Controversy trails Beckstrom’s tenure @ ICANN

FOLLOWING reported controversy over the state of the President of the global Internet coordinating agency, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), Mr. Rod Beckstrom, stakeholders are now divided.

ITRealms Online recalls that Mr. Beckstrom was elected as the president and chief executive officer, ICANN on July 1, 2009 for a four-year tenure, which is due to be completed by July 1, 2012, but was purportedly sacked by the board of ICANN, while he was claiming that he resigned.

The official statement from ICANN informed that Mr. Beckstrom would continue to fulfill his term as ICANN’s President and CEO, which will be completed on July 1, 2012, but does not have the intension to recontest at the end of the first term.

The same statement quoted Mr. Beckstrom as saying “I can summarize my time here in four words: strong execution, great teambuilding,” an indication industry observers clearly shows that he has actually been relieved of his position as ICANN president.

Equally, as at about 4.20pm on August 17, Beckstrom wrote in his Tweet wall, “I have decided to wrap up my service at ICANN July 2012. Press release soon.”

Some industry observers alleged that Mr. Beckstrom may have matched on lots of shoes during his three-year tenure in ICANN culminating in his intensions not to recontest at the end of his tenure.

An estimated seven senior officials of ICANN purportedly reported to have reluctantly resigned from ICANN or sacked in the last three years of Beckstrom, which industry analysts said was not a good omen for his style of leadership.

ITRealms Online investigation revealed that the likes of the former vice president of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Paul Levins, his colleague in the Global Partnership, Ms Theresa Swinehart, former chief operating officer, Mr. Doug Brent, former International Relations Adviser to President and CEO at ICANN, former British Ambassador Nick Thorne, former General Manager, Internet Assigned Names Authority (IANA) at ICANN, Mr. David Conrad, former Chief Security Advisor, Mr. Greg Rattray, and former Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Kevin Wilson among others.

However, the official press statement from ICANN made available to ITRealms Online at the weekend quoted Beckstrom as saying, “I am incredibly proud of ICANN’s achievements throughout my tenure. In two short years we have advanced this organization to a new level of professionalism and productivity, and turned it into a genuinely multinational organization that will serve the world community long after my time here.”

Beckstrom’s notable accomplishments were also listed to include the negotiation and signing of the Affirmation of Commitments, the historic 2009 agreement with the United States’ Government that moved ICANN’s oversight from one government to the world, and the signing of the Internet’s root with Domain Name System Security (DNSSEC).

The introduction of internationalized domain names under his watch, ICANN said, has allowed millions of Internet users to access the Internet entirely in their primary language script.

Summarizing his time so far, Beckstrom it has been an experience embodied in “strong execution, great teambuilding. We have built a world-class executive team, and elevated ICANN’s stature through strategic relationships with governments, businesses, top technology firms and international organizations.”

According to Beckstrom, a programme to launch new generic top-level domains, a major change to the domain name system was approved in June and to be launched next year.

ICANN’s agreement with the US government, the IANA functions contract, he said, expires in March, but Beckstrom emphasized his commitment to bring the contract renewal to a successful conclusion, assuring that he remains committed to leading this critical organization with the utmost dedication, and “to living up to our common vision: One world, one Internet.”

Also commenting, the Chairman of ICANN’s Board of Directors, Mr. Steve Crocker said “The Board of Directors fully supports Rod through the completion of his July 2012 term and is committed to continuing the collaboration that has produced so many benefits for ICANN and for the global Internet.”

Formed in 1998, ICANN is a not-for-profit public-benefit corporation with participants from all over the world dedicated to keeping the Internet secure, stable and interoperable. It promotes competition and develops policy on the Internet’s unique identifiers.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is responsible for managing and coordinating the Domain Name System (DNS) to ensure that every address is unique and that all users of the Internet could find all valid addresses.

ICANN does this by overseeing the distribution of unique Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and domain names as well as ensuring that each domain name maps to the correct IP address.

Also, ICANN is responsible for accrediting the domain name registrars, which means that ICANN identify and set minimum standards for the performance of registration functions, to recognize persons or entities meeting those standards, in addition to entering into an accreditation agreement that sets forth the rules and procedures applicable to the provision of Registrar Services.

