Nigeria needs unique telecom backbone – Ahmed-Rufai

The Managing Director, Nigeria Communications Satellite (NigComSAT) Limited, Mr. Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai, has identified that Nigeria needs a unique telecommunications backbone infrastructure.

Just as the nation has achieved about 65 per cent of replacing process of Nigeria’s SAT-1, which was de-orbited in November 2008 due to faulty battery discharge.

Ahmed-Rufai who spoke in a chat with newsmen in Lagos, last Saturday, also condemned the concept of the government allowing every ‘Dick and Harry’ in the name of operators to build individualized telecommunications infrastructure in the country under the logic of a liberalized market.

According to him, what the country needs most importantly is a unique backbone infrastructure for every other operator to plug-in easily and strategically to drive the cost of telecommunications on downward curve for the ordinary citizens’ benefit.

Additionally, he said, that a unique telecom backbone infrastructure for the country would give boost to the national security, stressing that it is absolutely wrong to favour various telecom operators to build their own backbone network rig as obtained today in the country.

“It’s wrong to allow an operator to build a backbone for its own use,” Rufai declared.

He noted that in every other market either liberalized or not, no government that knows its onion allows individual operators that right.

This, he said, is because it poses a national security threat when it matters most, insisting that in other climes, every other operator have to plug into the national unique telecom backbone infrastructure.

As said by him, if the Federal government really want to make impact with its Vision 20-2020, it has pay special attention to satellite communications to engender ease communications among the citizens and enable the government to monitor progress and otherwise in the country, especially negative influences.

The crucial question every leader of this country should be concerned is how Nigerians could be connected to communicate comfortably.

Giving update on the de-orbited replacement SAT-1, NigcomSAT boss said that several satellites have since then been de-orbited, illustrating this with regular car accidents on the road, which is unpredicted.

Essentially, he said, that Nigeria and Chinese authorities have taken cogent steps to remedy that, maintaining that before this time next year, the replacement satellite must have been completed 100 per cent.

SAT-1, he noted was deployed by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in the transmission of live broadcast of the 2007 presidential handover between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and late Alhaji Umar Musa YarAdua.

He further paid tribute to Obasanjo for seeing the vision in establishing communication satellite for the country in 2006.

In a related development, Ahmed-Rufai while speaking at the 2010 lecture series of African Telecom Hall of Fame in Lagos as lead speaker on Telecom Revolution in Nigeria, weekend, harped on the way forward, saying that should Nigeria increase
investments in telecommunications, there are key benefits awaiting such a step.

These, he enlisted to include that it would increase in telecommunication growth rate to a minimum 13.5 per cent annually, such that 10 per cent of the rural communities is served in the short term, 30 per cent midterm and 60 per cent long term.

Also, he outlined that increased investments would achieve a tele-density of over 10 per cent, quoting the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standard and a tele-distance of less than five kilometers per telephone, even as it will provide a continental access capacity to deliver voice, Internet and data access to deprived urban, city centre, rural and remote areas, as well as enhancing their profitability, wealth creation and innovation through access to the worldwide market and information.

“A platform for operation of a public service telecommunication networks in Africa providing linkages to educational institutions, regional 15 organizations and government in Africa in order to facilitate developmental activities will be provided,” he said.

The country, he said, would provide an enabling environment for African ICT business industry to have a fair share of the world telecommunication market revenue currently projected at over $1.2 trillion dollars.

He emphasised that the provision of a platform for community and regional integration through the dissemination of social and cultural information as well as promotion of peace and stability in the African sub-region, even as it would provide the backbone for new applications such as tele-education, tele-medicine, e-government.

Ahmed-Rufai, therefore recommended that infrastructure development should be seen as an engine that increase investment in telecoms sector with a view to increasing affordable bandwidth availability.

Additionally, he said, that it would facilitate low cost access and network equipment that would oil a widespread public access to networked computers.

“Education and training for users and providers should be in place, whereas there should also be local content for the internet through creation and domicile of backbone and exchange points locally.

Essentially, he pointed out that there should be a nationwide spread of Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) hotspots, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) connectivity and open skies internet connection through cloud computing.

“If the cost of computers drop significantly and there is cloud computing, users will be encouraged to stay connected, thereby creating a major knowledge-based economy instead of resource-based economy personified by oil wealth,” he advised.

Ahmed-Rufai concluded by saying that not all change could be considered a revolutionary.

“There has undoubtedly been a change in the telecommunications sector in Nigeria. However, with a population close to 150 million, and a mobile penetration rate of 53 per cent and 24 per cent for internet penetration coupled with the limited use of technological applications and the urgent need for increased telecoms infrastructure, it cannot be said that the telecoms revolution has had the desired revolutionary effect in Nigeria,” he submitted.
 
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Group tasks Reps on funds for SIM registration

The Africa Telecom Development Initiative (ATDI), has appealed to members of the House of Representatives to speed-up consideration of the proposal for Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card registration, currently before the green chambers.

ATDI made this call through its Executive Secretary, Mr. Ken Ugbechie, at the weekend, saying that it would be the best interest of the country for the green chambers to act quickly on the SIM card proposal before them.

He recalled that a proposal for N6.1 billion was sent to the National Assembly by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, which the commission said would enable it to effectively register all old SIM in the nation’s telephone network.

