Remmy Nweke in Barcelona, Spain
Following the acceptance of the Long Term Evolution (LTE) by global telecom operators, more and more operators have continued to pledge commitment to the latest technology.
Lately, LTE is known as a project name for the high performance air interface for cellular mobile communication systems and is anticipated to be the last measure toward the 4th Generation (4G) of radio technologies designed to increase the capacity and speed of mobile telephone networks.
In addition it’s reputed as 4G in some markets within the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector, hence operators are expected to convert current networks to LTE so as to be compliant and enthrone the next-generation wireless technology to customers.
Although experts at Infonetics Research in 2009 speculated that LTE is expected to experience substantial growth over the next three years with global connections to exceed 72 million by 2013. As at last December, the LTE services were opened by TeliaSonera in the two Scandinavian capitals Stockholm and Oslo.
Meanwhile at the ongoing Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, China Telecom, KDDI and Verizon Wireless have reiterated their commitment to heed the worldwide operators’ assembly invitation under the Global System for Mobile Association (GSMA) for network owners to deploy LTE.
Equally Qualcomm joined the fray as associate member, dangling the smooth integration of LTE with today’s widely deployed mobile broadband technologies.
The latest entrants into LTE, namely China Telecom, KDDI, and Verizon Wireless are three largest Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operators in the world, just as they pledged to start commercial deployments of LTE in their respective regions beginning from this quarter.
Experts believed that when this is achieved in combination of the expansive footprint of these operators’ existing mobile broadband services, will deliver high-speed services to over 150 million customers over the next three years. Qualcomm has also joined the GSMA as an associate member and will work with the operators to aid the smooth integration of LTE with existing mobile broadband technologies.
Disclosing this, the Chief Technology and Strategy Officer, GSMA, Mr. Alex Sinclair, said that with its compelling, high-speed and cost-effective network architecture, LTE is bringing the GSM and CDMA communities together.
”We are delighted that China Telecom, KDDI, and Verizon Wireless have joined the GSMA along with Qualcomm, and will be among the first operators to launch commercial LTE services,” he said.
As said by him, the rapid rise in demand for mobile broadband devices, applications and services is driving both kinds of operators (GSM and CDMA) to evolve their network infrastructures and embrace new, cutting-edge technologies.
He explained that LTE is widely regarded as “the Mobile Broadband technology that will be adopted by the vast majority of mobile operators globally.”
Director, Technology, China Telecom, Mr. Cao Lei, said that as the largest state-owned operator in China, China Telecom is very excited to join the GSMA, which hopefully will enable them to extend reach and network across the global mobile ecosystem.
President and Chairman, KDDI, Tadashi Onodera, said his network has been successful in satisfactorily delivering performance and quality of services through the CDMA network, but the growing demand for broader bandwidth and richer multimedia applications drove them to move towards LTE.
“We look forward to deploying LTE by the end of 2012 and the benefits a global ecosystem for mobile broadband will provide,” Onodera said.
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Monday, February 15, 2010
IFC enhances Nigeria’s telecom with N22.7bn
The Washington-based member of the World Bank Group, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), has approved the sum of $150 million (about N22.7 billion) as loan to enhance telecommunications access in the country, through Helios Towers Nigeria (HTN) Limited.
IFC said that this syndicate would improve access to quality, affordable telecommunications in the country.
A press statement made available to ITRealms Online from IFC, quoted officials as saying that the initiative seeks to help HTN to increase its network to 2,000 shared tower communication sites nationwide and afford the Nigerian people the many benefits of improved communications.
ITRealms Online recalled that last year, IFC’s support similar initiative with $100 million in September 2009.
The current $150 million investment includes $76 million in loans syndicated to the African Development Bank, FMO of the Netherlands, Germany’s DEG, and Proparco of France.
Also, this includes a $30 million loan to Nigeria’s First City Monument Bank and a $44 million loan from Cordiant Capital, the Emerging African Infrastructure Fund and Nedbank of South Africa.
HTN builds and maintains a network of telecommunications towers and leases space on these towers to wireless telecommunications services providers.
The increased coverage will help wireless operators roll out their services more economically and extension of affordable mobile services to semi-urban and rural areas.
Nigeria’s telecommunications sector has developed significantly in recent years, but the country’s 43 per cent teledensity indicates that growth potential remains.
With the expansion of the HTN network, operators will be able to outsource non-core activities and passive infrastructure, allowing them to focus on further developing their products and services.
IFC Director, Global Information and Communication Technologies, Mr. Mohsen Khalil, said that access to quality, affordable mobile telecommunications is essential to development, both in terms of its ability to ease basic communication needs and to increase access to knowledge and services.
“By promoting Nigeria’s access to mobile infrastructure through HTN’s network, IFC seeks to strengthen the country’s efforts to better serve its consumers and businesses,” he said.
Noteworthy is that IFC is reputed international financial institution focusing on the private sector, which it described as the engine of sustainable development in emerging markets.
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IFC said that this syndicate would improve access to quality, affordable telecommunications in the country.
A press statement made available to ITRealms Online from IFC, quoted officials as saying that the initiative seeks to help HTN to increase its network to 2,000 shared tower communication sites nationwide and afford the Nigerian people the many benefits of improved communications.
ITRealms Online recalled that last year, IFC’s support similar initiative with $100 million in September 2009.
The current $150 million investment includes $76 million in loans syndicated to the African Development Bank, FMO of the Netherlands, Germany’s DEG, and Proparco of France.
Also, this includes a $30 million loan to Nigeria’s First City Monument Bank and a $44 million loan from Cordiant Capital, the Emerging African Infrastructure Fund and Nedbank of South Africa.
HTN builds and maintains a network of telecommunications towers and leases space on these towers to wireless telecommunications services providers.
The increased coverage will help wireless operators roll out their services more economically and extension of affordable mobile services to semi-urban and rural areas.
Nigeria’s telecommunications sector has developed significantly in recent years, but the country’s 43 per cent teledensity indicates that growth potential remains.
With the expansion of the HTN network, operators will be able to outsource non-core activities and passive infrastructure, allowing them to focus on further developing their products and services.
