MTN named 'Brand of the year'

MTN Nigeria has been adjudged the best brand in the telecom category by the National Institute of Marketing, a professional body for the Marketing profession in Nigeria.

Corporate Services Executive at MTN Nigeria, Mrs. Amina Oyagbola, disclosing this in a press statement made available to ITRealms, and said “we are humbled by this significant endorsement of confidence in our operations by these reputable institutions, considering that MTN is just a little over four years in Nigeria”.

She also said, the award recognizes the commitment to excellence and innovation and long-term contribution to the development of Nigeria’s economy.

“It also challenges us to continue to provide the best levels of service everywhere you go” she declared.

Mrs. Oyagbola noted that this endorsement by the apex marketing body is the fourth time MTN would receive from different institutions in Nigeria and it confirms the company’s leadership status in the Nigerian telecommunications industry.

It would be recalled that last weekend, MTN Nigeria was also pronounced the second “Nigeria’s Most Respected Company” in an award ceremony organized by PricewaterhouseCoopers and BusinessDay Newspapers at an event held at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos.

This award is a global initiative instituted by PricewaterhouseCoopers and this is the first time it is being organized in the country.

Managing Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mr. Ken Igbokwe, said MTN met the parameters for selection, which included, “good corporate citizenship, social responsibility and adherence to high ethical standards; unique and excellent leadership style coupled with strong management principles and structure.”

He also said that the most respected company is “a visionary and revolutionary company with strong focus, an innovative company, with good corporate governance practice, high shareholder interest and value, with an excellent/creative marketing programme and customer service/focus.”

Mrs. Oyagbola further pointed out that MTN has won a number of awards from inception including, THISDAY Newspaper award of “Brand of the Year”, 2002 and 2004.

This, she said, has been sustained by the winning of the position of “Brand of the Year” at the 2005 Nigerian Telecoms award and the City People Award for Excellence.

MTN also won a Gold Award for creativity and Quality of Service delivery at the Nigerian Information Technology & Telecom Awards NITTA 2002 and a Microsoft awards for doing the most to drive up the standards of IT services delivery in Nigeria.

She recalled that in 2004, MTN was voted the “Best Voice Calling Marketer of the Year at the Marketing Leaders Awards, and a “Leadership Awards 2004” from Card Technology Africa.

Expert hails www.champion-newspapers.com

Champion Newspapers website, www.champion-newspapers.com, has passed an assessment of the site by the global number one media analyzer based in Hamburg-Germany.

According to the Project Manager, Media Analyzer, Mr. Sebastian Grandt, while evaluating the company’s website ‘unofficially’ at a session with members of the third Multimedia and Online course for international journalists in Hamburg, the website is attractive.

He lauded the white spaces in between the categories in the website’s home page and news display, saying it makes champion-newspapers.com online attractive.

“I don’t have quarrels with the white spaces,” he declared in response to students’ enquiry.

The course is organized by the International Institute for Journalism based in Berlin, Germany.

Addressing the students who paid a visit to Media Analyzer’s Hamburg office, Mr. Grandt said, he does not have any problem with the white spaces used in fashioning the website.

This was due to some critic’s view that the white spaces were indication of lack of content.

Although he was uncomfortable with three animations on the website, namely on the motto of the company, stock exchange reports and underlined invitation urging visitors to visit again.

The expert also said these animations should have been reduced to one, especially on the stock report and referring to the one on the motto and underlining invitation as ‘compounding animation’.

However, the Media Analyzer’s expert further said websites must be kept simple with big headline points to attract readers to leading page stories, even as images have become imperative in media analysis due to impact it has on readers.

Mr. Grandt pointed out that his organization is concerned with visibility and usability of media online contents.

He warned of media houses allowing the online version to be over-loaded with adverts or contents, pointing out that opening every media website, readers are faced with some questions such as ‘which website is this, what can I do here and what’s the interest’.

“The bigger the image the more time people are attracted to the subject aside,” he declared.

Presently, Mr. Grandt noted that Media Analyzer’s top customers include Siemens, Yahoo, The Economists, T-Mobile among others.

