media platforms, Facebook and YouTube.
This, Glo official said are efforts to connect and engage with youths through its pages on Facebook and YouTube, which have become rave of the moment, especially among the youth and youth at heart.
The Glo Facebook and YouTube pages, designed in line with the positive inclinations of the youth for freshness, vibrancy and excitement, makes available up-to-date information about promotions and other activities going on within the company as well as photos and videos from the company’s events and sponsorships.
Globacom’s Head of Marketing, Mr. Navdeep Kapur said that the interactive Glo Facebook page, for instance, features links to the iconic Glo television commercial, “We’ve got people talking”, videos of the Glo G-Bam TV Show episodes and the Glo Laffta Fest events.
Other elements, he said, include information on the Glo and Man-United promo, photos of winners in the promo during their trips to Old Trafford in the United Kingdom and news about innovative products such as the recently introduced in-flight roaming package and sponsorship of the popular programme, “African Voices” on CNN.
The Glo Facebook page (www.gloworld.com/facebook) has attracted about 5,000 fans since it was recently created.
Kapur, also said, Glo Facebook and YouTube pages were intended to create a forum for more intense interaction with subscribers in a fun, exciting and refreshing manner.
“With our presence on these popular social networking sites, we are building a unique online community who not only get access to information on the company, but can make comments, have fun, interact and share with friends their favourite Glo images, videos and information,” he said.
He urged subscribers to connect with the network on these sites in order to expand their positive Glo experience.
On YouTube (www.gloworld.com/youtube), Glo fans and subscribers currently have access to over 50 videos of key Glo events, commercials and TV programmes. The TV commercials ready for download and viewing on the site include “We’ve got people Talking” (All Star version), “Talk More”, the “Rule your World” theme commercial and the impactful “Glo 1” launch commercial.
Visitors can also view several exciting episodes of the Glo G-Bam Show featuring popular entertainers such as Basketmouth, D’Banj, Wande Coal, D’jinee, I Go Dye, Eldee, Ego and Yaw. Others are interesting clips from the Glo/CAF Awards, Globacom Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga’s speech at the Awards, hilarious videos of Seyi Law and Gordons performing at Glo Laffta Fest Shows, Glo text-4-millions promo winners, and highlights of the Glo/Man-United partnership launch.
Both the Facebook and YouTube icons are also on Globacom’s website, www.gloworld.com for ease of reference.
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This, Glo official said are efforts to connect and engage with youths through its pages on Facebook and YouTube, which have become rave of the moment, especially among the youth and youth at heart.
The Glo Facebook and YouTube pages, designed in line with the positive inclinations of the youth for freshness, vibrancy and excitement, makes available up-to-date information about promotions and other activities going on within the company as well as photos and videos from the company’s events and sponsorships.
Globacom’s Head of Marketing, Mr. Navdeep Kapur said that the interactive Glo Facebook page, for instance, features links to the iconic Glo television commercial, “We’ve got people talking”, videos of the Glo G-Bam TV Show episodes and the Glo Laffta Fest events.
Other elements, he said, include information on the Glo and Man-United promo, photos of winners in the promo during their trips to Old Trafford in the United Kingdom and news about innovative products such as the recently introduced in-flight roaming package and sponsorship of the popular programme, “African Voices” on CNN.
The Glo Facebook page (www.gloworld.com/facebook) has attracted about 5,000 fans since it was recently created.
Kapur, also said, Glo Facebook and YouTube pages were intended to create a forum for more intense interaction with subscribers in a fun, exciting and refreshing manner.
“With our presence on these popular social networking sites, we are building a unique online community who not only get access to information on the company, but can make comments, have fun, interact and share with friends their favourite Glo images, videos and information,” he said.
He urged subscribers to connect with the network on these sites in order to expand their positive Glo experience.
On YouTube (www.gloworld.com/youtube), Glo fans and subscribers currently have access to over 50 videos of key Glo events, commercials and TV programmes. The TV commercials ready for download and viewing on the site include “We’ve got people Talking” (All Star version), “Talk More”, the “Rule your World” theme commercial and the impactful “Glo 1” launch commercial.
Visitors can also view several exciting episodes of the Glo G-Bam Show featuring popular entertainers such as Basketmouth, D’Banj, Wande Coal, D’jinee, I Go Dye, Eldee, Ego and Yaw. Others are interesting clips from the Glo/CAF Awards, Globacom Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga’s speech at the Awards, hilarious videos of Seyi Law and Gordons performing at Glo Laffta Fest Shows, Glo text-4-millions promo winners, and highlights of the Glo/Man-United partnership launch.
Both the Facebook and YouTube icons are also on Globacom’s website, www.gloworld.com for ease of reference.
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Nigeria needs chief information officer – Fabolude
Nigerian Information Technology (IT) enthusiast, Mr. Oladejo Fabolude has counseled the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan over his reported interest to use social media and precisely Facebook, for electoral reform among the youths in the country.
Fabolude, who spoke in Lagos, applauded President Jonathan for this decision, but warned that it could only be a successful step when complimented with the appointment of a chief information officer (CIO).
Whoever assumes this position, Fabolude said, would be occupying a very crucial position in the administration of President Jonathan, stressing that when he initially heard about the media reports that the President was going to use Facebook to communicate with the people, he was excited, but considering the huge responsibility in managing the new technologies, Fabolude insisted, there is need for CIO.
“Then it was the announcement about a plan to spend a significant amount of money making internet infrastructure available to schools across the country. Now I hear the government is also going to be using Youtube. It seems someone in Abuja woke up and discovered all these tools of the 21st Century,” he asserted.
According to him, all this sudden interest in modern information technology is a good thing and should be applauded.
“As long as the government’s interest is awoken, let me use the opportunity to make a suggestion. The Federal Republic of Nigeria needs a Chief Information Officer, a Federal CIO,” he declared.
As said by him, functional and profitable IT tools, for instance aids workers in doing their jobs and provision of the technology, helps to develop and implement technology policy and strategy which are the responsibilities of an IT department headed by an IT Manager otherwise known as a Chief Information Officer.
“This IT department doesn’t do technology for technology’s sake, but its function is to provide technology to achieve the organisation’s goal,” he advised.
Fabolude argued that Nigeria as a country needs a practical IT department, although the Ministries of Information and Science and Technology exist, he noted that their portfolios are too broad for this. “While it is possible for someone in either of these organisations to fulfill this role, I believe this is a role that belongs to the Presidency, pretty much the same way the Department of Petroleum Resources is in the Presidency,” he said.
He cited an instance with President Barrak Obama, who said that his Chief Information Officer, Vivek Kundra Kundra “will play a key role in making sure our government is running in the most secure, open, and efficient way possible.”
Hence, he said, Kundra made it a priority to focus on some key areas, namely to ensure openness and transparency, lowering the cost of government, cyber-security, participatory democracy, and innovation.
As said by him, one of Mr. Kundra’s first projects was the launch of Data.gov, a site for providing access to raw government data, followed by the launch in June 2009 the Federal IT Dashboard, which gives an assessment in terms of cost, schedule and CIO ranking of many large governments IT projects.
“Nigeria’s CIO should have a similar job, specifically,” he said, suggesting in addition that the CIO should be responsible for developing an information technology platform to be used by all tiers of government in running their operations.