IFC Director, Global Information and Communication Technologies, Mr. Mohsen Khalil, said that access to quality, affordable mobile telecommunications is essential to development, both in terms of its ability to ease basic communication needs and to increase access to knowledge and services.
“By promoting Nigeria’s access to mobile infrastructure through HTN’s network, IFC seeks to strengthen the country’s efforts to better serve its consumers and businesses,” he said.
Noteworthy is that IFC is reputed international financial institution focusing on the private sector, which it described as the engine of sustainable development in emerging markets.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Interswitch invests in CSR with ‘Switch-A-Future’
The management of the pioneer electronic payment transaction and switching company, Interswitch has announced its entrance into the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with the introduction of ‘Switch A Future.’
This initiative was launched in partnership with Freedom Foundation, an education focused non-governmental organisation.
Disclosing this at a press conference in Lagos, Director, Technology at Interswitch, Mr. Akeem Lawal, said that the aim of the campaign is to touch the lives of Nigerian children who would have never had access to education, by providing them with an education.
Precisely, he explained that each time an Interswitch cardholder uses an Interswitch ATM Verve or Debit card on another bank’s ATM, Interswitch will make a donation to Freedom Foundation and by doing so ‘Switch A Future’ for a Nigerian child.
According to him, the ‘Switch A Future’ initiative is also designed to examine how the future of Nigerian children is being tragically truncated because they are disadvantaged or orphaned without a care for them.
He also said the campaign would exclusively make use of celebrities as models to demonstrate how bright and promising futures may not have been achieved without some form of educational support.
“The campaign would heighten public awareness and engender the citizenry’s empathy and action to change the plight of Nigerian children who otherwise would have no hope,” he said.
Mr. Lawal pointed out that notable Nigerian celebrities and personalities have consented to be part of the campaign.
These include D’Banji, Zizi Cardow and MI. Others are Basketmouth, Kelechi Amadi, Joke Silver among others.
“These stars have endorsed the ‘Switch A Future’ programme as their contributions to changing lives of the children and would be included in all promotion materials,” he said.
Equally, the Managing Director, Interswitch, Mr. Mitchell Elegbe was quoted as saying that the campaign would create awareness on the needs of the less privileged children and help Freedom Foundation to raise funds to meet the needs of the less privileged children.
“It would also create an avenue/channel through which members of the public can reach the less privileged in the society and encourage other private organizations to create social campaigns that meet the needs of their various stakeholders,” he said.
On the novel CSR programme, he said “investments in education are never an exercise in futility.
“Education often makes the difference, and with increasing technological advancement, many will find it difficult to operate in the global economy without it,” Elegbe said.
Stressing that education has the capacity to contribute to economic growth and stability of a country and studies have shown that increased levels of education in a country like Nigeria could reduce the outbreak of conflict.
“With education, children have the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty, even children who wish to pursue the creative arts in the future will find education a definite advantage as have many of the celebrities who have endorsed this programme,” he said.
Elegbe added that since corporate organisations do not function in isolation, some form of corporate giving should be part of a company’s activities, especially in developing societies such as Nigeria.
This is why Interswitch has developed the ‘Switch the Future’ framework, which covers not only corporate philanthropy, but economic, environmental and social responsibility as well.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
This initiative was launched in partnership with Freedom Foundation, an education focused non-governmental organisation.
Disclosing this at a press conference in Lagos, Director, Technology at Interswitch, Mr. Akeem Lawal, said that the aim of the campaign is to touch the lives of Nigerian children who would have never had access to education, by providing them with an education.
Precisely, he explained that each time an Interswitch cardholder uses an Interswitch ATM Verve or Debit card on another bank’s ATM, Interswitch will make a donation to Freedom Foundation and by doing so ‘Switch A Future’ for a Nigerian child.
According to him, the ‘Switch A Future’ initiative is also designed to examine how the future of Nigerian children is being tragically truncated because they are disadvantaged or orphaned without a care for them.
He also said the campaign would exclusively make use of celebrities as models to demonstrate how bright and promising futures may not have been achieved without some form of educational support.
“The campaign would heighten public awareness and engender the citizenry’s empathy and action to change the plight of Nigerian children who otherwise would have no hope,” he said.
Mr. Lawal pointed out that notable Nigerian celebrities and personalities have consented to be part of the campaign.
These include D’Banji, Zizi Cardow and MI. Others are Basketmouth, Kelechi Amadi, Joke Silver among others.
“These stars have endorsed the ‘Switch A Future’ programme as their contributions to changing lives of the children and would be included in all promotion materials,” he said.
Equally, the Managing Director, Interswitch, Mr. Mitchell Elegbe was quoted as saying that the campaign would create awareness on the needs of the less privileged children and help Freedom Foundation to raise funds to meet the needs of the less privileged children.
“It would also create an avenue/channel through which members of the public can reach the less privileged in the society and encourage other private organizations to create social campaigns that meet the needs of their various stakeholders,” he said.
On the novel CSR programme, he said “investments in education are never an exercise in futility.
“Education often makes the difference, and with increasing technological advancement, many will find it difficult to operate in the global economy without it,” Elegbe said.
Stressing that education has the capacity to contribute to economic growth and stability of a country and studies have shown that increased levels of education in a country like Nigeria could reduce the outbreak of conflict.
“With education, children have the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty, even children who wish to pursue the creative arts in the future will find education a definite advantage as have many of the celebrities who have endorsed this programme,” he said.
Elegbe added that since corporate organisations do not function in isolation, some form of corporate giving should be part of a company’s activities, especially in developing societies such as Nigeria.
This is why Interswitch has developed the ‘Switch the Future’ framework, which covers not only corporate philanthropy, but economic, environmental and social responsibility as well.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Beacon of ICT awards to hold in March
The much awaited merit-centric celebrations of deserving talents, contributions and commitments to the growth of the ICT industry in Nigeria, otherwise known as Beacon of ICT Awards, would next month hold in Lagos.
A press statement made available to ITRealms Online, the organizers, Communication Week Media Limited, said the event would hold on Saturday, March 27, this year at Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
They also said that preparations have reached advanced stage to host the who’s who in the sector to a special evening of tributes to achievers.