Remmy Nweke
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NATCOMS warns FG, BPE on NITEL

The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has warned the Federal Government, Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) and Ministry of Communications Technology, not to sale the Nigerian Telecommunications Plc (NITEL) through the purported Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) strategy under the ‘willing buyer-willing seller bases.

The group also warned of what it described as ‘emerging monopoly’ if such a step is taken to dispose the first national carrier.

NATCOMS sounded these warnings through its National President, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, who also canvassed for a N400 billion bail-out for NITEL to enable it pay off the current liability of estimated N300 billion, while the additional N100 billion could go for Operating Expenses (OPEX).

This, he said, would help NITEL to sail through to at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) for another round of public offer after Transcorp’s attempt in 2006.

He stressed that all network players and operators must be given an equal playing ground so as for them to enjoy a healthy and an enabling competition-friendly telecommunications policies, administration and regulation.

“… To the overall benefit of Nigerians in general and Nigerian subscribers in particular,” he declared, insisting that no current operator should be given exclusive possession and license to become national carrier 1 currently is for NITEL, thereby dictating and monopolizing the Nigeria’s national carrier status.

He recalled that in the last 10 years, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has made about five unsuccessful attempts for the sale of NITEL-MTEL, the last was with the New Generation Limited and Omer International who emerged in 2009 as the preferred and reserved bidders, respectively.

“… But fell short of paying for the company and the payment deadlines was extended several times, to no avail,” Ogunbanjo said.

Based on the foregoing, he pointed out that BPE has taken the case to the Presidency and the National Council of Privatisation (NCP) under the chairmanship of Alhaji Namadi Sambo, for approval to liquidate or dispose to a buyer under the ‘willing buyer-willing seller basis’. The willing buyer-willing seller situation is a process that allows the BPE to receive tenders for a company and hold negotiations on the selling terms and conditions, with the bidder(s) until an agreement suitable to both parties is reached.

Ogunbanjo decried the rumour make a round that BPE and NCP led by Sambo are making plans to sale NITEL to an existing operator, who is yet to explore the initial licenses obtained some eight years ago.

Lobbyist, he said, are already at work on behalf of the alleged operator at the Presidency to buy NITEL-MTEL, the 1st national carrier for about $450 million, which NATCOMS boss said would draw the nation back as the end-result would be a monopoly Nigerian subscribers and the entire telecommunications industry would not afford.

He emphasized that the rumour has it that BPE and NCP wanted to achieve this aim through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), claiming that it will run distinctly from the initial license.

NATCOMS, therefore, urged Nigerian telecom subscribers and the entire telecommunications sector player to resist this move by joining forces.

“Telecom industry will cherish a competition-friendly telecommunications spectrum given to all industry players and operators and not the concentration of spectrum to favour an operator in the name of SPV’s and willing buyer-willing seller,” NATCOM president charged.

NATCOMS, further appealed to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the Vice President, Arch. Namadi Sambo who is also the current Chairman, National Council on Privatisation, the Honourable Minister in the Ministry of Communication Technology - Mrs. Omobola Johnson and the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission - Dr. Eugene Juwah to remain firm and protect the interest of large population of the country than playing to the gallery of an individual.

“All communications-friendly players and stakeholders should not allow this willing buyer-willing-seller sale of Nigeria’s first national carrier – NITEL-MTEL to any individual company, especially with an existing license bouquet,” he said, adding that it would mean too many favours to the detriment of other operators.

Remmy Nweke
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D

Dimension Data wins best Microsoft voice partner award

Dimension Data Nigeria has won the best Microsoft Voice Partner for Unified Communications in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region for the year 2011.

The award was presented at the recently concluded Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in Washington, USA.

General Manager for Microsoft Solutions, Dimension Data’s General Manager for Microsoft Solutions who confirmed this on his return to Nigeria, said in Lagos, that the award was a well-deserved crown for the team who have all worked extremely hard.

