Remmy Nweke at the Civil Society Meeting during the African Regional Preparatory Meeting for the World Telecommunications Development Conference in Abuja 2005. 

Between Bandwidth, Poor Internet Service

By: Remmy Nweke

Have you ever one day stopped to ask yourself or the cyber café managers why someInternet users enter cafes and come out stressed?A lot could be attributed to such shadow experiments either by the Internet ServiceProvider (ISPs) or the café medium, depending on the level of users’ economicempowerment.

For instance, the Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) sector, hascontinued to decry the epileptic power supply by the National Electric PowerAuthority (NEPA) which has forced some stakeholders to tag NEPA as the “unseensabotour” to their infrastructure decay; built and installed by either individual orcorporate organizations.

Lack of national infrastructure is another thorn in the flesh of stakeholders as far aspoor Internet service provision is concerned. Experts were also worried on thecompelling problems which include poor telephone services to lack of E1 lines andthe top on the shelf is bandwidth allocation and availability.

They cited an instance of poor telephone usage by most home users nowadays viadial-up connection, because at times in a day the connection to the Internet could notbe achieved due to faulty telephone lines.

Managing Director of an Internet Service Provider (ISP) firm, Nigeria On-LineLimited, Mr. Laleye Alao, attributed most problems between ISPs and their clienteleeither individual or corporate to poor telephone services, because “if my client, maybe, cyber café operator, could reach me and I could not respond in terms ofconnection, definitely there is problem”.

This was the reason adduced by some ISPs which introduce dedicated Internet accessto those who could pay, which usually is on the high side and therefore is notaffordable to all who wish to have a good service delivery on their systems.

Non-availability of E1 lines from national operators, such as the NigerianTelecommunications Limited (NITEL), was identified as one headache that almostcrippled the nation’s telecommunication industry as operators who applied for the E1lines were not given as at when due.

E1 lines are usually technical lines issued by major operators and accommodate about30 sub-lines which could be deployed by any industry operator for purposes ofinterconnection depending on the value of their licenses.

Champion Infotel discoveredthat a key issue in engendering the level of Internet service delivery is bandwidthdeployed by an individual or corporate for Internet access offered by the ISPs.

In computing, bandwidth, according to HelpwidthPCs.com, refers to the capacity of acommunications line or channel to transmit or receive information. It could also referto how much traffic a web hosting company have and will allow each month for datatransfer, when in this context bandwidth is measured in bits, kilobytes, megabytes andgigabytes.A bit technically is usually the smallest unit of information that could be used in acomputer.

Eight bits is equated to a byte with computing information worth 1024bytes, thus making a kilobyte in measuring of information and a million bytes ismeasured as megabytes, while a billion bytes is known as gigabytes.Like in any business setting, bandwidth therefore is seen as the “hot cake” to marketwhen it comes to offering and receiving good Internet service; the bigger the capacityof bandwidth an operator as ISP or cyber café cum small scale enterprises havemedium, the better for them, which means more customers on their network orbusiness centers.

According to Mr. Chris Stern of CS Designs, bandwidth means a lot to differentpeople including webmasters, whose job entails ensuring that the website of a givencompany is updated regularly or daily as the case may be, notwithstanding if the webhostingfirm has problem or not.

He described bandwidth as the resource a site uses on the computer whose server thecompany website is housed on. Noting that each time a file like a page, image oranimation and so on is loaded from a site, it is using a certain amount of resources orbandwidth from the computer it is on.

He likened bandwidth to electricity refrigeratoruses to run.Mr. Stern emphasized that nowadays ISPs deploy servers that set a limit to theamount or bandwidth a site may use each month and after that limit is reached, thesite would be closed and the webmaster sent a large bill that must be paid before theycould open their site again.

On the other hand, the term “bandwidth” is used merelyby electrical engineers to refer to the frequency range of an analog signal. And often,according to The IT Store, especially in the Internet community, the term is usedloosely to refer to channel capacity, or the bit rate of a link.

Internet Guide, also described bandwidth as the amount of data that could betransferred to your computer while connected to the Internet for a given time. Thehigher your bandwidth while connected to the Internet, the quicker web pages willload and download.

Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Koochi Communications Limited, Mr. JulianMadubuko, did not agree less and said that was why his firm conducted due diligencebefore entering the nation’s Internet provision market.

He decried the level of Internetinvestment in the country and called for a change of heart on the part of the investorsso as to develop the market. He attributed this to one of the reasons behind poorinternet service delivery in the country, saying it “is a financial one”.

According to him, lack of investment and investors are the bane of the nation’sdevelopment of robust internet and telecommunications infrastructure. Nothing thatthe government and financial sectors of the economy are yet to embrace the Internetto attract investors’ so as to push development in this area.

Citing an instance of theWestern hemisphere, he said that during the dotcom days, trillions of dollars wereraised in Western Europe and North America fueling companies, which had aninsatiable demand for internet services to invest in the region.

“This spurred on the telcos and their investors to spend huge amounts to buildinfrastructure to support this demand” he said, adding that beyond the cyber caféenvironment in Nigeria “we are not innovative enough to create new and otheravenues to provide Internet services and encourage usage, which means thatinvestment opportunity are not moving beyond the point it was two years ago”.

He called for extension of this mark beyond its entry point which is the cyber café. Tobring about an improved Internet service delivery, Mr. Madubuko also said, these arein two folds, based on content and self service to drive growth and usage possibilitiesamong the communities, the size that investors would appreciate to stick their fund.

These communities, he stressed, would continually require more and more bandwidthwhich the telecommunication companies and financiers would not resist by providingthe avenue to raise the sums required to build the infrastructure to satisfy theirdemand for bandwidth.

In a nutshell, bandwidth is a technical term for a technicalsubject which word originated from radio technology, and stands between Internetuser and the amount of information that could be used at a particular time.

This equally was attributed to the reasons in some offices, cyber cafes and evenhomes, some information such as pictures and graphics take longer time to download,yet some never come up, depending on the link(s).

Although, some of these officespay between N15, 000 and N35, 000 while single users pay between N5, 000 and N7,000 per month for Internet access to ISPs who also pay to those who they aremarketing for handsomely.

As Nigerians await when the regulatory authority, the Nigerian CommunicationsCommission (NCC) and the stakeholders under the aegis of the Internet ServiceProviders Association of Nigeria (ISPAN) and Association of Cyber-café andTelephone Operators of Nigeria (ATCON), would come up to make the NigerianInternet community smile, users are simply being milked, for the sake of keeping datewith Information Age embodied in the Internet.

TINKERING ON CONVERGENCE

Tinkering on converged licensing The fifth annual gathering of Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) ended recently in Geneva, Switzerland with ‘licensing in an era of convergence’ discussed, reports Remmy Nweke.

IN living up to the challenges facing humanity and determined to ameliorate them through Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), is tinkering on one license for a converged ICT services.

This indication came at the just concluded Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR), held in Geneva, Switzerland, last December, following the adoption of the report: Trends in Telecommunication Reform 2004-2005 by GSR. With this, the ICT sector, no doubt, is undergoing a radical transformation from an industry based previously on “Plain Old Telephone Services” (POTs), to one that provides voice, data and multimedia applications.

At the same time, countries around the world are now gearing up in the process of updating licensing and regulatory frameworks to address this convergence to better promote affordable access to technologies, especially through the Internet and broadband.

GSR had also expressed a shared goal to create national regulatory frameworks that would be flexible and enable competition between multiple private sector service providers, who may want to utilise a variety of technology platforms and delivery options.

For the Director, ITU-Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), Mr. Hamadoun I. Toure, “Technological innovations and market developments are forcing telecommunication regulators to rethink their regulatory practices.”