According to Ken Nwogbo, editor of Nigeria CommunicationsWeek the glowing contributions the concept has generated is encouraging.
Nwogbo noted that the awards are free and have been designed primarily to recognize government and business organizations as well as individuals for their creativity and excellence in the application of ICTs and solutions to provide efficient and high-quality services to Nigerians.
“Awardees will be chosen by Nigerians who recognize and appreciate the guiding lights of the organizations and individuals as well as the symbols of hope they raise,” he said.
Nigerians, he also said, have begun to commend the debut of the awards, describing it as reward for best practices and recognition for outstanding contributions in the sector.
The showers of unprecedented praises are coming as votes for the nominees continued to flood to the selection committee.
While casting his vote, Adeyinka Adewusi, wrote “I want to appreciate the efforts of
the organizers for throwing the awards open for Nigerians to vote. I think this is the first time the general public especially the stakeholders in ICT sector (end users) will be given the opportunity to pick the outstanding telecom companies in the year 2009.”
In his comments, head, Corporate Services, Phase3 Telecom Limited, Mr. Premo’ Ojokojo, also applauded the efforts to showcase the ICT industry with the awards.
In addition, Ikem Joe, commended the organizers and prayed for God’s guidance in the organization of the awards.
Reacting to this development, Nwogbo said that the firm is happy with the responses so far and promised the team would live up to expectation.
Beacon of ICT awards, he explained was set up to reward organizations and individuals who contribute the most to put Nigeria and Nigerians in the global ICT map in 2009.
Further, he said, the awards are free and have been designed primarily to recognize government and business organizations as well as individuals for their creativity and excellence in the application of ICTs and solutions to provide efficient and high-quality services to Nigerians.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
A press statement made available to ITRealms Online, the organizers, Communication Week Media Limited, said the event would hold on Saturday, March 27, this year at Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
They also said that preparations have reached advanced stage to host the who’s who in the sector to a special evening of tributes to achievers.
According to Ken Nwogbo, editor of Nigeria CommunicationsWeek the glowing contributions the concept has generated is encouraging.
Nwogbo noted that the awards are free and have been designed primarily to recognize government and business organizations as well as individuals for their creativity and excellence in the application of ICTs and solutions to provide efficient and high-quality services to Nigerians.
“Awardees will be chosen by Nigerians who recognize and appreciate the guiding lights of the organizations and individuals as well as the symbols of hope they raise,” he said.
Nigerians, he also said, have begun to commend the debut of the awards, describing it as reward for best practices and recognition for outstanding contributions in the sector.
The showers of unprecedented praises are coming as votes for the nominees continued to flood to the selection committee.
While casting his vote, Adeyinka Adewusi, wrote “I want to appreciate the efforts of
the organizers for throwing the awards open for Nigerians to vote. I think this is the first time the general public especially the stakeholders in ICT sector (end users) will be given the opportunity to pick the outstanding telecom companies in the year 2009.”
In his comments, head, Corporate Services, Phase3 Telecom Limited, Mr. Premo’ Ojokojo, also applauded the efforts to showcase the ICT industry with the awards.
In addition, Ikem Joe, commended the organizers and prayed for God’s guidance in the organization of the awards.
Reacting to this development, Nwogbo said that the firm is happy with the responses so far and promised the team would live up to expectation.
Beacon of ICT awards, he explained was set up to reward organizations and individuals who contribute the most to put Nigeria and Nigerians in the global ICT map in 2009.
Further, he said, the awards are free and have been designed primarily to recognize government and business organizations as well as individuals for their creativity and excellence in the application of ICTs and solutions to provide efficient and high-quality services to Nigerians.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
CEA recognises LG on tech excellence
•Showcases Blu-ray products
For excellence in design and technology, the organizers of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) recognized LG Electronics, just as the firm won 15 prizes at the 2010 International CES Innovations Awards, which held recently in Las Vegas, even as it showcased Blu-ray products.
LG mobile phones, home appliances, business solutions and home electronics products were honored with awards in nine highly-competitive categories, namely Eco-Design and Sustainable Technology, Video Displays, Online Audio/Video Content, Video Components, Audio Components, Home Networking, High-Performance Audio, Home Appliances and Wireless Handsets.
Senior vice president, marketing, LG Electronics United States, Mr. Peter Reiner, said that winning of over 100 CES Innovations Awards in just seven years, underscores LG’s leadership in innovation, high performance and design.
“This industry recognition reflects our dedication to providing consumers with something better by combining intelligent features and intuitive functionality with sleek and stylish design,” he declared.
According to him, LG’s honorees for the 2010 awards included Liquid Cyrstal Display (LCD), LED LCD and plasma HDTVs, Network Blu-ray Disc players and Home Theater Systems, mobile phones, home appliances and network attached storage. Innovations singled out by the judges include LG’s NetCast Entertainment Access system for Internet-delivered video content and LG’s Full LED Slim backlight LCD technology.
CES Innovations Awards are selected annually by a panel of prominent industry designers, engineers and journalists who judge product entries on criteria including user value, aesthetics, innovative design, quality and contributions to quality of life. Sponsored by CEA and endorsed by the Industrial Designers Society of America, the CES Innovations Awards highlight product advancements in technology design and engineering.
In related development, LG has extended its access to content-on-demand with new high-performance Blu-Ray disc players.
Some of the key features for 2010 include 250 GB hard drive, NetCast entertainment access, enhanced audio performance, Wi-Fi connectivity.
Delivering on its commitment to give consumers endless entertainment options in a stylish package, LG Electronics today introduced its 2010 family of Network Blu-ray Disc Players and Home Theater Systems that bring a new level of convenience to playing pre-recorded and online high-definition content.
Leading the line-up being unveiled this week at the International Consumer Electronics Show, as the first Blu-ray Disc player to feature an integrated 250-gigabyte (GB) hard drive, allowing for easy storage and instant playback of music, photos, personal videos and online movies from VUDU.