This platform, he said, would specify a standard set of procedures for collecting, creating and storing government information, a set of tools for accessing and transforming that information for actionable intelligence, and security policies to ensure the integrity and availability of that information.
“The CIO would define a set of standards that would use information technology to enable government operate more efficiently reducing bureaucracy, wastage, duplication of effort, cost of running the nation and time to get things done,” he said.
Pointing out that these standards would also have made provision for the prevention and detection of fraud and corrupt practices.
He stressed that the job would involve developing a simple mechanism to enable the people of Nigeria engage their governments in any form, shape or fashion using telephony and internet technologies.
“Similarly, this mechanism would enable the government to aggregate information about what is happening in the lives of ordinary Nigerians in order to formulate policy and proper deployment of resources,” he opined.
Additionally, he said, the CIO would serve was a resource to the various ministries and parastatals in the execution of IT projects. Indeed the law establishing the office will require that all projects that have an IT component over a certain amount of Naira value be included in the CIO’s office as part of the project.
The CIO, Fabolude said, would also guide the Senate and the House on the formulation of laws that regulate and promote information technology, ecommerce and internet privacy and that enable law enforcement agencies battle cybercrime.
Nigeria, he maintained, is long overdue to take IT seriously as a tool for running of the government. “While various government agencies have a variety of initiatives, internal and citizen-facing, there is need to be a top-down unified approach to incorporating IT into the fabric of our nation,” he said, stressing that a federal CIO, who does the job well, will be a potent force in bringing the Nigerian nation into the league of nations making their people’s lives better by using modern technology.
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Fabolude, who spoke in Lagos, applauded President Jonathan for this decision, but warned that it could only be a successful step when complimented with the appointment of a chief information officer (CIO).
Whoever assumes this position, Fabolude said, would be occupying a very crucial position in the administration of President Jonathan, stressing that when he initially heard about the media reports that the President was going to use Facebook to communicate with the people, he was excited, but considering the huge responsibility in managing the new technologies, Fabolude insisted, there is need for CIO.
“Then it was the announcement about a plan to spend a significant amount of money making internet infrastructure available to schools across the country. Now I hear the government is also going to be using Youtube. It seems someone in Abuja woke up and discovered all these tools of the 21st Century,” he asserted.
According to him, all this sudden interest in modern information technology is a good thing and should be applauded.
“As long as the government’s interest is awoken, let me use the opportunity to make a suggestion. The Federal Republic of Nigeria needs a Chief Information Officer, a Federal CIO,” he declared.
As said by him, functional and profitable IT tools, for instance aids workers in doing their jobs and provision of the technology, helps to develop and implement technology policy and strategy which are the responsibilities of an IT department headed by an IT Manager otherwise known as a Chief Information Officer.
“This IT department doesn’t do technology for technology’s sake, but its function is to provide technology to achieve the organisation’s goal,” he advised.
Fabolude argued that Nigeria as a country needs a practical IT department, although the Ministries of Information and Science and Technology exist, he noted that their portfolios are too broad for this. “While it is possible for someone in either of these organisations to fulfill this role, I believe this is a role that belongs to the Presidency, pretty much the same way the Department of Petroleum Resources is in the Presidency,” he said.
He cited an instance with President Barrak Obama, who said that his Chief Information Officer, Vivek Kundra Kundra “will play a key role in making sure our government is running in the most secure, open, and efficient way possible.”
Hence, he said, Kundra made it a priority to focus on some key areas, namely to ensure openness and transparency, lowering the cost of government, cyber-security, participatory democracy, and innovation.
As said by him, one of Mr. Kundra’s first projects was the launch of Data.gov, a site for providing access to raw government data, followed by the launch in June 2009 the Federal IT Dashboard, which gives an assessment in terms of cost, schedule and CIO ranking of many large governments IT projects.
“Nigeria’s CIO should have a similar job, specifically,” he said, suggesting in addition that the CIO should be responsible for developing an information technology platform to be used by all tiers of government in running their operations.
This platform, he said, would specify a standard set of procedures for collecting, creating and storing government information, a set of tools for accessing and transforming that information for actionable intelligence, and security policies to ensure the integrity and availability of that information.
“The CIO would define a set of standards that would use information technology to enable government operate more efficiently reducing bureaucracy, wastage, duplication of effort, cost of running the nation and time to get things done,” he said.
Pointing out that these standards would also have made provision for the prevention and detection of fraud and corrupt practices.
He stressed that the job would involve developing a simple mechanism to enable the people of Nigeria engage their governments in any form, shape or fashion using telephony and internet technologies.
“Similarly, this mechanism would enable the government to aggregate information about what is happening in the lives of ordinary Nigerians in order to formulate policy and proper deployment of resources,” he opined.
Additionally, he said, the CIO would serve was a resource to the various ministries and parastatals in the execution of IT projects. Indeed the law establishing the office will require that all projects that have an IT component over a certain amount of Naira value be included in the CIO’s office as part of the project.
The CIO, Fabolude said, would also guide the Senate and the House on the formulation of laws that regulate and promote information technology, ecommerce and internet privacy and that enable law enforcement agencies battle cybercrime.
Nigeria, he maintained, is long overdue to take IT seriously as a tool for running of the government. “While various government agencies have a variety of initiatives, internal and citizen-facing, there is need to be a top-down unified approach to incorporating IT into the fabric of our nation,” he said, stressing that a federal CIO, who does the job well, will be a potent force in bringing the Nigerian nation into the league of nations making their people’s lives better by using modern technology.
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ATCON migrates website to .ng
Determined to reform the industry, the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has migrated its website address to .ng, the nation’s country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD).
With this development, ATCON website hitherto was hosted at www.atcononline.org has been transferred to .ng, thus it could be accessed via www. atcon.org.ng.
National president, ATCON, Mr. Titi Omo-Ettu, made this disclosure at the second edition of the West African Information and Communications Technology (WAFICT) congress at the three-day event, which held in Lagos.
He also invited members of ATCON in the country, both individual and corporate to be line with ATCON by domesticating their domain identity in the cyberspace.
“In this regard, we invite all members of ATCON, indeed all telecommunication firms in Nigeria to commence the domestication of their domain identity in cyberspace,” he said.
According to him, ATCON has taken the lead in migrating its own identity to atcon.org.ng and all other things related to that have been domesticated in the new Nigerian domain.
In addition, he disclosed that ATCON is working towards hosting the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) in the next eight years, which is 2018.
Expressing optimism on the sectoral growth, so far, the ATCON president, stressed that the next level of corporation in the West Africa’s ICT industry is cross-border synergies.
“So, as far as positivity goes, there is hardly a better time to be here as we ride on the crest of a wave geared towards moving our industry to the next level,” he said.
The Nigerian market by all indication, he said, is not a blank canvass, hence it is necessary, and to address certain structural and infrastructural problems that might give the illusion or may be presented as if there is a saturated market on hand already.
Nevertheless, he said, the advantages of cross-border trade especially for the medium and long term future gives cause for optimism, “but only if, in the short term, we lay down plans and our modus operandi.”