According to him, the Senate had earlier approved the budget in addition to approving its harmonization by the relevant committees of both Houses of the National Assembly, but a section of the House recently stood against its passage.

Ugbechie pointed out that it was based on this premise that ATDI is canvassing for the House to urgently re-consider its stand in view of the dire security situation in the country.

He stressed that SIM card registration is gaining ascendancy all over the world in the wake of nagging terror attacks and rising wave of technology-enhanced crimes, noting that Nigeria cannot afford to play the Ostrich in such a sensitive case.

Ugbechie also recalled that NCC had asked the telecom operators to ensure that all new subscribers in their respective networks were duly registered before their phones could be activated after the operators admitted that registration of all old customers would take a minimum of two years.

However, industry observers said that two years is too long against the backdrop of increasing acts of terror and criminality across the country and recommended a marshal plan that would guarantee the registration of both old and new SIMs in a matter of months.

This compelled the commission to propose the use of SIM registration solution providers who would register only the old subscribers while the operators would concentrate on fresh applicants.

As said by ATDI, registration of SIM cards entails the collation of the biometric information; fingerprints and facial image, addresses and other relevant information about the subscriber by the SIM card registration service provider.

ATDI maintained that this is the best option for the nation in view of escalating trend of technology-enhanced criminality.

“It will make access to information by security operatives easy rather than the practice of applying to telecom operators which negates urgency and the secrecy required in criminal investigations,” Ugbechie said.

The group also argued that if the nation could spend as much as N87 billion for the automation of voters register, what is N6 billion for the registration of phone users in the country especially when such exercise would drastically check the growing spate of kidnapping, acts of terror and sundry security anxieties?

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Bikal Network commences operation, unveils CCTV solutions

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-driven surveillance firm, the Bikal Network Limited has commenced operations in Nigeria with the unveiling of its Internet Protocol-based Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) solutions into the market.

The Managing Director, Bikal Networks Nigeria, Mr. Lawrence Umoren, said that the firm is a digital surveillance provider that specialises in the provision of state of the art technologies for covering of security needs by organisations in both public and private sectors.

Bikal Nigeria, he said, is an affiliate of Bikal London, which has branches across the world with over a decade role in its line of business.

He noted that Bikal Nigeria would be committed in delivering the best security surveillance systems, which could be customized to meet the needs of customers.

According to him, Bikal owns the core technology for digital surveillance which includes the designing of products that are intelligence driven and more importantly has globally proved itself in the field.

“We are willing to do a demonstration when called upon to do so,” he declared, stressing that Bikal has remained the preferred surveillance solution provider, for those who take digital security seriously and even those who may want to avail themselves of tomorrow’s technology today.

Therefore, Umoren said, “we’re pleased to introduce our range of IP surveillance products from cameras of any type and shape, through Network Video Recording (NVR) systems.”

He explained that NVR, for instance, covers a maximum number of cameras for training, maintenance and software solution, noting that Bikal’s IP camera software known as ‘EyeSoft’ is reputed as a solution featuring an open source structure with hybrid support for multi-vendor IP CCTV cameras from Axis, Arecont, Acti, BiKal, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, Pelco Toshiba and more to Universal Serial Bus (USB)-based webcams, analog capture cards and IPTV streams.

He also said that EyeSoft is simple to use and has an easy to manage software interface which is suitable for the home, power and enterprise user in addition to in built video analytics.

He described EyeSoft as a data management programme that enables command to the cameras to act intelligently.

“With this, the cameras are therefore able for instance, to detect abnormal behaviour, smoke and fire, unattended baggage, till transactions, illegal parking, congregating crowd, identify vehicle plate number, track objects and human among others,” he said.

Bikal solution, he said, could be applied wherever there is a security need, noting that Bikal traffic management solution, for instance, has been used to solve the problem of traffic congestion, identify accident black-spots, recognize number plates of traffic offenders, monitoring traffic pattern, criminal activity in public transport and driver’s efficiency to name a few.

As for Bikal wireless internet offers, he said, this enables cameras at homes, offices, shops, garages to be monitored from anywhere in the world, through Personal Computer (PC) or Third Generation (3G) mobile phones.

“Location, size, old or new technologies are no boundaries to any customer wanting to improve security of lives, protection of families, business among others,” he said.

Umoren reassured that Bikal Nigeria exist to deliver cost effective surveillance solutions based on modern technologies, especially with its highly skilled personnel and professionalism.

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Diack leads speakers @ Designing Quality Online Courses

United States-based Electronic-learning (e-learning) consultant and professor of Science and Mathematics education at the Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Prof. Moustapha Diack, is to lead facilitators at a two-day workshop in Lagos on “E-Learning: Designing Quality Online Courses for e-learning Delivery.”

The workshop is being put together by HiiT Plc in conjunction with Atlantic Computing, United States and Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) with endorsement from the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN).

Disclosing this to ITRealms Online, the General Manager, Marketing and Customer Relations at HiiT Plc, , an Information Technology (IT) education center, Mrs. Bukola Yomi-Ajayi said that the e-learning delivery comprises train-the-trainer (T3 Moodle) and certification.

