Weco, Cisco seek seamless B2B connectivity

ITRealms:

The duo of Cisco Systems and Weco Systems International have canvassed for seamless business to business connectivity so as to improve service delivery, reports ITRealms.

This was the submission of experts from both companies at a training tagged “delivering better value with intelligent mobility" held in Lagos.

The training attended by heads of information technology and other IT experts from financial institutions, telecommunications, oil and gas and other service providers, saw the Systems and Solution, Mobility/MPLS Manager, Weco Systems Limited, Omotunde Ogunbiyi disclosed that, businesses are looking for new and smart ways to connect with people, processes, data, and provide advanced intelligence, efficiency security. 

“It is about connecting experiences and operational efficiencies while supporting bring your own device (BYOD) and the Internet of Everything (IoE),” he said.

Also, he said, Enterprise mobility services (EMS) facilitate network access, Mobility for work-force, IP Telephony, Digital Media Streaming, video services, Location Services, Biometrics, Assets tracking services and much more. 

“The fourth industrial revolution has created a new landscape for organizations; new business challenges and competition are coming up as well. It is a platform for businesses to provide seamless connectivity to business resources for more productivity and smarter decision making.

“Enterprise Mobility Management facilitates swifter roll out of business applications and services as secured connection is provided for users and technology systems alike. Enterprise wireless technology has evolved over the years from ordinary wireless access media to highly secure enterprise mobility networks. The mobility concept has reduced the operating expenditure for building structured cabling and the clumsiness that old cabling systems can cause in an organization.” Omotunde revealed.

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Pix: (L-R) Chief Operating Officer, Weco Systems International Limited. Nnamdi Onyebuchi; Territory Business Manager Sales, Cisco Systems, Eberechi Nkoro; Telecom / Network Officer, Diamond Bank, Charles Ifinedo and Solutions Manager, Mobility and MPLS Omotunde Ogunbiyi, of Weco Systems during  Weco/Cisco Enterprise Mobility Workshop in. Lagos

ntel restores full service @ SAT-3 submarine cable

ITRealms:

 The owners of NatCom Development & Investment Limited, trading as ntel in Nigeria has said that the West Africa Submarine Cable also known as SAT-3 cable has fully been repaired and restored for service delivery, reports ITRealms.

The Director, External Affairs, ntel, Mr. Osondu C. Nwokoro and Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Toni Kan Onwordi, confirmed this development to ITRealms, saying that the self-acclaimed most advanced broadband LTE network has announced the successful repair and return to service of its SAT-3 submarine cable.

ITRealms recalls that SAT-3/WASC/SAFE or South Atlantic 3/West Africa Submarine Cable is the longest submarine communications cable in the world with 17 landing points linking Portugal and Europe to South Africa, with connections to several West African countries along the route.

They also quoted the chief executive officer, ntel, Mr. Kamar Abass as saying that the repair of SAT-3 is fantastic news for data-hungry consumers and corporates in need of superfast and abundant broadband carried over a robust fibre network with significant capacity and low latency.

“SAT-3’s 17 landing points and intermediate branches in-country and abroad provide for connections all the way to the Far East, thanks to our alliance with SAFE,” he said.

As said by him, potential customers of SAT-3 include Nigeria’s GSM and LTE operators, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), major international companies, Private Telecom Operators, Content/Hosting Operators, Infomedics/Infomatics Operators, the judiciary (for the execution of real-time on-line matters), banks and the military as well as airline operators.

He explained that SAT-3’s repair also included the cable’s physical diversion away from shipping lanes in the approach to the Port of Lagos. Stressing that in the past, the dropping and dragging of anchors by such traffic had been associated with disruptions to the cable.

“With the repaired system’s activation, the system’s Upgrade IV will also be implemented. This boosts its throughput capacity from 420Gbps to 920Gbps in the northern segments and from 340Gbps to 800Gbps in the southern segments,” he said.

Abass, further said that SAT-3 Nigeria is now positioned to better address Nigeria’s need for super-fast internet connectivity, data-hungry applications, high-quality video-on-demand and increasing social media usage, thus enhancing customer experience. Today, submarine cable systems carry more than 98 per cent of all overseas voice, data and video traffic.

He pointed out that the the return of SAT-3 is significant in many respects, noting that the submarine cable first launched in 2001, serves as the precursor for Internet access between Europe and West Africa and would take off where SAT-2 left off as it reached full capacity.

