%20Taxation%20ethics,%20revenue%20neutrality%20&%20campaign%20finance%20paradox%20by%20Remmy%20Nweke%20-%20Telecoms%20Clinic@ITREALMS.jpg)
Management of the resuscitated Mobitel Nigeria Limited, has described as spurious, some media report alleging that the telecom company was not capable of acquiring the latest 2.3 Gega Hertz (GHz) license, saying that it met all the necessary criteria under the Communications Act as being implemented by the regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
ITRealms Online recalls that some news report had it that a waiver was granted to Mobitel allegedly amounting to about 90 per cent of the telco’s debt, yet it was able to pay over N1.3billion within five days for the 2.3GHz license.
Responding to the reports among others in a chat with ITRealms Online, last weekend, a senior management staff of the new Mobitel, who does not want the names in print, denied the reports, maintaining that NCC would not revalidate the operating license of Mobitel if it has not done its own checks and made sure that everything is correctly sorted out.
Mobitel, our source, said, has a letter of revalidation of its license from NCC signed by Director of Legal, Mr. Steve Adzenge, outlining all the outstanding and clearances obtained thereof in order for the commission to endorse the return of Mobitel.
Our sources explained that the supposed amount of money owe NCC by Mobitel before now were accumulated annual operating fees, of which the company was not operating since the murder of its founder, Chief Alaba Joseph, in 2005, in other words, company cannot be paying debt while not in operation.
“There is an annual operating levy of 2.1 per cent, which the old Mobitel has not paid (while in comatose), which amounted to about N746 million and we paid N500m and pleaded with NCC to understand that for about five years Mobitel was not operating and we engaged NCC. As for other operators we have negotiated settlement.
ITRealms Online were told that there was no waiver per se, but very necessary steps were taken by the regulator towards the resuscitation of the company through a concession
Omni Ventures, our sources said, on acquisition of Mobitel in 2008 paid estimated $30 million after settling all outstanding and renegotiating terms with indebted operators, most of which were actually written off, citing an instance of MTN Nigeria Communications, which encouraged Mobitel’s return by cancelling its outstanding debt.
According to our sources, the NCC should not have revalidated Mobitel license if it had not met all the necessary measures to reposition itself in the market or met the payment guidelines in the latest licensing granted in 2.3G by the regulator, of which it was one of the first to pay the stipulated fixed price through electronic money transfer.
Recalling what happened to CIL owned by Globacom Limited during the Digital Mobile Licensing (DML) offer, culminating in late payment, our source said, they took precaution, therefore on conclusion of the meeting between all the 40 bidders and NCC, Mobitel team within the next available working hours paid the required licensing fee by electronic transfer, which took about 20 minutes to hit the account number.
“Mobitel raised its fund via SkyeBank, which is leading other consortium of financiers and we paid N1,368,000 million, some days before the cut-off date,” our source declared, stressing that Mobitel has come to stay with one desire, “to play actively in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.”
The seeking of 2.3GHz, ITRealms Online gathered, was to enable the returnee Mobitel to play in the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) platform to re-launch itself into the nation’s ICT market.
Mobitel is a pioneering provider of telecommunications services in the country. Wholly acquired by a consortium led by Omni Ventures in 2008, Mobitel offers fixed and wireless voice, data and value-added services focusing on small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) and high-end consumers across Nigeria.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Featured post @ITREALMS
Monday, May 25, 2009
Group applauds process for 2.3GHz spectrum
The Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) has applauded the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over the granting of the latest three licenses on 2.3 GHz), describing the process as ingenious.
President, NIG, Mr. Lanre Ajayi said that for NCC to have been able to peg the price for this frequency and yet conduct a transparent sale is inventive and deserves commendation.
He noted that auctioning is an easier process because the spectrum, which is a limited resource but desired by many, will simply go to the highest bidder. But this may drive broadband Internet out of reach of many Nigerians.
On the other hand, pegging the cost is more challenging, since it is more difficult to select who should have it out of many contestants.
“Pegging the cost of spectrum is certainly a way of lowering the cost of broadband Internet to Nigerians and guaranteeing deeper broadband penetration in the country,” he said.
NIG, it would be recalled has always canvassed a low cost of spectrum for broadband Internet to accelerate broadband penetration in Nigeria.
“We are glad NCC has been able to accomplish this,” he said.
In a press statement made available to newsmen in Lagos, the Group noted that many countries of the world are subsidizing broadband Internet to their citizens, Nigeria government should not over burden her own citizens by over pricing the cost of broadband spectrum.
While auctioning may be suitable for voice spectrum like in (GSM), it is certainly not appropriate for broadband spectrum because of the need to urgently get every Nigerian connected to broadband Internet.
“NIG is proud of the ingenious way NCC sold the 2.3 GHz, which pegged the cost of the spectrum and yet created a level playing field for the companies that earlier showed interest,” he declared.
Also, he said, that NIG believes that the transparent manner with which the transaction was concluded and the resultant lower rate of the spectrum, would spur affordable internet for the citizens.
“We had always believed this is one way to make internet affordable in Nigeria,” he said
The group maintained that the process was ingenious, explaining that if NCC had allowed it to linger into auction, highest bidders would pick the licenses but at a high cost, which would be translated eventually to the end-user.
“We applaud the outcome of the process. With this development, Nigerians should braze up for explosive e-Education, e-Health, e-Commerce, e-Government, and other e-Services which ride over Broadband Internet” NIG president said.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
President, NIG, Mr. Lanre Ajayi said that for NCC to have been able to peg the price for this frequency and yet conduct a transparent sale is inventive and deserves commendation.
He noted that auctioning is an easier process because the spectrum, which is a limited resource but desired by many, will simply go to the highest bidder. But this may drive broadband Internet out of reach of many Nigerians.
