APC records 13% in fourth quarter

•In 2005

The American Power Con-version (APC) has realized a high-ceilinged report for the fourth quarter of 2005, with increase of 13 per cent.

APC is end-to-end power solution provider for real-time infrastructure.

APC’s comprehensive products and services for home and corporate environments improve the availability, manageability and performance of sensitive electronic, network, communication and industrial equipment of all sizes, even as it offers a wide variety of products.

Also the non- Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) results, showed that its shares were up from $0.09 to $0.10 in the year under review.

Even as the Board of Directors (BoD) has approved $200 million stock repurchase plan.
APC results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2005, showed revenue record of $578.6 million, up by 13 per cent from $510.8 million in the fourth quarter 2004.

This is the tenth consecutive quarter of double-digit revenue growth, and up 13 per cent from $512.3 million in the third quarter 2005 according to the company.

Net income for the fourth quarter was said to be $17.5 million or $0.09 per diluted share, down 67 per cent from $52.8 million or $0.27 per diluted share in the fourth quarter 2004 and a decrease of 64 per cent from $48.7 million or $0.24 per diluted share in the third quarter 2005.

APC’s president and chief executive, Mr. Rodger B. Dowdell, Jr., while disclosing this said that net income for the fourth quarter 2005 includes $19.9 million or $0.10 per diluted share in additional income tax expense associated with the repatriation of $500 million in cash from the foreign subsidiaries under the American Jobs Creation Act.

He explained that this excludes the incremental tax expense, non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter 2005, which was at $37.3 million or $0.19 per diluted share.

On a non-GAAP basis, fourth quarter 2005 net income decreased 29 percent from fourth quarter 2004 net income and 23 per cent from the third quarter 2005.

The fourth quarter 2005 financial summary were quoted in millions, except per share amounts.

“We are pleased that the investments we have made in innovative products and service offerings for our customers and partners continued to drive double-digit revenue growth in the fourth quarter,” said Rodger B. Dowdell, Jr., APC’s president and chief executive officer.

“We experienced growth across all of our product lines and we are particularly proud of the 60 per cent year- over-year revenue growth for InfraStruXure, our core NCPI solution. We are also investing to re-architect our supply chain to drive higher levels of customer satisfaction and reduce product costs, while simultaneously investing in the start up of new product lines as well as new factories. While we are realizing some benefits of higher volume on our manufacturing costs, as well as leverage on our operating expenses, we are incurring additional costs to implement the improvements in our manufacturing and supply chain, which impacted our gross margin in the quarter,” he said.

For the fourth quarter and full year 2005, APC reported record revenue in the Large Systems segment, consisted primarily of three phase, uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs), APC Global Services, precision cooling and ancillary products for data centers, facilities and communication applications.

Fourth quarter revenue of $143.1 million increased 33 percent year-over-year and 43 percent sequentially. Full year 2005 Large Systems segment revenue of $429 million was up 33 percent from 2004.

Adebayo unveils Starcomms’ EV-DO

COMMUNICATIONS Minister, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, has unveiled the Starcomms’ Evolution Data Only (EV-DO) product, a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) approved mobile data card.

Starcomms is a Fixed Wireless Operator, known for its innovative products and recently recorded over 250,000 subscribers on the network.

The EV-DO also known as the Evolution Data Optimised, is a third generation mobile broadband solution.

Unveiling the product in Lagos, Monday, Chief Adebayo, commended Starcomms for coming with this kind of solution at a time the nation is keen in enthroning the Unified Licensing Regime (ULR).

This, he said, is an indication that Starcomms is in tune with modern technology that would propel the market in the days to come.

He also urged the operator to remain focused, especially on attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

“Starcomms is one of the leading attractions on Foreign Direct Investment,” he said.

Stressing that his presence at the launch of EV-DO was in response to government’s support for telcos, and specifically for Starcomms’ strategy to increase the volume on its network.

Chief executive, Starcomms, Mr. Maher Qubain, said the unveiling is to bring to realty what the operator has been doing to facilitate change in the way Nigerians work.

“It’s truly mobile, whether you want to use it for any kind of work both at home or office,” he said.