He further disclosed that online readers spend approximated 10 to 25 seconds per media website, stressing that in the actual sense, online visitors to media website do not read immediately, but scan over the page contents first before deciding on what to read.

Media Analyzer, he said, has offices in Hamburg, United States among other offices, while its operations have been divided into sales, software and project management.

Mobile growth rises to 374m in Latin America

FIFTH regional International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecom Americas and weekend with revealation that mobile growth in the region has grown from 128 million subscribers to 374 million, within the last five years.

ITU said that the evetn held at the Bahia Convention Center in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil with theme: “Moving to a Latin Beat’, was broad and pan-regional on focus and commitment.

Indicator released at the conclusion of the event by ITU showed that the growth of mobile telecommunication has been very impressive, especially in the last half a decade.

“From 1999 to 2004, the number of mobile subscribers have grown from 128 million to 374m, a more than three fold increase in five years,” according to ITU indicator for the region released during the event.

It also stated that demand for other services is equally strong — especially in the area of broadband, which is emerging as a key element of new digital solutions such as Voice over IP (VoIP).

ITU noted that while most mobile growth has so far been due to prepaid voice services, advanced mobile data solutions such as Triple Play and mobile multimedia are ready to further spur uptake of new services, as converged technologies become a reality.

In addition, fixed-line network growth, the global regulatory body said, has remained virtually flat across the region, creating an important impediment to bridging the Digital Divide in the area of online connectivity.

Even continued spectacular growth in mobile will not solve this problem until wireless networks are able to provide reliable broadband services.

The regulator further said that average annual growth rate of fixed-line was just 0.7 per cent from 2000-2004.

Deputy Secretary-General of the ITU, Mr. Roberto Blois, said in an address to the occasion that TELECOM AMERICAS 2005 has served to frame the critical issues that needed to be addressed to reach the next level of growth in the region.

"… We have seen the coming together of regulatory, standardization and product development discussions concerning broadband, mobile, multimedia, and other emerging technologies. The industry is poised for new growth, but this will need to be well-coordinated in order to ensure true digital inclusion throughout the Americas,” he asserted.

Obviously referring to the advent of fast-moving technologies such as third generation (3G), Internet Protoco TV (IPTV) and Triple Play, Mr. Blois declared, "Powerful technologies such as these require interoperable standards and an enabling regulatory environment, so they could be brought to market successfully."

The high-level executives and officials from across the region, including regulators from Brazil, Ecuador, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Jordan, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela attended the convention and were led by President of Anatel, the National Regulatory Agency of Brazil, Mr Elifas Gurgel do Amaral.

Iyanam returns to Globacom as COO, New Markets

*As Ndukwe lauds promo

PIONEER top marketing executive of the Second National Carrier (SNO), Globacom, Mr. Okon Iyanam, has returned to the telecom company as Chief Operating Officer (COO), New Markets and Special Assignments.

This came as the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest Ndukwe has lauded Globacom on its Double Slam promotion.

ITrealms recalls that Mr. Iyanam last weekend, resigned his appointment with Vmobile Nigeria as the Chief Marketing Officer.

The return of Mr. Iyanam, who has served previously at various capacities at Globacom before leaving in 2003, was described as a home coming by the Public Relations Manager of Globacom, Mr. Bode Opesietan.

According to the SNO’s Executive Director, Human Resources, Mr. Adewale Sangowawa, Mr. Iyanam, who has since assumed duties would take charge of emerging business opportunities and other special responsibilities assigned by the management of the company.

In a move regarded as home coming, Iyanam resigned from Vmobile a couple of days back as the Chief Marketing Officer to re-join Globacom, a company he served in various capacities as pioneer staff before he left in 2003.

Mr. Sangowawa also noted that Globacom since inception commercially on August 29, 2003, has been an equal-opportunity company, giving thousands of bright, young Nigerians an enabling environment to reach their fullest potentials.

Meanwhile, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Ndukwe, and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Media, Ms. Abike Dabiri, have urged other corporate organizations to emulate Globacom’s on-going double slam promotion.