She said that e-learning is an umbrella term that describes learning done at a computer, usually connected to a network, giving participants the opportunity to learn almost anytime, anywhere is no news. What could be news is that you too could build online courses in any field of knowledge or endeavour to participate in the e-learning economy.

“The gains to students, institutions and the country are enormous,” she declared, noting that the 2-day workshop would empower participants with all the skills needed for online course.

Additionally, she said, the workshop has been designed to provide e-learning practitioners and enthusiasts with practical tools for planning and designing high-quality online courses using Moodle as Course Management System (CMS).

“This workshop is unique because it is also aimed at laying the foundation for the Nigeria’s e-Learning Practitioners’ Group,” she said, stressing that the workshop would include online resources to support participants before and after the workshop.

On completion of the workshop, Yomi-Ajayi pointed out that participants would have achieved being able to design own e-learning course; have a good understanding of the current standards for designing effective online courses; define quality standards that are crucial to successful course design and implementation in e-learning in accordance with “Quality Matters” (QM).

Quality Matters standards, she said, have become a globally recognized organization that promotes quality design of online and hybrid courses with a peer-review process.

However, she explained that there would some pre-requisite for participants including that no experience with any existing Course Management System (CMS) is needed and the focus would be on applying quality standards and the QM Rubric to the design of an online course as well as using Moodle as addition to a face-2-face course or in a pure distance learning context.

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Nigeria @ 50: NCS honours Ekeh, Seriki, Abubakar

Postpones date!

The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), has concluded plans to honour four of its own as part of activities marking the nation’s 50 years independence anniversary, but has to postponed it due to industrial actions by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday.

The event scheduled to hold today in Lagos, according to the National President, NCS, Prof. Charles Uwadia, has been scheduled to hold today, Wednesday in Lagos, and was expected to see the likes of Zinox Chairman, Dr. Leo-Stan Ekeh, Group Managing Director, Omatek Plc, Mrs. Florence Seriki, former minister and president of Computer Association of Nigeria (COAN) now NCS, Chief Donatus Etibet and Senator Iya Abubakar to receive special golden jubilee independence anniversary awards.

He noted that on Friday, October 1, 2010, Nigeria marked the 50th anniversary of attaining political independence from the colonial masters.

“The architects of Nigeria’s freedom had the vision of a great nation; a nation that would command attention and respect in the comity of nations, expectedly too, Nigeria is the most populous black nation on earth,” he said.

Uwadia also said that the expectations of all Nigerians were very high, thus, many people had thought that since that time, Nigeria would be able to build a strong ‘united nation’ with a highly viable economy whose people will be well empowered.

Nigeria, he said, has done very well on a number of fronts as Nigerians individually and collectively as a nation, stressing that while the nation may have not fully met the expectations of the generality of Nigerians, it does not appropriate to brand the country a failed state as some people would want to suggest.

“It will also amount to distorting the history of the nation if we say that no progress has been made since independence,” he said.

Additionally, he said, however that the issue that needed to be reflected upon comprised whether Nigeria has lived to the billings and fulfillment of her potentials as a sovereign state.

“The answer to this poser is most likely not in the affirmative,” he declared.
Uwadia pointed out that despite the abundant human and material resources the country is endowed with, Nigeria has remained a largely underdeveloped nation.

“Nigeria has all the potentials for greatness; indeed, Nigerians are intelligent, resourceful and industrious. All the powers of creativity and ingenuity in the Nigerian people are bursting forth in every facet of human endeavour. This promises a great future for the nation if only we are able to put our acts together,” he said.

According to him, the golden jubilee celebration, therefore, should be a period of stock-taking and sober reflection. “We must identify missed opportunities and what we need to do to make Nigeria truly the giant of Africa,” he said.

He maintained that if the country must effectively harness these abundant natural resources in order to achieve the goals of economic and socio-political development, the underlining activities must be completely anchored on Information Technology (IT) as the driving force.

NCS was founded in 1978 as the Computer Association of Nigeria and has been consistent in contributing towards its national platform for the advancement of computer science and information technology.

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NEPAD renames e-Africa Commission

As part of restructuring, the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee meeting ended its 15th Ordinary Session of the African Union recently in Kampala, Uganda with a decision to change the NEPAD e-Africa Commission into the NEPAD e-Africa Programme to drive the Information and Communication Technology (ICT)sector.

Confirming this to ITRealms Online, the Communication Officer for NEPAD, Mr. Gilles Eric Foadey, said that the name change was in line with the cohesion and rationalisation imperatives in implementing the continent development projects, as well as with the new strategic orientation of the NEPAD Agency.

He recalled that NEPAD e-Africa Commission was set up by the African Communications Ministers in October 2001, it was adopted in 2002 by the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Implementing Committee as the task team responsible for developing policies, as well as managing the structured development of the ICT sector in the context of NEPAD.

He noted that NEPAD had its own governance structure comprising a Ministerial Commission and an executive Committee made up of senior government officials from the NEPAD HSGIC countries.

In January 2010, he pointed out that a decision of the African Union Assembly transformed the NEPAD Secretariat into the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency in order to finalise its integration within the structures and processes of the African Union.

“In the interest of coherence and complementarily, the Assembly had also decided in 2009 to reduce the high number of Specialised Technical Committees,” he said.

