Fear grips operators over unregistered data SIMs

Fear may have started to build up among the telecommunications operators in the country, following the readiness of the industry regulator to commence the next phase after deadline and month-long grace for the registration of Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards.

This worry is more on the part of telecom operators for their subscribers on data SIM, which investigations revealed that could be easily forgotten, such as SIM on internet modems or dongles, iPads, Point of Sale (POS) terminals, laptops, Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) among other devices.

Investigations by ITRealms Online showed that panic has gripped most of the telecommunications operators over the issue, mostly on the unregistered data SIMs and likely implication to their networks.

More so, the palpable decline in data service patronage, which has the capability to affect the telecom operators’ revenue.

Industry watchers affirmed that the anticipated revenue decline would definitely take some times to recover from any short comings likely to result from the potential disconnection of unregistered SIMs, particularly on data SIMs.

Additionally, ITRealms Online gathered that the worry is heightened by the fact that voice revenue has been on downward slope for some years now, which has resulted on most revamping operators or new entrants to anchor their marketing on data related devices.

Further, this slope, it was gathered may continue for a long time, just as the Nigerian telecom consumers expect the introduction of the Number Portability Scheme, which industry analysts could be another double sword for every operator in the country, thus a call for wake up.

“… Or face subscriber base decline which ultimately will rob off on other related services of telecom operators in the country, especially on data, which cuts across various mobile devices,” one of the analysts said.

Industry watchers argued that this is very clear with the fact that most Nigerian subscribers have more than two mobile handsets and of course those two or more will naturally have data access on them pending when the quality of service improves.

In the last quarter of 2011, ITRealms Online gathered that the telecommunications regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) reportedly extended the deadline for SIM card registration from September so as to enable those yet to register their SIM cards to do so on or before December 31, 2011.

Further reports had it that the expiration of the deadline, which paved the way for collation and harmonization of telecom subscribers’ data was to facilitate the disconnection of unregistered SIM in the country to boost security services operations.

Although by end of September 2011, when the second phase of the SIM registration ended, NCC announced an extension without definite deadline on when the disconnection may take effect.

But industry watchers were of the opinion that the disconnection would not exceed the first quarter of 2012, given the fact that NCC is seriously warming up for the Number Portability scheme.

The objectives of SIM registration, according to NCC are to assist security agencies in resolving crimes and by extension to enhance the security of the state.

Additionally, NCC said that it would facilitate the collation of data by the Commission about phone usage in the country. As well as enabling operators to have a predictable profile about the users in their networks and allow the commission to effectively implement other value added services like Number Portability among others.

Remmy Nweke
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Personal computing @ pulpit

The recently ended week-long strike and protests brought to the fore, various forms of agitations by Nigerians yearning for good governance, including hacking of websites, reports REMMY NWEKE.

Nowadays, watching television, one must have cause to see the display of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) devices known as personal computing by classified men of God in their bid to win more souls for God and keep mankind united as one original family.

Looking around, you can see several pastors and Imams using one mobile device; including iPAD, Galazy Tab, Communicators, mini notebooks, notebooks to name a few; in preaching the gospel.

Historically, personal computers began very prominent in the 1970s and could be defined as computing device intended for individual use, as opposed to a mainframe computer where the end user’s requests are filtered through operating staff, or a time sharing system in which one large processor is shared by many individuals. After the development of the microprocessor, individual personal computers were low enough in cost that they eventually became affordable consumer goods.

ITRealms Online gathered that early personal computers were generally called microcomputers; and were even sold often in electronic kit form and in limited numbers, and were of interest mostly to hobbyists and technicians.

Experts at the open source encyclopedia, Wikipedia, said that a personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price makes it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator.

The pointed out that in contrast, the batch processing or time-sharing models allow larger, more expensive minicomputer and mainframe systems to be used by many people, usually at the same time, which culminates into large data processing systems that would require a full-time staff to operate efficiently.

Software applications for personal computers include, but are not limited to, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, Web browsers and e-mail clients, digital media playback, games, and myriad personal productivity and special-purpose software applications.

Additionally, modern personal computers often have connections to the Internet, allowing access to the World Wide Web and a wide range of other resources. Even as personal computers may be connected to a local area network (LAN), either by a cable or a wireless connection.