They spoke at the first Abuja draw of the promotion held last week and commended the development of promotions in the telecommunications sector.

“This is very interesting. It is not always that operators put up events of this magnitude to reward subscribers. Globacom, therefore, deserves to be commended and I want to thank them for recognizing and rewarding their subscribers,” said Ndukwe.

Dr. Ndukwe who was special guest of honour at the draw also urged Globacom to extend its services to other African countries, noting that the Second National Operator had the capability to accomplish this.

“The network has the capacity and the muscle to extend its services beyond the shores of Nigeria. It has done well in the country and should look beyond Nigeria,” Ndukwe said.

For Ms Dabiri, who drew one of the winning numbers, 0805-5957584, belonging to a 26-year-old Mobile Police Constable, Mr. Sunday Atulukwu, winning one of the four cars on offer, a Kia Sorento jeep, “This is the grand father of all promotions”.

She pointed out that Globacom has shown that it is really a Nigerian company that has lived up to its social responsibility role.

“It is commendable and I hope others will emulate Glo,” Dabiri stated.

Other winning numbers were 0805-4645126 which won a Kia Picanto car, 0805-3027119 (Honda City) and 0805-8548727 (Mercedes Benz E240).

The draw is the fifth Globacom has held so far. Two have been held in Lagos and one each in Enugu and Kano.

The draws have produced winners of twenty cars, five Mercedes E240, five Kia Sorento jeeps, five Honda City and five Kia Picanto cars.

HR managers to meet @ CTO-05

COMMONWEALTH Telecommunication Organisation (CTO), has finalized plans to host Human Resources managers to a three-day conference on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Toronto, Canada.

This is the first time in the history of CTO that such a specialized meeting is being organized for Human Resources experts.

Slated to hold in November, CTO said, over 40 HR experts globally have confirmed participation.

CTO’s Bharma Kerai, said participants are expected from Europe, Carribbean, Africa and to deliberate on best practices in the HR industry in relation to ICT.

The organizers said despite the rapid innovation and adoption of new technologies in HR management, the need for efficient HR management strategies and best practice in the ICT sector in emerging and deregulating markets, particularly in the telecom sector has remained largely unanswered.

Operators in these increasingly competitive markets, CTO noted, must rapidly migrate to more efficient profiling, recruitment, development retention techniques in order to remain competitive.

Director, Business Development at CTO, Mr. Nick Cabrera was quoted as saying, “With the rapid projected development of Human Resources there has never been a more crucial time to learn new adapting HR strategies within the changing ICT industry than now.”

He explained that even though there is extensive expertise available, “many businesses are still faced with the challenge of sometimes long transition periods from a deep legacy of HR practice in non-competitive environments to quickly adapt and respond to new technologies and competition”.

He stressed that CTO is convinced that this event would be an eye-opener to every one interested in discovering from others or sharing their experience or advice.

The organizers said that the event titled ‘HR for ICT’ is the must-attend event for any HR professional involved in the ICT industry globally, just as it would feature presentations and case studies from high-level industry gurus.

CTO also pledge in-depth panel discussions as the agenda cover several topics essential to enhancing understanding of the critical issues and how HR professionals could expand their company’s HR strategies.

CTO is an international development partnership between Commonwealth and non-commonwealth governments, businesses and civil society organizations focused on ICT.

tagesschau.de survives on E16m without adverts

The online edition of the Germany public-owned television, tagesschau.de, depends annually on about 16 million Euro subvention generated from the nation’s radio and television tax fund.

Editorial Manager at tagesschau.de online, Mr. Jorg Sadrozinski, disclosed this to newsmen from 11 countries on tour to the station, under the InWent’s Capacity Building Development for media, the International Institute for Journalism (IIJ), who were in Hamburg at the weekend.

He said the total sum is part of the E17 monthly tax paid by users of radio and television in the country.

This, he explained, was the reason behind non-advertisement in the media especially the online edition.

“We’re financed by licensing fees of about E17 monthly paid by the citizens of Germany,” he said.

Mr. Sadrozinski also noted that this amount collected by the revenue authorities and remitted to the organization is enough for the annual sustenance of the media outfit.