As said by him, given the foregoing, all questions relating to ICT would be taken care of by the Committee on ICT Ministerial Conference (CITMC).

“Based on these decisions, it became clear that there was a need to merge the governance structure of the NEPAD e-Africa Commission (Ministerial and Executive Committee) into the Committee on ICT Ministerial Conference, and to transform the NEPAD e-Africa Commission into the NEPAD e-Africa Programme,” he said.

Further, he said, NEPAD e-Africa Programme subsequently become a department within the NEPAD Agency, charged with driving the ICT agenda.

He highlighted that due to the crosscutting nature of ICTs and the new strategic direction of the NEPAD Agency, he explained that the NEPAD e-Africa Programme is now housed within the office of the NEPAD Agency’s Chief Executive Officer.

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.uk domain surpasses Chinese .cn

The ‘.uk’ top level domain has overtaken China’s ‘.cn’ as the Internet’s second most popular top-level country domain (TLD), registry organisation Nominet has reported in its Domain name industry report.

According to Techworld reports, Nominet, which administers TLDs using .uk, such as .co.uk, indicated that there are now almost 9 million registered domains bearing the UK country code on the back of record growth rates of 11.5 per cent in the last year.

Only Germany’s .de country code is currently larger than .uk, out of a global domain population of around 200 million, although this doesn’t take into account the proportionally greater popularity of .com domains in the UK.

UK Internet growth rates apart, it is also likely that .cn’s relative decline might have something to do with a clamp down in on anonymous domain registration in China in January 2010, which was making life easy for spammers and other criminals. Now, full documentation and paper applications are mandatory.

Nominet quoted its own survey figures which showed a marked preference among UK consumers for the second-level .co.uk domain compared to .com for all Internet tasks, including commerce.

This could help explain the appetite foreign criminals have shown in the last two years for registering bogus operations using the apparently safe .co.uk country domain in order to sell non-existent or fake goods with a reassuring veneer of locality.

It could be that many UK consumers do not realise that websites can be set up with UK domain addresses from anywhere in the world, and such addresses are not magically overseen by a UK body which can guarantee that they are legitimate.

Earlier this year, UK law enforcement and the US FBI made their feelings clear on the abuse of the Internet open registration structures, calling for ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) to tighten up what are called Registration Accreditation Agreements (RAAs). These would try to lance the domain abuse problem which can be traced back in large part to dodgy domain registration companies out to make money.
 
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Etisalat, Samsung partner on Galaxy Tablet

Etisalat Nigeria and Samsung Electronics have partnered in the launch of Galaxy Tablet personal computer on the continent.

Samsung Galaxy Tab is a new smart media device that allows users to enjoy Personal Computer-like web browsing environment including electronic mail-on the go, voice and Short Messaging Service (aSMS) functionality, social network updates on-the-go, video call and other smart device functionality with an optimized user interface.

While Samsung Electronics is offering the device, Etisalat is bringing the network know-how to drive the product to the consumers.

In a joint press launch held in Lagos, last weekend, the officials of both company said that this is the first launch of Galaxy Tab in Africa, noting that Samsung choice of Etisalat was in recognition of the importance of the Nigerian market and the value Etisalat brings to the table in terms of innovation, quality and customer focus.

Etisalat’s chief commercial officer, Mr. Wael Ammar explained that the introduction of the new device in partnership with Samsung Electronics West Africa was to further entrench Etisalat’s position as leader in delivery of innovative services and world-class products.

“Etisalat thrives on innovation. We’re happy to be the first network in Africa to be introducing this all new functional and sleek Samsung Galaxy Tab to the Nigerian and indeed African market,” he declared.

Ammar also noted that the technological partnership with Samsung is another key first in the Nigerian market.

“We’re very committed to raise the bar product and service delivery to our customers in the Nigerian market,” he said.

As said by him, the partnership entails that the Galaxy Tab comes with Etisalat’s Subscribers Identification Module (SIM) card, which offers 25 minutes of free voice calls, 25 free SMS and 250 mega bytes of free data access monthly for one year.

Subscribers would begin to enjoy all these freebies as soon as such persons purchase the Samsung Galaxy Tablet with the Etisalat’s bundle, which comes with automatic credit on the first day of every month.

In his comment, Director, HHP (SEWA) Samsung Nigeria, Mr. Fady Khatib, explained that the device is a true mobile device that is comfortable to carry around and use on the move or enjoy while relaxing.

“It’s a perfect device for working smarter, watching movies, reading an e-book, catching up on your favourite TV shows or even chatting with an old friend,” he said, stressing that the Tab’s design is so sleek that it could fit very easily into most jacket and trouser pockets.

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Chams, Five Star Travel seal deal on e-ticketing

Chams Plc has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for collaboration on online ticketing with Five Star Travel Agency.

This, they said would give a boost to air travel in the country.

Speaking at the ceremony cum launch on Monday in Lagos, the Managing Director, Chams
Plc, Mr. Demola Aladekomo said Chams Access, a subsidiary of Chams Limited, started the process of creating a platform for online ticketing since 2006 and based on the importance the firm attached to the development of aviation industry.