For a competitive edge service, he said, Nigerians should come to Starcomms explaining that EV-DO, is the fastest in the nation’s market today, moreso, with a 50 per cent less than any other product of its kind.

He said, at the event attended by chairman of Starcomms, Chief Maan Lababidi, Chief Financial Officer of Starcomms, Mr. Seyi Owodunni among others, that the solution is a broadband fast wireless internet access powered by EV-DO.The technology, he said, is a third generation (3G) broadband high speed wireless internet service.

Subscribers laud Globacom

It was all praises for the Second National Operator (SNO), Globacom at the February edition of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) held in Owerri, capital of Imo State at the weekend.

Most of the eulogies were on the SNO’s ability to have what some described as interconnectivity strength.

The Telecom Consumer Parliament, is a monthly interactive forum organized by the telecommunication apex body, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to foster good relationship between subscribers and telecommunication operators among other service providers in the country.

Majority of the praises at the Owerri forum said that Globacom demonstrated an appreciable level of tolerance and support by opening its network to competition, thus easing interconnectivity.

A subscriber at the forum who identified himself as Olumide with GSM number 08037061361 said that while the problem of interconnectivity had remained with most of the networks, same could not be said of Globacom “because nowadays, you can use landline to call only Globacom of all the networks”.

Also speaking at the forum, Professor emeritus, O. C. Nwanna said that the GSM revolution was the best thing to happen in the country.

The retired don, who said that he witnessed the evolution of telecommunication in Nigeria, added that it is gladdening to note that the industry had grown from a humble beginning to an extraordinary level.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Executive Vice-Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Dr Earnest Ndukwe, said that the parliament was designed as a forum of interaction between the subscribers and the operators.

Dr. Ndukwe, also urged participants to bare their mind on any issue affecting the telecom industry, stressing that the unified licensing regime, which would commence this month, saying it was aimed at providing the subscriber more choices and allow all players to provide diverse services.

The NCC boss used the platform to debunk the claims in some quarters that Nigerians carry more than one handset because of interconnectivity problems, but urged the operators to ensure that all calls got terminated in the desired networks.

Ogbolu tasks firms on corporate citizenship

Head, Compliance Division, Vmobile, Mr. Martins Ogbolu, has said that the mark of good corporate citizens is its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and decried lack of welfare in the scheme of things in the country.

He made this assertion at joint workshop organized by the British Council and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) recently.

He said that CSR programme is a critical factor for success and sustainable community relationship for corporate organisations.

Noting that corporate organisations through their CSR programmes could help to change the lives of many Nigerians, stressing that Vmobile through its CSR programme has brought succour to many families and communities in various parts of the country.

Mr. Ogbolu pointed out that CSR is mandatory for government and it is also desirable for corporate citizens.

He lamented that Nigeria is a non-welfare state where little is done about the welfare of the citizenry due to the huge burden it places on the government, “therefore it becomes imperative for corporate bodies in Nigeria to engage in vigorous CSR activities.”

Mr. Ogbolu further said Vmobile is campaigning ethical business practices through its Compliance Code, which all its suppliers must adhere to.

“We believe as our suppliers conform to the Compliance Code, we will be building entrepreneurs who do business in a responsible manner that benefits every member of the community,” he asserted.

Director of the Lagos Business School, Prof Pat Utomi, noted that CSR is all about corporate bodies concerns for society first before its shareholders.

“A firm that wants to be around for a long time must ensure that the society where it operates is in good shape,” the educationist said.

He predicted that in the future, corporate organisations that do not have a healthy corporate social responsibility programme would be snubbed by prospective employees and customers alike.

Minister of Industries, Ambassador Fidelis Tapgun in his remarks commended the efforts of the organizers of the workshop, saying it would help to sensitize all stakeholders.

IDRC lifts WFSJ with N90.1m

International Development Research Centre (IDRC) has provided initial funding worth $800,000 Canadian dollar, about N90,177,503.71 to uplift the World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ) on its three-year Peer-to-Peer Development and Support for Science Journalism.

This was announcement recently at the 2006 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting in St. Louis, United States (US).

A press statement jointly endorsed by Senior Media Advisor at IIDC, Ms Isabelle Bourgeault-Tassé and Executive Director at WFSJ, Jean-Marc Fleury, said that the project will pair 60 science journalists from Africa and the Middle East with Northern and Southern counterparts.