The medium which has bureaus at various parts of the world including Africa, he said, offers its services free.

Emphasizing that his office deployed a content management system that enables it to offer Short Messaging Service (SMS), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) based Value Added Service (VAS) to the citizens.

In offering this VAS, he said, tagesschua.de is partnering with Vodafone and e-plus among other telecom operators in the country to ensure the popularity of the services continue to grow.

He later showed the visitors round the premises of the organisation’s newsroom and how they source and provide editorial contents mostly for those who wish to subscribe specifically for particular interest.

Understanding in-flight GSM solution

Features of the week:

Plans are rift to introduce in-flight Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) solution worldwide. REMMY NWEKE examines some of the technologies behind the innovation.

'Dying to use your mobile phone while air bound, don’t worry your ‘miracle’ is just around the corner, if the tinkering of telecommunications equipment manufacturers is anything to go by'.

SHUTTLING for business between major cities of the country, namely Kaduna, Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, through aircrafts could make life easy for a Kaduna-based political contractor, Malam Mohammed Taiwo. This is because he could connect all of these cities within a day, especially now the hassle for 2007 is gearing up.

But then, he always feel headaches any time he is onboard and aircraft attendants announce that all Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) or any other system like laptops be switched off until the flight gets to its destination.

This is cumbersome, because Malam Taiwo operates to the best of his knowledge a mobile office, and when he has to connect about four flights in a day, it means that approximated six hours would be lost mid-air due to what he understand as civil aviation regulation to switch off his mobile gadgets while air bound.

Imagine how elated Malam Taiwo was when recently he read in Champion Infotel, ‘Siemens, Airbus in joint GSM solution for aircraft,’ while on his way to Enugu in eastern part of Nigeria.

He ensured that the copy never get out of sight until he returned to base in Kaduna, and reached out to the writer through the company to enable him understand the concept better.

Innovative concept

Although the innovative concept of developing a GSM solution for aircrafts have began in earnest, it did not start with Siemens and Airbus deal and the stages of business development varies from one mobile communication technology equipment company to another.

But not without a trace to Airbus or its subsidiary, OnAir, which is a joint venture with SITA Inc and lately Tenzing, a software company based in Seattle, as approved by the European Union Commission for Competition.

Whereas the deal between Siemens and Airbus is to develop a solution to enable the use of in-flight communications via GSM, Siemens said it would provide the technology while Airbus, leading aircraft manufacturer, would see to its integration in existing electronics systems, marketing to airlines and maintenance, according to President, Mobile Networks at Siemens Communications, Mr. Christoph Caselitz.

He also said the solution will be anchored on Siemens-nano-GSM/General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) base station on the airplane to be attached behind the ceiling panel so as to allow reception for a mobile phone, Personal computer or organisers among other devices from any seat on the plane.

Describing this base station as the smallest and lightest globally, Mr. Caselitz said it would be based on Internet Protocol (IP) and linked to terrestrial GSM mobile network with the aid of a satellite technology.

Prerequisite to implementing the solution, the mobile network boss explained, is the integration of channel selector technology, preventing devices from establishing contact or interfering on aviation terrestrial networks referred to as avionics.

“It therefore ensures that radio communication from the airplane is conducted solely via satellite,” he assured, adding that the solution is expandable to accommodate more GSM capacity apart from the technology such as the wired or wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).

He explained that with this integration, airline passengers of all categories, like Taiwo will in near future be able to use their own mobile devices for in-flight phone calls or internet surfing, even as it would open new revenue sources for airlines.

Ericsson focuses on operators

While Siemens date for commercial launch is planned for 2006, Ericsson, another communication equipment manufacturer, said it has reached the cruising altitude with own version of technology, RBS 2708, which is telecom operators’ focused.

This would be available for installation before the year ends, as said by vice president, Product Management for GSM at Ericsson, Ulf Ewaldsson.

This came as ARINC Incorporated Maryland and Telenor of Norway, recently demonstrated joint in-flight solution under Aeromobile using Inmarsat Swift 64 kilobytes per second (kbps) and Swift Broadband 432 kbps on aeronautical satellite services.