ATCON, he said, is quite confident that given what the WAFICT organizers have recorded in terms of its reach and potential effect, in the context of their set objectives, “it is our view that with a well managed collaboration with other proven local initiatives, we should now be in a position to escalate our intentions to the International Telecommunications Union, (ITU), that under its auspices, Nigeria wishes to host a world class Telecommunications Expo.
“We must galvanize support as well as call on our officials in the Ministry of Information and Communications to begin to make necessary representation at the global level that we are ready to host the 2018 edition of ITU’s World Telecommunication Development Conference, WTDC-18,” Omo-Ettu said.
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With this development, ATCON website hitherto was hosted at www.atcononline.org has been transferred to .ng, thus it could be accessed via www. atcon.org.ng.
National president, ATCON, Mr. Titi Omo-Ettu, made this disclosure at the second edition of the West African Information and Communications Technology (WAFICT) congress at the three-day event, which held in Lagos.
He also invited members of ATCON in the country, both individual and corporate to be line with ATCON by domesticating their domain identity in the cyberspace.
“In this regard, we invite all members of ATCON, indeed all telecommunication firms in Nigeria to commence the domestication of their domain identity in cyberspace,” he said.
According to him, ATCON has taken the lead in migrating its own identity to atcon.org.ng and all other things related to that have been domesticated in the new Nigerian domain.
In addition, he disclosed that ATCON is working towards hosting the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) in the next eight years, which is 2018.
Expressing optimism on the sectoral growth, so far, the ATCON president, stressed that the next level of corporation in the West Africa’s ICT industry is cross-border synergies.
“So, as far as positivity goes, there is hardly a better time to be here as we ride on the crest of a wave geared towards moving our industry to the next level,” he said.
The Nigerian market by all indication, he said, is not a blank canvass, hence it is necessary, and to address certain structural and infrastructural problems that might give the illusion or may be presented as if there is a saturated market on hand already.
Nevertheless, he said, the advantages of cross-border trade especially for the medium and long term future gives cause for optimism, “but only if, in the short term, we lay down plans and our modus operandi.”
ATCON, he said, is quite confident that given what the WAFICT organizers have recorded in terms of its reach and potential effect, in the context of their set objectives, “it is our view that with a well managed collaboration with other proven local initiatives, we should now be in a position to escalate our intentions to the International Telecommunications Union, (ITU), that under its auspices, Nigeria wishes to host a world class Telecommunications Expo.
“We must galvanize support as well as call on our officials in the Ministry of Information and Communications to begin to make necessary representation at the global level that we are ready to host the 2018 edition of ITU’s World Telecommunication Development Conference, WTDC-18,” Omo-Ettu said.
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Saraki unveils MTN HyNet for SMEs
The Kwara State, governor, Alhaji Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has unveiled MTN HyNet, saying it would boost businesses in the state, especially the small and medium scale enterprises.
Saraki, who applauded MTN for the choice of Ilorin for first set of cities in the country for the launch through its revolutionary WiMAX-powered Internet service, MTN Hynet, said the good people of the state appreciated this gesture.
Gov. Saraki represented by the Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Babatunde Mohammed noted that the service would benefit the people of the state, students, institutions, workers and SMEs, among others.
He also said, that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is a veritable driver of growth and development, stressing it would boost the economic growth of the Kwara State.
Commenting at the event, Senator Simeon Ajibola, Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory, who had a personal experience of the service during its demonstration said “… It is clear that HyNet will add value to businesses and homes in Kwara State. I would like to encourage other communications companies to take a cue from MTN in providing solutions that will be of benefit to small businesses.”
The Chief Enterprise Solutions Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Derek Appiah, said that Hynet is a service carefully designed to suit the needs of Small and Medium Enterprises as well as small, home office.
“We are well aware that this category of businesses may not be able to readily afford the fixed broadband service generally available in the market hence MTN developed Hynet which is affordable to bridge the gap. Hynet is reliable, superfast and convenient,” he said.
Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Bola Akingbade, said MTN’s HyNet is a prepaid high speed Internet service which combines the speed and reliability of a fixed broadband Internet with the convenience and flexibility of a mobile Internet service.
“Hynet is provided over MTN’s WiMax network with coverage in Lagos, Kaduna and Warri in addition to Ilorin. The service allows customers unlimited download at speed 16 times the speed of a telephone line. HyNet also allows customers to choose the Internet speed suitable for them based on the pattern or volume of Internet usage,” he said.
Additionally, he highlighted that the product has a unique feature of MTN HyNet which has been designed to offer multi-user functionality without the need for cables of any sort.
“This translates to not just a better internet experience and improved business efficiency but a reduction in overhead costs of small businesses,” he said.
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Saraki, who applauded MTN for the choice of Ilorin for first set of cities in the country for the launch through its revolutionary WiMAX-powered Internet service, MTN Hynet, said the good people of the state appreciated this gesture.
Gov. Saraki represented by the Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Babatunde Mohammed noted that the service would benefit the people of the state, students, institutions, workers and SMEs, among others.
He also said, that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is a veritable driver of growth and development, stressing it would boost the economic growth of the Kwara State.
Commenting at the event, Senator Simeon Ajibola, Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory, who had a personal experience of the service during its demonstration said “… It is clear that HyNet will add value to businesses and homes in Kwara State. I would like to encourage other communications companies to take a cue from MTN in providing solutions that will be of benefit to small businesses.”
The Chief Enterprise Solutions Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Derek Appiah, said that Hynet is a service carefully designed to suit the needs of Small and Medium Enterprises as well as small, home office.
“We are well aware that this category of businesses may not be able to readily afford the fixed broadband service generally available in the market hence MTN developed Hynet which is affordable to bridge the gap. Hynet is reliable, superfast and convenient,” he said.
Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Bola Akingbade, said MTN’s HyNet is a prepaid high speed Internet service which combines the speed and reliability of a fixed broadband Internet with the convenience and flexibility of a mobile Internet service.
“Hynet is provided over MTN’s WiMax network with coverage in Lagos, Kaduna and Warri in addition to Ilorin. The service allows customers unlimited download at speed 16 times the speed of a telephone line. HyNet also allows customers to choose the Internet speed suitable for them based on the pattern or volume of Internet usage,” he said.
Additionally, he highlighted that the product has a unique feature of MTN HyNet which has been designed to offer multi-user functionality without the need for cables of any sort.
“This translates to not just a better internet experience and improved business efficiency but a reduction in overhead costs of small businesses,” he said.
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HP, Intel launch integrity server blades
Hewlett Packard (HP) West Africa and Intel Corporation have launched the integrity server blades into the sub-regional market.
Briefing news men at the launch in Lagos, the Enterprise Storage, Servers and Network (ESSN) Vice President at HP, Middle East and Africa, Mr. Florian Reithmeier, said that this represents the first major architectural upgrade for integrity superdome in a decade.
Emphasising that the converged infrastructure made up of Blade 860c i2, 870c i12 and 890c i2 server blades respectively was built on a new HP Blade scale architecture that spans servers, storage and networking with the integrity solutions to deliver the industry’s first mission-critical converged infrastructure.
He also warned that this converged infrastructure does not replace the HP Blade series, but this was a very high-end of blades.
“It’s complimentary rather than replacing,” he asserted, noting that service level is a key aspect that the market has been challenged.