This network of peers would capitalise on the contributions of WFSJ members, both journalists and associations, and will strengthen science journalism in developing countries.

President of IDRC Ms Maureen O’Neil was quoted as saying, “Science journalism has a fundamental role to play in building the capacities of national research and development programs”.

Stressing that the initiative would strengthen science journalism in developing countries and help make sure that science and technology contributes in the best way possible to the well being of the populations of those countries.”

For the President of WFSJ, Mr. Wilson da Silva, who also is the editor, Australian science magazine, Cosmos, “We hope to make a difference in the professional lives of science journalists in the developing world – initially in the Middle East and Africa, but later in Asia and Latin America”.

Commenting, Secretary of the African Science Writers Federation, Mr. Diran Onifade, who is with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), “This will certainly help bridge the capacity challenge we face as science journalists on the African continent”.

The project will further extend the peer-to-peer program through the twinning of nascent and established science journalism associations at the regional, national, and international levels.

IDRC is one of the world’s leading institutions in the generation and application of new knowledge to meet the challenges of international development.

The World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ) is a nonprofit, nongovernmental international organization representing science and technology journalists’ associations.

Sovereign Trust explores Starcomms’ VPN

REPOSITIONING Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, has acquired 75 Starcomms lines worth N800,000 in order to explore the Virtual Private Network (VPN) deal sealed recently, just as it is designed to reduce call tariffs within the company’s desire to have a seamless communication platform.

Starcomms is a leading Private Telephone Operator (PTO) with over 250,000 subscribers nationwide.

This follows the pact entered recently in Lagos between the two companies to explore the Starcomms’ Virtual Private Network (VPN) solution.

The solution is designed for families, clubs, organizations or any group of individuals not less than 10, to call each within the group at zero charge for 30 days at specific rental charge, while calls outside the group attract some tariff.

This is coming as the insurance firm is positioning to recapitalize following a recent directive by the Federal Government.

The deal, which is to improve the insurance firm’s efficiency in service delivery with seamless communication within the organization is to truly reposition as a 21st century insurance organization.

According to the Managing Director, Sovereign Trust, Mr. Seun Ajayi, his firm is the first to deploy this service among insurance companies in the country, basically to give qualitative, prompt and efficient service to clients hence enabling the marketing staff to reach clients as easily as possible.

Mr. Ajayi also noted that the deal is in accordance with the firm’s mission, which is “to be a highly professional and innovative company providing the best form of insurance protection and risk management services to our various policy holders in an efficient and responsive manner”.

Senior Corporate Sales Coordinator, Starcomms, Mr. Adewale Da-Costa, said the VPN from the operator’s stable is “a business partner” anytime, any day.

Stressing that it allows participating companies a clear savings on their telecom spending by more than 70 per cent.

India pledges N153b to special fund on digital divide

Indian government has pledged to support the Special Commonwealth Fund (SCF) on the Digital Divide with the sum of a million Euros, about N153,230,403.80.

Commonwealth Secretary-General, Mr. Don McKinnon, revealed this in an address to the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA) held recently in New Delhi, India.

“I would like to thank the Government of India for its generous pledge of a million Euros to the Special Commonwealth Fund on the Digital Divide,” he asserted.

He also said that in no distance time, CBA would be invited to join the Steering Committee on the Digital Divide.

According to the Commonwealth scribe, the theme of the conference, “Making A Difference in a Multi-Platform World” is timely in that technological advances have changed how people work and view the world in its entirety.

Mr. McKinnon said the Commonwealth Action Plan on the Digital Divide would in the coming months be felt within the group made of former British colonies, as his office is working towards reduction of this gap among member states.

Pointing out that events of last few weeks have naturally heightened the consciousness of this gap within Commonwealth about the need to be sensitive, just as true democracies encourage an atmosphere of choice and diversity.

New technology, he said, meant that television has been liberated from the living room floor, and the advent of the satellite dish means a hundred TV channels could be accessed onto those portable screens.

At Malta during the CHOGM last November, the Commonwealth boss said, leaders recognised the growing need to bridge digital divide within its members, because “the gap between those communities that have access to computers and the Internet and those who don’t needs to be bridged”.