Vice President, Mobile Connectivity at Telenor, Mr. Bernt Fanghol anticipated that mobile data would become essential part of in-flight communications in no distant future.

The ARINC director, Aircraft Mobility Connectivity, Mr. David Coiley, noted that research has already shown that Short Messaging Service (SMS) is likely to top list of in-flight communications with e-mail close behind by 2009.

Hence, Aeromobile’s mission centered on ‘Pico cell’ is bent on getting right solution for all passengers’ needs. And for director, Market Manager at Inmarsat, Mr. Robert Johnson, it would enable travellers toplace and receive mobile calls and messages wherever they fly.

Therefore, “the days of missing calls and important messages while in the air will soon beover”.

KLM on pulpit, modify’s IFE

And all things being equal, OnAir, has since March began in-flight SMS and email for KLM long-haul passengers enroute New York, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Cape Town, Dubai, Tokyo to name a few, says the Product Strategy manager at KLM, Mr. Frank Vink.

This was the outcome of successful trials, causing KLM to modify its In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system on10 Boeing 777s, while six new Airbus A330s flying majorly to Middle East and Africa have been completed since August to facilitate the offer for both short and long haul passengers. It’s anticipated that all KLM aircraft would have this service before end of April 2006.

Air bound through in-flight GSM solution on any platform as currently envisaged would require mobile telephone users to use the international roaming service of their home mobile operators, Laptop user on the other hand will connect to onboard server either via a wireless link such as Wireless Fidelity (Wi Fi) or wired connection, using Universal Serial Bus (USB) port or RJ45 plug generally located in the arm rest ofthe seat.

The server in turn would be connected to a ground infrastructure via an air-to-ground communications link, with the ground infrastructure further connected to the public networks, which could be mobile or fixed network operators. Usage would however, not be allowed during take-off or landing, and when aircraft is below 3,000 meters.

Tariff as determinant

One thing worth known is that this Value Added Service (VAS) aboard flights are not free as the airlines getready to smile to the banks, passengers like our dear Taiwo, should be ready also to pay for the cost which some experts say would be another determinant to acceptance.

For instance, tariffs onboard are expected to assume an international roaming rate on the ground on Aeromobile subscription.

Passengers on KLM would haveto pay $2.50 about N332.50k, for each message received or sent; even as incoming messages are only paid for if the passenger decides to open them, which is most likely; after viewing the subject and the sender’s name.

Generally, it would not be less than 50 cents, about N93.10k per message according to OnAir projection. On the other hand, Internet access charges will be inline with that which business travellers incur at hotels and remote access locations.

OnAir also said that recommended price for all airlines using Swift 64is $9.95 for webmail/chat access on an entire flight including unlimited text messages. Attachments, however, attract extra cost per kilobyte, and there is no charge for viewing an in box, thus enabling passengers to decide whether to read their emails before paying for the service.

As Malam Taiwo and friends wait for the introduction of this offering at short and long haul; domestic cum regional and international routes respectively, aclear challenge lies in the licensing of the spectrum for this kind of services, mostly at the international levels and no doubt, requires the co-operation of aviation and communication regulatory authorities, without leaving out the mobile operators in the country and specifically in Africa as well as globally.

Achieving this would not only offer the passengers and many Taiwos, a fulfilled dream but a sense of belonging in a world of Information and Communications Technology.

Adeniran urges Germany to support Nigeria on technology

Professor Tunde Adeniran, Nigerian ambassador to the republic of Germany, has urged German government to suport Nigeria current reform with technology.

The ambassador made this call while giving his independence message at a party in his residence, to mark Nigeria's 45th anniversary in Berlin.

While appealing to advanced nations of the world to support current reform in Nigeria, Prof. Adeniran singled out Germany for commendation based on previous assistance.

He also urged that Germany, for instance, should help developing nations like Nigeria particularly through technology.

According to him, there are ways to assist developing countries, more especially Nigeria via technology deployment, which could be based on manpower development in the sector.

“There’re many ways to help Nigeria, by the world at large, particularly, Germany with their technologies,” he said.