Designed to balance the look of today’s HDTVs, LG’s Network Blu-ray players and home theater systems feature slim, compact designs that allow consumers to easily blend their entire entertainment system into any existing room environment.
To take full advantage of the Blu-ray format, LG’s Network Blu-ray players, officials said, it provide convenient access to BD Live, which offers a wide variety of content, such as movie scene extras, new previews and the ability to read synopses and rate movies.
Also included are Bonus View features which provide picture-in-picture access to Blu-ray Disc special features, allowing consumers to toggle between their favorite movie scenes and bonus features on the disc. For those with a library full of both standard and Blu-ray titles, LG’s players utilize 1080p upscaling of standard DVDs for a near high definition viewing experience – no matter what format is being played.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
For excellence in design and technology, the organizers of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) recognized LG Electronics, just as the firm won 15 prizes at the 2010 International CES Innovations Awards, which held recently in Las Vegas, even as it showcased Blu-ray products.
LG mobile phones, home appliances, business solutions and home electronics products were honored with awards in nine highly-competitive categories, namely Eco-Design and Sustainable Technology, Video Displays, Online Audio/Video Content, Video Components, Audio Components, Home Networking, High-Performance Audio, Home Appliances and Wireless Handsets.
Senior vice president, marketing, LG Electronics United States, Mr. Peter Reiner, said that winning of over 100 CES Innovations Awards in just seven years, underscores LG’s leadership in innovation, high performance and design.
“This industry recognition reflects our dedication to providing consumers with something better by combining intelligent features and intuitive functionality with sleek and stylish design,” he declared.
According to him, LG’s honorees for the 2010 awards included Liquid Cyrstal Display (LCD), LED LCD and plasma HDTVs, Network Blu-ray Disc players and Home Theater Systems, mobile phones, home appliances and network attached storage. Innovations singled out by the judges include LG’s NetCast Entertainment Access system for Internet-delivered video content and LG’s Full LED Slim backlight LCD technology.
CES Innovations Awards are selected annually by a panel of prominent industry designers, engineers and journalists who judge product entries on criteria including user value, aesthetics, innovative design, quality and contributions to quality of life. Sponsored by CEA and endorsed by the Industrial Designers Society of America, the CES Innovations Awards highlight product advancements in technology design and engineering.
In related development, LG has extended its access to content-on-demand with new high-performance Blu-Ray disc players.
Some of the key features for 2010 include 250 GB hard drive, NetCast entertainment access, enhanced audio performance, Wi-Fi connectivity.
Delivering on its commitment to give consumers endless entertainment options in a stylish package, LG Electronics today introduced its 2010 family of Network Blu-ray Disc Players and Home Theater Systems that bring a new level of convenience to playing pre-recorded and online high-definition content.
Leading the line-up being unveiled this week at the International Consumer Electronics Show, as the first Blu-ray Disc player to feature an integrated 250-gigabyte (GB) hard drive, allowing for easy storage and instant playback of music, photos, personal videos and online movies from VUDU.
Designed to balance the look of today’s HDTVs, LG’s Network Blu-ray players and home theater systems feature slim, compact designs that allow consumers to easily blend their entire entertainment system into any existing room environment.
To take full advantage of the Blu-ray format, LG’s Network Blu-ray players, officials said, it provide convenient access to BD Live, which offers a wide variety of content, such as movie scene extras, new previews and the ability to read synopses and rate movies.
Also included are Bonus View features which provide picture-in-picture access to Blu-ray Disc special features, allowing consumers to toggle between their favorite movie scenes and bonus features on the disc. For those with a library full of both standard and Blu-ray titles, LG’s players utilize 1080p upscaling of standard DVDs for a near high definition viewing experience – no matter what format is being played.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
SIM card registration: ALTON seeks 60-day extension
THE exclusive body of telecom operators in the country, the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), has reiterated its position over the planned registration of Subscriber Identification Modules (SIM) cards come March 1, this year, regardless of its support for the initiative.
Just as ALTON asked for extension of the commencement date to April 30, that is 60 days from the initial date, while 30 days should be given to new subscribers.
Apart from opposing the biometric system as suggested by the industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), ALTON did not propose an alternative, but went on to state that operators’ preference is not biometric due to poor power situation in the country.
“Lack of electricity could hinder the process,” part of the communiqué issued at the end of the executive meeting last Thursday, highlighted.
Arising from the meeting, ALTON also sought for extension of time for the commencement of registration of existing subscribers to start on April 30 and new subscribers have till the end of May within which to register.
“… The duration for registration should be up to between 6-month to 18-month for the existing subscribers and eternity for new subscribers,” ALTON communiqué entitled ‘The position of ALTON on the Registration of SIM card’ signed by its chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo and dated Saturday, February 6, 2010 indicated.
The existing subscribers, ALTON said, should be given a minimum of 12 months instead of the six months by NCC from the day registration commenced and this is due to the literacy level of majority of the people and time.
“After the 12 months without registration, extra three months for sub-suspension before the total disconnection,” ALTON opted.
The five-point communiqué further proposes incentives for operators to defray part of the cost of registration of new subscribers.
This, the group said, could come in form of administrative compensation such as reduction in Annual Operating Levy (AOL), numbering plan renewal fees, frequency renewal charges and other concession on this account.
Although ALTON was not emphatic if would head to the law court if the above propositions and concerns were not affected by NCC before March 1, the original date for resumption of the exercise nationwide.
In another development the National Association of Telecommunications Consumers (NATCOMS) has petitioned industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), expressing concern over the fate of the data to be collected from the exercise and at the same time proposing July for the commencement of the exercise.
NATCOMS National President, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo stated in a copy of the petition made available to ITRealms Online that its members have voiced out their concerns in the use of the exercise to collect their data, wondering on the integrity of such data and its management afterwards, thus warning against data abuse.
They noted that any failure to reassure telecom consumers could spell doom for the consumers in the industry.
“This may breed touting and other undesirable practices with dire consequences for the exercise,” he said, insisting that both the operators and vendors have been found by NATCOMS as not ready enough to commence the exercise, especially on the required human resources.
