Made-in-Nigeria software needs support – Angaye

Chief executive of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Prof. Cleopas Angaye, has said that in order to standardise indigenous software industry, the sub-sector needs the support of every stakeholders.

Speaking at the just concluded e-Nigeria forum, organised by NITDA in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Prof. Angaye reiterated the readiness of the federal government to work in partnership with the Information Technology (IT) professionals so as to standardise locally developed software.

To this extent, he said that government is tinkering on instituting compulsory software testing for all indigenous developed software products.

“Efforts to drive the patronage of made-in-Nigeria software project had yielded little dividend because of issues of quality and lack of standard in a lot of the available indigenous software products,” he said.

Just as he pointed out that the government has begun the search for alternative initiatives that would enable it acquire the needed support to make Made-in-Nigeria software acceptable and successful.

“There is need to set up appropriate mechanism for quality assurance and global standard for testing and certification of software developed in Nigeria,” he declared.

According to him, the fundamental nature of the testing is to help indigenous software developers attain products that meet international standard thereby becoming competitive globally.

He attributed this process to the reason behind the success of Indian software in recent times on the international outlook.

Also speaking, Managing Consultant at TC-QA & Associates, Mr. Akinwale Akingbade, said that software testing involves technical investigations done to expose quality performance-related issues about a given software product.

He stressed that software testing is critical, and serves not to allow low quality products reaching the customers or users as its a process of exercising or evaluating a system both manually and automatically to verify that it satisfies specified requirements or to identify differences between expected and actual results.

Equally speaking at the forum, national president, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, called on the federal government to draw up a framework for local content for the telecom sector.

For there to be growth in local content in the nation’s telecom sector, he said, the government would need to apply the same enthusiasm, passion and interest as it is currently giving the matter in the oil and gas sector.

Local content, he said, means the utilisation of the Nigerian people and material resources in the manufacture, deployment and development of telecom equipment, products and accessories in nation’s market space.

Dr. Ekuwem also revealed that talks with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) availed that a lot of the plastic casing and steel infrastructure used in the telecom industry could be produced locally.

In addition, Managing Consultant, Kemson Concept, Mr. Ben Aduli, stated that there is need for a strategic local content policy as well as incentives to encourage investors who want to establish manufacturing and fabrication plants in the country.

He noted that the need for a local content policy which must not only be strategic but also go beyond the telecom industry and integrate the manufacturing sector, particularly the steel and chemicals.

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InterStella reaffirms position on exclusive gateway

Proprietor of the National Internet Gateway (NiGate), Interstella Communications Limited, has reaffirmed its resolve to implement the exclusive Internet gateway as contained in its license in the country.

Chairman, Interstella Communications Limited, Mr. Obi Thomson, while addressing newsmen at the weekend, insisted that it was unlawful for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to have set up the Nigerian Internet Exchange Point (NIXP).

He noted that already, his firm has instituted a court case requesting the dismantling of NIXP, stressing that Internet is inherently a monopoly infrastructure.

“Our grounds are clear, it was unlawfully setting up by the NCC, which does not have the power to set up any such entity. It is therefore a nullity,” he asserted.

Mr. Obi also said that NIXP was set up regardless of the fact that the issue of exclusivity of his firm’s license was already before the honourable court at the time the purported set up occurred.

He suggested that the court should now be allowed to determine the court action, and sympathized with Nigerians over the use of public funds that were unlawfully invested on NIXP project.

“Interstella Communications Limited is not seeking an exclusive license to operate the nation’s Internet gateways and exchanges network as being wrongly alleged. We already have the exclusivity,” Mr. Obi asserted.

He said “It is expressly stated in the license issued to us by the NCC. If anybody is unhappy with this fact, he or she should go to the NCC and complain. We did not write the license.

Speaking about the inherent monopolistic nature of Internet, he argued, “unknown to some so-called experts is the fact that the Internet is inherently a monopoly.”

While throwing more light on the nature of Internet, Mr. Obi, recalled that the issue at stake at the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) held in Tunis in 2005 was the issue of Internet monopoly by the United States.

“What nations have done is to try and set up certain streamlining infrastructures within their borders for their internal control of the Internet,” he argued.

He explained that in order to develop any nation’s component of the global network called the Internet, the first thing to do is to define and designate locations at which Internet traffic converges within specific geographic localities in a country, as well as how Internet traffic enters and leaves a country.