He stressed that the reality is that with a full range of ICT services and devices available on different networks, “regulators must face the question of whether licenses that limit operators to specific services or technologies still make sense”.

ITU had noted that Broadband technologies are seen as a particularly efficient way to achieve the connectivity goal because of their ability to overcome distance, open up markets, and create employment while reducing costs.

Chairman of the GSR and Commissioner of the United States Federal Communications Commission, Ms Kathleen Abernathy, said “Broadband networks are the key to maximizing the promise of an evolving and converging ICT sector,” noting, “new wireless and converging technologies that are sure to follow could revolutionize our societies and help to close the broadband divide that exists within and among our countries.”

The regulators, further said, that in order to achieve global connectivity and to reap the social and economic benefits this will bring, could only be possible if there is fair and reasonable access for competitive broadband services, including Internet connectivity.

Mr. Touré applauded the work of regulators from the developing world in this area, saying, “in many ways they are pioneering innovative uses of technologies such as broadband and the regulatory frameworks needed to support those innovations.”

The 2004-05 edition of the annual ITU publication, “Trends in Telecommunication Reform” focused on the global trend to reduce licensing requirements and to adopt converged licensing regimes that will enable service providers to offer any and all services using the technology of their choice.

Champion Infotel recalled that the fifth Forum on Telecommunication Regulation in Africa (FTRA), held in Kampala, Uganda, between November 3 and 5, 2004, also focused on “Licensing in the era of convergence”.

This covered specifics such as the impact of convergence on existing infrastructure, technology neutral licensing, pricing of spectrum in the era of convergence, regulatory implications, electronic numbering (ENUM) or Internet Telephone Numbering System in a convergent environment, country report on regulatory activities and regional and international corporation concerns.

FTRA requested ITU to assist countries in enhancing this capacity through publications, consulting mechanism and provision of training, as well as the issue of an appropriate regulatory framework to accommodate convergence, noting that the most appropriate regulatory framework, in the convergent environment was based on technology and service neutrality, even as they advised countries to consider adopting technology and services neutrality that is most appropriate for them.

The forum deliberated at length the utilization and pricing of spectrum in the era of convergence and said that spectrum should be properly attributed and managed by a relevant authority, giving due consideration to Africa’s plan to develop rural communication through wireless technology.

With regard to the perceived dependence of regulators on revenues from licenses to support their operations, the forum noted the likely effects of reduced revenues as a result of issuance of a single license.

However, the report highlighted the global trend towards reducing licensing requirements and adopting converged licensing regimes that will enable service providers to offer any and all services using the technology of their choice in a more competitive market environment.

Increasingly, policy-makers are revamping licensing frameworks to make them more flexible and more converged through various approaches, which is good. Though some approaches favoured a generic or converged licence for all providers of telecommunication services, regardless of what technology they deploy or what specific service niche they target.

The number of regulatory authorities around the world had risen to 132 by mid-2004 from 117 in 2003; reflecting the general pattern of growth that has marked the ICT sector for over a decade, according to ITU regulatory database.

This trend towards institutional convergence continued into 2004, as existing regulatory authorities merged and new, converged ones were established from scratch. For example, in the United Kingdom, five separate agencies merged to form the Office of Communications (OFCOM) that became operational at the end of 2003.

These were the Office of Telecommunications (Oftel), the Broadcasting Standards Commission, the Independent Television Commission (ITC), the Radio Agency and the Radiocommunications Agency.

Whereas in Brunei Darussalam, the Authority for Info-communications Technology (AiTi) was created and entrusted with responsibilities in both telecommunication regulation and ICT industry development.

Thus trend towards institutional convergence commensurated with the expanding role regulators are expected to play in developing national ICT markets. To achieve their tasks, a number of regulatory authorities have become ICT enablers and promoters, supporting the development of new technologies, new services and new business models, even as for many regulators, ICT capacity-building and consumer outreach have become key mandates.

Though this is a noble step, there seem to be some nagging questions begging for answers. These include as a technological, market and regulatory trend, convergence is raising a dizzying array of regulatory and legislative issues that policy-makers and regulators will have to address, particularly in the area of licensing.

The sixth edition of Trends in Telecommunication Reform, however, explored many of these issues in a bid to launch a global dialogue on licensing and convergence in the ICT sector. For example, can policy-makers and regulators completely deregulate the licensing of spectrum? How can they move to a converged licensing framework without unduly benefiting either incumbents or new market entrants? If new and existing participants in the market are less tightly licensed, how can regulators ensure that the public interest is served appropriately? Can governments pull back on licensing and still push operators to attain societal objectives such as universal access? What is clear is that a number of pioneering governments are revamping their licensing and regulatory frameworks with the goal to better promote affordable access to the entire gamut of communication services from voice to high-speed Internet access.

Historically, service providers have used different types of networks to deliver voice, video and data offerings, as such, end-users typically use different equipment to receive these services. In a number of countries today, licensing requirements for many services are being eased in order to remove barriers to market entry and boost competition.

Instead of requiring individual licensing and lengthy application procedures, general authorizations are increasingly used for a growing number of services. A prime example of this trend could be found in the member states of the European Union (EU), following the directive of EU Parliament since March 7, 2002, which has taken a major step to create a single licensing classification for all electronic communications and has created more consistent licensing throughout its 25 member states.

With the exception of assigning radio frequencies and numbers, the EU has replaced individual licences with a general authorization to provide all electronic communication networks and services under a new regulatory framework for electronic communications.

This new regulatory framework that entered into force in July 2003 is also technology neutral, and aims to be sufficiently flexible to deal with converging markets. The authorization rules lay down an administratively simple, light-touch procedure allowing companies to enter markets quickly.

But despite its flexibility, the new regulatory framework still requires constant evaluation and review, and this reports recommended such a review for EU before 2006, so as to further discuss issues related to authorization and convergence.

Already in Africa, Kenya and Tanzania are known to be in the process of introducing a converged licensing regime. While the introduction of more flexible and straightforward licensing regimes is clearly the trend today, regulators are nevertheless confronted with a large number of challenges and choices in their progress towards this ideal.

Beyond the adoption of a converged licensing model, issues such as spectrum management, the setting of licence fees, ensuring a level playing field and the pursuit of public policy goals, including universal access, also have to be dealt with as part of the process, and if left unchanged, the licensing process could be an obstacle to the development of a telecommunication market.

This symposium brought together the heads of 54 national regulatory authorities from both developed and developing countries, with representatives from 106 countries, attracting 350 participants, and has a reputation as the most important global venue for regulators to share views and experiences by fostering an open dialogue amongst themselves and with key stakeholders, including the private sector, investors and consumers.

This is coming at a time when a crop of Nigerian IT professionals is calling for a distinct IT ministry apart from what exists currently. Although, major contention here is the licensing authority ability to contend with the new era, which entails further empowering the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in the case of Nigeria.

Probably, for this desire by global regulators to take its root in the country, it requires an enlarged NCC with sub-directorates or commissions to represent different aspects of ICT services.

This is important in getting the nation ready for global competitiveness.

Nigeria's fate in biotechnology

Features of the week:

The science of biotechnology is a must for any nation wishing to be self sufficient, reports REMMY NWEKE.

It is estimated that 15 years from now, 50 per cent of the global economy will be bioeconomy-based, according to the Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Turner Isoun. Prof Isoun stated this in an address to the 8th international conference of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), which held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State a fortnight ago.

What this means is that in 2020, any nation which does not align itself economically with biotechnology, will be unsung in yet another revolution.

Biotechnology, according to Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia, is the manipulation of biological organisms to make products that benefit human beings.

Thus, biotechnology contributes to such various areas
as food production, waste disposal, mining and medicine.

Although biotechnology has been in existence for over 5,000 years Before Christ (B.C.), it is known as assorted breeds of plants or animals hybridized in scientific parlance as 'crossed' to produce greater genetic variety.