“Travellers could now heave a sigh of relief as the strategic intent of the portal is to avail potential users the opportunity to have a friendly platform with which they could gain access to flight booking and purchase of air tickets from the comfort of their homes and offices at subsidized rates,” Aladekomo said.

He also said that the portal expose would air travelers to varieties of airlines, hence enabling the option of over 400 airlines and various competitive prices.

Aladekomo explained that the portal a payment gateway integrated to its system, which allows multi card payment options of all payment cards presently in circulation in the country.

Excited with the MoU, the Chairman Five Star Travel Agency, Mr. Henry Olufemi Adefope noted that the idea was to make travel a lot easier for Nigerians, especially during rush hours.

“I believe God this project has come to stay to ease travelers the problems of rushing to book air tickets from aviation airlines,” he said.

Equally speaking, the Managing Director, Five Star Travels, Mrs. Folake Adefope-Need, said it took efforts and hardwork between Chams and her firm to bring what she described as an online platform that will change the way of life of Nigerians.

Marketing Manager, Naira.com, subsidiary of Chams, Mr. Emrys Ijaola said, the concept of the portal stemmed from the observation of seemingly endless queues at the airport for the purchase of tickets, adding the fluctuations associated with prices, especially at a time when the traveler is in dare need to travel has been of concern.

“These inconsistencies left the passenger with little or no time to approach ATM to withdraw money and return and return to the queue. Most passengers under such situation often miss their flights,” he said.

He pointed out that the portal was developed to address the issues, aimed at bringing convenience of accessibility at anytime.

According to him, travelers could have access to online service by logging on to www.travel.naira.com, where they could explore all options available to them.

“Upon the completion and authorization of a flight booking, an e-ticket with reference number with security is sent to the subscriber’s email within 24 hours. It could be printed out and used to ‘check in’ at the airport,” he explained.

Further, he said, users have the opportunity to view flight schedules of all airlines, search for and book flights to any destination of choice.

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New Horizons concludes job fair-10

The New Horizons Nigeria, has concludes 3rd Job Fair at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

Confirming this, Managing Director, New Horizons, Mr. Tim Akano, said that the yearly programme was specifically designed for all the retail and corporate clients with the aim of alleviating the deplorable state of unemployment in the country through the provision of a common platform for recruitment agencies and job seekers.

In addition, participants were to learn basic principles of entrepreneurship and latest information on cutting edge Information Technology (IT) skills and certifications as an added value in other to enable the participants secure or create the job of their dream.

He noted that the company strongly believes that the only way Nigerians could command global recognition, is by adding values and competing with their counterparts in all nations of the world.

This, he added would supplement the certificate obtained from academic institutions with latest technical skills available in the world of IT.

Akano further said, the vision has been to transform Nigeria into a knowledge based economy of IT professionals, where an individual is a technology specialist in various IT fields such as Oracle Database Management, Cicso technologies, Software Developers, Microsoft System Administrators Business professionals (Customer Relationship Management, Knowledge Management, Enterprise Resource Planning and Supply Chain Management) who could compete with their counterparts in every nation of the world.

He stressed the need for a basic approach in searching, preparing and qualifying for job placement in line with standard techniques and expectations of employers.

Akano pointed out that showing the attendees available top IT skills which could enhance their qualification for the job of their dream.

This year’s event, he said, experienced a huge attendance of job seekers who came with high expectations.

“Global recruiters like workforce management taught the participants the ethics for a successful job search which includes personal discovery, CV preparation/packaging, rules of interview, and job search techniques,” he said.

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ATMC processes offsite platform for UBA

The Nigeria’s premier and largest Independent ATM Deployer (IAD) and operator of the QuickCash ATM network,

Managing Director, ATMC, Mr. Olumide Bajomo, said that the ATM Consortium (ATMC) Nigeria, has commenced the processing of UBA’s off-banking location ATMs on its Postilion Front End Processing platform.

The processing services, which kicked off last week, he said were at four locations
across Nigeria, three of which are in Lagos, including Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Oregun, while the fourth is located in Wuse-Abuja.

With its ATM processing services, the company has thus become the first IAD in Nigeria to accept all payment card schemes on its QuickCash ATM platform following certification by the respective card schemes, namely Interswitch Verve, Visa/Vpay, eTranzact Genesis cards and the newly introduced Naira MasterCard.

He also said that following the takeover of ATM processing services, cardholders of the 14 ATMC member banks now enjoy quality offsite ATM services across the QuickCash ATM network.

“The 14 ATMC member banks, which is the largest by any IAD includes existing ATMC members such as Afribank, Diamond, Finbank, First Bank, UBA, Union Bank, Unity Bank and Wema. Other banks that joined the network in response to the new CBN offsite policy are Ecobank, GTB and Oceanic,” he said.

At the commemoration in Lagos last week, ATMC hosted representatives of the card schemes including Interswitch’s Director of Payment Processing and Infrastructure, Akeem Lawal, Sola Olakanmi of ValuCard, eTranzact Business Development duo of Adekunbi Olorun-Rinu and Sunday Agboola.

UBA’s Group Director, Electronic Banking and Retail Products, Mr. Ike Onyenokwe, expressed delight in the UBA-ATMC collaboration and lauded the benefits accruable to both parties from the offsite ATM handover.