“This is a great win for the team. The voice category is an important one for us because voice communications is such an integral part of business communications. What this says to us is that we have been able to positively impact the way in which our clients in Nigeria and West Africa communicate and that makes us very proud,” he said.

He noted that once every year, Microsoft recognises and celebrates partners who have demonstrated deep commitment and expertise to various solution areas and Dimension data have consecutively won the award in the Voice and Unified Communications category for last three years.

He explained that Microsoft Lync 2010 is a Unified Communications (UC) enterprise software solution suite that has proved popular in the wake of the global recession as businesses consistently seek to reduce capital and operational expenditure, while still retaining their competitive edge.

“UC combines instant messaging, audio, video conferencing, web conferencing, enhanced presence, voicemail, email, telephony etc. into one product that offers an integrated user experience,” he said, stressing that as businesses continue to look at ways of cutting their costs, UC offers a tried and tested model of ensuring that staff output is optimised at the lowest possible costs.

“Agbaje further said, UC takes productivity beyond the four walls of the office and allows organisations and their employees to be productive for longer.

Remmy Nweke
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D

Samsung unveils Smart TV

Samsung Electronics West Africa, has unveiled series of flat screen television sets tagged Smart TV in the commercial centre of excellence, Lagos.

The Managing Director, Nigeria Operations, at Samsung Electronic West Africa, Mr. Idorenyen Enang, described the company as a leader in digital media convergence, hence has the capability to launch Samsung Smart TV, a new line of full High Definition (HD) Three Dimension (3D) televisions, integrated with the internet and Web 2.0 features.

According to him, the future of home entertainment is evident in the Samsung’s way with the unveiling of the Smart TV range of products.

He said, Samsung Smart TVs features comprised the gateway to music, games, movies, shows, pictures, and virtually any online content or on a network connected storage device.

“Some of the most distinguishing feature of Smart TV include Your Video, which delivers recommendations based on a consumer’s viewing history; Search All, which makes it easier to search for desired content on your TV and other Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)-certified connected media storage devices, networked PC and mobile devices, and Internet and video-on-demand services,” he said.

Additionally, he said, Web Browser feature offers full web browsing right from your TV; Social TV, makes it easier to chat with friends and family in real-time while watching the same TV content; as well as Samsung Apps, offer the world’s first HDTV-based application store of about 400 paid and free apps globally that help people connect to their various passions in games, sports, information entertainment and social networking sites such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Google Talk.

“Samsung will continue to lead the smart revolution. As the global leader in flat screen television with strong brand reputation and history, Samsung Smart TV television system is intended to expand the reach of multimedia content directly to the television set in a seamless, viewer-friendly manner that enables the TV viewer to more conveniently access both broadcast digital content and Internet multimedia contents on a TV set using Qwerty smart remote control on a single on-screen interface,” he said.

Further, he said, Smart TV device enables consumers to view all of these advanced services on their flat screen TVs.

“In addition to a broader range of content from TV providers, ranging from terrestrial broadcast TV, cable TV, and video on-demand services, Smart TV also provides consumers with access to user-generated content stored on an external hard drive, or cloud storage, and to a range of advanced interactive services and Internet applications” Mr. Enang said.

Equally speaking, Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Nicholas Shin, noted that Samsung Smart TV boasts a stunning one design, which has reduced the bezels of its smart TVs by up to 80 per cent.

These ultrathin bezels, he said, deliver a bigger picture and an unhampered visual experience in which the frame of the TV almost merges with the screen to give consumers an expansive visual experience. “The 3D picture quality of the Samsung Smart TV is just fabulous. From its stylish design to 3D picture and from TV internet to wireless communication with other Samsung devices, the Samsung Smart TV is consumers’ window to the future of TV,” he said.

ITRealms Online launch of the Samsung Smart TV in Lagos, follows a successful introduction during the Africa Forum in Nairobi Kenya in May this year.

Remmy Nweke
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D

Nwosu urges NIPOST to leverage ICT

National Coordinator of the Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu has advised the Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) to leverage modern Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) in delivery of its services at this era.

Nwosu gave this counsel at the 2011 edition of the NIPOST-Bulkpost Customers Forum, which held in Lagos at the weekend.