He noted however, that in some of the member countries, press freedom is still fettered.

“Information is restricted, journalists are harassed, intimidated and in some cases imprisoned. It highlights the difficulties of putting these high ideals into practice. In these countries there is clearly a deficiency of ‘information democracy’ because the choice is limited” he declared.

The Commonwealth has sought to play its part to assist the fourth estate through the Commonwealth Media Development Fund, of which the CBA has been a beneficiary.

This, he explained was why Commonwealth Secretariat invited over 20 journalists to the CHOGM in Malta to report on the outcome of the meeting and all the ancillary events which took place in the margins.

He also acknowledged India as an example of democracy with its avalanche of Indian media having one of the strong features of this, as he described it as “the world’s largest democracy”.

Mr. McKinnon stressed that India provides an excellent example of what a free press means to a democratic society, especially with large scale of television stations, such as NDTV, Star TV, Zee TV and Doordarshan among those telecasting now to a worldwide constituency, saying, “they compete against the biggest everywhere”.

Profile Awards, raising science & tech reporting

Features of the week:

Momentum for the annual African Siemens Profile Awards has been on the rise reports REMMY NWEKE, who was at the presentation of 2005 edition in South Africa.

“Like most areas of the world, science and technology reporting has remained under-rated in Africa, so the Profile Awards remain an important initiative that gives an encouraging motivation to the continent’s media ….”

That was a declaration by the chief executive, Siemens Southern Africa, Mr. Pete da Silva, at the presentation of prizes to distinguished journalists and media organizations on the continent penultimate Tuesday, at the Siemens Park, Midrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Initiated in year 2000, Profile Awards had its inaugural edition in 2001, as part of Siemens Southern Africa Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) with the media.

Going continental
Originally held for media organizations and professionals in Southern Africa until 2004, Profile Awards honour informed, well researched, balanced and accurate reporting, which reflect both technological research and market context.
As said by Mr. Da Silva, since the launch of the Profile Awards five years ago, this annual initiative designed to reward reporting excellence in the fields of science and technology has grown from strength to strength.

With 2006 marking the third year the awards went continental, Mr. Da Silva noted, it has continued to gain popularity, which is parallel with the high level of interest shown by participants from across the continent; “a volume that has grown substantially year after year”.

As the only pan-African journalism awards devoted exclusively to science and technology, he said, the Profile Awards act as incentives for writers, broadcasters and producers to create work that simplifies these subjects, which he described as “often complex”.
He pointed out that as the developments in science and technology continue, it is essential to stay up-to-date with the leading edge of innovation.

Innovations simplified
Mr. Da Silva in his address also said that at Siemens, this spirit of innovation is responsible for large amount of new technology and each year, Siemens’ researchers register thousands of new patents across all areas of development including power, transportation, medical solutions and telecommunications to name a few.

He noted that innovation is more than mere exploiting of Science and Technology, even as it involves new ways of working, new products and service concepts. Hence, Siemens is using Profile Awards to encourage media professionals to identify these industry innovations and communicate them to audiences, so they too could understand and appreciate how science and technology are making lives easier, healthier and comfortable.

“Siemens sees the reporting of science and technology in an easily understandable format as a priority for Africa, because we believe that science and innovation could help us create a safer and healthier society, a cleaner environment and a prosperous knowledge-driven economy for this entire continent’s people,” he declared.

From the judges
For the judges drawn from the ranks of senior journalists and technology writers, academics and technologists, there is a positive and progressive aspect of all technology, but thinking of the relevance of journalists’ constant interrogation of these standards by way of examining the two sides of the coin called science and technology, which is paramount to understanding of the subject matter.

The judges led by the convenor of the panel and Head of Development at Rhodes University Grahamstown, Mr. Kerry Swift, said that they were looking out for articles in the media based on display of adequate research, grasp of subject matter, clear and concise writing and presentation as well as individual writing style, analytical ability and the skill to unbundled technology.

Numbering 11, the judges include the Group Research Manager, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr. David Walyn, Corporate Communications Manager, Sasol Group, Ms Marina Bidoli, Messrs Hassan Amer M.A., Peter Bruce, and Alaa E-Dabaa of Egyptian Al-Fajr Newspapers, Business Day South Africa and Shell Egypt, respectively.