Then, the offspring of these crosses are selectively bred to produce the greatest available number of desired traits. According to Encarta, repeated cycles of selective breeding produced several present-day food staples, and have been deployed in the modern day food production programmes.

Locally, this kind of technology could be described as
advanced 'fertilizer' science programme, which is a substance that is put in the land to make crops grow optimally.

However, some achievements of biotechnology include the transfer of a certain gene from one organism to another by way of what experts say is applying a set of genetic engineering techniques, known as transgenics which is the maintenance and growth of genetically uniformed plant and animal-cell cultures, called clones today.


Also, the fusing of different types of cells to produce beneficial medical products such as monoclonal antibodies, Prof. Louis Levine of City College of New York, noted is often designed to attack a particular type of foreign substance.


Generally, genes, Commonwealth Biotechnologies Incorporated (CBI) said, are bits of biochemical instructions found inside the cells of every organism from bacteria of humans. As such, Prof. Levine noted, the offsprings receive a mixture of genetic information from both parents.

This information, he explained, is encoded and transmitted from generation to generation in Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA), which is a coiled molecule organized into structures called chromosomes within cells. This segments along with the length of a DNA molecule form genes.

Therefore, in agriculture, genetic advances enable scientists to alter a plant or animal to make it more
useful, according to Encarta. Hence, this has evolutionized the way industries produce certain substances, many of which formerly required costly and arduous manufacturing methods.

Historically, the modern era of biotechnology originated in 1953 when American biochemist, Mr. James Watson and British biophysicist, Mr. Francis Crick presented their double-helix model of DNA to the public.

Seven years later, it was followed by the discovery in 1960 of special enzymes known as restriction enzymes in bacteria by renowned Swiss microbiologist, Mr. Werner Arber, and in 1973, geneticist Stanley Cohen and biochemist, Mr. Herbert Boyer, both Americans, removed a specific gene from one bacterium and inserted it into another using restriction enzymes. This marked the beginning of recombinant DNA technology, commonly known as genetic engineering.

Prof. Levine also noted that in the 1960s, an important project used hybridization followed by selective breeding to increase food production and quality of wheat and rice crops. The American agriculturalist Norman Borlaug, head of the programme then, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 in recognition of the important contribution that increased the world's food supply made to the case of peace.

For Prof. Levine, biotechnology is applied in various fields such as in using it to create new biodegradable materials, made possible from the lactic acid produced during the bacterial fermentation of discarded corn stalks.

This example indicates that when individual lactic acid
molecules are joined chemically, they form a material that has the properties of plastics but is biodegradable, even as this has since spread into the mining industry.

All these must have added to the import of what Prof. Isoun enthused at the NCS conference, where he noted that Nigeria as a nation is endowed with enormous bioresources across all its six main ecological zones, namely mangrove/swamp, rainforests, derived savannah, montane/plateau, savannah and semi-arid.

He said that what matters most is how we as a nation use the new Information Technology (IT) domain of bioinformatics to drive the growth and development of modern biotechnology in the country.

Piqued, the Bayelsa State governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, lamented recent technological-economic survey of the chemicals and pharmaceutical sector of the nation's economy by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, which he described as revealing.

According to him, out of 476 indispensable raw materials currently needed by the pharmaceutical industry, for instance, in the country only 16 are locally sourced.

"What a pity! IT capacity building could bridge this huge gap by using data mining in knowledge-based economy," he
asserted.

Just last weekend, news report had it that founder of Microsoft, Mr. Bill Gates, announced a grant of over $400 million to Pioneer Hybrid for use in improving health in developing countries.

It also stated that Pioneer is expected to spend the next two years using their technology to fight hunger half way around the world and will soon commence work on the next generation of crops to feed people in Africa, otherwise known as 'sorgum' which experts said looks like corn grown in Iowa, United States.

According to the report, sorgum could grow anywhere including the desert which is known to have limited farming in parts of Africa, but the only problem associated with them, is that when cooked these tiny pieces of grain, sorgum, lose their nutritional value.

Though scientists at Pioneer said they have the solution by way of replacing a gene in the sorgum that will double the nutritional value, making it better for the people who eat it, even after it’s cooked.

Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda were fingered as the nations where this experiment would soon take place, even as Pioneer scientists intend to work with African scientists to bring the new technology back home with them.

For Mr. Eric Idehen, who left Nigeria over five years ago, "this kind of research could help lift the large majority of my country men living in poverty."

He stressed that Nigerians have the land to farm and want to work but most often do not have a crop worth growing. Even as experts from Pioneer hope to market the first generation of the enhanced Sorgum within a year, thus bridging the gap between the science of those who have and those who need it most.

For the immediate past president of Information Technology Industry Association of Nigeria (ITAN), Mr. Chris Uwaje, he agrees that biotechnology is important at this stage of our economic development and to humanity in entirety.

"Sure Bio-Technology is very, very important to mankind essentially due to the global population surge that has hit 6.4billion.

This challenges mankind to come up with accelerated techniques to establish and guarantee food security and enhance the life expectancy index," he asserted in exclusive chat with Champion Infotel.

No matter the attendant opinion this has generated among professionals since it was proclaimed, the fact is that this situation seems to prevent the incessant shortage of food in developing nations, most of which are in Africa.

So, the earlier the continent and Nigeria particularly
realize this essence, and embrace bio-technology in all ramification, the better for the proposed exportation of stable food crops by the government and the plan to diversify cassava for the making of bread in the country, a realty.

This has become very important, mostly if the dream to be self-sustained in food production and to take care of the 150 million Nigerians would materialize in the near future, at least, before 2020.

Published in Daily Champion, July 7, 2005

Erratic power supply, bane of ICT growth

Features for the week:

Poor electricity supply ranks highest among the problems facing stakeholders in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) thus retards penetration, reports REMMY NWEKE.

ARISING from his seat at the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) Center’s Agip Hall, at the recently held Computer, Telecommunications and Office Equipment (CTO-05), upcoming professional, Mr. Emeh Ekanem, 30, resolved to close his personal savings in order to refocus by acquiring a Personal Computer (PC) for $750, about N70,000 and going online.

This step was followed few weeks later by engaging an Internet Service Provider (ISP) for close to $200, about N25,000 so as to have Internet access anywhere and at anytime of the day, especially at home.

Mr. Ekanem, also known for a patriot who do not hesitate in settling his bills as soon as they come, including bills from the scrapped National Electric Power Authority (NEPA).

Although, he has been residing in the Gbagada axis of Lagos State, for over three years now, one thing that had forced him not to think about owning a PC initially, let alone getting Internet access was the incessant epileptic power supply in the area.

This kind of scenario must have forced the concerned Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) Group of 22 (G-22) in its recent eight sectoral based memoranda submitted to the National Political Reform Conference (NPRC), stated in its section three “What must Nigeria do to succeed in the 21st century,” listed as number one challenge the issue of having constant electricity supply in the system.

G-22, made up of Nigerian ICT professionals, 13 of who are resident locally, nine others reside in the United Kingdom, Canada and United States; opined that for the nation to attain any meaningful qualitative development within the global context, there must be an un-interruptible electricity supply at all points and at all times.

“We used to hear that knowledge is power (electricity) will then become the real knowledge tool for engaging 21st century global competitiveness,” the group said.

They also said in the recommendations that the nation has been disconnected for too long a time by applying what was described as “outdated strategy of even development”.

Noting that by their submission, the group has deactivated the wheel of progressive development, which they said, grossly contributed to the under-development of the nation, lamenting however, of none inclusion of ICT professionals in the NPRC.