He maintained that the scope of the exercise is enormous, even as the equipment procurement and delivery are expected to take time to conclude, therefore deserves a good measure of time of extension as being suggested by ALTON.
“The human resources and logistics required needed to deliver the solution are simply mind-boggling and may not be readily met at this time,” he declared, stressing that some vendors are still putting together a solution.
“It is therefore our considered view that should arrangements not be fully in place, the Commission should seriously consider pushing the March 1, 2010 go live date, to say July 2010,” Ogunbanjo said.
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ICT: Shaky start, glorious ending (4)
The static govt website
The second quarter of 2009 was marked with series of issues by the government and for the government. The first was the expose that the Federal Government official website, NigeriaDirect, www.nigeria.gov.ng, was stale for over eight months running without holistic update.
ITRealms Online recalled that the site had about 20 former ministers dropped in the previous year, precisely on September 2007 by President Umaru Yar’Adua, as still occupying their positions at various ministries.
Good enough, the government through the Federal Ministry of Information and Communications led by Prof. Dora Akunyili, reacted to the newsbreak within two weeks to announce the debut of two websites, namely www.fmic.gov.ng and www.nigeriarebrands.com.
According to Prof. Akunyili in a press statement signed by the then Director, IT in the ministry, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote on May 19, expressed regrets over the dysfunctional official website, www.nigeria.gov.ng.
She attributed the inconveniences of the dysfunctional national portal to the public, due to a disagreement with the Internet Service Provider (ISP) contractor, which had taken longer than expected. “This unfortunate situation compelled the Ministry to launch a new website which became up and running ...,” she said.
Noting that as part of the re-branding Nigeria project, the FMIC recently launched a new website, www.fmic.gov.ng, which will avail Nigerians and foreigners’ timely and important information about the people and government of Nigeria, emphasising that it would help the government to have an interactive polling system to engage Nigerians through a seamless feedback mechanism on policies and programmes.
She also explained that the other website, www.nigeriarebrands.com, was purposely for the re-branding Nigeria scheme, which will contain all materials relating to the initiative.
e-inclusion in Nigeria
For the inclusion of rural communities and underserved into the foray of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) participants at the two-day Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO)-organized ICT forum at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, made a call to the 36 states of the federation in the country to streamline their efforts at ensuring digital inclusion, otherwise called e-inclusion.
One of the speakers at the event was the Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone Plc, Mr. Gerald Ilukwe, who summoned Commonwealth member states to embrace ICT as a platform for bridging the poverty gap in their regions. According to him, Galaxy Backbone Plc, a wholly independent company of the Federal Government was established to provide a common platform for the provision of network connectivity and transversal services to the public sector, facilitate digital inclusion of rural and underserved communities.
Galaxy, he said, is aimed at effectively providing connectivity for a socially inclusive and commercially vibrant Nigerian society, just as recalled that recently, Galaxy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) for the provision of broadband connectivity to all of the 1,500 post offices across the nation.
SAP business soars in Africa
Director, Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) business at SAP Africa, Mr. Derek Kudsee, declared that the firm’s activities on the continent has grown, especially the customer-base to 1,300 across.
Addressing audience at the one-day session for SME world tour of SAP, which stopped over in Lagos, Mr. Kudsee, said that based on this the firm developed two business solutions; namely the Business One, and All-in-One. Explaining that Business One is a product for small businesses that enable SMEs to discover day-to-day processes and work challenges, and noted that every small business has multiple business processes.
With fast growth and change, it’s no wonder that sometimes those processes don’t work together as well as they could. Hence, SAP Business One assists SMEs to integrate and streamline business processes. In addition to the fact that the entry level is the major thing and special attention, SAP come up with this product and usage depends largely on customer’s needs.
Kudsee pointed out that All-in-One product, is all-encompassing, even as SAP tend to serve as an alternative where local software providers are lacking.
ESET antivirus on the prowl:
In the course of the year, the Commercial Section of the American Embassy in Nigeria hosted stakeholders to its annual Computer, Telecommunications and Office Equipment (CTO) where the likes of Arit of Africa showcased its Essential Security against Evolving Threats (ESET) antivirus solutions among others at the expo and conferences.
As said by the Executive Director, Arit of Africa Ltd, Mrs. Ronke Okeremi, productivity level of professionals and executives got a boost with the advent of ESET antivirus and security software, which has been developed to eradicate the greatest threat of viruses and save valuable man hours.
For her, the compact and intuitive user interface to its minimal use of alerts, users receive the best possible proactive detection against viruses, malware and spyware without enduring excessive system slowdowns and alerts, reboots or annoying false positives by simply deploy ESET antivirus.
With the exclusive distributorship of ESET for Nigeria and Ghana, Arit boss urged financial institutions, insurance, oil and gas, government and other sectors of the economy to take advantage of this product.
SGF experiments on video conference:
And within the period under review, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Madmud Yayale Ahmed, delivered a keynote speech at Galaxy Backbone-organized stakeholders’ two-day forum via video conferencing.
The event which was the 3rd public sector ICT Infrastructure forum was being put together in partnership with the National Economic Council and Nigeria Governors’ Forum as a 2-Day National Stakeholders’ Forum on NICEP, at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The Manager, Corporate Communications at Galaxy Backbone Plc, Mr. Franklyn Ginger-Eke, forum enlightened state governments on the developmental opportunities represented by National Information Communication and Education Programme (NICEP), which is aimed at accelerating provision of connectivity for broadband internet, data, voice and video communications to rural areas and under-served communities including health and educational institutions at State levels.
Highpoint of the forum, he said, was the live broadcast of the keynote address by the guest of honour, Alhaji Madmud Yayale Ahmed, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation via video conference powered by Galaxy Backbone.
“As a leading enabler of digital inclusion in Nigeria, Galaxy has built and operates one of the most sophisticated state of the art ICT infrastructures in the public sector. Other value added activities that will take place during the forum includes the setting up of a Cyber Café with ten PCs so that interested participants who wish to get on the internet can browse within the venue,” he said.
There would also be a demonstration of an interactive distance learning mathematics class involving students of School for the Gifted, Gwagwalada broadcast live from GBB’s Interactive Distance Learning (IDL) studio at its Network Operation Centre located in the central business district of Abuja to the audience at Yar’Adua Centre, the venue of the 2-day national stakeholders’ forum.
