Infrastructure: MTN to invest US$215m in Benin - ITREALMS

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Determined to leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress, MTN Group committed to investing US$215 million in infrastructure in Benin over the next three years and building a state-of-the-art office for subsidiary MTN Benin, reports ITREALMS.

These pledges were made during an MTN Group leadership visit to Cotonou, the highlight of which was a meeting with His Excellency President Patrice Talon attended by MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita, MTN Benin Chairman Amadou Raimi, Senior Vice President for Markets Ebenezer Asante, MTN Benin CEO Uche Ofodile and MTN Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer Nompilo Morafo.

MTN Group expresses faith in Nigeria, eyes mobile financial services

ITRealms:

The Group Chairman and Chief Executive of MTN, Mr. Phuthuma Freedom Nhleko has expressed faith in the Nigeria’s economy, eyes mobile financial services, reports ITRealms.

Nhleko gave this verdict recently during when he led a high level delegation to the headquarters of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in Abuja recently.

This is coming despite the grim challenges arising from the N330b fine imposed on MTN by NCC last year.

Nhleko, who was received by the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta and top management of the Commission said the Group has faith in Nigeria and will be willing to invest more in the sector in the years to come. “We had challenges in the past, during the period of the fine, and we are grateful for the role, the Commission played towards an amicable resolution”.

Nhleko whose visit to the NCC management is a valedictory one as he steps down as Group Chairman in March, 2017 said MTN Group has injected over $16billion into the Nigerian operations and “we have a very long way to go and so ask for spectrum which is the oxygen and life blood to navigate this long and tedious investment journey, without spectrum, the sector will suffocate”.

Nhleko specifically solicited for more spectrum allocation and a release of the one that belonged to Visafone, whose equity shares MTN acquired in 2015, canvassing for a more level playing field “despite being dominant player”.

He said MTN has made its mark in voice and data services and that more services like mobile financial services are underway.

Responding, Prof. Danbatta welcomed the delegation and assured them that the Commission will always play by the rules and support every operator within the ambits of the law.

“I like to state that our word is our covenant.  When we take decisions, we are concerned about the stability of the industry and there is no way we can guarantee it without considering the dominant status of MTN and its obligations and if the dominant status is becoming stringent, we are open to engagement, we will be guided by what is happening in the market, to ensure the growth and development of the sector”.

He said “the sector has contributed very well to the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and has shown remarkable resilience in this recession”

Danbatta said the NCC made a case for relaxing fiscal policies towards the sector to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) “and the CBN Governor is favourably disposed to our request and further engagement especially towards major players who desire to import equipment to aid deployment of broadband infrastructure services and others”.

The Commission, he explained, will always carry out interventions to cushion the operators request to provide necessary services.

On spectrum assignment, Danbatta, said MTN got six slots in the 2.6 GHz auction and full utilization of that spectrum is envisaged.

“We are open to further discussion on the areas of spectrum assignment,” he said, advising MTN to put across request for spectrum of interest and NCC will check its availability.

The Commission “is here to protect the interests of the operators as well as consumers, consistent with our mandate, the trust reposed on us by the government and people of Nigeria; protecting their interests and ensuring a level playing field and respect for our laws”.

The EVC said the Commission only resorts to sanctions as a regulatory action of last resort after allowing time for checking compliance.

The EVC received the delegation in company of Executive Commissioner (Technical Services), Mr. Ubale Maska, his counterpart for Stakeholders Management, Mr. Sunday Dare, Directors: Mr. Tony Ojobo (Public Affairs), Ms. Funlola Akiode (Licensing & Authorisation), Ms Josephine Amuwa (Policy, Competition & Economic Analysis), Mr. Austin Nwaulune (Spectrum Administration), Mrs. Yetunde Akinloye (Legal & Regulatory Services), Mr. Ayuba Shuaibu (Universal Service Provision Fund - USPF) and Mr. Usman Malah (Chief of Staff to EVC).

The MTN delegation included Mr. Pascal Dozie Chairman, MTN (Nigeria), Col. Sani Bello (Vice Chairman), Board members: Chief Victor Odili, Chief Gbenga Oyebode, Mr. Ferdi Moolman (CEO) among others.