Others were Prof. Nixon Kariithi of Wits University, Executive Director, Highway Africa, Mr. Chris Kabwato, former director of Corporate Communications at Standard Bank, Mr. Richard Steyn and Professor emeritus, Graeme Addision.

Sound understanding of technologies
According to Mr. Swift, also a public relations expert, while science and technology reporting is a specialist field and is often difficult, it needs never be dull, therefore, journalists in the field need a sound understanding of fast-evolving technologies and their impacts on society; “This is vital if they are to make informed comments and serve their media audiences.”

Emphasizing that most times, journalists have to make judgment about the efficacy of new technologies, this, he said, could have a profound impact on how these technologies are viewed by the general public and on their marketability.

As a result, science and technology reporters, “have a professional responsibility to ensure that they report accurately and that their comments are founded on a thorough knowledge of their subject matter,” stressing the need to understand the market contexts in which they are reporting, as some new technologies may not be appropriate for all applications.

“Thus the judges were looking primarily for reporting that was accurate, informed and balanced and strong emphasis was placed on context” he asserted.

Judging process
The convenor also stated that usually the judging process led to 10 category winners from over 300 entries for 2005 from where the two potential winners would emerge. Then the top two entrants where discussed in open forum and consensus reached as to the overall winner.

Corporate Communications Manager at Siemens Southern Africa, Mr. Mandla Mpangese, informed Champion Infotel that out of the total entries for 2005, about 20 came from Nigeria.

However, the overall impression of the judges on 2005 entries, as said by the convenor is extremely positive and upbeat as they felt encouraged that the general standards of science and technology journalism are, with some notable exceptions, rising dramatically with noticeable improvement in the quality of entries.

“Several entries were considered to be of a world-class standard, reflecting the professionalism and commitment of the journalists and their engaging individualistic styles,” he said, just as they lamented a decline of television entries while lauding the number of print entries.

He advised that there was more evidence of multi-sourcing and interrogation of information by placing of technology stories in local, regional and international contexts, exploring business models for the rollout of new technologies and explaining the human benefit of technology improves the scope of articles.

16 winners emerged
Given the upbeat in the number of quality of entries for 2005 African Siemens Profile Awards, the judges announced the recognition of 10 category winners and six merit award winners with South Africa topping the categories with six, while the rest came from Nigeria, Egypt and two from Kenya.

At the merit level, South Africa got three with two others from Egypt and one from Nigeria.

And the winners are …
Leading category winners for 2005 Profile Awards is the associate editor, Popular Mechanics, Mr. Anthony Doman who took the overall prize along with the Energy prize. Mr. Alan Duggan also of Popular Mechanics came top on the Mobile Telecommunications Networks, Mr. Remmy Nweke of Nigerian Daily Champion Newspapers equally retained his position on Information Technology (IT) Business Solutions, while Mr. Haytham Dardeeri of Egyptian Al-Mal came top on Technology Policy and Investment and Ms Irma Venter of Mining Review Africa won the prize on Basic Industry (mining).

Ms Liz Nganga of The Standard Kenya took crown on Basic Industry (Manufacturing), Ms Jennifer Stastny of Popular Mechanics took that of Medical solutions, Ms Lesley Stones of Business Day, grabbed the Fixed Telecommunication Networks prize, whereas Mr. Zachary Ochieng of News from Africa Kenya went home with the Corporate Social Investment prize and Mr. Udo Rypstra of Truck and Bus, South Africa was presented with the Transportation prize.

In the merit awards, there were two in the Business Solutions, namely Ms Irma Venter and Ms Abir Saady Hassan Mohammed of Arabian Computer News, Egypt, Mr. Isaac Umunna of Africa Today, Nigeria on Technology Policy and Investment, Mr. Hatem Shalaby of Online Magazine, Egypt, got that of Mobile Telecommunications Networks, while the Medical Solutions went to Sharon van Wyk of Mail and Guardian, South Africa as well as Ms Sasha Planting of Financial Mail, South Africa who took the merit prize in the Technology Policy and Investment/basic industry (mining).