On the other hand, pegging the cost is more challenging, since it is more difficult to select who should have it out of many contestants.
“Pegging the cost of spectrum is certainly a way of lowering the cost of broadband Internet to Nigerians and guaranteeing deeper broadband penetration in the country,” he said.
NIG, it would be recalled has always canvassed a low cost of spectrum for broadband Internet to accelerate broadband penetration in Nigeria.
“We are glad NCC has been able to accomplish this,” he said.
In a press statement made available to newsmen in Lagos, the Group noted that many countries of the world are subsidizing broadband Internet to their citizens, Nigeria government should not over burden her own citizens by over pricing the cost of broadband spectrum.
While auctioning may be suitable for voice spectrum like in (GSM), it is certainly not appropriate for broadband spectrum because of the need to urgently get every Nigerian connected to broadband Internet.
“NIG is proud of the ingenious way NCC sold the 2.3 GHz, which pegged the cost of the spectrum and yet created a level playing field for the companies that earlier showed interest,” he declared.
Also, he said, that NIG believes that the transparent manner with which the transaction was concluded and the resultant lower rate of the spectrum, would spur affordable internet for the citizens.
“We had always believed this is one way to make internet affordable in Nigeria,” he said
The group maintained that the process was ingenious, explaining that if NCC had allowed it to linger into auction, highest bidders would pick the licenses but at a high cost, which would be translated eventually to the end-user.
“We applaud the outcome of the process. With this development, Nigerians should braze up for explosive e-Education, e-Health, e-Commerce, e-Government, and other e-Services which ride over Broadband Internet” NIG president said.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
CFIN’s online scheme’ll boost Nigeria – Olayiwola
Chairman, Certification Board, Computer Forensics Institutes Nigeria (CFIN), Dr. Peter Olayiwola has described the recent launch of the online training programmes of the institute as a turning point in Nigeria’s quest for technological development, reports CHARLES OKOH.
He also said that the nation will be the greatest beneficiary of the programme, noting that through this initiative, the door is open for all Nigerians including those in Diaspora to take advantage of what digital forensics has to offer in terms of knowledge, skills, expertise, experience, employment and consulting opportunities, wealth creation and digital computer security.
Dr. Olayiwola who spoke at CFIN national secretariat in Lagos, recently, said that CFIN, a professional organization approved by both the Federal Ministry of Education and Federal Ministry of Justice is about to develop digital and computer forensics experts who will be equipped to contend with the challenges of digital-crime of different dimensions.
He emphasized that since the organization started operations last year, it has opened offices in Lagos, Abuja and Kaduna, even as he said that arrangements are on to appoint state coordinators for each of the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), just as it has presence in each of the geographical zones of the country.
The CFIN chairman said the aftermath of the boot camp held in Lagos, in March this year informed the decision of the organization to conduct online training based on the recommendation of participants at the residential boot camp training.
According to him, CFIN annually conducts research and development into new and emerging technologies as well as methods in the science of computer forensics, stating that the certification offered by CFIN is the Chartered Computer Forensics Examiner, which is the result of CFIN’s desire to increase the level of professionalism and advancement in the field and science of computer forensics.
“The Certification board maintains a fair, uncompromised process for certifying the competence of computer forensics examiners and sets high forensics and ethical standards for digital and computer forensics examiners. CFIN administers the Chartered Computer Forensics Examiner certification to both law enforcement and non-law enforcement digital and computer forensics examiners who must not at first be computer science graduates,” he said.
Olayiwola said the online training programme is not only convenient but also allows one to complete all courses via the internet, and is flexible while allowing students to attend class work at any time and from anywhere adding that this will also help prospective examiners with assignment questions providing them with additional educational resources, among other benefits.
He assured that CFIN will begin to export digital and computer forensics experts to other countries in the nearest future.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
He also said that the nation will be the greatest beneficiary of the programme, noting that through this initiative, the door is open for all Nigerians including those in Diaspora to take advantage of what digital forensics has to offer in terms of knowledge, skills, expertise, experience, employment and consulting opportunities, wealth creation and digital computer security.
Dr. Olayiwola who spoke at CFIN national secretariat in Lagos, recently, said that CFIN, a professional organization approved by both the Federal Ministry of Education and Federal Ministry of Justice is about to develop digital and computer forensics experts who will be equipped to contend with the challenges of digital-crime of different dimensions.
He emphasized that since the organization started operations last year, it has opened offices in Lagos, Abuja and Kaduna, even as he said that arrangements are on to appoint state coordinators for each of the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), just as it has presence in each of the geographical zones of the country.
The CFIN chairman said the aftermath of the boot camp held in Lagos, in March this year informed the decision of the organization to conduct online training based on the recommendation of participants at the residential boot camp training.
According to him, CFIN annually conducts research and development into new and emerging technologies as well as methods in the science of computer forensics, stating that the certification offered by CFIN is the Chartered Computer Forensics Examiner, which is the result of CFIN’s desire to increase the level of professionalism and advancement in the field and science of computer forensics.
“The Certification board maintains a fair, uncompromised process for certifying the competence of computer forensics examiners and sets high forensics and ethical standards for digital and computer forensics examiners. CFIN administers the Chartered Computer Forensics Examiner certification to both law enforcement and non-law enforcement digital and computer forensics examiners who must not at first be computer science graduates,” he said.
Olayiwola said the online training programme is not only convenient but also allows one to complete all courses via the internet, and is flexible while allowing students to attend class work at any time and from anywhere adding that this will also help prospective examiners with assignment questions providing them with additional educational resources, among other benefits.