While also advising NIPOST management to close ranks with its employees, Nwosu said that there is no doubt that information in whatever form drives the world and this has remained the case from time immemorial.

According to him, that with the vast improvement in information and communication technologies in the last 50 years, the world has not only be driven at jet speed, it is shrinking by the day and by the minute.

“This is the age you send out a message to any part of the world this minute and the reply hits you back the next minute via the Internet,” he said.

Nwosu who dwelt on “Bulkpost Venture in Modern Economy” as guest speaker, also said that the age when individual arrange a video conference meeting with people in different parts of the world and all the participants are seeing one another from their different locations.

“The truth in all this is that NIPOST-Bulkpost cannot be doing the same thing in the same way and expect a change. Nature is not static – you are either moving up or coming down,” he said.

NIPOST, he pointed out still has useful services to render to people of all ages, industries and associations.

To continue to render these services effectively, Nwosu said certainly this has to leverage on modern ICT in this time and age.

“It was the confidence that first started dwindling, and then dwindling volume of document mail followed,” he said.

Nwosu maintained that resources are forever scarce, and enjoined NIPOST management and staff to make do with what resources that is available.

As said by him, the resources NIPOST-Bulkpost required to transform into a state of competitiveness is enormous.

This, he said, would include expertise in various aspects of its operation, skilled labour, state of the art equipment, huge working capital and business-like management.

“This is a tall order for a government agency like NIPOST-Bulkpost,” he declared, stressing that as daunting as these challenges may be, a solution is proffered for consideration.

He further suggested that NIPOST-Bulkpost may have to partner with or give franchises to individuals, institutions and corporate bodies with a view to unbundling its enormous operation.

“Having done that, NIPOST-Bulkpost can then play effective coordinating roles,” he said.

Remmy Nweke
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D

Comviva CEO bags IOD award

The Chief Executive Officer of Comviva Technologies Limited, Mr. Manoranjan Mohapatra, has bagged the Indian Institute of Directors (IOD) ‘Distinguished Fellow’ award.

The award was in recognition of Mr. Mohapatra’s effort in spearheading Comviva’s growth into the current leadership position in the Value Added Service (VAS) industry, across continents.

A press statement from the Communication unit of Comviva, indicated that under his leadership, Comviva has increased its footprint across Africa, Middle East and North Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe.

“Comviva is now present in 15 countries with solutions deployed by service providers in over 85 countries and powers services to more than 850 million mobile subscribers globally,” part of the press statement read.

ITRealms Online gathered that the Distinguished Fellow is an annual award, which honours members who have sustained a prominent and distinguished career or who have offered outstanding participation and services to the organization along with making special contributions to the community or business.

Reacting to the award, Mr. Mohapatra said, IOD represents the Indian corporate world’s passion for contributing the best towards the nation’s development.

“I am truly humbled at receiving this recognition. I have immense respect for the work being done by IOD in India and the award is an incentive for me to keep at the fine work that my organization has been delivering. I am proud at being a part of the success story of Comviva and as I receive the award I can’t help but acknowledge the quantum of hard work that has been put in by my colleagues in its success which has resulted in making this award a reality,” he said.

Mohapatra has steered Comviva to a leadership position since becoming CEO in November 2007 and Comviva now works closely with leading operator groups in emerging markets and is strengthening its relationships to be well positioned for future growth opportunities.

In his 25 years of professional experience, Mr. Mohapatra also worked in challenging roles at Aricent and Center for Development of Telematics (CDOT).

At the helm of affairs at Comviva, Mr. Mohapatra has additionally been pushing for financial and social inclusion to become a reality with Comviva’s offerings.

Equally honoured at the event including the past for their contribution to their organizations and the nation at large include luminaries like Dr. Abdul Kalam (Former President of India), Ms. Kiran Bedi (Ex IPS), General V P Malik (Ex Army Chief), Mr. M. Damodaran (Ex Chairman SEBI) and Mr. Kapil Sibal (Minister of Telecom). The process of awards finalization included months of rigorous evaluation by a panel of judges from the industry and government.

Remmy Nweke
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D