The G-22, which has the likes of Dr. Aluko Mobalji, Alhaji Ajijola Abdul-Hakeem, Dr. Bada Abiodun, Messrs Reuben Muoka, Titi Omo-Ettu, Kolawole Ogunlana, Uche Onwudiwe, Chris Uwaje and Seni Williams among others, further insisted that the time has come to reconnect governance with the industry and academia, through a science, technology and knowledge-based public-private partnership (PPP) initiative as a strategic vehicle for national development and global competitiveness.

Managing Director, Gafunk Nigeria Limited, Mr. Ganiyu Alimi, while speaking to Champion Infotel exclusively, on problems facing ICT entrepreneurs in the country, equally picked as the number one, the problem of electricity, which has since constrained most stakeholders to power their electricity themselves through generating sets.

Mr. Alimi said that this in turn drains the pocket of growing entrepreneurs, noting the steps taken by the Lagos State government, for instance, by trying its hands on Independent Power Generation Plant (IPGP), which was unfortunately politicized to the detriment of citizens, especially Lagosians due to feud between the state and federal government.

“Until the power sector is privatized, we may not see tangible development in the country,” he said. Stressing that as he was speaking to Champion Infotel, his company runs on generating set most of the 24 hours in a day, coupled with the ever rising cost of diesel which currently sells at about N64 per litre.

“So, power is very important but not any where available for use and now you have to generate it at a very high cost,” he lamented.

All these, Gafunk boss said adds to the cost of ICT tools such as computers as well as life span of such equipment and for the nation to witness dramatic change in the industrial development, “the government must give power generation high priority”.

For the President, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) and Vice Chairman, Teledom Group of Companies, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, who blamed this power problems to poor management of public-owned institutions just as the renaming may not after all be the solution to power supply in the country.

Champion Infotel recalls that about forthnight ago the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) was scrapped by the federal government and replaced with a new firm, Power Holding Company of Nigeria Limited (PHCNL).

Dr. Ekuwem maintained that for industrial development to occur, government at all levels has no business being in business, emphasizing that this means that any government’s public owned institution such as NEPA should not only be in the hands of the Organized Private Sector (OPS) but privatized in order to have the management structured in a way that private people manage it, with little per cent if necessary own by the government, as well as avoiding undue interference.

He dismissed NEPA, saying that it has become a national disgrace and is at the root of non-development of the country, because even those who want to contribute to the development are frustrated out, because power is not available and even where available it is not stable.

Corroborating this, Managing Director, Dunlop Nigeria Plc, Mr. Dayo Lawuyi, said that privatization remains the solution to epileptic power supply in the country.

“Many young men are waiting out there to do things with their hands but they are held up by erratic power supply,” he said.

Dunlop, according to him, has seven generating sets already and the eighth is on its way, pointing out that the dearth of the public power supply was a major handicap of Nigerians and manufacturers in particular.

He drew an analogy with the telecoms industry and argued that nowadays “Competition gives room to efficiency …. If you go to NITEL now, it is virtually empty. Nobody wants to patronize NITEL anymore and in addition, you get good service because there are options”.

Project Manager, Lagos Digital Village (LDV) Yaba-Lagos, Mr. Gbenga Sesan, lamented that the situation is literarily killing and said that as he speak that LDV has spent millions of Naira on diesel alone to keep the Digital Village up and running and this has eaten deep into other budget of LDV.

This, the pioneer IT ambassador said, poses more problem in a place like LDV, which is being funded by international organizations like Microsoft, who are dazed that such amount of money is spent on power supply alone. Additionally, this is retarding the hand of development as the plan for another Digital Village would require stringent planning and rise in the cost of operation.

Business Center Operator at the Ajegunle axis of Lagos State, Mr. John Gozie, decried that erratic power supply has caused break down of most of his PCs, apart from fueling his generating set most of the time, which cost is usually passed to the customers.

He expressed pessimism over the change of NEPA to PHCNL, wondering if that would really make electricity available to Nigerians to use and advance their knowledge, particularly in the use of ICT tools, such as the PC and Internet.

Though change of name may not really change the structure or orientation especially of then existing NEPA, some industry analyst, should have preferred taking of privatization headlong first before a new name is picked.

And even at that, NEPA which has since become “Never Expert Power Always” for most Nigerians and they are worried with the PHCNL name as ‘Power Holding’, suggesting it is not enticing either and has began to denote ‘withholding power’.

No matter how it is looked at, millions of Nigerians like Mr. Ekanem are on queue waiting to know where the train of poor electricity or otherwise, would take us beyond the change of name, even as it retards the wheel of ICT penetration.

PrepCom-2; Between NGOs, visa racketeering

Features of the week:

On the road to Tunis 2005, the second Preparatory Committee meeting (PrepCom-2) for the phase-II of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS-05) recently ended in Geneva, Switzerland, with the re-occurring suspicion of visa racketeering by some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on the prowl, reports REMMY NWEKE.

Today marks 41 days after the second Preparatory Committee Meeting (PrepCom-2) for the second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS-2005) which ended in the Swiss capital, Geneva on February 25, but the exploits by some Nigerian-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs), otherwise referred to as civil society groups during the exercise are still reverberating.

PrepCom-1 for this phase was held last June in Tunis, the host country of the WSIS-05, slated for November this year. Prior to the second phase of PrepCom-2 held between February 17 and 25 this year, a Save-Our-Soul (SOS) letter was distributed online to some stakeholders, precisely on February 11, by a group identified as “Concerned Nigerian Delegates to the WSIS PrepCom-2”.

The letter was addressed to the Chief Travel Section, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretariat in Geneva and read thus:

“Your Excellency,

RE: PREPCOM-2, GENEVA

URGENT ASSISTANCE FOR SWISS ENTRY VISA

We, members of the civil society accredited to the World Summit on the Information Society want to thank you immensely for facilitating our participation for PrepCom-2 of the Tunis Phase of the World Summit on the Information Society, Geneva 17-25, 2005.

In spite of the letter of support your office sent to the Swiss Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria to ensure our participation, the embassy refused to issue visas to our delegates with the excuse that they have not travelled to Europe before. All our attempt at explaining to them the importance of our participation especially as one of the key import of the conference is to bridge the digital divide between the South and the North was of no avail.

It will be recalled that the Republic of Ghana in West Africa issued visas to all accredited participants worldwide (Europe inclusive), even at the port of entry during the WSIS Africa Regional Conference. Please note that the denial of our delegates to participate in the meeting underscores Africa’s active participation and input on the outcome of PrepCom2, more so that Africa is hosting the Phase 2 of the World Summit in November (Tunis).

Even a few individuals who were privileged to be granted visa (due to the fact that they have travelled to Europe before) are completely unease about this development and may boycott the event if fellow delegates’ plight at the embassy is not immediately and adequately addressed by your office. Please, as a matter of urgency, kindly communicate with the Swiss government on this issue and get back to us on E-mail: concernigerians4wsis2005@yahoo.com, so as to adequately ensure the participation of our delegates. We await your URGENT response”.

It was endorsed by the duo of Prince Goodluck Obi, Country Co-ordinator United Nations of Youth, Nigeria and Mr. Michael Nwafejoku, President, International Foundation for African Children.

However, travelling in this era of evolving Information Society (IS), depending, may not be vital, but where the traveller meets all the requirement, entry visa should not be denied whether they are absconding or not, according to industry watchers. They, however, noted that one may not be advocating what is known in Nigeria as ‘Andrew check-out’ syndrome. Other analysts opined that the purpose of Information Society would be defeated where such denials occur, which often affects genuine travellers, who are not even ready to spend a night outside the official requirement on any shore outside their father land, Nigeria.

But the fact remains that most of these NGOs, have some ‘hidden agenda’ whenever such an international event is organized in any part of the world especially in Europe; to do brisk business through ‘organised’ travel, which paves way for some of the so-called delegates to break-out as soon as they touch down at destination.