So, HP, he said, is knocking down walls in Information Technology (IT) departments to enable customers to have a better advantage of their business.
He elucidated that what the new product represents is for IT department is to have a good amount of IT resources and for telecom companies, for instance, to deploy faster services amidst competition.
In addition, Reithmeier who was accompanied by the Managing Director, HP West Africa, Mr. Ime Umo, said, the convergence infrastructure built with Intel designs offer business value which in a mission critical environment is moving into new architecture.
Also speaking, the ESSN Manager for West Africa at HP, Mr. Chuks Okpaka, said that lots of customers are looking out for flexibility and so there is enhancement from the operating system point of view with HP Integrity server blades.
This, he added, underscores HP commitment to Nigerian market, given that the launch in the country came just one month after the global launch.
ESSN Director for Africa, Mr. Wahid, El Meliani, said that launch was in commemoration of April 27, 2010 unveiling in Frankfurt Germany, where HP officially released the new Integrity Solutions.
He pointed out that HP West Africa unveiling of the new HP integrity solutions which significantly improve customers’ service-level agreement performance, offers up to 100 per cent application availability and simplify mission-critical computing for the most demanding application workloads.
HP, he said, also introduced AllianceONE, a partner programme that optimizes solutions across servers, storage, networking and professional services that support a mission-critical Converged Infrastructure.
For BCS Manager for Africa, Mr. Mohammed Zizi, said that the architecture allows clients to deploy, automate and manage a complete range of applications side by side, within the same enclosure, and using the same components, tools and processes.
With a single management environment, clients can maintain consistent control of the entire IT infrastructure.
HP is the only vendor delivering a unified Blade System platform that spans x86 to HP Superdome 2. As a result, HP clients can create data centers that allow them to spend less time on operations, and instead focus their resources on driving innovation to address business needs.
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Briefing news men at the launch in Lagos, the Enterprise Storage, Servers and Network (ESSN) Vice President at HP, Middle East and Africa, Mr. Florian Reithmeier, said that this represents the first major architectural upgrade for integrity superdome in a decade.
Emphasising that the converged infrastructure made up of Blade 860c i2, 870c i12 and 890c i2 server blades respectively was built on a new HP Blade scale architecture that spans servers, storage and networking with the integrity solutions to deliver the industry’s first mission-critical converged infrastructure.
He also warned that this converged infrastructure does not replace the HP Blade series, but this was a very high-end of blades.
“It’s complimentary rather than replacing,” he asserted, noting that service level is a key aspect that the market has been challenged.
So, HP, he said, is knocking down walls in Information Technology (IT) departments to enable customers to have a better advantage of their business.
He elucidated that what the new product represents is for IT department is to have a good amount of IT resources and for telecom companies, for instance, to deploy faster services amidst competition.
In addition, Reithmeier who was accompanied by the Managing Director, HP West Africa, Mr. Ime Umo, said, the convergence infrastructure built with Intel designs offer business value which in a mission critical environment is moving into new architecture.
Also speaking, the ESSN Manager for West Africa at HP, Mr. Chuks Okpaka, said that lots of customers are looking out for flexibility and so there is enhancement from the operating system point of view with HP Integrity server blades.
This, he added, underscores HP commitment to Nigerian market, given that the launch in the country came just one month after the global launch.
ESSN Director for Africa, Mr. Wahid, El Meliani, said that launch was in commemoration of April 27, 2010 unveiling in Frankfurt Germany, where HP officially released the new Integrity Solutions.
He pointed out that HP West Africa unveiling of the new HP integrity solutions which significantly improve customers’ service-level agreement performance, offers up to 100 per cent application availability and simplify mission-critical computing for the most demanding application workloads.
HP, he said, also introduced AllianceONE, a partner programme that optimizes solutions across servers, storage, networking and professional services that support a mission-critical Converged Infrastructure.
For BCS Manager for Africa, Mr. Mohammed Zizi, said that the architecture allows clients to deploy, automate and manage a complete range of applications side by side, within the same enclosure, and using the same components, tools and processes.
With a single management environment, clients can maintain consistent control of the entire IT infrastructure.
HP is the only vendor delivering a unified Blade System platform that spans x86 to HP Superdome 2. As a result, HP clients can create data centers that allow them to spend less time on operations, and instead focus their resources on driving innovation to address business needs.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Wake Up promo: Zain presents N10m prize to Ayodele
A Lagos-based travel agent, Mr. Olusoji Dada Ayodele, has received a N10 million cheque in the on-going Zain’s Wake up a Millionaire promotion, alongside 35 other lucky customers who also received N2m cheque each, reports GERALDINE OKOLIE.
Mr. Ayodele, the second lucky customer to emerge in the N10 million category declared that honestly his life has changed for the better with this promo.
“I have moved up by several steps and my life can never be the same again,” he asserted on receiving his cheque.
With this, Ayodele joins Policeman, Mr. Umoru John, who was the first to win N10 million in the promotion.
Also, during the prize presentation, 35 other lucky customers of Zain received N2m cheque each having won in the promo.
Director-General, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Dr. (Mrs) Ify Umenyi expressed satisfaction with Zain’s Wake Up promo, describing the process as genuine.
Mrs. Umenyi, who was represented at the occasion by Ms. Shola Salako, President, Consumer Advocacy Forum Nigeria, advised winners to use their winnings judiciously, noting that the primary concern of CPC in such promos like Zain’s Wake Up Millionaire, is to ensure that Nigerians get what is due to them in terms of reward to customers.
Speaking at the event, Chief Commercial Officer, Zain Nigeria, Mr. Shamel Hanafi, said telcom operator has so far made 72 Nigerians multi-millionaires, out of which two persons have received N10 million each, while 70 have received N2 million each.
According to him, the presentation was a demonstration of Zain’s commitment to their promise of making over 100 Nigerians millionaires within 100 days.
Mr. Hanafi, represented by the Director, Sales, Tamer Halbouny, explained that there are still one more N10m and 30 N2m prizes respectively to be won before the end of the promotion on June 24, this month.
In a relative development, Zain Nigeria, has rewarded more winners in the Home Viewers Game segment of the ongoing International Inter University Television Quiz Show, the Zain Africa Challenge.
At the ceremony held in Ikoyi-Lagos, over 12 persons were presented with their winnings, bringing to 135 the total number of winners that have received prizes since the beginning of the 2010 edition of the show.
Each of the winners was presented with a brand new Internet enabled Nokia N97 phone, airtime, a SIM card and a pack containing Zain branded items.
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Mr. Ayodele, the second lucky customer to emerge in the N10 million category declared that honestly his life has changed for the better with this promo.
“I have moved up by several steps and my life can never be the same again,” he asserted on receiving his cheque.
With this, Ayodele joins Policeman, Mr. Umoru John, who was the first to win N10 million in the promotion.
Also, during the prize presentation, 35 other lucky customers of Zain received N2m cheque each having won in the promo.
Director-General, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Dr. (Mrs) Ify Umenyi expressed satisfaction with Zain’s Wake Up promo, describing the process as genuine.