“This is what gateways or exchanges points are. Centralization is inherent in the concept,” he said, adding that this scientific fact by itself evidently shows “it is an undertaking that cannot be left in the hands of Internet bandwidth traders and amateurs who parade themselves in the land as experts.

He emphasised that it is certainly not a mere ‘’layer 2’’ function requiring simple devices. It is this type of uninformed and inexperienced description of a national Internet gateway cum exchange networks that made the so-called NIXP a stillbirth of purpose.

He also explained that unknown to the some of us the very thing they fight against is exactly what obtains behind the scene in those countries from where they are presently importing Internet access.

“All we’re doing is to domicile the same facility in Nigeria so that the full benefits remain in Nigeria. Nigeria is not a cyber protectorate,” he asserted.

He further argued that if Nigeria has the proper facility, as being claimed by the management of NIXP, then why is the landscape littered with various Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) pointing to various foreign networks.

“Why are these ‘bandwidth traders’ providing Internet services in Nigeria from hubs in USA and European Union (EU)? Why are those hubs not located in Nigeria?” he wondered.

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Ibidapo-Ope, Obafemi lead experts to software summit

Fellow of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and immediate past vice chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Ope, and Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology (S&T), Dr. Hamzat Obafemi, would lead experts to this year’s annual Software Developers Summit.

The summit scheduled to hold tomorrow at the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) Centre, Onikan-Lagos, with the theme, “Indigenous Software development: Innovation for Growth,” is organised by NCS in collaboration with the Microsoft Nigeria, and Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON).

This was revealed by the President, NCS, Prof. Charles Uwadia, at a media session to announce the theme of this year’s software summit at the society national secretariat in Alausa-Ikeja, Lagos, at the weekend.

According to Prof. Uwadia, while Prof. Ibidapo-Obe would chair the occasion, Dr. Obafemi would be the special guest of honour.

Other experts expected at the summit included country manager for Microsoft Nigeria, Mr. Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, Mr. Attilla Szenzed from Microsoft East, Central African office.

Also billed to address the summit, are Francois Bonin of Microsoft Ghana, Mr. Dapo Onawole from Microsoft Nigeria as well as Managing Director of Wadof Software, Mr. Wahab Sarumi and Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. John Ndanusa Akanya.

He also disclosed that targeted audience for the summit would encompass developers in software houses both private and public sectors, user organisations and consultants in addition to software vendors, policy makers and investors as well as Information Technology (IT) managers, service providers and academics.

As said by him, the students would be led by the leadership of the National Association of Computer Science Students (NACOSS).

“The attendance is free and every one is invited,” he declared.

NCS is the umbrella body of the nation’s Information Technology (IT) professionals, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) consisting of Information Technology (Industry) Association of Nigeria (ITAN), Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Internet Service Providers Association of Nigeria (ISPAN), Nigeria Information Technology Practitioners in the Civil Service, Nigeria Information Technology Corporate Members Group, the Nigerian Information Technology Academic Group and NACOSS.

Prof. Uwadia was joined at the press conference by the immediate past president of NCS, Dr. Chris Nwannenna, chairmen of Publicity and Corporate Affairs, Standards, Research and Development, Publications; Messrs Tajudeed Ejalonibu, Abimbola Olayinka and Dr. Adeola Aderounmu, in that order, as well as the acting Executive Secretary of NCS, Mr. Ejide Oladunmoye.

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MTS goes to Lagos fair with VAS

Wireless Telecommunications Operator, MTSFirst, has gone to the Lagos International Trade Fair, which kicked off at the weekend with a wide range of Value Added Services (VAS).

Public Relations Officer (PRO) at MTSFirst, Mr. Omor Bazuaye, said that the bouquet of offers MTS is showcasing at the trade exhibition were designed to meet the telecommunications needs of both the private and corporate users.

He also said MTSFirst is ready to shoot down all competition at the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) pavilion with a variety of the state-of–art Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)-enabled handheld and desktop phones for both the upwardly mobile and low-end private users at pocket-friendly prices.

According to him, available on the MTS stand at the fair is the sleek flip-open, camera page plus cellular, LG VX 6100 for just N6,000, Motorola C341a at N3,000 and Dowtel WS 4000.

He said with this price slash, more customers now have a renewed chance to benefit in the on-going free on-net calls from Monday to Friday and an unlimited marathon service of free on-net calls at weekends.