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51% in Zain: Etisalat to complete acquisition by Q1

Telecommunications operator, Etisalat may have advanced strategies to acquire an estimated 51 per cent shares in Mobile Telecommunications Company LLC, also known as ‘Zain’ as the proposal is expected to enter transaction by January 15, 2011 and concluded before the end of first quarter.

ITRealms Online gather that though the offer is binding pending the satisfaction of certain conditions, comprising the updated proposal of KWD 1.7 per share, including the successful disposal by Zain of its entire interest in Zain KSA in a timely fashion; the negotiation of the definitive transaction documents; the completion of satisfactory due diligence; the receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals; and there being no material adverse change in Zain’s business, financial, or regulatory affairs., as well as other customary conditions.

Also, it was learnt at the weekend that the number of shares to be acquired will represent 51 per cent of Zain’s total issued share capital and voting rights.

This, ITRealms Online gathered, excludes shares held in treasury but including all shares which may be issued pursuant to the exercise of any options.

“In addition, our proposal will terminate unless the parties have entered into definitive transaction documents by 15 January 2011,” part of a press statement made available to ITRealms Online read.

Accordingly, it is expected that due diligence and other work required to reach definitive agreements, if successful, would take a number of weeks and, if signed, the transaction is unlikely to close before the end of first quarter of 2011.

Confirming this, Chairman, Etisalat, Mr. Mohammed Omran said that, based upon preliminary studies, the Etisalat-Zain deal provides excellent integration into Etisalat’s operations, taking into consideration that Zain’s geographic footprint complements that of Etisalat to a large extent. These, he outlined to include the markets of Sudan, Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Lebanon and Morocco.

“Etisalat’s strategy is based upon sound and calculated foundations, one of the most important of which is expansion into regional and international growth markets which offer great opportunities to increase and diversify our sources of revenue. This is the strategic decision which has been affirmed by Etisalat’s Board of Directors,”
Omran said.

He pointed out that Etisalat’s regional presence consolidates its position among the biggest international telecommunications companies and they believe that this deal will provide positive returns to Etisalat and added value to its shareholders.

He noted that the telecommunications sector is a dynamic, fast developing one, which usually exceeds growth forecasts and expectations.

“We must therefore keep pace with these developments to maintain our leading position”, Omran said.

Noting that the progress is still at an early stage, and the information and data currently available to Etisalat are partial.

“Once the rigorous process of due diligence is completed, the picture will become clear and we will then be in full possession of the necessary details. The results of this exercise will be presented to Etisalat’s Board of Directors to make the decision. It must be said here that Zain’s performance is good and the company enjoys an excellent reputation and has a highly qualified and professional staff,” he said.

He added that the offer remains conditional until the process of Due Diligence in completed, hoping that the Due Diligence exercise into Zain and its subsidiary companies will be conducted during the next few weeks. The results of this exercise will be presented to the Etisalat Board of to take the necessary decisions.

Omran added that the timing of the deal is excellent especially because of the Gulf region’s very strong and robust economy, built upon sound foundations.

“The region enjoys outstanding and effective partnerships between the public and private sectors, a fact which mitigates investment risks to a large extent. Therefore I do believe that the timing is extremely apt, particularly with regards to operational and finance issues”, Omran said. “However, I must add that the issue of good timing is directly linked to the speed by which the experts can perform their duties in order for us to make decisions based upon sound, data driven foundations.”

About the positive aspects of the deal, Omran said: “Zain is a very well run company which occupies the pole position in many of the markets in which it operates, including Sudan, Iraq, Kuwait and Jordan. We will be able, through unifying our resources and integrating our networks, to provide our customers with a wide variety of added value services and world class products.

“We at the Board of Etisalat work within a clear and unified vision. As Chairman of the Board of Directors, I listen to the opinions of all Board members and discuss all details with them. I’m assisted in this work by a highly qualified and experienced executive team, which allows us to finalize the work within the right timeframe.

Etisalat’s Board of Directors has agreed to submit a conditional offer through AlKhair National for Stock and Real Estate Company, valued at KD 1.7 per share to purchase 51% of Zain’s total issued share capital. Etisalat and Alkhair have agreed to enter into an exclusive discussion for a limited period of time.

Omran continued his statement by commending Al Khorafi Group as a highly reputable conglomerate which is considered to be an important pillar of the economy. “They command our total respect. We have worked with them with absolute transparency and clarity and they have been very reasonable and cooperative.”

“The UAE-Kuwait relationship is a shining example of brotherly relationships. Kuwait plays a vital role in the region, and we hope that inter-Gulf and inter-Arab economic relationships are strengthened through such partnerships which are based on professional foundations”, Omran said.

He added that Etisalat called upon the assistance of professional firms and teams of experts who worked side by side. The roles played by the National Bank of Kuwait, Morgan Stanley and Clifford Chance must also be noted.

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Glo, HP unveils 3G netbook

The Second National Operator (SNO), Globacom and leading technology solutions provider, Hewlett-Packard (HP), Monday, unveiled an offer to enable Nigerians own top-end internet-equipped netbooks.

Unveiling this at a press meeting in Lagos, Globacom’s Head of Marketing, Mr. Navdeep Kapur, said that whichever model the customer chooses is guaranteed to get N28,500 cash back on the prices.