He assured that CFIN will begin to export digital and computer forensics experts to other countries in the nearest future.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
NITEL workers to recover N1.1bn from First Bank
... Give 7-day ultimatum
Embattled Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) workers under the aegis of the Senior Staff Association of Communications, Transport and Corporations (SSACTAC) Thursday in Abuja gave the management of First Bank Nigeria Plc seven-day ultimatum within which to clear a $7 million debt (about N1.1billion) owed the organisation or face the wrath of the workers who are poised to prevent the bank from carrying usual statutory services to its customers, reports AUSTIN ASHAMU.
The group in a letter addressed to the Managing Director of the bank which was made available to ITRealms Online weekend, SSACTAC said the in-house union is left with no option than to issue a seven day notice to the bank to clear the matter for both parties interest to avoid crisis.
According to the letter signed by the President and Deputy President of the Association, Comrades E.Y. Kazzah and Gabriel Abah, they said the debt accrued from non remittances of collection, unauthorised debits of account and letters of credits not completely drawn with the bank since 2002.
The union recalled that NITEL appointed financial consultants to screen and recover the monies. The consultants have established that First Bank as a consequence of the above reasons owes NITEL Plc monies running into millions, though it is disputed by First Bank.
“Several meetings, reconciliations and negotiations have been held with the management of the First Bank towards resolving this issue for years running now,” it said.
The union stated that the NITEL management at one point sought for the intervention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), but the matter is yet to be resolved.
“In spite of all the effort, it has come to our understanding that First Bank Plc is still foot-dragging and has not displayed the willingness to resolve these issues diplomatically. NITEL staff are being owed 11 months salary arrears and this money will go a long way to ameliorate their sufferings,” the union said.
Further, the letter stated that after the seven days ultimatum, and the debt is not cleared, the workers would paralyze activities in all First Bank offices nationwide.
Meanwhile, all the effort to reach the management of First Bank and precisely Mr. Steven Omanufeme, of the Brand Management Corporate Planning and Group Coordination at the bank proved abortive, at the weekend, as he was not responding to phone calls.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Embattled Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) workers under the aegis of the Senior Staff Association of Communications, Transport and Corporations (SSACTAC) Thursday in Abuja gave the management of First Bank Nigeria Plc seven-day ultimatum within which to clear a $7 million debt (about N1.1billion) owed the organisation or face the wrath of the workers who are poised to prevent the bank from carrying usual statutory services to its customers, reports AUSTIN ASHAMU.
The group in a letter addressed to the Managing Director of the bank which was made available to ITRealms Online weekend, SSACTAC said the in-house union is left with no option than to issue a seven day notice to the bank to clear the matter for both parties interest to avoid crisis.
According to the letter signed by the President and Deputy President of the Association, Comrades E.Y. Kazzah and Gabriel Abah, they said the debt accrued from non remittances of collection, unauthorised debits of account and letters of credits not completely drawn with the bank since 2002.
The union recalled that NITEL appointed financial consultants to screen and recover the monies. The consultants have established that First Bank as a consequence of the above reasons owes NITEL Plc monies running into millions, though it is disputed by First Bank.
“Several meetings, reconciliations and negotiations have been held with the management of the First Bank towards resolving this issue for years running now,” it said.
The union stated that the NITEL management at one point sought for the intervention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), but the matter is yet to be resolved.
“In spite of all the effort, it has come to our understanding that First Bank Plc is still foot-dragging and has not displayed the willingness to resolve these issues diplomatically. NITEL staff are being owed 11 months salary arrears and this money will go a long way to ameliorate their sufferings,” the union said.
Further, the letter stated that after the seven days ultimatum, and the debt is not cleared, the workers would paralyze activities in all First Bank offices nationwide.
Meanwhile, all the effort to reach the management of First Bank and precisely Mr. Steven Omanufeme, of the Brand Management Corporate Planning and Group Coordination at the bank proved abortive, at the weekend, as he was not responding to phone calls.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
.ng redelegation, a plus for NiRA
The successful conclusion of redelegation of the nation’s country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) name .ng, stands as a major achievement for Nigeria, reports REMMY NWEKE.
Penultimate Wednesday, May 13, 2009, no doubt, is a date to remember for every loving Nigerian Internet enthusiast, mainly because it was the day another landmark history was made with the conclusion of the nation’s country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) name .ng, with the current global coordinating internet agency, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
ICANN in the saddle:
It must be recognized that this feat is coming after over 13 years of the .ng registration with ICANN, an international not-to-profit corporation championing standardization of the internet community globally. Formed in 1998, ICANN involves participants from all over the world and is dedicated to keeping the Internet secure, stable and interoperable, as well as bent on promoting competition by developing policies on the Internet’s unique identifiers and over the years it has impacted on the expansion and evolution of the Internet.
What’s TLD?
A country code top-level domain is an Internet top-level domain generally used or reserved for a country or a dependent territory. Some examples of ccTLD are .us for United States, .uk for United Kingdom, .de for Germany, .ng for Nigeria, .nz for New Zealand, and .eg for Egypt to name a few.
President, Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), Mr. Ndukwe Kalu, said it is a milestone for the country to achieve the full local management and control of its ccTLD, .ng.
ITRealms Online recalls that .ng ccTLD expedition began precisely in 1995, with the first delegation to Mrs. Ibukun Odusote as the then administrative Point of Contact (POC). And by 2004 stakeholders were engulfed in controversy over who hosts the ccTLD locally, majorly between a non-governmental organization, the Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) and Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), which attracted the attention of the former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who consequently, directed the Nigerian Internet community represented by the G22 to reach a consensus on a not-for-profit and all inclusive entity to manage the .ng ccTLD, thus giving birth to NiRA board of trustees in 2005, proceeded by the election of the NIRA executive board in May 2007.