Mrs. Umenyi, who was represented at the occasion by Ms. Shola Salako, President, Consumer Advocacy Forum Nigeria, advised winners to use their winnings judiciously, noting that the primary concern of CPC in such promos like Zain’s Wake Up Millionaire, is to ensure that Nigerians get what is due to them in terms of reward to customers.
Speaking at the event, Chief Commercial Officer, Zain Nigeria, Mr. Shamel Hanafi, said telcom operator has so far made 72 Nigerians multi-millionaires, out of which two persons have received N10 million each, while 70 have received N2 million each.
According to him, the presentation was a demonstration of Zain’s commitment to their promise of making over 100 Nigerians millionaires within 100 days.
Mr. Hanafi, represented by the Director, Sales, Tamer Halbouny, explained that there are still one more N10m and 30 N2m prizes respectively to be won before the end of the promotion on June 24, this month.
In a relative development, Zain Nigeria, has rewarded more winners in the Home Viewers Game segment of the ongoing International Inter University Television Quiz Show, the Zain Africa Challenge.
At the ceremony held in Ikoyi-Lagos, over 12 persons were presented with their winnings, bringing to 135 the total number of winners that have received prizes since the beginning of the 2010 edition of the show.
Each of the winners was presented with a brand new Internet enabled Nokia N97 phone, airtime, a SIM card and a pack containing Zain branded items.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
WIMAX, supreme last mile solution for mobility – Omo-Ettu
Telecommunication expert and chief executive of Telecom Answers Associates (TAA), Mr. Titi Omo-Ettu has described the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) as a supreme mobility solution for last mile.
Speaking on the forthcoming WIMAX forum in Lagos, Omo-Ettu noted that fibre would continue to be the dominant carrier of broadband information, hence, as businesses increasingly move away from the desk and out of the office, it is not necessarily the movement of information, but rather, the speed of such movement becomes the pivotal to business and development.
According to him, wide spread deployment of technologies is expected over the next three to five years, and driven by WiMAX’s ability to deliver affordable last-mile broadband Internet services, thus gave rise to the need for forum to further strengthen WiMAX standards in the country today for last mile solutions.
“As WiMAX makes the transition from hype towards reality, it is simultaneously generating stronger business interest from telecoms operators, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and alike,” he said.
Omo-Ettu also said that with WiMAX at the centre of either conducting trials or offering commercial services contracts deploying over 150 service operators globally over the last 12 months, it has emerged as the credible contender in the wireless broadband landscape.
“This link between WIMAX and business is the focus of the WiMAXForum 2010 to be held in Lagos,” he said, stressing that the potential investors’ haven, would assemble those who take decisions and those who translate them into business.
He pointed out that the forum billed for next week at Lagoon Restaurant, Victoria Island, is expected to attract delegates who would be representing participating companies.
Participation, he explained, would not be based on the size of the company but rather that it is a current or potential corporate player in the Nigerian telecoms industry. The exhibition component of the event billed for next Tuesday, he said, would not be a festival of telecommunications solutions, but a show of solutions that are strictly based on WiMAX standard.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Speaking on the forthcoming WIMAX forum in Lagos, Omo-Ettu noted that fibre would continue to be the dominant carrier of broadband information, hence, as businesses increasingly move away from the desk and out of the office, it is not necessarily the movement of information, but rather, the speed of such movement becomes the pivotal to business and development.
According to him, wide spread deployment of technologies is expected over the next three to five years, and driven by WiMAX’s ability to deliver affordable last-mile broadband Internet services, thus gave rise to the need for forum to further strengthen WiMAX standards in the country today for last mile solutions.
“As WiMAX makes the transition from hype towards reality, it is simultaneously generating stronger business interest from telecoms operators, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and alike,” he said.
Omo-Ettu also said that with WiMAX at the centre of either conducting trials or offering commercial services contracts deploying over 150 service operators globally over the last 12 months, it has emerged as the credible contender in the wireless broadband landscape.
“This link between WIMAX and business is the focus of the WiMAXForum 2010 to be held in Lagos,” he said, stressing that the potential investors’ haven, would assemble those who take decisions and those who translate them into business.
He pointed out that the forum billed for next week at Lagoon Restaurant, Victoria Island, is expected to attract delegates who would be representing participating companies.
Participation, he explained, would not be based on the size of the company but rather that it is a current or potential corporate player in the Nigerian telecoms industry. The exhibition component of the event billed for next Tuesday, he said, would not be a festival of telecommunications solutions, but a show of solutions that are strictly based on WiMAX standard.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Aviat showcases products @ W.Afri.Tel
Leading wireless provider in advanced Internet Protocol (IP), Aviat Networks took its global expertise to the recently concluded West African Telecommunication exhibition and conferences (Wafritel) held in Lagos.
The company, which is making its first appearance in Nigeria since changing its name from Harris Stratex, showcased its range of wireless next-generation solutions at the three-day event.
Territory Manager for Aviat Networks, Mr. Olabode Sowunmi, told ITRealms Online at the event ground that the firm’s participation was seen as an avenue to introduce its new brand identity to potential and existing customers of the company in the West African telecommunication industry.
He explained that the company was at the expo to interact with their customers, announce latest technological advancements as well as showcase improvements.
“Of the greatest interest with the visitors to the stand turned out to be the award-winning Eclips Packet Node wireless backhaul solution with its enhanced cell site gateway functionalities for mobile operators seeking innovative and integrated solutions,” he said.
Additionally, he said, the event offered the industry the opportunity to appreciate the new brand identity of the company.
One of the customers and a telecoms engineer, Osunkeye Mathews said at the Aviat stand that it was reassuring to see the new image of a reliable old-timer.
“I’m impressed with the efforts of Aviat networks in its new identity” Mathews said.
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The company, which is making its first appearance in Nigeria since changing its name from Harris Stratex, showcased its range of wireless next-generation solutions at the three-day event.
Territory Manager for Aviat Networks, Mr. Olabode Sowunmi, told ITRealms Online at the event ground that the firm’s participation was seen as an avenue to introduce its new brand identity to potential and existing customers of the company in the West African telecommunication industry.
He explained that the company was at the expo to interact with their customers, announce latest technological advancements as well as showcase improvements.
“Of the greatest interest with the visitors to the stand turned out to be the award-winning Eclips Packet Node wireless backhaul solution with its enhanced cell site gateway functionalities for mobile operators seeking innovative and integrated solutions,” he said.
Additionally, he said, the event offered the industry the opportunity to appreciate the new brand identity of the company.
One of the customers and a telecoms engineer, Osunkeye Mathews said at the Aviat stand that it was reassuring to see the new image of a reliable old-timer.
“I’m impressed with the efforts of Aviat networks in its new identity” Mathews said.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
ATCON, ALTON support forum on taxation, clean environment
The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) and the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) have given their supports to the on-coming conference on taxation and cleaner environment scheduled for next month in Lagos.
The conference is being coordinated by three media organisations in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector includes AIT-Infotech network, Tribe Media, owners of TribeTimes, eWorld Magazine and Know How Media, publishers of IT Edge News.Com.
In a press statement made available to ITRealms Online, the coordinator, Mr. Aaron Ukodie, quoted acting Executive Secretary, ATCON, Mr. Ajibola Olude, the association commended the initiative and the extent to which the three media houses have moved the idea.