The telco also said it has taken to the fair its award winning package called the Close User Group (CUG).

He explained that the CUG is a tariff platform, which places users in a particular group on zero-call rate and reduces on-net calls outside the group to as low as N3.00 per minute for corporate customers.

Equally on parade, he said is another top-of-the-class product, the eHot Profit, of a package designed to promote the activities of commercial telephone and business centre operators and one which has become highly regarded in the market as a result of its attractive tariff.

Adding that it allows operators to make calls to the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) calls at N16.50k per minute and its flexible booster arrangement that enables subscriber-operators to load daily, weekly or monthly.

The telco further said it would complement its array of products at the fair with its newly enhanced, high-speed Internet service, all at unbeatable acquisition and subscription charges.

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Motorkr Z6 hits market

Leader in wireless communications, Motorola, has added another product to its stable of mobile phones known as Motorkr Z6.

The telco said that Motorkr Z6 is literally sliding consumer’s way into music and cutting edge style.

The slim slider Motorkr Z6, the telco said exudes eye-catching sophistication and beneath the surface, is a music masterpiece, complete with high performance music experience and extraordinary picture and video capture capabilities.

“Motorkr Z6 is multi media masterpiece,” officials said, stressing that it avails transfer of all of consumer’s favourite music quickly with the Universal Serial Bus (USB 2.0) hi-speed technology and easily with Windows Media Player 11.

“With an easy to use Personal Computer (PC) syncing experience, Windows Media Player 11 allows you to drag and drop without worry,” officials explained, declaring that the possibilities are endless as customers could transfer personal Compact Disc (CD) collection or download individual or subscription tracks from countless Window Media Player compatible music stores directly to the PC and then simply transfer! “With up to 2 Gega Bytes (GB) of optional removable microSD memory and 64 Mega Bytes (MB) on board memory1, users can store all of their favourite songs and playlists without compromise,” the telco said in a press statement made available to our correspondent.

The MOTOROKR also has a dedicated music key that launches the music library and file sorter making it easy to find favourite music.

Meanwhile, Motorola, recently introduced H680 and H375 bluetooth headsets to its family of Bluetooth Companion Products (BCP).

The unveiling of these two products which took place in London, avails elegant design, premium audio and Bluetooth wireless technology to allow multi-taskers and stylish talkers to make and take calls, while going about their businesses in a style.

General Manager, Accessories at Motorola Europe, Gillian Tune, said that the headsets’ outstanding sound quality is due to Motorola’s TrueComfort technology, which enables users to hear and be heard at home, on the move or at work.

According to the GM, Motorola’s exclusive TrueComfort design was developed after an intensive study of the human ear.

“The result is H680’s new ear hook, ear bud and speaker designs which improve audio by mechanically isolating the speaker and bringing it closer to the ear canal to channel sound. It also allows for a much better fit and improved comfort for prolonged use,” Tune said.

Also the GM said that both the H680 and H375 benefit from Motorola’s Easypair, which means that after an initial connection is made, your phone will conveniently and automatically pair with your headset whenever you switch it on.

“The H680 offers experienced Bluetooth headset users performance, style and looks in an absolutely discrete size. Alternatively, the H375 offers first timers to Bluetooth headsets a simple, reliable option with a battery check function,” said Tune.

Bluetooth users of today, Tune noted, wanted not only freedom from wires but also to look good while they converse on the go.

“The audio quality, comfort and convenience offered by the H680 and H375 means you will never have to slow down your life to talk on the phone again,” the general manager assured.

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ICANN gets new chairman

A New Zealander lawyer, Mr. Peter Dengate Thrush, has emerged unanimously, the new chairman, board of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

His election took place at the just concluded 30th international session of ICANN held in Los Angeles, United States.

Mr. Thrush took over from Dr. Vint Cerf, renowned for his contributions towards the evolution of the Internet.

Commenting after his election, Mr. Thrush said he was delighted that his colleagues find confidence in him to preside over the board.

“I am delighted that my colleagues have placed their confidence in me for this challenging and important role,” excited Mr. Thrush declared.

Confirming this development, a press statement endorsed by ICANN media advisor, Jason Keenan, informed that Mr. Thrush practices civil litigation, specializing in intellectual property, competition, and Internet law.