146 cell-site deals for MTI
MTI Nigeria Plc last year told stakeholders it won over 146 deals for the execution of cell sites nationwide, which ran across four network operators, just as it unveiled three subsidiaries into the nation’s market, MTI Engineering, MTI UniTower and Mass Power.
Disclosing this, Vice chairman, MTI Nigeria Plc, Mr. Frank Kirkitie said at investor’s forum organized by the company in Lagos, these operators cut across MTN, Zain, Multi-Links and Siemens Networks, aside from the one being executed across the sub-region for the likes of Globacom, MTN and Zain.
Adding voice to this was the Managing Director, MTI Engineering, Mr. Selwyn Watkins, who said that his subsidiary, focuses on co-location build out, and won 91 sites deal out of the 500 Greenfield sites for MTN Nigeria, which amounts to 18 per cent of the total project.
For him, the 121 cell sites contract was from Zain out of the 400 basic co-location build out, which is the 30 per cent and Multi-Links awarded 10 sites with a further 20 sites depending on performance, while Siemens Network has given the company 24 sites with awaiting 50 sites.
2.3 GHz licenses won and cancelled:
At the expiration of the deadline for the National frequency in the 2.3 GHz Band, which closed on Friday, May 8, 2009, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) announced the successful emergence of three companies in the process, including Mobitel Nigeria Ltd, Spectranet Ltd and Multilinks Telkom Ltd.
Making this disclosure on May 16, then, Head, Public Affairs at NCC, Mr. Reuben Muoka noted that the offer for the licensing of four (4) slots of 20 MHz each in the 2.3 GHz frequency band which opened on April 30, 2009, ended at the close of banking business hours on Friday, May 8, 2009 for the winners to emerge.
He explained that three companies, out of 41 applicants short-listed for the exercise, paid the fixed price of N1, 368,000,000 (One Billion, Three Hundred and Sixty Eight Million Naira only) for each of the four slots on offer, bringing the total sum realized from the spectrum sale to N4,104,000,000 ( Four Billion, One Hundred and Four Thousand Naira Only).
One of the applicants, Galaxy Wireless Ltd, he said, did not pay the full fixed price for the slot, and therefore, did not meet the conditions for the offer of license and congratulated the supposed three winners of yet another successful licensing exercise by the Commission.
While urging these winners to put machineries in motion to ensure quick deployment of high quality networks that will guarantee good quality and affordable services to subscribers nationwide, little did NCC knew that the licenses, this time around would be surrounded with controversies, which led to the cancellation by Prof. Akunyili, the Information and Communications minister.
This controversy no doubt attracted the attention of Mr. President, who ordered the Minister of Justice, Mike Aondokaa to investigate the issue and report back to him, followed by the seemingly long wait for President Yar’Adua to take his decision which eventually sticked to Akunyili’s path with the order to re-auction the band.
Uniquely, all the winners claimed due process was followed, despite the allegation by Akunyili in a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and subsequent questioning of the Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
The second quarter of 2009 was marked with series of issues by the government and for the government. The first was the expose that the Federal Government official website, NigeriaDirect, www.nigeria.gov.ng, was stale for over eight months running without holistic update.
ITRealms Online recalled that the site had about 20 former ministers dropped in the previous year, precisely on September 2007 by President Umaru Yar’Adua, as still occupying their positions at various ministries.
Good enough, the government through the Federal Ministry of Information and Communications led by Prof. Dora Akunyili, reacted to the newsbreak within two weeks to announce the debut of two websites, namely www.fmic.gov.ng and www.nigeriarebrands.com.
According to Prof. Akunyili in a press statement signed by the then Director, IT in the ministry, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote on May 19, expressed regrets over the dysfunctional official website, www.nigeria.gov.ng.
She attributed the inconveniences of the dysfunctional national portal to the public, due to a disagreement with the Internet Service Provider (ISP) contractor, which had taken longer than expected. “This unfortunate situation compelled the Ministry to launch a new website which became up and running ...,” she said.
Noting that as part of the re-branding Nigeria project, the FMIC recently launched a new website, www.fmic.gov.ng, which will avail Nigerians and foreigners’ timely and important information about the people and government of Nigeria, emphasising that it would help the government to have an interactive polling system to engage Nigerians through a seamless feedback mechanism on policies and programmes.
She also explained that the other website, www.nigeriarebrands.com, was purposely for the re-branding Nigeria scheme, which will contain all materials relating to the initiative.
e-inclusion in Nigeria
For the inclusion of rural communities and underserved into the foray of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) participants at the two-day Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO)-organized ICT forum at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, made a call to the 36 states of the federation in the country to streamline their efforts at ensuring digital inclusion, otherwise called e-inclusion.
One of the speakers at the event was the Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone Plc, Mr. Gerald Ilukwe, who summoned Commonwealth member states to embrace ICT as a platform for bridging the poverty gap in their regions. According to him, Galaxy Backbone Plc, a wholly independent company of the Federal Government was established to provide a common platform for the provision of network connectivity and transversal services to the public sector, facilitate digital inclusion of rural and underserved communities.
Galaxy, he said, is aimed at effectively providing connectivity for a socially inclusive and commercially vibrant Nigerian society, just as recalled that recently, Galaxy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) for the provision of broadband connectivity to all of the 1,500 post offices across the nation.
SAP business soars in Africa
Director, Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) business at SAP Africa, Mr. Derek Kudsee, declared that the firm’s activities on the continent has grown, especially the customer-base to 1,300 across.
Addressing audience at the one-day session for SME world tour of SAP, which stopped over in Lagos, Mr. Kudsee, said that based on this the firm developed two business solutions; namely the Business One, and All-in-One. Explaining that Business One is a product for small businesses that enable SMEs to discover day-to-day processes and work challenges, and noted that every small business has multiple business processes.
With fast growth and change, it’s no wonder that sometimes those processes don’t work together as well as they could. Hence, SAP Business One assists SMEs to integrate and streamline business processes. In addition to the fact that the entry level is the major thing and special attention, SAP come up with this product and usage depends largely on customer’s needs.