Therefore, a personal computer may be a desktop computer or a laptop, tablet, iPAD, mini notebooks or a handheld PC, netbooks, Tablet PCs, and smartphones.

Some of those sites that could not be over-looked easily includes the fact that the likes of Rev. Fr. George Ehusani, Pastor Femi Faseru, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome to name just a few.

At the Church of the Assumption, Asokoro, Abuja where Rev. Fr. George Ehusani is the current parish priest, the usage of PowerPoint for the presentation of Gospel readings and analogy, cannot go unnoticed. Hence, Fr. Ehusani takes the congregation step by step of the readings, especially on Sunday mornings for those who are keen television viewers.

For the resident Pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre Maryland in Mende, Lagos, Mr. Femi Faseru, lots of things have gone digital and there is no reason actually to stay miles away as far as adaption is concerned. After all, as he said, “There is Bible on the ipad.”

Another follower of this trend, Mr. Sunday Folayan, noted that Bible or Quran have since become part of technology. According to him, ancient Imams and Pastors used Papyrus and there was no television (TV). He also urged for understanding and celebration of progress made by humanity in making life easier.  “… Now, that is what I call real make-up!!”

Zakarriah Daramola, a public analyst described the development as a good omen and should be encouraged, so as not to leave such an important group of people like pastors and imams behind in technological adaptation.

Also commenting, Ugo Nkwocha said that currently the world is no longer in the days of old. “So, we are in the days of electronic; in a computerised age,” adding that even without the iPads and notebooks, people can still download a Bible or Quran and read through a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)-enabled mobile devices.

GPRS is a packet oriented mobile data service on the Second Generation (2G) and Third Generation (3G) cellular communication system’s global system for mobile.

“So, I think the pastors and imam have also upgraded. Hence, there is nothing wrong with it. They are growing with the wind of change. That is, changing with the times,” she declared.

Further, she agreed with the notion that the congregation should follow their leaders like Pastors and Imams by attending religious occasions with their own personal computing devices, “so that when they quote a chapter, you just scroll to it instead of physical Bible or Quran?”

And until such a time when the congregation would start to attend religious occasions purposely with their mobile or personal computing devices, the indication remains that everyone is keying into the fact that ICT tools must be used and positively too in order to adequately bridge the digital divide between the developing countries of the world and the advanced nations.

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Panabiz unveils Canon printers, plans collection centre @ Otigba

Sole representative of Canon Electronics in the country, the Panabiz International Limited, has unveiled a set of new Canon printers with special promotional offer for the distributors.

This is coming as Panabiz has advanced plans to set up a Service Collection Centre at the popular Computer Village Ikeja.

The General Manager, Panabiz International Limited, Mr. Girish Sharma, said that Canon, a global leader in office automation and imaging solutions now has its products in the Nigerian markets including printers, photocopiers and scanners.

He listed some of the latest products from Canon to include the Mono function and multi-function Inkjet printers; the Laser Monochrome and Laser Colour printers, which also come in single and multi-function models; the Flat Bed Scanners and the portable Photo/ID printers.

Other range of product, he said, comprised of Pixma Inject Series (Pixma Ip2700 Inject Printer, Pixma IP3600, Pixma IP4940),the Multifunctional Inkjet Printers (Pixma MP280, Pixma Mg5140, Pixma ix6540, Pixma Mx410, Pixma Mx420, Pixma Mx360) and the Laser print series( I-SensysLBP6300dn, I-Sensys LBP6000, I-SensysLBP6750dn, I-SensysMF4570dn, I-SensysMF4570dn, I-Sensys MF4410, I-Sensys LBP5050n, I-Sensys LBP7200cdn, I-SensysMF8050cn)

Mr. Sharma described the latest range of Canon printers and copiers as stylish and affordable made with cutting edge innovative technology to give users optimum performance either the home or office use.

He explained that all Canon printers have been built with users’ comfort in mind which is why the compact printer design incorporate ‘fast front’ to allow ease access to the ink via the front cover while the paper input and output trays are located in the front for users’ convenience.