More private sector involvement
Most of all, the good news is that Africa is improving in its own way of doing things especially in science and technology reporting, even as more support is required to continuously spur this position, more private sector involvement in this regard is also required, either in partnership with African Siemens Profile Awards or individually, so as to consistently raise the standard of journalism on the continent.

Accepting digital convergence

Features of the week:

Introduction of the proposed Unified Licensing Regime (ULR) in Nigeria requires acceptance of stakeholders in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, writes Remmy Nweke.

JUST few days to the introduction of the proposed Unified Licensing Regime (ULR), the nation’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector is also warming up for another set of revolution as government agencies are expected to digitally converge to give the industry and ULR specifically, the sense it deserves.

Digital convergence
This to a very large extent refers to modern trend in businesses, and industries whereby transactions are harmonized in digital form for corporations to work together, produce new formats and types of content.

Ramesh Jain of www.digitalmerging.la, noted that what is actually happening in digital convergence, which could be also called multi-media, is the convergence of Content, Communication and Computing (CCC), describing it as triple Cs.

He stressed that much effort, both in business as well as in technology, has usually been concerned with one C only, because, people who understand Content usually do not understand Communication or Computing that well and similar situation exists with people who understand communication or computing.

However, he said, it is the first time in history that the three are converging. Most of the time one hears about the convergence of Personal Computer (PC) and Television (TV) or of Communication and Computing.

It is important, therefore to consider all three Cs together to understand the implications or otherwise of convergence.

But for the Internet Society (ISOC) South Central Texas chapter, digital convergence evolves industries at minimum having content, and application development for film, video games, music, advertising and mass media. While the distribution channels evolve deployment of broadband wireless, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), on demand and more, even as hardware developers, Internet Service Providers, telecom operators and the entertainment industries among others will all benefit from the trend of convergence.

Peculiar situation
Presently, there are four government agencies overseeing various sub-sectors in the ICT circle, namely the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) regulates telecom, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), regulates the broadcasting industry, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) oversees core IT, while the satellite space aspect is managed by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).
This brings to four different government agencies managing various parts of ICTs.

Why convergence?
ICT evolutions in the sector accompanied with enormous potential of Internet Protocol (IP)-oriented networks on one hand and increased users’ demands for comprehensive and network – independent on the other hand, have led to a convergence of information and telecommunications infrastructure, therefore, propelling multiplied service power.

According to professors Gernady Yanovsky and Finn Arve Aagensen of Norwegian University of Science and Technology, this comprises the convergence of voice and data services in both public and private networks through the VoIP centers, Computer cum telephony integration, which means call centers and web-contact centers merging.

Other parts that make up convergence, they said, include the integration of fixed and mobile phone lines and services as well as multimedia communications, existing as voice, video, graphics and sound in a place.

This evolutions, they also posited, have led to the creation of Next Generation Networks (NGNs).

For the likes of telecommunications manufacturing giant, Siemens Communications, this provides the avenue for development, integrating customer’s communication and computer systems for a powerful new business tools through technologies such as Wide Area Networking (WAN), ethernet switching, web servers, frame relay and Automated Teller Machines (ATM) networks.

Also the firm pointed out that the integration of communication and computer systems is the key to business success at this era, because it would provide increased staff productivity and performance, reduction of operating costs and increased business efficiency, even as it could provide new revenue streams.

Nigerian perspective
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe in a paper he delivered at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) recently, on ‘Ringing the Digital Devolution in Nigeria in the era of Technology Convergence’ said that even licensing has transformed from mere individual licensing to issuance of class and general authorisation which is embedded in ULR.

He cited an instance that new technologies like VoIP, Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), and WiMax to name a few have blurred the distinction between services, it became clear that one of the strategies for NCC to take the nation to the next level would the converged licensing option, which is imminent.

Examining the industry and proposed ULR and possible convergence of the sector regulatory organs, the Executive Director, eShekels Limited, a technology inclined research organisation, Mr. Fola Odufuwa, said that in the near future, convergence would come to bear in the nations ICT sector and with ULR, he predicted it would form key bases for converged regulation.

Although he expressed dismay over the possible convergence of the four federal government agencies as obtain currently, via NCC, NBC, NITDA and NASRDA, he said he has seen the convergence of two to three related sub-sector regulators but not four as the case seems in the country today.