NiRA’s Vision 20-2011:
NiRA president, Kalu, described the conclusion of the exercise as a turning point in the existence of .ng ccTLD, having scaled through the processes as demanded by ICANN’s administrative affiliate, the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA).
“For us, we have set our Vision 20 2020 as Vision 20 2011, that is, for Nigeria to make the ccTLD top 20 by year 2011,” he declared.
Also, Ndukwe said that with the conclusion, NiRA executive board inaugurated since May 2007, at an all-inclusive stakeholders meeting in Lagos, can now go full-length into the commercial aspect of the .ng management, which was entrusted on NiRA at inception.
As said by him, precisely 4pm GMT, May 13, 2009, Verisign implemented ICANN approved root server changes to the .ng ccTLD; while a few hours later IANA followed the board approved redelegation of the Nigerian ccTLD on its website, www.iana.org, stressing that effectively this brings to a close the much agitated local hosting of .ng ccTLD by Nigerian Internet community.
However, after the inauguration of the current exco, top on the agenda of NiRA was to ensure this conclusion among other challenges, due largely to the controversies .ng has generated in the recent past and also the emergence of NiRA into the polity.
Yet the executives were undaunted as they initiated one process after another, restructuring things by putting in place the required structure and infrastructure that would sustain the .ng ccTLD eventually.
Today, most stakeholders in the nation’s internet community agreed that those structures have paid off owing to the diligence of the exco-led by Ndukwe Kalu and his vice president, Mrs. Mary Uduma, who also represents the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) at NiRA, just as .ng ccTLD promises to offer its domains with the most robust technical infrastructure on the continent.
Standardizing .ng ccTLD:
“The .ng ccTLD is the only ccTLD with multiple anycast name servers offering local resolutions of .ng domain in over 40 cities in five continents with a 100 per cent uptime guarantee,” Kalu said, pointing out that Nigeria, as matter of fact, is the second country in Africa to have a fully automated registry with full Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP) making its access to be of a global standard that allows registrars from all over the world to interact with it.
EPP also known as Enhanced Capability Port (ECP) is a standard signaling method for bi-directional parallel communication between a computer and peripheral devices that offers the potential for much higher rates of data transfer than the original parallel signaling methods.
In other words, with the Nigerian registry, anyone can register .ng in seconds and be sure that the name would always be available and visitors to such websites would get translations of their domain names in over 40 local cities; making room for a better web presence.
For the Nigerian Internet community, this is truly a defining moment, which made NIRA the sponsoring organization and manager of the .ng ccTLD, hence bringing the .ng as desired to the greater participation of all stakeholders, both in government and private sector.
Respect for late Ajayi:
This landmark act has also accorded the former Director General, National IT Development Agency (NITDA), late Prof Gabriel Ajayi, to invariably have his final rest, with his name also rested from the IANA website; just as with the change, NIRA has deemphasized personalization of the domain managers, but rather used roles with the admin contact as the role of NIRA President, which could be any body occupying such a position.
NIRA, therefore, has exhibited commitment for the population of .ng ccTLD and would soon outline key projects toward achieving its Vision 20 2011. Kalu also noted that with this development in the Nigerian cyberspace countless opportunities would be available to both the state and citizens.
MOU for .ng:
Noteworthy is that last year, NiRA entered an agreement with NITDA which spurred the end result of today, the redelegation without controversy, attracting commendations from stakeholders and the Internet community precisely, most of who described the development as a positive chapter in the annals of Internet development in the country.
And following the MoU, NiRA filed for the redelegation without forgetting to invite comments on 13-policy documents to guide its operations.
The first sets of policies, he said, were 11 domain related including policy development process, domain name policy, special domain name policy, fees policy, privacy policy and dispute resolution policy. He listed others to comprise policies on general registration rules, registrant agreement, registrar agreement, registrar accreditation process and glossary as contained in the policy documents.
Kalu pointed out that apart from the above 11 named documents, there were two policy documents specifically mapped out to ensure good corporate governance in management of affairs of NiRA, thus aligning its procedure with international best practices.
Warming up for 2010 public meeting:
This redelegation is apt, mostly now that Nigeria has proposed to host ICANN’s international meeting by 2010, of which ICANN official recently visited Nigeria and had meeting with NiRA officials and NCC in Abuja, just as Nigeria has already set up a Local Organising Committee (LOC) led by the Director of Licensing at NCC and Vice president, NiRA, Mrs. Mary Uduma.Confirming this, the Regional Manager for Africa at ICANN, Ms Anne Rachel Inne, informed that Nigeria has sent an Expression of Interest to host the 2010 meeting to the ICANN team in-charge, and applauded NiRA and Nigeria for a successful redelegation of .ng.
Stakeholders comment:
For the chief executive, IceCool, a team of website developers, Mr. Destiny Amana, when Mr. Kalu and his team were elected into NiRA exco, stakeholders were at lost as to what to expect as the task of moving .ng into the hands of Nigerians had eluded the internet community for a long time.
“But, after a trying time and through so-tricky Information Technology maneuvering, the president has successfully changed delegation from Randy Bush, whom we are thankful to for hosting .ng for as long as he did,” Amana said.
Ndukwe’s team, he said, has established a standard compliant registry as a legacy for future generations and has involved the pioneer registrars all the way through the process.
Amana further commended the technical committee for pulling redelegation processes off and tasked the registrars to ensure the Vision 20 2011 is realizable byway of “make .ng number 1.”
NCS president, Prof. Charles Uwadia, while reacting said that the nation’s Internet community is happy for finally taken charge of its own online identity, .ng. “The nation has all it takes to manage it effectively both administratively and technically, so stakeholders are happy,” he asserted.