On after sales and customer service, Mr. Sharma disclosed that Panabiz already has three existing service centres in Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt and would soon open a Service Collection Centre at the popular Computer Village Ikeja to offer after sales service to customers and also serve as a point for distribution of products and consumables for dealers and distributors.

While making a presentation on the Corporate Profile of Panabiz, the Sales and Marketing Manager, Mr. Marc Schuster revealed that the company was founded on the vision to be the preferred office automation solution provider to all the major companies in Nigeria with a mission to provide the need based solutions to consumers supported by high quality after sales service.

Also commenting on the new products a dealer and Managing Director of S. Cassy Computers Mr. Sebastine Achukwu remarked that Canon printers and copiers remain the best in the category as they are affordable, compact in design and very durable.

Remmy Nweke
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D

2011: MasterCard presence records strong finish in APMEA

The electronic payment giant, MasterCard Incorporated, finished strongly in the Asia/Pacific, Middle East & Africa (APMEA) region in the last quarter of 2011 as at December 31.

President, Asia/Pacific, Middle East & Africa (APMEA) at MasterCard Worldwide, Ms Vicky Bindra, made this disclosure saying that that for the quarter ending 31 December 2011, the region drove strong growth in gross dollar volume to the tune of 21.8 per cent, while purchase volume stood at 23.5 per cent, with purchase transactions recording 18.2 per cent, just as the cash transactions was 18.4 per cent and cards issued were12.3 per cent.

This, she said, that when compared with the same period in 2010, shows growth in gross dollar volume and purchase volume when calculated on a local currency basis.

According to her, as at December 31, 2011, an estimated 330 million MasterCard cards, excluding Maestro and Cirrus, had been issued by MasterCard customers in APMEA.

Cardholders, Bindra said in the region there were most deal worth 1.6 billion of purchased transactions in the fourth quarter of 2011 and cardholders could use their MasterCard cards at 33.3 million acceptance locations worldwide as of the end of the quarter.

Equally, for the year ended December 31, 2011, the APMEA region saw growth in gross dollar volume which is 22.9 per cent, purchase volume tagged 24.9 per cent, purchase transactions recorded 18.3 per cent and cash transactions 19.7 per cent versus 2010.

For the quarter ending December 31, 2011, the Maestro brand mark appeared on 237 million cards in APMEA. Even as consumers could now make debit point of sale purchases with their Maestro cards at 2.5 million merchant locations in APMEA.

“We had a strong fourth quarter and a successful 2011 driving momentum across all our markets in APMEA,” Bindra said, stressing that this was driven by new deals with industry leaders to develop innovative payment solutions for the benefit of consumers including the roll out of the contactless Absa OneTouch card in South Africa, the OneSmartPayPass card with Air New Zealand, and an agreement with Etisalat and Research in Motion in the United Arab Emirates.

As MasterCard moves into 2012, she said, the payment company has tremendous opportunities in the APMEA region and are well positioned for the future.

Remmy Nweke
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D

ALTON decries weather conditions in Lagos, sympathises with subscribers, victims

The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has decried the recent unprecedented storm that destroyed telecom masts in Lagos and commiserated with residents and especially telecommunication subscribers.

Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman, ALTON

ITRealms Online recalls that in the early hours of Monday, February 13, 2012, many parts of Lagos witnessed an unusual occurrence of what has been aptly described as “hurricane-strength winds and rain” which tore through the city.

While commiserating with all those individuals and businesses who were negatively impacted by the storm, ALTON noted that they were particularly distressed to note that in addition to the several rooftops, trees, road signs, advertisement billboards and other structures which were felled by the storm, two masts belonging to telecommunications operators were similarly destroyed, causing damage to adjoining properties.

“In view of the extraordinary measures that ALTON and its members continue to take to ensure that telecommunications infrastructure are built to withstand the highest level of anticipated environmental stress,” ALTON stated in a press statement endorsed by its ALTON chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo.

He also said that ALTON is naturally distressed at this occurrence and share the pains of all those affected and are pleased to note that the concerned operators are taking every possible measure to remediate the damage.

“We also wish to re-assure members of the public that ALTON and its members will continue to ensure that telecommunications infrastructure keep being designed and built to withstand extreme natural and other pressures, and that the integrity of our sites and installations is not compromised,” he said.