Another worry, for stakeholders and particularly Nigerians as far as WSIS processes are concerned is that the number of visa applicants in the name of civil societies were reported to be about 300, hence some analysts took the figure with a pinch of salt, saying it could be above 100 but not 300.

According to the director, Nigerian Office of Heinrich Boll Foundation, Dr Axel Harneitt-Sievers, who intervened, “it also appears that the Swiss embassy in Abuja was simply overwhelmed by the number of applications … the visa department mentioned that they had received about 300 Nigerian visa applications to visit the Geneva WSIS PrepCom”.

Dr. Harneit-Sievers, also noted that apparently, “such a number alone makes it difficult to filter out genuine applications”.

At Geneva, during the civil society plenary session, the WSIS Executive Director, Mr. Charles Geiger, made some comments reportedly depicting condemnation of African NGOs’ quest for visa, with particular reference to the Nigerian delegation most of whom were later granted entry visas.

The explanation, Champion Infotel gathered, was that when some of the NGOs applied for accreditation, they were asked for papers, including annual reports, budgets and financial reports, which showed some, may have forgotten what they supplied as information. This, Mr. Geiger, noted was a purported tiny NGO bodies with very modest budget lines.

Unfortunately, thereafter, same NGOs without fellowships were registering a team of 10 and above participants for the events and were asking for visas. Hence, it was concluded that an NGO with the kind of budget that was submitted could not just fund that kind of a team unless it’s aim is migratory. However, this may not be the case of everyone.

But reacting to this development, a concerned Nigerian, Mr. Ayo Oladejo, wondered the possibility of writing boldly on individual forehead “we are truthful and honest citizens of Nigeria,” saying such should have been very good. Though it’s not possible, he guessed it’s a cross every Nigerian has to carry until a change is made on the situation of the country, socio-economically.

He stressed that Nigerian leaders brought this on the citizens, “when out of their selfish and personal agenda they made Nigeria a country without a future for her youths”. It was argued that if Nigeria was economically stable, “most of these young people would not have to leave Nigeria, their country for anywhere they have neither relations or friends”.

He agreed it is a big challenge for citizens, but “we need to start thinking of ways to correct this ugly trend of leaving an impoverished country for the next generation”.

Pointing out that in spite of the foregoing, embassy
officials are paid to distinguish between illegal and legal immigrants. He
argued that they should not look down on Nigerians, in view of the fact that not
every Nigerian is corrupt. Mr. Oladejo hopes this ugly experience will not
repeat itself during the main summit in Tunis later in the year.

Although he expressed sadness over the visa incident, he stressed that in the 60s, visas to the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK) were not what they are today, as most of the people who travelled out then went to school and they were even begged to go.

He pointed accusing fingers at leaders, saying they need to be actually questioned for allowing the nation to degenerate and make consular officers to abuse Nigerians and treat them like animals; making visa applicants to sleep over in embassies, among other unsavouring treatments.

Membership Coordinator, Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO), Mr. Oyebisi Oluseyi, while decrying the situation said that the absence of Africa in such a forum like the WSIS Prepcom and main summit, will amount to other developing countries planning for Africa in the absence of Africans.

Thus, he declared that enough is definitely enough on the marginalisation of Africa and indeed Nigerians in the development of the “world” which belongs to all and called on developed countries to be sincere on the plight of Africa and Africans, amidst other developing continents.

“With most government of the developed world’s mere rhetoric to the African plight, we cannot but keep experiencing this,” he lamented.

It was also gathered that during the Women Conference in Beijing, Nigeria alone sent hundreds of women to the conference and till date, not much impact of their participation is visible.

An issue, however, for evolving Info Society is that of freedom of movement across the borders. Though, this adds to tourism returns to the visited country economically, which also affects the origin of the visitor, mostly in developing countries adversely.

For instance, if 300 delegates were to come from Nigeria and spend an average of $900 for a 10-day event per person, that is a handsome income for the hospitality industry in Geneva.

Therefore, as much as many Nigerians condemned the suspected visa racketeering by some NGOs, decorum must be implored in dealing with visa applicants in the continent and Nigeria precisely.

This is because, despite the bad name engraved on Nigeria by some Nigerians, majority are proud Nigerians, who believe in the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools at this time of the century, position of the leaders on corruption and anti-corruption notwithstanding.

It is time to rethink on how to move the nation forward. Before then, like the recent “Commission for Africa” report launched March 11, 2005 in London and chaired by Prime Minister Tony Blair, in its page 20, stated, “... The first responsibility for change and improved governance lies with Africans themselves, in which the rich world has a moral duty - as well as a powerful motive of self-interest - to assist”.

Maximizing 2.5G, the Glo way

Features of the week:

Determined to redefine the life of Nigerians through its Second Generation Enhanced (2.5G) network, the Second National Operator (SNO), Globacom, is exploiting the technology for its subscribers’ sake, reports REMMY NWEKE.

LIVING up to its status, the Second National Operator (SNO), Globacom Limited, has continued to blaze the trial on innovative Value Added Services (VAS), based on its deployment and determination to exploit its Second Generation Enhanced (2.5G) technology, within the nation’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.

The requirement for mobile data services, encouraged growth of the internet has been the backbone for the development of enhanced data services otherwise known as 2.5G.

2.5G, is a generic term used to refer to a standard of wireless mobile telephone networks that lie in between Second Generation (2G) and Third Generation (3G) technologies. According to the mobile-phone-directory.org, the development of 2.5G has been viewed as a stepping-stone towards 3G, which was prompted by the demand for better data services and access to the Internet.

In the evolution of mobile communications, each generation provides a higher data rate and additional capabilities, and 2.5G is no exception as it has provided faster services than 2G, but would not be equated to be as fast or as advanced as the newer third generation (3G) systems.

In some quarters, analysts have seen 2.5G as an alternative route to 3G, but this appears to be short-sighted, as 2.5G is several times slower than the full 3G service. Technically speaking, the term 2.5G extends the capabilities of 2G systems by providing additional features, such as a packet-switched connection via the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) in the Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)-based Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) structure, and enhanced data rates via the High Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD) and Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE).

These enhancements in 2.5G systems permit data speeds of 64-144 Kilobytes per second (kbps); a unit for measuring computing information equal to 1024 bytes, which enables these phones to feature web browsing, the use of navigation and navigational maps, voice mail, fax, and the sending and receiving of large electronic mail (e-mail) messages.

However, Glo Mobile’s latest VAS, the Glo Mobile-Banking (m-banking) within its MagicPlus package was based on the kind of infrastructure on ground and supporting software deployed to meet up with the proposed value added service plan.

This is coming as Meridea Financial Software Limited has been selected as one of the best-performing and innovative entity with the fast growth of its mobile banking solutions, by Tornado-2004 for its new generation solutions. Like Meridea, the likes of CraftSilicon and Zslinc.com, are among many other software houses that focus on mobile banking software evolution.

Announcing the introduction of Glo-M-banking, prior to its commencement on February 28, 2005, the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Mr. Mohammed Jameel, said this service provides all Glo Mobile customers swift and easy access to their bank accounts from their mobile phones within Glo coverage area.

He also said subscribers could check their bank account balances, view the last five transactions on the account, transfer funds from one account to the other within the same bank and recharge a Glo prepaid line, all directly from their Glo Mobile phones. Noting, “this is the first time in the history of the country that one single application will provide a uniform interface to a multitude of banks”.

In collaboration with InterSwitch, Nigeria’s premier e-payment switch, Glo M-Banking offers subscribers access to real-time personal banking information and saves the customer time and money as he is able to do much of his banking transactions from the comfort of his home, office, on the road or anywhere he chooses. Thus, “With Glo Mobile-Banking, the customer carries his banks on his palm,” he declared.