Tapping .ng advantage:
Like Amana noted, the responsibility of popularizing .ng, apart from resting on registrars, equally lays on both public and private sectors in the country to embrace .ng, the nation’s identity in the cyberspace, so as to help Ndukwe’s dream team in achieving yet another mile stone of 20 2011 for the country, more so, when .ng is touted as the cheapest domain name to get in recent times.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Starcomms lights up Awka, Umuahia... 3 other cities
THE Anambra State capital, Awka and its Abia counterpart, Umuahia, are now connected on the Starcomms network. This was in addition to three other cities, namely Nnewi, Ilorin the Kwara State capital and Sapele in Delta State, where Starcomms has established its presence.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Starcomms Plc, Mr. Maher Qubain, while announcing these latest additions on the network, said it is part of the telecom’s determination to take quality services to more Nigerians that spurred the completion of the expansion plan which commenced over a year ago.
Starcomms Plc, as a leading telecommunications operator in the country, he said, has extended its coverage to five more cities in the country, with South East having three, viz Awka, Umuahia and Nnewi.
Mr. Qubain explained that Starcomms’ effort at linking-up to these cities, was expression of its poise to give quality products and services backed up with cutting-edge technology to more cities in the country.
At Starcomms, he said, the operator believes in giving people value for their money, hence the new cities on the network are bound to have quality communication through it offerings.
“At the disposal of our prospective subscribers would be world-class telecom services, products and packages, all tailored toward meeting all communication needs. We are known for bringing innovative and affordable solutions and access devices to all areas under our network,” he declared.
The operator, he assured, would always be on the lead in bringing innovativeness to telecommunications services in the country and has also initiated a feedback access direct from subscribers to the CEO of the company.
“In cases where challenges are not satisfactorily addressed by other departments, we have made available an email address, ceo.customercare@starcomms.com, where customers can reach me directly,” Qubain disclosed.
Starcomms subscribers, according to him, in these five new cities would be offered products and services that would revolutionize their communication experience.
“These include the fixed wireless service which is available on Starcomms network in all the other cities already under its coverage. The subscribers will also have access to the 07028 & 07029 roaming services. These come with value added services like call waiting and missed call notification,” he asserted, stressing that the call waiting services would allow them to carry out two conversations interchangeably without losing any of the calls.
On the missed call notification, he said, it would keep subscribers abreast of all the calls that come into their phone when they switch off or move out of service range.
He further said that apart from this, Starcomms customers will also enjoy several other products and services, including the 1x CDMA Internet access, especially the Starcomms Neo, which offers them the benefit of surfing the web at a cost effective rate.
On the ongoing Starcomms talktime bonanza, he said, it is another package that will come to Awka, Umuahia, Nnewi, Ilorin and Sapele with the current roll out.
Enlightening that in this offer, for every N500 recharge, subscribers would enjoy a bonus airtime of N50, bringing a total airtime of N550 or 10 per cent free airtime on recharge.
While N1,000 recharge card attracts airtime bonus of N150 and a total airtime of N1,150.
Equally, he said that subscribers who recharge with N2000 will be richer by N500 as airtime bonus.
“Thereby enjoying 20 per cent free airtime,” he said, noting, however that N5000 recharge will attract an airtime bonus of N1,250, bringing a total airtime of N6,250 or 25 per cent of free airtime.
In addition, he said, that Starcomms Smart Centre an innovative concept aimed at revolutionizing the pay phone business in the country, would form part of the package prepared for the cities for the empowerment of the citizens.
“It provides more profit and more opportunity for call operators to tap into the cutting-edge technology of Starcomms. With two models in place: Smart Centre for the youth and business people, the ultimate aim is the economic prosperity of the operator in terms of profit,” he submitted.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Starcomms Plc, Mr. Maher Qubain, while announcing these latest additions on the network, said it is part of the telecom’s determination to take quality services to more Nigerians that spurred the completion of the expansion plan which commenced over a year ago.
Starcomms Plc, as a leading telecommunications operator in the country, he said, has extended its coverage to five more cities in the country, with South East having three, viz Awka, Umuahia and Nnewi.
Mr. Qubain explained that Starcomms’ effort at linking-up to these cities, was expression of its poise to give quality products and services backed up with cutting-edge technology to more cities in the country.
At Starcomms, he said, the operator believes in giving people value for their money, hence the new cities on the network are bound to have quality communication through it offerings.
“At the disposal of our prospective subscribers would be world-class telecom services, products and packages, all tailored toward meeting all communication needs. We are known for bringing innovative and affordable solutions and access devices to all areas under our network,” he declared.
The operator, he assured, would always be on the lead in bringing innovativeness to telecommunications services in the country and has also initiated a feedback access direct from subscribers to the CEO of the company.
“In cases where challenges are not satisfactorily addressed by other departments, we have made available an email address, ceo.customercare@starcomms.com, where customers can reach me directly,” Qubain disclosed.
Starcomms subscribers, according to him, in these five new cities would be offered products and services that would revolutionize their communication experience.
“These include the fixed wireless service which is available on Starcomms network in all the other cities already under its coverage. The subscribers will also have access to the 07028 & 07029 roaming services. These come with value added services like call waiting and missed call notification,” he asserted, stressing that the call waiting services would allow them to carry out two conversations interchangeably without losing any of the calls.
On the missed call notification, he said, it would keep subscribers abreast of all the calls that come into their phone when they switch off or move out of service range.
He further said that apart from this, Starcomms customers will also enjoy several other products and services, including the 1x CDMA Internet access, especially the Starcomms Neo, which offers them the benefit of surfing the web at a cost effective rate.
On the ongoing Starcomms talktime bonanza, he said, it is another package that will come to Awka, Umuahia, Nnewi, Ilorin and Sapele with the current roll out.