Kudsee pointed out that All-in-One product, is all-encompassing, even as SAP tend to serve as an alternative where local software providers are lacking.
ESET antivirus on the prowl:
In the course of the year, the Commercial Section of the American Embassy in Nigeria hosted stakeholders to its annual Computer, Telecommunications and Office Equipment (CTO) where the likes of Arit of Africa showcased its Essential Security against Evolving Threats (ESET) antivirus solutions among others at the expo and conferences.
As said by the Executive Director, Arit of Africa Ltd, Mrs. Ronke Okeremi, productivity level of professionals and executives got a boost with the advent of ESET antivirus and security software, which has been developed to eradicate the greatest threat of viruses and save valuable man hours.
For her, the compact and intuitive user interface to its minimal use of alerts, users receive the best possible proactive detection against viruses, malware and spyware without enduring excessive system slowdowns and alerts, reboots or annoying false positives by simply deploy ESET antivirus.
With the exclusive distributorship of ESET for Nigeria and Ghana, Arit boss urged financial institutions, insurance, oil and gas, government and other sectors of the economy to take advantage of this product.
SGF experiments on video conference:
And within the period under review, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Madmud Yayale Ahmed, delivered a keynote speech at Galaxy Backbone-organized stakeholders’ two-day forum via video conferencing.
The event which was the 3rd public sector ICT Infrastructure forum was being put together in partnership with the National Economic Council and Nigeria Governors’ Forum as a 2-Day National Stakeholders’ Forum on NICEP, at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The Manager, Corporate Communications at Galaxy Backbone Plc, Mr. Franklyn Ginger-Eke, forum enlightened state governments on the developmental opportunities represented by National Information Communication and Education Programme (NICEP), which is aimed at accelerating provision of connectivity for broadband internet, data, voice and video communications to rural areas and under-served communities including health and educational institutions at State levels.
Highpoint of the forum, he said, was the live broadcast of the keynote address by the guest of honour, Alhaji Madmud Yayale Ahmed, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation via video conference powered by Galaxy Backbone.
“As a leading enabler of digital inclusion in Nigeria, Galaxy has built and operates one of the most sophisticated state of the art ICT infrastructures in the public sector. Other value added activities that will take place during the forum includes the setting up of a Cyber Café with ten PCs so that interested participants who wish to get on the internet can browse within the venue,” he said.
There would also be a demonstration of an interactive distance learning mathematics class involving students of School for the Gifted, Gwagwalada broadcast live from GBB’s Interactive Distance Learning (IDL) studio at its Network Operation Centre located in the central business district of Abuja to the audience at Yar’Adua Centre, the venue of the 2-day national stakeholders’ forum.
146 cell-site deals for MTI
MTI Nigeria Plc last year told stakeholders it won over 146 deals for the execution of cell sites nationwide, which ran across four network operators, just as it unveiled three subsidiaries into the nation’s market, MTI Engineering, MTI UniTower and Mass Power.
Disclosing this, Vice chairman, MTI Nigeria Plc, Mr. Frank Kirkitie said at investor’s forum organized by the company in Lagos, these operators cut across MTN, Zain, Multi-Links and Siemens Networks, aside from the one being executed across the sub-region for the likes of Globacom, MTN and Zain.
Adding voice to this was the Managing Director, MTI Engineering, Mr. Selwyn Watkins, who said that his subsidiary, focuses on co-location build out, and won 91 sites deal out of the 500 Greenfield sites for MTN Nigeria, which amounts to 18 per cent of the total project.
For him, the 121 cell sites contract was from Zain out of the 400 basic co-location build out, which is the 30 per cent and Multi-Links awarded 10 sites with a further 20 sites depending on performance, while Siemens Network has given the company 24 sites with awaiting 50 sites.
2.3 GHz licenses won and cancelled:
At the expiration of the deadline for the National frequency in the 2.3 GHz Band, which closed on Friday, May 8, 2009, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) announced the successful emergence of three companies in the process, including Mobitel Nigeria Ltd, Spectranet Ltd and Multilinks Telkom Ltd.
Making this disclosure on May 16, then, Head, Public Affairs at NCC, Mr. Reuben Muoka noted that the offer for the licensing of four (4) slots of 20 MHz each in the 2.3 GHz frequency band which opened on April 30, 2009, ended at the close of banking business hours on Friday, May 8, 2009 for the winners to emerge.
He explained that three companies, out of 41 applicants short-listed for the exercise, paid the fixed price of N1, 368,000,000 (One Billion, Three Hundred and Sixty Eight Million Naira only) for each of the four slots on offer, bringing the total sum realized from the spectrum sale to N4,104,000,000 ( Four Billion, One Hundred and Four Thousand Naira Only).
One of the applicants, Galaxy Wireless Ltd, he said, did not pay the full fixed price for the slot, and therefore, did not meet the conditions for the offer of license and congratulated the supposed three winners of yet another successful licensing exercise by the Commission.
While urging these winners to put machineries in motion to ensure quick deployment of high quality networks that will guarantee good quality and affordable services to subscribers nationwide, little did NCC knew that the licenses, this time around would be surrounded with controversies, which led to the cancellation by Prof. Akunyili, the Information and Communications minister.
This controversy no doubt attracted the attention of Mr. President, who ordered the Minister of Justice, Mike Aondokaa to investigate the issue and report back to him, followed by the seemingly long wait for President Yar’Adua to take his decision which eventually sticked to Akunyili’s path with the order to re-auction the band.
Uniquely, all the winners claimed due process was followed, despite the allegation by Akunyili in a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and subsequent questioning of the Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
MainOne submarine nears completion
Chairman, Main One Cable Company, Mr. Fola Adeola, has announced the commencement of laying final high capacity fibre optic cable from Seixal, Portugal through the coast of West Africa to Ghana and Nigeria.
Adeola who spoke in Lagos, said the cable anticipated to go live in June 2010 is bringing the much expected international capacity into a region with explosive growth in tele-density in the past 10 years.