He explained that under the special bundling offer, customers could get Glo 3G powered HP netbook for N34,000.

The unique offer, he said, is a bundle package made up of an HP Netbook powered by Globacom’s 3G High Speed Internet service.

He explained that the package gives subscribers the option of choosing from two models of HP netbooks provided; namely, Hp Mini PC with embedded Glo SIM card and an Hp Mini PC that requires a separate Glo 3G Hi Speed Internet modem.

“The SIM-embedded netbook model goes for N75,000 while the second option that requires a separate modem is sold for N62,500,” he said.

He elucidated that subscribers will get three months of free subscription of Always Max 3G Internet Pack valued at N7,500 per month, therefore, the total value of 3 months of free 3G Internet service is N22,500.

He added that Glo has also done a tie-up with leading, award winning anti-virus software company, Eset, to provide free one year subscription of anti-virus package valued at N6,000 to the customers. “This means that a customer who buys any of the bundled offer gets N28,500 back. There is no better offer in the market today,” he stated.

Moreover, Kapur affirmed, the customer is assured of the speed, quality and reliability which make the Glo 3G Plus High Speed Internet service the best in the market. Continuous upgrade on the Glo network has enabled the company to improve its network quality, thus giving subscribers a world class internet service that delivers fast and easy handling of internet applications.

Such applications include video streaming, gaming, chatting, data download and upload as well as instant messaging. “The enhanced speed makes it possible to do video streaming or gaming without distortions. The user is able to enjoy real time internet sound or video, without having to wait to download a file to play it,” Kapur explained.

The two netbook models, that is HP netbook with embedded SIM and HPnetbook (non SIM-embedded), both have 160 GB SATA hard disk drive, webcam with integrated digital microphone and Bluetooth wireless networking.
 
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Nigeria has potentials for dev. @ 50 – NCS

The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has said that the country has all the potentials for greatness, according to the National President of NCS, Prof. Charles Uwadia.

Speaking in Lagos, last weekend, Uwadia said that Nigerians are intelligent and resourceful, therefore have all it takes to make a great nation.

“Nigeria has all the potentials for greatness. Indeed, Nigerians are intelligent, resourceful and industrious. All the powers of creativity and ingenuity in the Nigerian people are bursting forth in every facet of human endeavour. This promises a great future for the nation if only we are able to put our acts together,” he asserted.

Uwadia also said that the golden jubilee celebration should be a period of stock-taking and sober reflection.

“We must identify missed opportunities and what we need to do to make Nigeria truly the giant of Africa,” he said.

He maintained that if the country must effectively harness these abundant natural resources in order to achieve the goals of economic and socio-political development, the underlining activities must be completely anchored on Information Technology (IT) as the driving force.

Noting that on Friday, October 1, this year, Nigeria marked her 50th anniversary commemoration of attaining political independence from the colonial masters.

“The architects of Nigeria’s freedom had the vision of a great nation; a nation that would command attention and respect in the comity of nations, expectedly too, Nigeria being the most populous black nation on earth,” he said.

As said by him, the expectations of all Nigerians were very high as many people had thought that since Nigerians now have their destiny as a nation in their hands, “we would be able to build a strong, united nation with a highly viable economy whose people will be well empowered.”

The nation, Uwadia insisted, has done very well on a number of fronts both as Nigerians individually and a nation, stressing that while the country may have not fully met the expectations of most Nigerians, “it may not be fair to brand the country a failed state as some people would want to suggest.”

This, he said, would amount to distorting the history of the nation if this notion is accepted that no progress has been made since independence.

He said, the issue the nation needs to reflect on now is, whether Nigeria has lived to the billings and fulfillment of her citizens as a sovereign state.

“The answer to this poser is most likely not in the affirmative,” he said, pointing out that this was one of the reasons NCS has decided to hold a one day discussion to chart a new course for the nation.

He said that NCS in view of this, has slated a discuss on Nigeria at 50 for Wednesday, to be led by three speakers including himself, the immediate past president of NCS, Dr. Chris Nwannenna, who doubles as the chief executive officer of Condata Systems Limited, and Mr. Tunde Ezechi.

Panel of discussants, he said, would comprise, Dr. Isaac Odeyemi of Debis Computers, former president of Computer Professionals (Registration) of Nigeria (CPN), Dr. Gabriel Obi, president of Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Mr. Chris Uwaje, his counterpart at Information Technology Industry Association of Nigeria (ITAN) Dr. Jimson Olufuye and a notable Information and Communication Technology (ICT) analyst, Mr. Sonny Aragba-Akpore, just as the event is free to all Nigerians.

He recalled that NCS was established in 1978 as the Computer Association of Nigeria and has remained the national platform for the advancement of computer science and IT.

NCS, he said, through its activities has contributed immensely to the development and growth of IT in the country. “It is therefore necessary for NCS to use this season of Nigerian Golden Jubilee celebration to take stock and reposition properly for challenges ahead of the society,” he said.

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Linden says LTE is next big step

President for Ericsson in the sub-Saharan Africa region, Mr. Lars Lindén, has said that the Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, is the next big step in the development of telecommunications globally.