Enlightening that in this offer, for every N500 recharge, subscribers would enjoy a bonus airtime of N50, bringing a total airtime of N550 or 10 per cent free airtime on recharge.
While N1,000 recharge card attracts airtime bonus of N150 and a total airtime of N1,150.
Equally, he said that subscribers who recharge with N2000 will be richer by N500 as airtime bonus.
“Thereby enjoying 20 per cent free airtime,” he said, noting, however that N5000 recharge will attract an airtime bonus of N1,250, bringing a total airtime of N6,250 or 25 per cent of free airtime.
In addition, he said, that Starcomms Smart Centre an innovative concept aimed at revolutionizing the pay phone business in the country, would form part of the package prepared for the cities for the empowerment of the citizens.
“It provides more profit and more opportunity for call operators to tap into the cutting-edge technology of Starcomms. With two models in place: Smart Centre for the youth and business people, the ultimate aim is the economic prosperity of the operator in terms of profit,” he submitted.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
750,000 laptops up for grabs @ CNP promo
Computerize Nigeria Project (CNP), is collaborating with four global Personal Computer (PC) brands in dangling 750,000 laptops before Nigerians in a joint project promotion, aimed at encouraging the use of computers in the country.
Chief executive officer, Computerize Nigeria Project, Mrs. Vivian Abii, who disclosed this at the weekend, said that history has been made as the leading four international original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have come under one umbrella for a common purpose.
She listed the four OEMs in this promo to include ACER, Hewlett Packard (HP), Toshiba and Zinox, noting that by injecting such number of laptops into the Nigerian market, definitely the offer is coming at bottom prices.
She explained that the promo seeks to enhance computer ownership, Information Technology (IT) competencies and increased productivity on a national level is endorsed by Microsoft, world Number1 software house.
She pointed out that primarily, the 750,000 laptops promo would empower civil servants at the three tiers of government, staff of organized private sector, military and para-military personnel students and staff of educational institutions as well as cooperatives.
The promo, according to her, eases out the problems of the many computer ownership or purchasing schemes in the market today.
“Firstly, it addresses the often expressed consumer desire to have a wide range of brand choices from which to choose, as traditionally, an OEM would offer only its own brand in its ownership scheme,” she said.
CNP, she said, has broken all the barriers of competition and the OEMs ACER, HP, Toshiba, and Zinox are offered to consumers under one roof at prices hitherto unmatched.
Mrs. Abii enumerated other consumer benefits to include no bank guarantees, thus bringing an end to the tedious documentation and the endless come-today-come-tomorrow that have frustrated many prospects.
“Consumers enjoy value for money whether they pay in cash or take advantage of the flexible payment terms with interests below bank prevailing rates,” she said.
The result of this kind of promo, Mrs. Abii said, is that the 750,000 laptops promo has made laptops cheaper and easier to purchase, while encouraging the growth of a credit culture in the economy.
“That was the ultimate aim for this partnership between leading OEMs in Nigeria,” she said.
A press statement made available to ITRealms Online, weekend, quoted the Country Sales Representative for ACER, Mr. Charles Igboa, as saying that ACER’s participation in the 750,000 laptops promo underscores the company’s commitment to empower people.
He also said that ACER, like the other participating OEMs has made substantial discounts to bring prices down because of the belief that this promo would help break the barrier between technology and people.
Mr. Igboa urged the working class in the country to take advantage of the unique incentives of this promo and computerize their offices and homes.
Toshiba’s Business Manager for West Africa, Mr. Simeon Gotley, said that the promo has a huge opportunity for Toshiba to make remarkable contributions in the country.
Further, he said, that the timing of the promo signified the conviction of the OEMs that only appropriate technology could help Nigeria to survive the on-going global economic crisis.
ITRealms Online, recalls that Computerize Nigeria Project Ltd was launched in 2001 by the NLC President Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who is currently the Executive Governor of Edo state, in the presence of the then Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, Executive Governors, Senators, Ministers, among others.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Chief executive officer, Computerize Nigeria Project, Mrs. Vivian Abii, who disclosed this at the weekend, said that history has been made as the leading four international original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have come under one umbrella for a common purpose.
She listed the four OEMs in this promo to include ACER, Hewlett Packard (HP), Toshiba and Zinox, noting that by injecting such number of laptops into the Nigerian market, definitely the offer is coming at bottom prices.
She explained that the promo seeks to enhance computer ownership, Information Technology (IT) competencies and increased productivity on a national level is endorsed by Microsoft, world Number1 software house.
She pointed out that primarily, the 750,000 laptops promo would empower civil servants at the three tiers of government, staff of organized private sector, military and para-military personnel students and staff of educational institutions as well as cooperatives.
The promo, according to her, eases out the problems of the many computer ownership or purchasing schemes in the market today.
“Firstly, it addresses the often expressed consumer desire to have a wide range of brand choices from which to choose, as traditionally, an OEM would offer only its own brand in its ownership scheme,” she said.
CNP, she said, has broken all the barriers of competition and the OEMs ACER, HP, Toshiba, and Zinox are offered to consumers under one roof at prices hitherto unmatched.
Mrs. Abii enumerated other consumer benefits to include no bank guarantees, thus bringing an end to the tedious documentation and the endless come-today-come-tomorrow that have frustrated many prospects.
“Consumers enjoy value for money whether they pay in cash or take advantage of the flexible payment terms with interests below bank prevailing rates,” she said.
The result of this kind of promo, Mrs. Abii said, is that the 750,000 laptops promo has made laptops cheaper and easier to purchase, while encouraging the growth of a credit culture in the economy.
“That was the ultimate aim for this partnership between leading OEMs in Nigeria,” she said.