Mr. Thrush is reported to have been involved in ICANN since its inception and as a member of the Boston Working Group, he provided comment in 1998 on the early drafts of the ICANN bylaws, and co-chaired one of the pre-formation meetings of the Intellectual Property Constituency in Wellington, New Zealand.

He has been President of InternetNZ, a leader of the country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) community in the formation of the Country Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO), and was selected as a board member after an international vote of ccTLD managers in the ccNSO in December 2004.

He is currently on the President’s Strategy, Board Finance, Board Governance, and Executive committees.

Speaking at the ceremony, retiring chairman, Dr. Vint Cerf, sees Dengate Thrush’s appointment as a clear signal that ICANN has matured.

“ICANN has moved from a foundation state to a steady state. Peter understands that and the Board’s role and is a great choice to keep the organization strong and focused,” Dr Cerf said.

For the ICANN President, Dr. Paul Twomey, it’s a welcomed development.

“This is great news. Peter’s long involvement in ICANN since before its incorporation means he knows the history as well as the current players and issues,” Dr Twomey said, adding that his legal training gives him a strong understanding of contracts as a key mechanism in ICANN, and his networks within industry, particularly the ccTLD community helps ICANN with its global responsibilities.”

Speaking after the vote, Dengate Thrush gave some perspectives on the organization and its future.

“ICANN is a unique model supporting a global community. The model works because it stands for one global Internet that is coordinated not controlled,” Dengate Thrush said.

“After nine years ICANN is well placed to face the challenges of the future. The fact that it is so well positioned is a tribute to Vint and of course the staff led by Paul Twomey who have taken us out of foundation mode to become the right organization to meet future challenges,” Dengate Thrush asserted.

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Odejimi admonishes Nigerians

•As ALTON boss turns 40

Vicar of All Souls Anglican Church, Lekki-Lagos, Reverend Olu Odejimi has admonished Nigerian Christians to draw nearer to God, reports Ugochi Nkwocha.

Rev. Odejimi made this call at the thanks giving service in honour of chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, who turned 40 recently.

He also urged Christians to believe in God since they cannot count their blessings, adding that it is difficult for non-believers to count their blessings.

While commending Mr. Adebayo for his steadfastness in Christ Jesus, Rev. Odejimi asked Nigerians especially upcoming Christians to emulate the character Mr. Adebayo has been endowed with in his life so far.

“Gbenga is a God fearing man and he has been strong in his believes,” the priest declared.

He, therefore urged the congregation to always make themselves available for God amidst their busy schedule in making life a better place for themselves and their families by remaining nearer to God at all times.

The thanksgiving service was attended by who-is-who in the telecommunications sector.

This included the former Communications Minister, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, executive director, Multi-Links/Telkom, Chief Ezekiel Fatoye, chairman, Interconnect Clearing House, Admiral Allison Madueke among others.

Even as the thanks giving was immediately followed by a reception at Catholic Church Hall, Catholic Mission Street, Lekki phase 1, Lagos.

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ITU, AfDB connect African cities

Global telecommunications regulator, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and African Development Bank (AfDB) have entered a pact to collaborate in interconnecting capitals and major cities on the continent.

Disclosing this, Secretary-General of ITU, Dr Hamadoun Touré and President, AfDB Mr Donald Kaberuka, revealed this on Tuesday at the Connect Africa Summit in Kigali, Rwanda.

According to them, the collaboration would pave the way for achieving key Connect Africa Summit goals.

Mr Kaberuka said that his organisation is aware of the challenges ahead for Africa.

He noted that in recent years, despite private investment in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure, especially in mobile phone networks, has had an enormous impact in many parts of Africa, adding that

major gaps remain.

“The development banks and other financing partners have a responsibility to step in where these gaps are holding back development in the region,” he declared.

Mr Kaberuka also said that the bank aims to stimulate economic growth and climate and facilitate economic integration.

“We want to make the economies of Africa more competitive, and therefore AfDB is committing to the development of information and communication technology across the continent,” Mr. Kaberuka said.

Just as AfDB hosts the secretariat of the African Infrastructure Consortium, which assembles major donors and financial institutions active in the region, even as this group plays a crucial role in the financing of projects, as well as in ensuring a coherent approach among those involved.

For Dr. Toure, the solution for African development is not charity, but reliable broadband deployment.

“African countries need modern, reliable broadband ICT infrastructure to attract investment for jobs and economic growth. This is about economic independence and strengthening Africa’s competitive position in the global economy,” he asserted.