Regulatory convergence inevitable
“It is inevitable that there would be a convergence particularly two or three regulatory bodies if not all the four of them. That has to be, because, if you buy a Personal Computer (PC), you may be looking at NITDA, but when you open the PC, reboot it or want to do anything on it in the terms of communication whatever, then you would be looking at NCC. And when you now want to talk about the content, you would be looking at NBC and whatever you are doing that involves satellite on the same PC you have to talk or look at NASRDA,” he explained.

Stressing that nowadays, you have phrases like ‘I would listen to my PC’, ‘I would watch my radio’ and even in Nigeria in some hotels, you can browse the Internet on your television set.

These, he noted are why technologies require the convergence of the regulatory bodies; “with Internet Protocol Television (iPTV), video streaming, you now don’t know which is what anymore”.

He gave an instance, wondering how you count a television viewer; is it the one who has a television set box or the one who is watching it on his computer and the person who is listening to his radio via his computer through a radio website audio streaming.

In Nigeria, he noted, there are a number of radio stations in the east and west transmitting through the Internet, and how do you count the person; when is he a radio listener? When he carries a traditional radio transistor in his palm or when he listens to it via the PC.

The real truth, according to him, is that convergence of technologies requires that there should be a convergence of regulators whether it is done now or later, but the quicker it is done the better for us, just as its acceptance by ICT stakeholders is paramount.

Benefits
As anticipated, convergence in the ICT sector will yield a good number of benefits for all stakeholders. A postulated by Dr. Ndukwe, the convergence will include what he described as a conflict free ICT environment which will boost the economy and government position and invitation for investors, especially for Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).

For the duo of Steven Taylor and Larry Hettick in a joint paper entitled ‘Applications Convergence Basics’; the advantages of convergence are many they cited an instance of it bringing about reduction in business cost of implementation such as the costs for voice systems management when they shift to a Voice over IP (VoIP) based implementation.

Multi-site businesses, the convergence experts said could save on transmission and switching costs by converting to VoIP.

But while network cost savings are always welcome, applications convergence saves labour costs and improves customer service – offering an even bigger contribution to the bottom line.

In its simplest form, applications convergence happens when computer- based applications like word processing, e-mail, and customer relationship management converge with communications-system applications like telephone calls and voice mail.

This technology backgrounder will examine how applications convergence adds significant benefits beyond the cost savings created by network convergence.

MTSFirst rolls out in Ibadan

National telecom operator and long distance services provider, MTSFirst Wireless has rolled out its services in the city of Ibadan, capital of Oyo State.

This comes in the wake of advanced plans to also roll out in the Garden City of Port Harcourt and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Head, Corporate Affairs at MTS, Mr. Reuben Muoka made this disclosure and said that Ibadan has joined the network with the commissioning of services in the city Thursday.

Recalling that this came on the heels of commercial launch of the firm’s Abeokuta network few weeks ago, just as Mr. Muoka noted that the latest commissioning of Ibadan network is an indication of how prepared the operator is.

According to him, MTSFirst Wireless plan to roll out aggressively to cover 24 cities with a target of 350,000 fixed and mobile telephony subscribers across the country is a keen one.

He also said, Ibadan subscribers would also enjoy Short Messaging Service (SMS), Internet and other Value Added Services (VAS) available on the MTSFirst’s Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA2000 1x) wireless telephony network.

He quoted the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of MTSFirst, Mr. Damoye Oyesiku, as saying that the commissioning of the network in Ibadan avails residents and corporate organizations the opportunity to enjoy the types of affordable wireless telephony services being enjoyed in Lagos and Abeokuta.

Mr. Oyesiju also said that MTS First Wireless is excited about its continuous expansion, especially to the Ibadan.

"But we are more excited that our Ibadan subscribers would share in our vision to be the local telecoms champion providing our customers with simple, dependable and affordable communication services", he asserted.

MTSFirst services include integrated telephony services including wireless voice telephony and Internet services using desktop and mobile phone handsets.

Mr. Muoka further said that subscribers on the Ibadan MTSFirst network would be on numbering scheme 02-70 XXXX.

Also available on the network include Ojoo, Agbowo, Sango, Mokola, Dugbe, University of Ibadan, old and new Bodija, and all the surrounding areas.