ATCON President, Mr. Titi Omo-Ettu, was quoted as saying that he considered the issue for discussion as timely.
On the other hand, ALTON said its chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, would work with the conference coordinators to rally key players that are relevant to the issues slated for discussion. Mr. Ukodie also disclosed that efforts have been made to involve the chairman of the Joint Tax Board so as to ensure that the issues slated for discussion are given the required attention and policy consideration.
According to him, the pursuit of greener and healthier environment is a topical issue in the global arena and no effort is too much to ensure the right awareness is created and effective and efficient policies are articulated to achieve the objective.
The conference, scheduled to hold in Sheraton Lagos on July 30, 2010, he said, would focus on how to promote the deployment, usage and management of environmentally friendly technologies and appropriate taxation in the sector.
The conference’s theme is: ICT and the Nigerian Environment 2010: Appropriate Taxation and Promotion of Healthy Environmentally Friendly Technologies.
The underlining call for the conference is that ICT applications, power and transportation are some of three main areas which contribute to the bulk of environmental emissions. In Nigeria the growth of ICT and its infrastructure are beginning to pose a challenge to the environment as it relates to safety, health and economic growth.
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The conference is being coordinated by three media organisations in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector includes AIT-Infotech network, Tribe Media, owners of TribeTimes, eWorld Magazine and Know How Media, publishers of IT Edge News.Com.
In a press statement made available to ITRealms Online, the coordinator, Mr. Aaron Ukodie, quoted acting Executive Secretary, ATCON, Mr. Ajibola Olude, the association commended the initiative and the extent to which the three media houses have moved the idea.
ATCON President, Mr. Titi Omo-Ettu, was quoted as saying that he considered the issue for discussion as timely.
On the other hand, ALTON said its chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, would work with the conference coordinators to rally key players that are relevant to the issues slated for discussion. Mr. Ukodie also disclosed that efforts have been made to involve the chairman of the Joint Tax Board so as to ensure that the issues slated for discussion are given the required attention and policy consideration.
According to him, the pursuit of greener and healthier environment is a topical issue in the global arena and no effort is too much to ensure the right awareness is created and effective and efficient policies are articulated to achieve the objective.
The conference, scheduled to hold in Sheraton Lagos on July 30, 2010, he said, would focus on how to promote the deployment, usage and management of environmentally friendly technologies and appropriate taxation in the sector.
The conference’s theme is: ICT and the Nigerian Environment 2010: Appropriate Taxation and Promotion of Healthy Environmentally Friendly Technologies.
The underlining call for the conference is that ICT applications, power and transportation are some of three main areas which contribute to the bulk of environmental emissions. In Nigeria the growth of ICT and its infrastructure are beginning to pose a challenge to the environment as it relates to safety, health and economic growth.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Globacom: Ghanaian govt denies pull-out threat
Ghanaian telecommunications regulator, the National Communications Authority (NCA) has denied knowledge of the threat by the Nigeria’s second national operator, Globacom Limited to pull out of the country.
NCA said that it has not received any official report from Globacom over the alleged destruction of its properties and installations in the country, which is actually stalling its roll-out commercially.
It was reported in the media that Glo’s installations in Ghana comprising of properties, equipments and investments, such as billboards and lack of relevant support for the acquisition of land for installation of infrastructure like base stations and even stolen of some already on ground.
However, confirming this to Business Champion at the weekend, Director, Regulatory Administration at the National Communications Authority (NCA), Mr. Joshua K. Peprah said that Globacom has not officially served any notice of withdrawal from the Ghanaian telecom market, despite the recent media reports on the threat to pull out of the market.
“… I can tell you that Glo has not served any notice of withdrawal from this market to the NCA,” he said.
Mr. Peprah also revealed that National Communications Authority (NCA), has gone a step further to invite Globacom for discussion, so as to iron things out.
“However, the NCA has invited the Chairman and his team for further discussions on this,” he said, pointing out that the invitation was extended to Globacom since the beginning of last week and discussion when eventually they respond, would dwell on those allegations as reported in the media across the sub-region would form part of the agenda.
“Invitation was extended to Glo since beginning of this (last) week. Discussions would be on those allegations in the press, etc, since we have nothing official from Glo,” he said.
In a related development, some media reports alleged in Ghana that Glo’s plan to casualize employees, was actually a key source of face off with those purportedly destroying Globacom’s installations.
Efforts to get Globacom’s official reactions on both the invitation by NCA among others were yet to get response as at press time. But a source close to Mike Adenuga Towers, the headquarters of the telecom giant, informed that the allegation of casualization is not all that true as Glo does not indulge in such practices.
“If Glo is not casualising staff in Nigeria, why should it think of such in Ghana,” our source wondered.
Meanwhile, some of the allegations of destruction of Glo’s installations in Ghana comprising its properties, equipments and investments including billboards and lack of relevant support for the acquisition of land for installation of infrastructure, such as base station and even stolen of
some already on ground.
Additionally, the reports alleged that in February, about 15 light boxes mounted from the Airport Traffic Light median to the Opeibea House Traffic Light were destroyed with the flexi material used on both sides of the units torn.
Just as one of the Glo brand marks mounted in Accra was also destroyed about a month ago, while estimated 16 light boxes installed by Glo from the King Tackie Tawiah Overpass to Busy Internet were also vandalized.
“Every single unit, with materials made from top grade flexi was defaced with shape objects, suspected to be a knife or a razor blade,” the source said. “It was curious that light boxes belonging to another telecom operator deployed within the same stretch continuing from Busy Internet to the Kwame Nkrumah Circle were left unscathed,” he said. In December last year, some people were apprehended and handed to the police while they were attempting to sabotage a Glo mast located at the Baatsona area of Accra,” part of the reports stated.
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NCA said that it has not received any official report from Globacom over the alleged destruction of its properties and installations in the country, which is actually stalling its roll-out commercially.
It was reported in the media that Glo’s installations in Ghana comprising of properties, equipments and investments, such as billboards and lack of relevant support for the acquisition of land for installation of infrastructure like base stations and even stolen of some already on ground.
However, confirming this to Business Champion at the weekend, Director, Regulatory Administration at the National Communications Authority (NCA), Mr. Joshua K. Peprah said that Globacom has not officially served any notice of withdrawal from the Ghanaian telecom market, despite the recent media reports on the threat to pull out of the market.
“… I can tell you that Glo has not served any notice of withdrawal from this market to the NCA,” he said.
Mr. Peprah also revealed that National Communications Authority (NCA), has gone a step further to invite Globacom for discussion, so as to iron things out.
“However, the NCA has invited the Chairman and his team for further discussions on this,” he said, pointing out that the invitation was extended to Globacom since the beginning of last week and discussion when eventually they respond, would dwell on those allegations as reported in the media across the sub-region would form part of the agenda.
“Invitation was extended to Glo since beginning of this (last) week. Discussions would be on those allegations in the press, etc, since we have nothing official from Glo,” he said.
In a related development, some media reports alleged in Ghana that Glo’s plan to casualize employees, was actually a key source of face off with those purportedly destroying Globacom’s installations.