Champion Infotel gathered that Glo Mobile began trials of its mobile banking services early this year, even as Mr. Jameel says that at the moment the service is available in 16 high-end banks, namely; First Bank Nigeria Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, Afribank, Oceanic Bank, Wema Bank and Chartered Bank, as well as Platinum Bank, Prudent Bank, Standard Trust Bank, Universal Trust Bank, Bond Bank, Gulf Bank, National Bank, First City Monument Bank and United Bank of Africa (UBA).

“A subscriber could request for the service by filling in the Glo M-Banking request form and upon successful activation, he/she will receive a welcome Short Messaging Service (SMS) on the mobile phone, informing the subscriber that the m-Banking service has now been activated,” he explained.

To access this service, therefore, subscribers need the Personal Identification Number (PIN) issued by the bank and “If he already has a debit card, the debit card PIN automatically serves as the PIN required to access the m-Banking services,” he said. Stressing that a subscriber is required to select “check balance” on the MagicPlus menu, enter the bank code and select the account he wants to check, and for security reasons, the subscriber is required to enter his PIN number, highlighting that Glo Mobile positions its m-Banking service as a more user-friendly application because of its menu driven functions.

According to the COO, by tying the service to the phone number and PIN, a higher assurance is given of an end-to-end security on all transactions, which is better than what is presently available in the market.
To this end, the Smart Card Society of Nigeria (SCSN) has commended Globacom for introducing Glo M-banking, for its uniqueness and robust ability to hasten the march toward an electronic-card society in the country.

In a congratulatory letter signed by its secretary, Mr. Adeyinka Adeyemi, SCSN said it was delighted at the way Globacom was redefining the information and communications industry in the country through the introduction of innovative and value added services.

“The launch of Glo M-Banking aligns with the cardinal objectives of the society, to promote and encourage the development of electronic payment, using smartcard technology or any related technologies and adapting the same to enhance easy and fast transactional activities,” he said.

Emphasising, the scribe said, “we are particularly delighted that Glo M-Banking provides a uniform interface to a multitude of banks, thereby taking mobile banking a step further than hitherto obtainable, thus allowing customers to have easy and swift access to their banks.”

Smart Card also expressed the hope that the deployment of Glo M-Banking would, “encourage other organizations both in the public and private sector to develop value added and customer-friendly platform to ensure speed, ease and reduce cost of banking and other transactions,” Mr. Adeyemi noted.

Also speaking, the Marketing Director of Globacom, Mr. Subhra Das, told newsmen; “The service was designed to operate using high security protocols,” underscoring that apart from M-Banking, MagicPlus, also provides Glo subscribers with a whole lot of information-based services classified under information, news, sports, football, entertainment, business services and register.

The information section, he said, provides subscribers with flight schedules, including arrival and departure times of all airlines operating in Nigeria on both the local and international routes, just as it gives an up-to-date information on horoscope and daily weather forecasts.

Whereas, the sports segment provides sports related information including fixtures and results of the Globacom Premier League, English Premiership, UEFA matches, Bundesliga, Serie A and Dutch league, the news segment, according to the Marketing Director, keeps subscribers abreast of political, economic and social issues locally and internationally, while the subscribers could equally access business services such as currency exchange rates through the Dutch Auction.

The entertainment section would give subscribers a world of customised ring tones, logos, games, jokes and music charts, even as the segment on register, affords subscribers opportunity to search for the addresses and phone numbers of registered companies using a set of search parameters.

Mr. Das, further described MagicPlus package as a stepping stone towards advanced wireless data services, with a unique number that subscribers could dial to access the services in the MagicPlus menu which are also affordable.

Giving more details, he said subscribers would pay N40 per request on M-Banking services, N25 per request for the information-based services and N100 per request for ring tones and logos.

Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) at Teledom International Limited, a telecom integrated solution firm, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, told Champion Infotel, recently that inadequate telecommunications infrastructure that is robust and reliable is the bane of modern-day banking based on technology in any given society, including mobile banking; which shows Glo’s infrastructure deployment therefore is on the right path.

For a Glo subscriber and monitoring officer, Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Lagos Archdiocese, Mr. Ifeanyi Peters, it is innovative and reduces time one spends in the bank trying to check balances and conduct small transactions.

“I think it’s commendable and is part of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) revolution,” he declared.

Glo Mobile, an arm of Globacom Limited, launched its mobile telecommunication services on August 27, 2003.

The telco prides itself as the first to introduce the per second billing (PSB) option and the first to introduce GPRS-based services; Glo Multi-media Messaging Service (MMS) and has added Glo Mobile Internet, a GPRS-based Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) and Glo Direct, an Internet access offering since August 2004.

As more Nigerians, especially telecom subscribers look forward to when this service will be introduced across other networks of banks and mobile operators alike, as well as beyond the shores of Nigeria as obtained in some developing countries like India, a wake-up call for other operators who are in slumber is sounded.With the phone in your hand, enjoy the services of mobile banking at your doorstep.

Broadband, technology of the future

Features of the week:

The need to unbundle the benefits of Broadband technology is examined in this report by REMMY NWEKE.

IN need to have access to some urgent information on his electronic mail (e-mail) box, Mazi Ofor Ikotuonye, a post graduate candidate of one of the states’ universities in Lagos, rushed out of his residence and headed to the nearby Internet café.

At the first café, nothing seemed to be happening though Internet savvy looking people were sitting before Personal Computers obviously linked to the Internet. They were waiting for the telephone line and a box, which he learnt, was a dial-up modem to connect to the Internet, before they could resume browsing.

A modem is a device used to transmit and receive digital data over a communications line normally used for analog signals, according to Columbia Encyclopedia. A modem could also come in form of cable or wireless format.

Initially, every person in the cafe with about 10 PCs were praying within themselves that rancorous noise of telephone buzzing across to the modem would seize, which otherwise means it has connected, but always indicating the engaged tone. He looked around and decided to check the next cafe, where he found out that the Internet was at rather snail speed and those already surfing were wearing long faces.

He dashed out again, yet to another café further down the road; there, people where very relaxed, surfing from one website to another in search of information.

Instantly, out of curiosity, he approached the manager of the café to inquire on what kind of service or technology that was deployed by them, only to be told "Broadband technology".

According to Broadband.com, this technology is technically defined as the non-specific term for high-speed digital internet access. Generally, Broadband includes the Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs, T1,T3 or even E1 lines) and the brand new satellite internet connection.

It is also seen as the latest in high-speed internet access technology, delivering access at speed hundreds of times faster than a dial-up modem can provide.

The BBCNews Online described Broadband as a system designed for high-speed transmission of huge amounts of electronic data.

Hence, it could be likened to a pipe carrying water and if one wants to get more water down the pipe, and send it faster; definitely the person needs a larger pipe, and so is broad bandwidth. Bandwidth is the capacity of a communications line in transmitting or receiving information.

To this end, BBCNews Online also noted that this same result could be achieved in respect of data, deploying advanced cable technology, radio frequency transmissions or satellite systems, as the case may be.

This is to further say that various signals were combined into one for the purposes of transmission down the wire and is separated on reaching the destination.

While DSL, a core technology bundled within the broadband range could best go for an always-on internet connection that uses available ordinary copper phone line for both home phone service and a high-speed internet connection.

Thus, it could be used to surf the world wide web (www) and still talk on the same time over an existing phone line, without having to install a new one.

Data Communications for Business, describing T1 as a revolution introduced by AT & T in 1962, said its a digital data stream capable of handling 24 independent connections simultaneously. It has proved to be a cost-effective means of linking voice and data, both inter-office and intra-office; serving as an alternative to high-speed modems for data transport.