He made this disclosure while discussing his firm’s sponsorship and active participation in the annual pan African telecoms event, AfricaCom, which commences on Wednesday in Cape Town, South Africa.

“As the world-leading telecommunications provider, we views its participation at this conference as pertinent, especially considering our commitment to driving growth, sustainability and positively impacting lives in Africa,” he said.

This, he said, would enthrone real innovation in telecommunications service delivery.
Apart from impacting on lives on the continent, Linden was quoted by the Communications Manager for the region, Ms Omasan Ogisi in a press statement made available to ITRealms Online as saying that Ericsson sees LTE is the next big step in the development of telecommunications.

“We are inviting delegates and the industry to move forward with us and take the next steps in the telecoms evolution by using LTE for real innovation,” he said.

LTE networks, he said, would enable operators to deliver much faster mobile broadband to millions of customers around the world who will then be able to download or upload the latest mobile applications to improve their lives and entertain themselves.

To date, he said, Ericsson has signed commercial LTE contracts with six major global operators, three of which are in the United States, the world’s fastest growing LTE market.

“Ericsson has also launched several live commercial LTE networks in three countries with TeliaSonera in Sweden and Norway and with MetroPCS in the US,” he disclosed.

Further, Linden said, Ericsson was the main supplier for both networks and has demonstrated LTE in many countries around the world including South Africa, Argentina, Australia, Hungary, India and Japan.

“Earlier this year, in Amsterdam, Ericsson Research won the award for the best contribution to LTE standards at the Informa LTE Awards 2010,” he said, stressing that it’s another feather in Ericsson’s Fourth Generation (4G) technology cap.

Also, he said, Ericsson would be speaking at the conference mainly with a focus on the 3G Evolution to LTE, technology choices and the investment required towards year 2011.

He disclosed that Ericsson has been nominated for two awards at AfricaCom 2010 including Telecom Innovation of the Year for their Base Transceiver Station, which leads to substantial increase in energy efficiency of both new and already installed base stations.

Additionally, he said, Ericsson with a partner has been nominated for the Best Solution for Rural Services for their E-site; a revolutionary and ‘green’ off-grid base station site solution powered mainly by renewable energy sources and controlled by an intelligent control system, enabling massive savings in operating expenses and maintenance visits.

“We are proud to be part of the conference as it provides the platform to share our knowledge and industry vision. Let’s take the next step in evolving networks and businesses – the future is what we make of it and, what we see is 50 billion connected devices by 2020. Join the conversation and see the possibilities,” Lindén submitted.

In addition, Ericsson, he said, would be showcasing its innovations in Africa including Consumer and Business Applications, Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and fixed broadband and convergence.

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Internet Solutions unveils Virtual Private Network

Internet protocol (IP)-based connectivity solutions provider, Internet Solutions Limited, has unveiled its Managed Virtual Private Network (VPN) services targeted at improving Wide Area Network (WAN) connectivity for corporate organisations in the country.

The Chief Executive Officer, Internet Solutions Nigeria, Mr. Steve Herridge, said that the suite is available with Internet Solutions Managed VPN service, which has been designed to reduce redundancy, reliability, flexibility and priority management that one obtains with available Managed VPN alternatives within the market.

He said that providing flexible and customer-driven solutions is at the heart of the business, noting that Nigeria is a very dynamic market for them.

“We want to be right at the heart of it; listening to the demands of our customers and the market and developing innovative services to meet these demands. We are committed to this market and our network of first class, cutting-edge infrastructure ensures that we can offer the very best in communications and connectivity,” he said.

According to him, for any Nigerian company, internet connectivity and the issue of bandwidth is one that could be quite sensitive.

“More often than not, as a result of ineffectively managed networks, bandwidth resources are ‘spent’ on non-mission critical processes like file transfers, e-mail and casual web browsing and these can substantially inhibit the flow of mission-critical information over the network,” he said.

He also said that solving the aforementioned challenge is buying of more bandwidth, which could prove to be very expensive and most organisations cannot justify the expense and it may not effectively manage the problem of bandwidth redundancy.

He said that with its Managed VPN service, Internet Solutions Limited, have addressed this issue by deploying an Architecture for Voice, Video, and Integrated Data (AVVID) compliant Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) based VPN service.

The MPLS, he said, allows customers to allocate classes of service to their specific traffic types in order to prioritise the more important data.

This, he said, was because voice, video, are mission-critical data that have stringent service requirements, superseding the conditions for generic data traffic, thereby giving mission-critical data priority over the network.

Also speaking, the Chief Technical Officer, Internet Solutions, Mr Lokesh Khanna said this technology is being provided in direct response to the needs of the Nigerian technology market at this time.

“This new Managed VPN service has ditched the on-size fits all approach when it comes to bandwidth resources; it allows customers to determine exactly what they need and enjoy a boutique IP service that is flexible, manageable and measurable,” he said.

He recalled that Internet Solutions offers an impressive suite of other connectivity, communication, cloud and carrier services that can be tailor-made to meet the IP needs of the Nigerian organisation.

“All Internet Solutions services are supported by an international backbone of resilient points of presence (POPS) strategically positioned around Africa, as well as New York, London, Mauritius and Hong Kong to ensure connectivity irrespective of local regions,” he said.

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