Efforts to get Globacom’s official reactions on both the invitation by NCA among others were yet to get response as at press time. But a source close to Mike Adenuga Towers, the headquarters of the telecom giant, informed that the allegation of casualization is not all that true as Glo does not indulge in such practices.
“If Glo is not casualising staff in Nigeria, why should it think of such in Ghana,” our source wondered.
Meanwhile, some of the allegations of destruction of Glo’s installations in Ghana comprising its properties, equipments and investments including billboards and lack of relevant support for the acquisition of land for installation of infrastructure, such as base station and even stolen of
some already on ground.
Additionally, the reports alleged that in February, about 15 light boxes mounted from the Airport Traffic Light median to the Opeibea House Traffic Light were destroyed with the flexi material used on both sides of the units torn.
Just as one of the Glo brand marks mounted in Accra was also destroyed about a month ago, while estimated 16 light boxes installed by Glo from the King Tackie Tawiah Overpass to Busy Internet were also vandalized.
“Every single unit, with materials made from top grade flexi was defaced with shape objects, suspected to be a knife or a razor blade,” the source said. “It was curious that light boxes belonging to another telecom operator deployed within the same stretch continuing from Busy Internet to the Kwame Nkrumah Circle were left unscathed,” he said. In December last year, some people were apprehended and handed to the police while they were attempting to sabotage a Glo mast located at the Baatsona area of Accra,” part of the reports stated.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Monday, June 07, 2010
MainOne Cable goes commercial June 30
•Nigeria to host WTDC in 2018
One of the Nigeria’s submarine cable provider, MainOne Cables, has declared that come June 30, its services would go commercial across the country, just as the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has expressed optimism on the sectoral growth and interest to host the International Telecommunication Union (ITU’s) World Telecommunication Development Conference in 2018 (WTDC-18).
Giving this indication in Lagos, Tuesday at the second edition of the West African Information and Communications Technology Congress (WAFICT), the chief executive officer of Main One Cables, Ms Funke Opeke represented by the Manager Sales, Ms Bolanle Ogundogba, said the submarine cable provider is ready for commercial launch on June 30.
“MainOne would be ready by 30th of June, 2010,” she declared, stressing that they offer a wholesale of full circuit services, which starts with STM-1, which contains about 63 E1 lines.
E1 has been described as a physical layer protocol for leased line transmissions, which carries thirty-two (32) 64 kbps channels at 2.048 Mbps each.
Opeke who spoke on operator’s perspective, said that by starting with STM 1 and landing cables in Lagos and Accra through the Telephone House London, the best is expected from the network.
According to her, for a long term purchase, it is expected to cost between $500 and $600 at about four STM-1, noting that there are further discounts at higher levels.
She said that there is plan for onward connectivity at wholesale prices from global supplies.
Disclosing that by next year, 2011, MainOne has projection to establish an international gateway for Internet Protocol (IP).
“So, we think of doubling existing capacity on day one and less than 5 per cent of the available capacity deployed with room to grow,” she said.
Maintaining that the landing stations in Lagos and Accra-Ghana have been completed and are ready for business.
In a related development, the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has expressed optimism on the sectoral growth, noting though some achievements have been made, expressing interest to host the 2018 edition of ITU’s World Telecommunication Development Conference, WTDC-18.
ATCON president, Mr. Titi Omo-Ettu gave this hope in a goodwill message delivered at WAFICT, stressing that the next level of corporation in the West Africa’s ICT industry is cross-border synergies.
“So, as far as positivity goes, there is hardly a better time to be here as we ride on the crest of a wave geared towards moving our industry to the next level,” he said.
The Nigerian market by all indication, he said, is not a blank canvass, hence it is necessary, to address certain structural and infrastructural problems that might give the illusion or may be presented as if there is a saturated market on hand already.
Nevertheless, he said, the advantages of cross-border trade especially for the medium and long term future gives cause for optimism, “but only if, in the short term, we lay down plans and our modus operandi.”
ATCON, he said, is quite confident that given what the WAFICT organizers have recorded in terms of its reach and potential effect, in the context of their set objectives, “it is our view that with a well managed collaboration with other proven local initiatives, we should now be in a position to escalate our intentions to the International Telecommunications Union, (ITU), that under its auspices, Nigeria wishes to host a world class Telecommunications Expo.
“We must galvanize support as well as call on our officials in the Ministry of Information and Communications to begin to make necessary representation at the global level that we are ready to host the 2018 edition of ITU’s World Telecommunication Development Conference, WTDC-18,” Omo-Ettu said.
Assuring that ATCON’s immediate focus for the future is to continue to be a driving force of inspiration amongst all players as they attempt to meet the aspirations of the industry, pointing out that it is time to manage both volume and content of the traffic to ensure the best returns from investment.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
One of the Nigeria’s submarine cable provider, MainOne Cables, has declared that come June 30, its services would go commercial across the country, just as the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has expressed optimism on the sectoral growth and interest to host the International Telecommunication Union (ITU’s) World Telecommunication Development Conference in 2018 (WTDC-18).
Giving this indication in Lagos, Tuesday at the second edition of the West African Information and Communications Technology Congress (WAFICT), the chief executive officer of Main One Cables, Ms Funke Opeke represented by the Manager Sales, Ms Bolanle Ogundogba, said the submarine cable provider is ready for commercial launch on June 30.
“MainOne would be ready by 30th of June, 2010,” she declared, stressing that they offer a wholesale of full circuit services, which starts with STM-1, which contains about 63 E1 lines.
E1 has been described as a physical layer protocol for leased line transmissions, which carries thirty-two (32) 64 kbps channels at 2.048 Mbps each.
Opeke who spoke on operator’s perspective, said that by starting with STM 1 and landing cables in Lagos and Accra through the Telephone House London, the best is expected from the network.
According to her, for a long term purchase, it is expected to cost between $500 and $600 at about four STM-1, noting that there are further discounts at higher levels.
She said that there is plan for onward connectivity at wholesale prices from global supplies.
Disclosing that by next year, 2011, MainOne has projection to establish an international gateway for Internet Protocol (IP).
“So, we think of doubling existing capacity on day one and less than 5 per cent of the available capacity deployed with room to grow,” she said.
Maintaining that the landing stations in Lagos and Accra-Ghana have been completed and are ready for business.
In a related development, the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has expressed optimism on the sectoral growth, noting though some achievements have been made, expressing interest to host the 2018 edition of ITU’s World Telecommunication Development Conference, WTDC-18.
ATCON president, Mr. Titi Omo-Ettu gave this hope in a goodwill message delivered at WAFICT, stressing that the next level of corporation in the West Africa’s ICT industry is cross-border synergies.
“So, as far as positivity goes, there is hardly a better time to be here as we ride on the crest of a wave geared towards moving our industry to the next level,” he said.
The Nigerian market by all indication, he said, is not a blank canvass, hence it is necessary, to address certain structural and infrastructural problems that might give the illusion or may be presented as if there is a saturated market on hand already.
Nevertheless, he said, the advantages of cross-border trade especially for the medium and long term future gives cause for optimism, “but only if, in the short term, we lay down plans and our modus operandi.”
ATCON, he said, is quite confident that given what the WAFICT organizers have recorded in terms of its reach and potential effect, in the context of their set objectives, “it is our view that with a well managed collaboration with other proven local initiatives, we should now be in a position to escalate our intentions to the International Telecommunications Union, (ITU), that under its auspices, Nigeria wishes to host a world class Telecommunications Expo.