In other words, bringing about an increased usage or deployment of T1, since most users of T1 have come to term with the notion that it costs less to have a T1 trunk than a series of leased telephone lines in a point-to-point topology, according to TechFest.Com.

Dallas SemiConductor/Maxim Integrated, explained that a full T1, a term for a digital carrier facility used to transmit Digital Signals (DS) at 1.544 megabits per second (Mbps), is made up of about 24 digital channels.

This, also requires a Digital Connection Device (DCD) unit or Customer Switching Unit (CSU) to connect to four wires in order to carry the information, and most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have T1 as their connection to the Internet, just as a full T1 accommodates over 200 internet users amidst other services offered by their providers.

On the T3, Sunrise Telecom said it is a network transport architecture-embedded with variety of purposes, convenient for carrying 672 voice channels in one circuit.

Latest T3 applications, Champion Infotel learnt, include the transport of broadcast quality video, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) physical layer connections and super computer direct links.

It was also recognized by Sunrise Telecom that T3 and T1 are general terms referring to the transformation of 44.736 Mbps and 1.544 Mbps worth of digital circuits over any media, respectively.

"T3 and T1 could be transported over copper, fibre or radio," Sunrise Telecom declared, stressing that Digital Signal (DS-3) and DS-1 are terms for electrical signal found at the metallic interfaces for these circuits where most testing is performed.

Throwing more light on the efficacy of Broadband core-competences, the chief executive of PiNet Nigeria Limited, Mr. Lanre Ajayi, said T1 or T3 is a technical standards which are dominantly used in the United States, while the E1 is the European standard that offers 2 Megabits per second of data or signal.

E1 line also comes along with about 30 telephone points and also mainly used by ISPs, but provided by national operators.

Ajayi, who is the vice president of the Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), agreed that broadband core technology, would go a long way in ameliorating the penetration of internet and information in developing nations, including Nigeria.

Experts also said some of the merits embedded in Broadband is radically a life-changing steps as electronic mails containing attachments would be downloaded in seconds, and same with attaching files on your mails.

For music lovers, along other entertainment offered nowadays on the internet, the labour over dial-up modem would be a forgone conclusion, as hitherto attempts for hours becomes available in minutes, among other values.

Little wonder then that at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) organized Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) last December in Geneva, one thing that top the agenda was the issue of deploying broadband at every nook and cranny to boost universal access, describing it as an "enabler".

Participants, hence, sought the regulation that should be directed at improving the long term interests of this technology for citizens. Pointing out that Broadband could contribute to universal access by improving and enabling education, information, and increased efficiency such as reducing costs, overcoming distances, opening up Information and Communication Technology (ICT) markets, enhancing understanding and creating employment.

The GSR forum ended by issuing an industry transforming best practice guidelines toward achieving low cost Broadband and internet connectivity.

According to the conference chairperson and a Commissioner at the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Ms Kathleen Abernathy, "Broadband networks are the key to maximizing the promise of an evolving and converging ICT sector."

She noted that new wireless and converging technologies that are sure to follow can revolutionise societies and help to close the broadband divide that exists within and among countries of the world.

Director, ITU Development Bureau, Mr. Hamadoun I. Toure, while applauding GSR guidelines pointed out that technological innovations and market developments are forcing telecom regulators to rethink their regulatory practices.

Mr. Toure said, "in many ways they are pioneering innovative uses of technologies such as Broadband and the regulatory frameworks needed to support those innovations."

The GSR, attended by 54 heads of national regulatory bodies, encouraged regulators to educate and inform consumers about the services that are available to them and how to utilize same, "so that the entire population benefits".

It also tasked regulators to work with other government entities; industry, consumer groups and other stakeholders to ensure consumers have access to the information they need about Broadband and internet services.

They further urged member countries to adopt policies to increase access to the internet and Broadband services based on their own market structure, such that policies reflect diversity in culture, language and social interests.

Like the regulators pointed out, adoption of a regulatory regime that facilitates the use of all telecommunications transport mechanisms, be it wire line, power line, cable, wireless, including Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) or satellite; public access to broadband and internet services to schools, libraries and other community centers, should be of utmost importance.

Therefore, participants of all nations, were tasked to facilitate this dream through economies of scale and competition among Broadband vendors and service providers.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) led by Mr. Ernest Ndukwe, probably discovered this import, giving the impetus in organising a workshop on Broadband in April 2001.

Though technology evolution goes beyond workshops on Broadband to transform into action process, hence, much is needed to encourage service providers to embrace Broadband as the technology of the future, with lots of propects for developing continents like Africa, in keeping date with the future through ICT tools.

Tampere Convention and life-saving technology

Features of the week:

To better the world during emergencies is one of the cardinal points of Information Society, and a welcome development with Tampere Convention, despite the absence of Nigeria in any of its processes so far. Reports REMMY NWEKE.

COMMUNICATIONS in disaster areas have always proved difficult, especially for relief workers like the Red Cross among other humanitarian agencies worldwide.

Disaster is known to be a sudden event such as flood, storm, earthquake or accident, which causes great damage or suffering. It could be subdivided into natural disaster and man-made.

This, no doubt led to the recent holding of a treaty otherwise known as Tampere Convention on Emergency Telecommunications following its ratification by about 30 countries globally, excluding Nigeria.

The situation report released on February 15, 2005, by the United Nations Office
for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that approximately 500,000 people were affected in the Pakistan rains/snowfall, according to its resident coordinator in the country.

From Sudan in Africa where millions of lives are at stake, to Columbia where over 1,000 have fled their homes to Venezuela and Guyana where torrential rains and flooding displaced thousands of citizens. And With what happened at the Tsunami disaster, last December, the treaty must have come appropriately to avoid the re-occurrence in the future.

However, the treaty, entitled “Tampere Convention on Provision of Telecommunication Resources for Disaster Mitigation and Relief Operations” was endorsed on Saturday, January 8, 2005, thus making it possible for usage of telecommunication equipment over trans-border without hindrance, especially by humanitarian organizations.

Until now, the trans-border use of telecommunication equipment by humanitarian organizations often were impeded by regulatory barriers that make it extremely difficult to import and rapidly deploy telecommunications equipment for emergencies.

Disasters are considered to kill one million people each decade and leave millions more homeless. When disaster strikes, communications’ links are often disrupted; yet for disaster relief workers who arrive on the scene these links are essential.

Questions that require information gathering for immediate response include: how many people have been injured or have died, where the injured are located, where they should be dispatched and the extent of the medical help needed.

As well, workers rely heavily on telecommunications to coordinate the complicated logistics of rescue and relief operations.

In the absence of an agreed multilateral framework that temporarily waives formalities, delays have meant the loss of lives.

“In emergency situations, telecommunication saves lives,” said Yoshio Utsumi, secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union, the United Nations specialized agency for telecommunications, which, along with the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), has been a driving force in drafting and promoting the convention.

He said, “With this Convention, relief workers can make full use of today’s telecommunication tools which are essential for the coordination of rescue operations.”

According to the Chief Information and Communications Technology officer at UNOCHA and Head, Special Unit for Least Developed Countries at Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) in ITU, Mr. Cheriff Ghaly and Dr. Cosmas Zavazava, respectively, the Tampere Convention calls on states to facilitate the provision of prompt telecommunication assistance to mitigate the impact of a disaster, and covers both the installation and operation of reliable, flexible telecommunication services.

Regulatory barriers that impede the use of telecommunication resources for
disasters are thereby waived. These barriers they said, include the licensing
requirements to use allocated frequencies, restrictions on the import of
telecommunication equipment as well as limitations on the movement of
humanitarian teams.

“OCHA aims to ensure the best response to disasters to prevent loss of life and help survivors. The convention will make that work easier,” said Mr. Jan Egeland, operational coordinator of the Tampere convention.