A press statement made available to ITRealms Online, weekend, quoted the Country Sales Representative for ACER, Mr. Charles Igboa, as saying that ACER’s participation in the 750,000 laptops promo underscores the company’s commitment to empower people.
He also said that ACER, like the other participating OEMs has made substantial discounts to bring prices down because of the belief that this promo would help break the barrier between technology and people.
Mr. Igboa urged the working class in the country to take advantage of the unique incentives of this promo and computerize their offices and homes.
Toshiba’s Business Manager for West Africa, Mr. Simeon Gotley, said that the promo has a huge opportunity for Toshiba to make remarkable contributions in the country.
Further, he said, that the timing of the promo signified the conviction of the OEMs that only appropriate technology could help Nigeria to survive the on-going global economic crisis.
ITRealms Online, recalls that Computerize Nigeria Project Ltd was launched in 2001 by the NLC President Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who is currently the Executive Governor of Edo state, in the presence of the then Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, Executive Governors, Senators, Ministers, among others.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
SAP to host SME world tour in Lagos
Software technology-driven company, SAP Africa, has concluded plans to host a one-day Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) world tour in Lagos, tomorrow.
This is coming on the heels of a similar tour hosted recently in South Africa.
A statement endorsed by the director of SME business at SAP Africa and Managing director, Messrs Derek Kudsee and Pfungwa Serima, respectively, indicated that top on the agenda is why the SME market in Nigeria is positioned as intelligent business in, making investments in the current economic meltdown.
Highlight, they said would focus on how SAP is gearing this market up for success beyond the current economic situation.
According to them, the global markets have established and come to terms that the world is under recession, but “we are also told that this recession will pass sooner or later.”
Pointing out that when eventually that happens, companies that have managed to fend themselves against this situation will surely emerge with new business models and strategies for the future, stressing that it is no secret that SME market is the driving force of innovation and job creation in the economy, but this is also the section of the economy that is facing most challenges.
They explained that many software companies have recognised that the economic growth will come from the SME sector, thus becoming the seed for the next wave of large enterprises.
Kudsee, therefore said, that SAP has made significant inroads into the SME market and would be ready to answer the question: what will the future SME look like, noting that SAP’s world tour holding in Lagos, tomorrow, Thursday, May 21, would afford participants to share in the firm’s visions on the approaches that the organisations need to take.
The SAP SME world tour is a flagship event that stops in 50 SAP regions. The event is hosted for the first time in Nigeria; its third stop of four in Africa after its huge success in Johannesburg last year.
SAP Africa has announced that it is building on the success of last year’s inaugural SAP SME world tour by hosting this event in major centres in South Africa, as well as Nigeria.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
This is coming on the heels of a similar tour hosted recently in South Africa.
A statement endorsed by the director of SME business at SAP Africa and Managing director, Messrs Derek Kudsee and Pfungwa Serima, respectively, indicated that top on the agenda is why the SME market in Nigeria is positioned as intelligent business in, making investments in the current economic meltdown.
Highlight, they said would focus on how SAP is gearing this market up for success beyond the current economic situation.
According to them, the global markets have established and come to terms that the world is under recession, but “we are also told that this recession will pass sooner or later.”
Pointing out that when eventually that happens, companies that have managed to fend themselves against this situation will surely emerge with new business models and strategies for the future, stressing that it is no secret that SME market is the driving force of innovation and job creation in the economy, but this is also the section of the economy that is facing most challenges.
They explained that many software companies have recognised that the economic growth will come from the SME sector, thus becoming the seed for the next wave of large enterprises.
Kudsee, therefore said, that SAP has made significant inroads into the SME market and would be ready to answer the question: what will the future SME look like, noting that SAP’s world tour holding in Lagos, tomorrow, Thursday, May 21, would afford participants to share in the firm’s visions on the approaches that the organisations need to take.
The SAP SME world tour is a flagship event that stops in 50 SAP regions. The event is hosted for the first time in Nigeria; its third stop of four in Africa after its huge success in Johannesburg last year.
SAP Africa has announced that it is building on the success of last year’s inaugural SAP SME world tour by hosting this event in major centres in South Africa, as well as Nigeria.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Ndukwe harps on ICT tools
THE Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Ernest Ndukwe, has said that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools remain veritable means for any nation to achieve greatness without it which, it may be difficult to explore full potential in today’s world.
Ndukwe who was speaking at the recently concluded Computer, Telecommunications and Online Service (CTO) conference and exhibition in Lagos, also said that a World Bank report has shown that firms that use ICT grow faster and are more productive and profitable than those that do not.
“Two new reports by the World Bank on the world economic forum underline the facts that economic development depends on overall progressing countries ICT sector, and that without such progress the economy and the companies in the business sector suffer. The study also shows that firms that use ICT grow faster and are more productive and profitable than those that do not,” he said.
Speaking on Partnership in Technology “The best way to diffuse technology and empower the citizens,” the NCC boss said access to broadband remains a key to keeping small business competitive in any modern economy, stressing that, investment in ICT can reduce the burden of inadequate infrastructure, access to rural and poor economy, particularly in transportation and rural access.
“ICT can enable them to save both time and money, if they are able to access information and services closer to where they live and operate from. ICT is increasingly becoming critical to local producers to co-ordinate their activities, avail themselves of national and global opportunities as well as withstand competition in their domestic markets,” he said.
Ndukwe further said that survival and growth depend on innovativeness in the use of ICT, which, he noted, is becoming embedded in production, distribution, marketing and planning process at all levels.
In the informal sector, he said, the source of livelihood of most of the world’s poor and a large percentage of women, ICT can assist with the delivery of social services with microfinance, strengthening strategies and income generation.
He equally said there is need to encourage technology diffusion in order to enhance performance generally, noting that all it takes is for one to embrace ICT and use same to the advantage of all.