“We must galvanize support as well as call on our officials in the Ministry of Information and Communications to begin to make necessary representation at the global level that we are ready to host the 2018 edition of ITU’s World Telecommunication Development Conference, WTDC-18,” Omo-Ettu said.
Assuring that ATCON’s immediate focus for the future is to continue to be a driving force of inspiration amongst all players as they attempt to meet the aspirations of the industry, pointing out that it is time to manage both volume and content of the traffic to ensure the best returns from investment.
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Glo explains Senegalese license, launches VSMS
Despite the alleged maltreatment in Ghana, the second national telecommunications operator, Globacom, weekend, explained its reason for obtaining an operational license in Senegal.
A press statement from Globacom’s corporate communications department, indicated that its latest license was finalised with the endorsement of dotted lines by the government of Senegal, through the Ministers of Finance and Telecommunications.
According to the press statement, Globacom’s chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. was quoted as saying that the license would afford the telecommunications giant to offer world class telecom services to the government and people of Senegal.
Equally, the Senegalese licence will also allow Globacom to land its gigantic trans-Atlantic submarine cable, Glo 1 in the West African country with opportunities to extend the infrastructure to Mali.
This is in addition to giving Globacom the right to carry traffic for major operators, the government and wholesale customers.
“With this development, the people of Senegal have been positioned to be part of the telecommunications revolution which Globacom is bringing to Africa,” he said, noting that Glo 1 which is set to commence commercial services soon would deliver transmission capacity to offer unprecedented high speed internet and broad band services as well as make telecom services much faster, more reliable and cheaper for consumers on the continent.
Adenuga pointed out that with the Senegalese licence, Glo would be able to provide international carrier services for telecom operators in the country. The company which has gateway switches outside the continent is currently a major player in the global telecommunication industry.
Globacom said the new license gives impetus to the network’s desire to provide the needed opportunity for the African continent to leap forward economically through an excellent communication network and a cost-effective voice, data, video and e-commerce services.
“In line with our vision, Glo will continue to play a major role in stimulating a new era of prosperity in the sub-continent and build facilities that will offer Africa advanced telecom services such as teleconferencing, distance learning, disaster recovery, telemedicine, on-line diagnosis and video conferencing during surgery and research,” he asserted.
Emphasising that Globacom’s infrastructure would be deployed to improve on call completion to subscribers’ handsets, reduce call failure rate as well as the cost of international calls not only in Senegal but across all the markets where it operates.
ITRealms Online recalls that apart from Nigeria, Globacom which started commercial service in August 2003, has operating licenses Ghana, Benin Republic and Cote d’Ivoire.
Meanwhile, Glo Mobile has extended its Voice Short Messaging Service (voice-SMS) to other networks.
With this development, Glo subscribers could send voice SMS to subscribers of other networks, which hitherto was only available on Glo network.
Glo Mobile had in February, 2006, launched the service which allows subscribers to record and sends a voice message to a recipient.
It is a “talk” and “listen” messaging alternative to the regular “type” and “read” service provided by short messaging service (SMS).
Globacom’s Head, Value Added Services, Samson Isa, said the service was extended to other networks in order to give Glo subscribers more opportunity to enjoy its benefits.
“Voice SMS enables the user to add a personal touch to his message by recording his own voice, in his own language and sending it to a recipient who in turn is able to listen to the voice of the sender,” he said.
He underscored the fact that with the conventional SMS, a subscriber ‘types’ and ‘sends’ his text message which is read at the receiving end, while the Glo Voice-SMS allows the user to ‘dial’, ‘talk’ and ‘send’ the recorded voice message which is listened to by the receiver,” Isa said.
“Glo Voice-SMS is one more demonstration of our commitment to meeting the changing needs of our customers. It adds a fun dimension to short messaging as it has the advantage of conveying the sender’s mood, passion and emotion along with the voice message, which the conventional SMS does not do,” he said.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
A press statement from Globacom’s corporate communications department, indicated that its latest license was finalised with the endorsement of dotted lines by the government of Senegal, through the Ministers of Finance and Telecommunications.
According to the press statement, Globacom’s chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. was quoted as saying that the license would afford the telecommunications giant to offer world class telecom services to the government and people of Senegal.
Equally, the Senegalese licence will also allow Globacom to land its gigantic trans-Atlantic submarine cable, Glo 1 in the West African country with opportunities to extend the infrastructure to Mali.
This is in addition to giving Globacom the right to carry traffic for major operators, the government and wholesale customers.
“With this development, the people of Senegal have been positioned to be part of the telecommunications revolution which Globacom is bringing to Africa,” he said, noting that Glo 1 which is set to commence commercial services soon would deliver transmission capacity to offer unprecedented high speed internet and broad band services as well as make telecom services much faster, more reliable and cheaper for consumers on the continent.
Adenuga pointed out that with the Senegalese licence, Glo would be able to provide international carrier services for telecom operators in the country. The company which has gateway switches outside the continent is currently a major player in the global telecommunication industry.
Globacom said the new license gives impetus to the network’s desire to provide the needed opportunity for the African continent to leap forward economically through an excellent communication network and a cost-effective voice, data, video and e-commerce services.
“In line with our vision, Glo will continue to play a major role in stimulating a new era of prosperity in the sub-continent and build facilities that will offer Africa advanced telecom services such as teleconferencing, distance learning, disaster recovery, telemedicine, on-line diagnosis and video conferencing during surgery and research,” he asserted.
Emphasising that Globacom’s infrastructure would be deployed to improve on call completion to subscribers’ handsets, reduce call failure rate as well as the cost of international calls not only in Senegal but across all the markets where it operates.
ITRealms Online recalls that apart from Nigeria, Globacom which started commercial service in August 2003, has operating licenses Ghana, Benin Republic and Cote d’Ivoire.
Meanwhile, Glo Mobile has extended its Voice Short Messaging Service (voice-SMS) to other networks.
With this development, Glo subscribers could send voice SMS to subscribers of other networks, which hitherto was only available on Glo network.
Glo Mobile had in February, 2006, launched the service which allows subscribers to record and sends a voice message to a recipient.
It is a “talk” and “listen” messaging alternative to the regular “type” and “read” service provided by short messaging service (SMS).
Globacom’s Head, Value Added Services, Samson Isa, said the service was extended to other networks in order to give Glo subscribers more opportunity to enjoy its benefits.
“Voice SMS enables the user to add a personal touch to his message by recording his own voice, in his own language and sending it to a recipient who in turn is able to listen to the voice of the sender,” he said.
He underscored the fact that with the conventional SMS, a subscriber ‘types’ and ‘sends’ his text message which is read at the receiving end, while the Glo Voice-SMS allows the user to ‘dial’, ‘talk’ and ‘send’ the recorded voice message which is listened to by the receiver,” Isa said.
“Glo Voice-SMS is one more demonstration of our commitment to meeting the changing needs of our customers. It adds a fun dimension to short messaging as it has the advantage of conveying the sender’s mood, passion and emotion along with the voice message, which the conventional SMS does not do,” he said.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
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