The CEO underlined the fact that SAT-2 was brought into service in the early 1990s as a replacement for the original undersea cable SAT-1 that was constructed in the 1960s, even as with Upgrade V now planned for delivery in Q4, 2016, SAT3 will surpass 1000 STM-1 mark in Q3 of 2016, thus providing even more capacity for the transformation of Nigeria’s broadband landscape.

Abass emphasized that Nigeria’s SAT-3 cable system connects to a Cable Landing Station in Central Lagos and, through a network of metro-fibre ducts, connects to multiple districts in Lagos and, through high-capacity inter-city connections expected to reach multiple cities across the country.

During 2016, ntel expects to connect hundreds of new customers to the SAT-3 system, including many who have successfully used the system in the recent past.

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms)  

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MultiChoice trains 500 installers

ITRealms:

MultiChoice Nigeria has trained over 500 accredited installers to boost its service delivery, reports ITRealms.

A press statement from the company and made available to ITRealms said these installers would join the existing base of installers and would be responsible for new installations, as well as the provision of maintenance services to existing subscribers.

Also, MultiChoice Nigeria introduced tricycles that have been stocked with high quality installation equipment. Upon completion of their training, the installers will be handed the tricycles to ease their travel logistics.

General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. Martin Mabutho, said the introduction of the tricycle-scheme is MultiChoice’s way of stretching its economic empowerment drive by engaging Nigerian youth through a private sector entrepreneurial scheme. “We are helping to create a new pool of expertise through these MultiChoice trained satellite television installers and engineers which will consequently grow the nation’s economy” Mabutho said.

Mabutho explained that the tricycles will be used by a selected team dubbed “Elite Installers”. The first recipients of the pilot phase of the nationwide scheme are six installers but before the end of the year, more beneficiaries will be selected from major cities across the country. In addition, 125 installers in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt have undergone a refresher training course this month. The six beneficiaries of the tricycles are Stanley Nwachukwu, Ameen Adesola, Micky Joe, Tope Adeogun, Ibrahim Akinsemohin and Chima Igwe.

Speaking on the criteria for selecting the beneficiaries of the tricycles, the General Manager Marketing said, MultiChoice selected the installers based on commitment, dedication and diligence. “This initiative is aimed at providing the best service to our customers. We train and certify installers, and also ensure that they are equipped with high quality installation tools that will guarantee reduced hitches and minimize repeat installer visits to our customer’s homes. He remarked.”

Mr Mabutho also urged new and existing subscribers to make more use of the self-help options and convenient payment options such as Paga, Quick Teller and ATMs to resolve DStv issues and payment challenges quickly. 

Besides the tricycles, each accredited installer will also get a well-equipped tool kit to enable them provide quality installation to subscribers. As part of MultiChoice’s continuous quality assurance drive, the installers’ tool set includes a tablet PC that will enable them send real time post-installation reports which will allow the validation of the overall quality and technical integrity of installations.

Speaking on the initiative, Mrs. Ijeoma Theo-Obodo, Assistant Director, Monitoring, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) commended MultiChoice for organizing the training programme. “Broadcast technology is ever evolving and for MultiChoice to keep up with broadcast quality and standard, there is the need for training programmes of this nature” she said. 

MultiChoice is also launching the first of its kind Subscriber/Installer Management System, a mobile application that automates the selection, allocation and progress management of installers working on a variety of customer’s installation requirements. This will reduce the average time taken to complete installations, control the costs to customer and ensure adequate post-installation follow up.

Since MultiChoice commenced operations over two decades, the company has spent over N200 million in training of installers. MultiChoice remains committed to ensuring that more certified installers are trained across the country.

Chuks Egbuna/GEE

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Pix: L-R: Ifeyinwa Nwamuo, Consumer Protection Council; Martin Mabutho, General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria; Ijeoma Theo-Obodo, Assistant Director, Monitoring, NBC Lagos Zone; Hasiyah Abudu, Head of Operations, MultiChoice Nigeria; Akinola Salu, General Manager, Sales, MultiChoice Nigeria and Chris Obasi, General Manager, Details Nigeria Limited during the launch of MultiChoice Certified Installers on Wednesday, 12 August, 2015 at the office headquarters, Victoria Island, Lagos.