This, he also said, has become necessary in order to facilitate true consolidation of democracy in the country and eradicate poverty.

He prayed for peace in Nigeria and world at large as well as saying the Nigerian government would not relent in soliciting for support and understanding of other nations especially Germany.

“We hope we can continue to count on your support and we’re inviting you like to look into Nigeria, find how and where to invest,” he said.

Nigeria, Prof. Adeniran pointed out, is not only the largest African concentration but has the capacity to shape the future world economy.

He thanked the guests at the occasion for honouring the invitation to rejoice with Nigeria at 45 and successes as recorded by Nigeria for the betterment of the people.

Starcomms explains partnership with AHRLC

LEADING Private Telecom Operator (PTO), Starcomms has explained its recent partnership with the Ibadan-based African Heritage Research Library and Cultural Centere (AHRLC), saying it is in line with the firm’s corporate social responsibility.

The partnership is focused on the sponsoring of the official commissioning of the centre in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The centre is known as the first rural community-based African studies research library on the continent.

Director Marketing, Starcomms, Mr. Omar Lababidi, said the company’s decision to sponsor the event was borne out of the need to further project Starcomms as a lifestyle brand that is committed to improving the lives of Nigerians in very meaningful ways.

Mr. Lababidi said Starcomms as much as provident prevails, would continue to identify with projects that promote and protect not just Nigeria cultural heritage, but that of Africa in general.

He noted that in recent times, Starcomms has been consistent in sponsoring corporate and social events in the country, including the second edition of the Surulere Trade Fair held at the National Stadium, Surulere Lagos.

The commissioning was performed by the governor of Oyo State, Chief Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, and attracted visitors and well wishers from within the country, continent and Europe as well as Asia Pacific.

The PTO also prouds itself as the first Nigerian to have crossed the 100,000 subscriber line and currently has over 180,000 subscribers, even as its concluding plans to take services to Port Harcourt and Abuja.

Amoako bows out, Janneh takes over

by Remmy Nweke

Dr. Ken Y. Amoako of Ghana has finally bowed out of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia after a 10-year stinct. Just as Mr. Abdoulie Janneh of Gambia has replaced him as the Executive Secretary of ECA.

ECA in a press statement made availab to ITRealms said that Mr. Amoako complete his term last Friday, September 30, 2005.

He has been succeeded by Mr Abdoulie Janneh who joined ECA after a 26-year career with the United Nations Development Programme, most recently as Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa in New York., since October 1.

Amoako has been leading the continental think-thank since 1995 in fashioning out developmental needs, describing his stay at ECA as most professionally rewarding.

“My work at ECA has been the most professionally rewarding of my career, and we have worked closely with African policy makers and leaders to sharpen economic and social policy and I’m proud of what we have achieved,” he said delightfully.

He also said that the commission’s work to build partnerships between African governments and international donors, have worked with others to move Africa’s development challenges to the top of the global agenda through such venues as the Commission for Africa, the G8, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the World Summit and others attracting focus on continent’s problems.

Speaking at the exit of Amoako, the Vice-President of the Canadian International Development Agency, Mr. Paul Hunt, said his vision, wisdom and dedication to the eradication of poverty have been inspirational, mostly on the commission’s contribution to the development of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) during his era.

Corroborating Hunt was the Deputy Director General of the International Organisation of Migration, Mme Ndioro Ndiaye, who said “If Africa is still a focus of the world's attention, it is in no small part, thanks to the quality of his contribution.”

Richard Carey of the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee praised Amoako’s “immense personal contribution to the new ideas, processes and statements of principle and policy that are transforming the African scene.”

Dr. Amoako joined ECA in 1995 and during his tenure served on the UK’s Commission for Africa, the Commission on Capital Flows to Africa and the World Health Organisation’s Commission on Macroeconomics and Health. He first studied economics at the University of Legon, Ghana, before going on to do his MA and PhD in economics at the University of California, Berkeley.

He went on to work for two decades in various roles at the World Bank, including positions as resident representative in Zambia and as division chief and department director in Washington.