He said that as part of this collaboration, ITU and AfDB would actively mobilize partners and financing to close ICT broadband infrastructure gaps between major centres in Africa.

In addition, to support the implementation of ICT infrastructure projects funded by the AfDB or other interested financing partners, ITU will serve as an executing agency and provide telecommunications expertise and technical assistance, where the need arises.

ITU will also mobilize its base of more than 650 sector members, including many leading ICT industry players.

To support new ICT infrastructure investments and fill in remaining gaps, ITU and AfDB will jointly undertake feasibility studies and develop project proposals in consultation with member states and other stakeholders on the continent.

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Telcos need to upgrade switches

•On Number Portability

Number Portability (NP) expert and Vice President, Sales and Alliances, Interconnection Solutions, at Telcodia for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Mr. Thomas Mazzone, has identified some key elements for successful implementation of the proposed number portability in the country.

Key challenge to this success, he said includes upgrading of switches and databases by telecommunications operators.

Mr. Mazzone gave this insight at the recently held four-day workshop on Number Portability in Lagos, organised by the telecom regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), while dwelling on the fundamentals of number portability.

He pointed out at the event well attended by members of Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) and Association of Licensed Telecommunications of Nigeria (ALTON), that operators switches may have to be upgraded to support the number portability plan, while mobile network switches are more likely to be already NP databases.

He explained that existing Signalling Transfer Points (STP) should be able to support NP databases.

Highlighting the impact of the Number Portability on call set-up, Mr. Mazzone said that there are several options for routing a call to a portable number, distinguished by where and how the translation occurs and which networks are involved.

“All call query and N-1 query are the most widely deployed routing methods,” he declared, adding that All Call query enables translation into the directory number to a routing number at the call-originating switch or network.

While the N-1 query processes the call as based on the dialled number until NP could make a difference in the routing, then translate the directory number to a routing number.

“The most common variant routes the call from non-NP-capable switches to NP-capable switches, then performs the translation,” he enlightened.

As said by him, Number Portability no doubt impacts on non-call messaging because it has to do with non-call associated signalling such as routing for messages that are not directly involved with call set-up including the Short Messaging Service (SMS) Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) and calling name queries.

He emphasised that with the introduction of NP, there is a need to assure that the combination of Translation Type and Global Title Address (TT-GTA) translates to a destination in the subscription network, which may be the Range Holder network or a Recipient network.

Mr. Mazzone further said that under this platform, mobile porting would be faster and easier than the fixed, therefore offering some advantages to mobile users.

He said that mobile porting offers newer network elements with more logical control capabilities, fast competitive corporate culture and change processes, while higher levels of operations process mechanization and flexibly designed.

For the fixed porting, the expert said that its regulation in place for fixed line competition, mandated opening of networks, competition across technologies such as cable TV while introduction of new technologies such as Voice of Internet Protocol (VoIP), adding that single modal porting is faster and less complicated than inter-modal porting.

Hence, he said that fixed operators are more accustomed to inter-working with each other than the mobile operators.

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Starcomms backs SMEs’ empowerment

Starcomms Limited, acclaimed largest Third Generation (3G) mobile network has given its support to the empowerment of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the country.

This is coming as the telco actively participated as a sponsor at a recent technology forum, tagged ‘The Art OF Small Business,’’ put together by Hewlett Packard (HP) in Lagos to educate SMEs on how to improve their businesses with the use of technologies.

The participants numbering over 600 were taken through lectures from HP officials to its partners including Starcomms Limited, on how to use various technologies to increase their productivity and profit.

Speaking at the forum, Chief Executive Officer, Starcomms Limited, Mr. Maher Qubain, said the telco chose to sponsor the exhibition because of its belief that technology plays a very vital role in driving businesses in this 21st century.

“This is the major reason why Starcomms keeps coming out with products that can enhance the way business is done,” he declared, assuring that the company would continue to avail Nigerians with the latest technology in the industry.

He said that despite challenges faced by the industry, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) remains the bedrock of any economy.

According to him, the use of appropriate technologies, as practiced globally, would impact positively on the bottom line of the SMEs businesses.

The technology exhibition and the lecture forum targeted at the SME, he noted, was important in view of the fact that the business environment is changing fast.

“Today, Nigeria is fast moving into a cashless economy with the use of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), and web business is taking centre stage whereas various applications of hand phones and other systems are simplifying businesses,” he noted.

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