Nonye Dom/GEE 

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MTN gets NBC nod to operate pay TV

ITRealms

 

As part of the expansion of the MTN Group in Nigeria, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has finally granted operating license to the telecom giant, reports ITRealms.

Disclosing this Wednesday, the Director-General of NBC, Mr. EmekaMba while presenting the Commission’s journey so far on digital switchover, said that they have successfully licensed MTN Nigeria Limited to provide digital pay Tv broadcasting services.

“I'm pleased to inform you that we have successfully licensed MTN Nigeria Ltd to use a part of the 700 MHz to provide digital pay TV broadcasting services,” he said.

Mba revealed that NBC used the licensing to raise the sum of N34 billion, which was very helpful in meeting its budget need upto about 50 per cent.

He used the opportunity urge other African countries struggle with funding for digital migration to take advantage of licensing.

“I am pleased to inform you, also, that through this singular move, Nigeria has once again pointed the way for other African countries struggling with the effort of finding financing for their own digital switchover programmes,” he said.

NBC chief executive officer also explained that the use of the band, 470 – 862MHz solely for UHF Television Broadcasting Service on a primary basis in Nigeria predates both the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

“As a matter of fact, most Administrations in ITU Region 1 use the entire 470 – 862 MHz for UHF Television Broadcasting prior to ITU WRC-2007 conference,” he said.

Pointing out that in in 2006, ITU planned the entire 470 – 862MHz frequency band for Digital UHF Television Broadcasting for ITU Region 1 to which the Nigerian administration belongs. 

Stressing that the planning of 470 – 862MHz frequency band for Digital UHF Television is referred to in the ITU circle as GE-06 Plan and after the signing of the agreements resulting from this plan it is now referred to as the GE-06 Agreement.

He was optimistic that this should clear any doubt as to where these frequencies belong until after the completion of the digital switch over.

On Set Top Boxes, he said, off-shore mass production and delivery of initial subvented boxes for Jos pilot project was envisaged to be completed by end of October, while the local manufacture of the set top boxes is expected to begin in April 2016.

NBC, he said, would conclude some critical activities with regard to signal transmission infrastructure by December 31, 2015.

These segment, Mba noted, include the publishing of the Request for Proposal (RFP), thereby concluding the National Signal Mapping, awarding the transmission Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), designating the ITS for Jos and beginning live digital transmission; and we plan to be done with these by the end of December, 2015.

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MTN Group Selects Etisalat SmartHub to Extend Regional Network Reach

ITRealms:

MTN and Etisalat groups respectively are partnering on smart hub to extend regional networks.

Ali Amiri, Executive Vice President, Carrier & Wholesale Services, Etisalat, confirmed this to ITRealms, saying that Etisalat, leading telecom operator in the Middle East and Africa, at the weekend, made this revelation of its partnership with MTN Group to extend their regional network reach via Etisalat SmartHub.

He said, MTN Group, a leading emerging markets telecommunications provider, will connect through Etisalat’s SmartHub at Fujairah CLS to expand its advanced data network capabilities.

ITRealms recalls that MTN, the South Africa-based multinational company operates in African, European and Middle Eastern countries.

He explained that Etisalat’s SmartHub provides advanced content, IPX, IX and high speed data services for its customers in the UAE and the region. Stressing that the new partnership will also enable MTN Group to connect via a new route to Europe, beneficial to its large customer base in the Middle East.

Etisalat's SmartHub is a global communications hub facilitating direct routing of traffic between the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe.

Amiri said they are delighted to have such a prestigious telecom group as MTN join the SmartHub community of operators and content providers. Explaining that SmartHub is designed to provide partners with a one stop shop for connectivity to the region.

“This partnership with MTN Group showcases the importance of the SmartHub as well as puts UAE in the limelight as the regional hub for telecom services. We look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship and enhancing customer experience," Amiri said.

For Jyoti Desai, the Group Chief Technology and Information Officer, MTN “Etisalat’s Smarthub is seen as an important hub in our bid to expand MTN’s world class global multi-services network, as it allows us to provide advanced communication services to our customers in the Middle East and Africa. The rising significance of UAE’s strategic position as the communication network hub for the Middle East and Africa region underpins the importance of this partnership in our expansion plan.”

Nenye Dom/GEE
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