The convention also safeguards the privileges, immunities and facilities granted to persons providing disaster assistance by granting them immunity from arrest and detention and exempting them from taxation and duties.

As the first treaty of its kind, the convention also defines the non-governmental organizations and non-state entities whose personnel would be granted these privileges and immunities when engaged in supporting the work of UN humanitarian and rescue organizations such as the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), OCHA and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies (IFRC).

The Convention defines the overall framework for the cooperation among states parties and all other partners in international humanitarian assistance.

It describes the procedures for request and provision of telecommunication assistance, recognizing the right of a state party to direct control and coordinate assistance provided under the convention within its territory.

It also defines specific elements and aspects of the provision of telecommunication assistance, such as termination of assistance and settlement of disputes. It requires States to make an inventory of the resources — both human and material — available for disaster mitigation and relief, and to develop a telecommunication action plan that identifies the steps necessary to deploy those resources.

Explaining further, Messrs Ghaly and Zavazava said, the convention requires a requested state party to the Convention to put in writing, prior to the arrival of telecommunication assistance in a disaster zone, the fees it expects to receive or have reimbursed.

And to avoid excessive charges, the fees are to be based on an agreed model of payment and reimbursement, as well as on other factors such as the nature of the disaster, natural hazard and the particular needs of developing countries.

In fulfilling the objectives of the Convention, the Operational Coordinator at OCHA, will seek the cooperation of other appropriate United Nations agencies, particularly the International Telecommunication Union.

The 17-article, legally binding international treaty, was unanimously adopted on June 18, 1998, by the delegates of the 75 countries that attended the Intergovernmental Conference on Emergency Telecommunications (ICET-98), hosted by Finland in Tampere, about 200 km north of Helsinki.

The Treaty was then open for accession, requiring 30 ratifications to come into effect.

Troublesome, however, is the absence of Nigeria in both
the signing of the convention in June, 1998 and its ratification in January 8,
2005.

Like the ITU scribe recently said at the African preparatory conference on World Summit on the Information Society (WSISAccra 2005), many more lives should have been saved if appropriate communications were in place, on the Tsunami incident, both within the affected areas and globally.

And with the coming into force of this convention, obviously its a way of making the world a better place.

It is worrisome, however, that out of the 30 nation’s that ratified the convention, only three were from the continent, namely, Kenya, Uganda and Morrocco.

Others countries that endorsed the convention were Barbados, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Dominica, Denmark, Czech Republic, Finland, El Salvador, Guinea, India, Hungary, Kuwait, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Oman, Nicaragua, Peru, Panama, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sri Lanka, Slovakia, Switzerland, Sweden, Tonga and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

States like Nigeria yet to endorse the convention, especially from Less Developed Countries (LDCs), should endeavour to be part of the moment.

This is not because, most disasters occur in LDCs, about 49 countries out of which 33 are in Africa, but it is imperative for them to be part of the globe in all sense of it.

The impact of communications during the Ikeja -Lagos bomb blast in January 2002, cannot be overlooked, but be appreciated.

Computer Village, still dreadful!

Features of the week:

Daily ugly tale of woes by Nigerians of their experiences at the Computer Village, Ikeja, is now a stigma the Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN) should tackle. Reports REMMY NWEKE.

COMPUTER Village, is a popular Information and Communications Technology (ICT) accessories’ market located at the heart of Ikeja, the capital of Lagos State.

From computer parts to photocopiers, compact discs (CDs), digital equipment such as cameras and removable disk or flash key otherwise known as Universal Serial Bus (USB) to software, are on sell daily at this market.

But incidentally the bad name the market has ascribed to itself was basically due to vices relating to fake products, offering used products for new ones, for several years now.

With the advent of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), the accessories have since flooded the Computer Village, through grey market supplies.

Just recently, the management of Intel Corporation, under its South African office staged what was described as ‘digital street fair’ to herald its entrance into the nation’s market.

Intel, a leading manufacturer of microchips and processors, both of which have come to be known as indispensable among other aspects of computing globally.

This was in the assumption of the positive impact being recorded by the nation in the ICT sector in over three years.

The fair was seen as a stimulus for the nation’s Personal Computing industry and in recognition of the import of Nigeria and the Otigba Computer Village, to be precise in the African sub-Saharan specialised market.

Speaking at the occasion, representatives of the Computer Village, under the aegis of Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN) and Managing Director of ITWorld, Mr. Obinna Obienu, noted that the market has grown from 1,500 businesses by over 100 per cent.

He expressed hope his association members would like to collaborate with Intel among other corporate organisations and government at all levels in developing the market to an enviable standard.

And in efforts to standardize its activities, CAPDAN last December made a public show, following the inauguration of its new executive members in Lagos.

At the occasion, President of the association, Mr. Ibrahim Olatunji Balogun, said CAPDAN, has consolidated its front line position as the nation’s leading market and destination of choice for home users and business to meet their computers and allied products and services’ need.

According to him, CAPDAN, is poised to drive the overall national vision of promoting information technology growth for national development through the supply of relevant computers, software and allied products and services to achieve these objectives.

Mr. Balogun, called on government to complement the vision of the association through enabling incentives policies and patronage, which will boost local content in the technology market.

CAPDAN president, also solicited for a zero duty on computers and allied components to complement the efforts of local system builders and make them affordable.

He stated that CAPDAN is committed to the eradication of software piracy and various form of intellectual property rights infringements within the market.

“We have taken these initiatives to restore confidence and promote international best business practices in all aspects of our market. We also hope to ensure equitable return to all stakeholders involved in innovating for the growth and sustainable development of the technology sector in Nigeria,” he added.

Above all these, there seem to be a stigma hanging over the computer village. This has to do with frequency of theft in shops and along the streets within the village.

One of the incidents was the lost of a camera phone, Samsung SGH E700, in a shop called ChuksPee by a customer whose name incidentally was Chuks, who had visited the shop to buy a digital camera among other digital accessories.

According to Chuks, he was in the shop on recommendation of a professional friend and has finished bargaining when he received a call from his wife, and in a haste to pay since he was in a shop, left his phone on the canter to bring out money from his pocket.

“After that I continued to remove the money from my pocket to pay, when I was directed to go to a pigeon hole for the cashier, hence I left my phone with the products bought on top of the canter, but on completing payment, I discovered that a lady who attended to me has taken the products down the other side of the canter but claimed she did not touch my phone as it was no where to be find. Though she agreed seeing me using it, few minutes ago,” he complained.

Funny enough, when he requested for a phone to call the number, he was taken aback as no one in that shop, about five in number, accepted having credit on their phones, including their madam or even their landline.

As Chuks was lamenting his ordeal, just outside the shop, Olujide Aremu, another Lagosian, was at one side of number 10 Adepele Street, counting his losses; having visited the market also penultimate Monday.

For Olujide, he bought two software CDs – Adobe Photoshop 7.0 and PageMaker 7.0, for the tune of N500 each and discovered later that none was working, and on returning to the spot Tuesday, only to discover the seller has shifted position, while the new person does not know anything about the purchases or the former person occupying the spot.

The stories of Messrs Chuks and Olajide represent daily occurrence at the village and thus heightens the notoriety of the market for stealing and pirated products, even being heaven for stolen ICT accessories.

Though this seems to be a stigma but there must be a way out of the woods, through restoring sanity in the market by ensuring that touts and their acompliance shop-owners are eradicated from the market.

To a very large extent, it looks as if anybody who ventures into the computer village for patronage must have a sad tale to tell.

And as such, it does not show that the current executive members of CAPDAN and the Nigerian Police are doing enough in making the Computer Village part of the global village at this era by ensuring it is less dreadful for ordinary citizen to visit and patronise without any atom of molestation, let alone foreigners.