The EVC said the Nigerian government is passionate and committed to forging partnership and diffusion of technology in the country.
The CTO which began Monday, May 11 and lasted till Friday 15, is an annual event organized by the commercial section of the United States embassy in Nigeria.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Ndukwe who was speaking at the recently concluded Computer, Telecommunications and Online Service (CTO) conference and exhibition in Lagos, also said that a World Bank report has shown that firms that use ICT grow faster and are more productive and profitable than those that do not.
“Two new reports by the World Bank on the world economic forum underline the facts that economic development depends on overall progressing countries ICT sector, and that without such progress the economy and the companies in the business sector suffer. The study also shows that firms that use ICT grow faster and are more productive and profitable than those that do not,” he said.
Speaking on Partnership in Technology “The best way to diffuse technology and empower the citizens,” the NCC boss said access to broadband remains a key to keeping small business competitive in any modern economy, stressing that, investment in ICT can reduce the burden of inadequate infrastructure, access to rural and poor economy, particularly in transportation and rural access.
“ICT can enable them to save both time and money, if they are able to access information and services closer to where they live and operate from. ICT is increasingly becoming critical to local producers to co-ordinate their activities, avail themselves of national and global opportunities as well as withstand competition in their domestic markets,” he said.
Ndukwe further said that survival and growth depend on innovativeness in the use of ICT, which, he noted, is becoming embedded in production, distribution, marketing and planning process at all levels.
In the informal sector, he said, the source of livelihood of most of the world’s poor and a large percentage of women, ICT can assist with the delivery of social services with microfinance, strengthening strategies and income generation.
He equally said there is need to encourage technology diffusion in order to enhance performance generally, noting that all it takes is for one to embrace ICT and use same to the advantage of all.
The EVC said the Nigerian government is passionate and committed to forging partnership and diffusion of technology in the country.
The CTO which began Monday, May 11 and lasted till Friday 15, is an annual event organized by the commercial section of the United States embassy in Nigeria.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Winners emerge in Nigeria Imagine Cup
Amid stiff competition, Team X, last weekend emerged winners of the Nigeria Microsoft Imagine Cup, which held at the Information and Communication Centre, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka.
According to Mr. Ade Famoti of Microsoft Nigeria Limited, Team X whose members are Ezeokoye Celestine (leader), Bello John and Akinnawo Opeyemi, all of computer science department, UNILAG, will represent Nigeria at the Microsoft World competition in Egypt this July.
Mr. Famoti during the award presentation said that Team X won based on the multi-channel approach the group used in packaging their soft ware as well as the mode of presentation saying that “a good product with a bad marketer cannot sell”.
He stressed that the use of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Global Positioning System (GPS) and Short Messaging Service (SMS) by the group, targets the different classes of the Nigerian population and as such, will help in meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) of the United Nations especially as it affects the third world countries like Nigeria.
He also urged the contestants to teach others their innovative ideas so that the knowledge will spread and have a positive impact on others.
Meanwhile, Team Ekah who won the most innovative solution award, emerged second runner up in the competition as a result of poor presentation of data while Team Indwell emerged the first runner up.
Explaining what is Imagine Cup, the Public Relations Manager, Microsoft Nigeria, Mrs. Victoria Uwadoka noted that basic education is out of reach for too many people but this year, the Imagine Cup challenges the world’s most talented to “Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems facing us today”.
“The United Nations has identified some of the hardest challenges in the world today in its Millennium Goals. IT students across Nigeria have seized the opportunity created by the Imagine cup as a guiding light to propose innovations that have the potential to drive change all over the world”, she said.
Mr. Clement Onawole of Softcraft Technology, congratulated all the students and urged them to be more focused on their efforts and to shun all forms of distraction and not to limit themselves as well as to see beyond their today’s potentials.
The seven participants from different universities across the nation were given 25 minutes for presentation of concept and demonstration by each team and after the judges’ deliberations, certificate of presentation was given to all the participants.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
According to Mr. Ade Famoti of Microsoft Nigeria Limited, Team X whose members are Ezeokoye Celestine (leader), Bello John and Akinnawo Opeyemi, all of computer science department, UNILAG, will represent Nigeria at the Microsoft World competition in Egypt this July.
Mr. Famoti during the award presentation said that Team X won based on the multi-channel approach the group used in packaging their soft ware as well as the mode of presentation saying that “a good product with a bad marketer cannot sell”.
He stressed that the use of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Global Positioning System (GPS) and Short Messaging Service (SMS) by the group, targets the different classes of the Nigerian population and as such, will help in meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) of the United Nations especially as it affects the third world countries like Nigeria.
He also urged the contestants to teach others their innovative ideas so that the knowledge will spread and have a positive impact on others.
Meanwhile, Team Ekah who won the most innovative solution award, emerged second runner up in the competition as a result of poor presentation of data while Team Indwell emerged the first runner up.
Explaining what is Imagine Cup, the Public Relations Manager, Microsoft Nigeria, Mrs. Victoria Uwadoka noted that basic education is out of reach for too many people but this year, the Imagine Cup challenges the world’s most talented to “Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems facing us today”.
“The United Nations has identified some of the hardest challenges in the world today in its Millennium Goals. IT students across Nigeria have seized the opportunity created by the Imagine cup as a guiding light to propose innovations that have the potential to drive change all over the world”, she said.
Mr. Clement Onawole of Softcraft Technology, congratulated all the students and urged them to be more focused on their efforts and to shun all forms of distraction and not to limit themselves as well as to see beyond their today’s potentials.
The seven participants from different universities across the nation were given 25 minutes for presentation of concept and demonstration by each team and after the judges’ deliberations, certificate of presentation was given to all the participants.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)