ALTO further assured Nigerians that every telecommunications installation is subjected to positive environmental impact analyses, and built to world-class specifications approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

According to ALTON, the events of Monday 13^th February indeed demonstrate the collective vulnerability to unexpected natural occurrences, despite having taken all necessary precautions.

As the Lagos State Governor has correctly noted, Nigeria is not immune to the unusual weather patterns caused by global warming and associated event, adding that the damage caused to the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in Japan following the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami of 11 March 2011 illustrates this point.

Pointing out that there are over 4,000 telecommunications masts in Lagos alone, unfortunately, two were reportedly affected by the unprecedented rain storm of Monday 13^th February.

“We, therefore wish to reassure all and sundry that there is absolutely no cause for alarm regarding the safety of telecommunications infrastructure,” he said.

ALTON and its members, Awonuga said, are committed to the highest standards of safety of our operations and equipment and will at all times remain so committed.

Remmy Nweke
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Ajayi to preside over NDSF forum on Internet governance

Lanre Ajayi

The recently elected council member of the Generic Name Supporting Organisation (GNSO) at the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), Mr. Lanre Ajayi is to preside over the 2012 edition of the Nigeria DigitalSENSE Africa forum on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) slated to hold in Lagos, next month.

 

The Executive Director, Operations at the DigitalSENSE Africa, the organizers of the annual internet stakeholders meet, Mrs. Nkemdilim Nweke said that its gladdening to note that Mr. Lanre Ajayi would be  chairing this year’s event, scheduled to hold at the Golden Gate Paradise, Ikoyi-Lagos between March, Thursday 8 and Friday 9, 2012, with the theme: Internet Governance and Mobile Economy in Nigeria.

According to her, Mr. Ajayi who was the immediate past president of the Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) has proved his love for Internet penetration and positive adaptation in the country since inception of NIG and particularly the forum on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) being organized by DSA.

She said that Mr. Ajayi in his capacity as the chairman of the 2012 NDSA forum on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D), would be sharing some insights based on his experiences as an active player in the development of Internet and its penetration in the country.

Additionally, Mrs. Nweke pointed out that the former vice president of Internet Service Providers Association (ISPAN), would further elucidate discussions on what should be expected of his current office as a council member of the Generic Name Supporting Organisation (GNSO) at ICANN.

As said by her, Mr. Ajayi has over time proven he is an encyclopedia of Internet evolution in the country, of which most Nigerians and the Internet community in the country have lot to learn from, especially the youths.

She, therefore urged Nigerians to keep a date with this Internet guru as the nation charts a new course for the Nigeria’s internet development in line with the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) objectives, which this year, she noted will be in Azerbaijan, South Caucasus in September 2012.

She emphasised that the Nigeria DigitalSENSE Africa forum on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) remains the only annual event which acts as a rallying point for Nigerian internet stakeholders in raising and addressing salient issues concerning the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector with particular reference to the Internet Governance-related issues and development in Nigeria.

The forum, she said, offers stakeholders the needed platform to take a stand and speak out on Internet Governance and accurately align Nigeria’s position into the global Internet Governance Forum and enjoined players in the mobile sector of the economy to take advantage of this year’s theme.

Further, Mrs. Nweke recalled that Mr. Ajayi, has been a director at ISPAN and holds a Bachelors and Masters degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Lagos.

In his acceptance to preside over the 2012 edition of the Nigeria DigitalSENSE Africa forum on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D).

Ajayi, she said, had worked for the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NiTEL) for 11 years before delving into private practice by the establishment of PiNet Informatics, reputed as one of the nation’s first Internet Service Providers (ISP).

A co-founder of the Nigeria Internet Group, a non-profit organization committed to the promotion of the Internet in the country, Mr. Ajayi has served as the Vice president of ISPAN and vice chairman of African ISP Association (AfrISPA).

Equally, he has served on the council of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), while presiding over the Research and Statistics committee, even as he was ISPAN committee chairman on the implementation of the Nigeria Internet Exchange Point (IXPN) as well as chairman of the Technical Committee on the Nigeria’s Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) name, .ng, to name a few.

Remmy Nweke
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D