He also said they were pleased to achieve this major milestone within project timeline.
“We remain focused on delivering the project on schedule,” he declared.
Adeola recalled that Main One in November 2009 successfully completed the installation of the shore ends of the cable in Lagos, Nigeria; Accra, Ghana; and Seixal, Portugal.
He pointed out that the commencement of the end-to-end laying of the full stretch of the fiber optic from Portugal signifies the final stages of the ambitious project.
For the chief executive, MainOne, Ms Funke Opeke, “Now that the 7,000 kilometres trunk of the cable is being installed, we are pleased that our efforts over the last 18 months are coming to fruition.”
A wholly owned by African investors, Main One Cable Company has the support of African Finance Corporation, Nigeria; Pan African Infrastructure Development Fund, South Africa; FBN Capital, Nigeria; Skye Bank, Nigeria and Main Street Technologies, Nigeria which is the project sponsor.
She further revealed that Main One is building two landing stations in Accra and Lagos which will be complete next month.
“Equipment installation and end-to-end testing of the cable system will then follow, prior to service launch in June,” she said.
Additionally, she said, Main One would provide open access to 1.92 Terabits per second of capacity to the West African region at prices less than 50 percent of current wholesale capacity prices.
The international capacity that Main One is bringing into the West African sub-region will consolidate the explosive growth of telecommunications in the sub-region in recent years.
In addition to providing a major boost to Internet access, Main One will help to considerably minimise the difficulties of switching traffic between African countries and eliminate the inconveniences and added costs of first routing traffic to Europe.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Adeola who spoke in Lagos, said the cable anticipated to go live in June 2010 is bringing the much expected international capacity into a region with explosive growth in tele-density in the past 10 years.
He also said they were pleased to achieve this major milestone within project timeline.
“We remain focused on delivering the project on schedule,” he declared.
Adeola recalled that Main One in November 2009 successfully completed the installation of the shore ends of the cable in Lagos, Nigeria; Accra, Ghana; and Seixal, Portugal.
He pointed out that the commencement of the end-to-end laying of the full stretch of the fiber optic from Portugal signifies the final stages of the ambitious project.
For the chief executive, MainOne, Ms Funke Opeke, “Now that the 7,000 kilometres trunk of the cable is being installed, we are pleased that our efforts over the last 18 months are coming to fruition.”
A wholly owned by African investors, Main One Cable Company has the support of African Finance Corporation, Nigeria; Pan African Infrastructure Development Fund, South Africa; FBN Capital, Nigeria; Skye Bank, Nigeria and Main Street Technologies, Nigeria which is the project sponsor.
She further revealed that Main One is building two landing stations in Accra and Lagos which will be complete next month.
“Equipment installation and end-to-end testing of the cable system will then follow, prior to service launch in June,” she said.
Additionally, she said, Main One would provide open access to 1.92 Terabits per second of capacity to the West African region at prices less than 50 percent of current wholesale capacity prices.
The international capacity that Main One is bringing into the West African sub-region will consolidate the explosive growth of telecommunications in the sub-region in recent years.
In addition to providing a major boost to Internet access, Main One will help to considerably minimise the difficulties of switching traffic between African countries and eliminate the inconveniences and added costs of first routing traffic to Europe.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
AdaptiveMobile, Nigerian operator enter security deal
Dublin-based AdaptiveMobile has finalized plans to partner one of the nation’s telecommunication operators on mobile security.
The chief executive officer, AdaptiveMobile, Mr. Brain Collins gave this indication in a press statement made available to ITRealms Online, weekend.
Mr. Collins was quoted as saying that the official announcement slated for next week in Barcelona, Spain during the 2010 Mobile World Congress, would also witness the presence of the Vice President, Marketing, Mr. Simeon Coney.
According to him, AdaptiveMobile works with the world’s biggest operators and protects 400,000,000 mobile subscribers, that is, about 10 per cent of the global mobile market.
There would be a ‘talk through’ on a major deal with a large Nigerian operator name to be announced at the show and discuss what they mean for each operator’s subscribers
Additionally, Mr. Collins is expected to give an overview of the latest and emerging mobile security threats targeting consumers and enterprise users and where those threats originate from.
“Discuss the contentious issue of parental control - how AdaptiveMobile’s technology is enabling operators to let parents set controls on what their children send/receive/browse,” part of the statement highlighted.
Collins would equally talk about the wider issues of the ‘clean internet’ and impact of the rise of smartphones and mobile computing on unsolicited content, the growing threat of mobile spyware, what it could mean for personal and enterprise security and what could be done to combat it.
A hands-on demonstrations of how parents could use technology to protect their children from inappropriate content on across Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Service (MMS), electronic mail (Email), Web and Voice.
“The security implications of mobile spyware – see how a simple, invisible application can allow third-part access to a handset,” Collins was quoted as saying.
AdaptiveMobile is an acclaimed leader in mobile internet security market, with over 400 million mobile subscribers under protection worldwide.
The company provides a suite of security products that protect mobile operators and their subscribers with policy based content control, anti-virus, anti-spam and security management for parents, consumers and enterprise customers.
Though headquartered in Dublin AdaptiveMobile has offices in North America, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
The chief executive officer, AdaptiveMobile, Mr. Brain Collins gave this indication in a press statement made available to ITRealms Online, weekend.
Mr. Collins was quoted as saying that the official announcement slated for next week in Barcelona, Spain during the 2010 Mobile World Congress, would also witness the presence of the Vice President, Marketing, Mr. Simeon Coney.
According to him, AdaptiveMobile works with the world’s biggest operators and protects 400,000,000 mobile subscribers, that is, about 10 per cent of the global mobile market.
There would be a ‘talk through’ on a major deal with a large Nigerian operator name to be announced at the show and discuss what they mean for each operator’s subscribers
Additionally, Mr. Collins is expected to give an overview of the latest and emerging mobile security threats targeting consumers and enterprise users and where those threats originate from.
“Discuss the contentious issue of parental control - how AdaptiveMobile’s technology is enabling operators to let parents set controls on what their children send/receive/browse,” part of the statement highlighted.
Collins would equally talk about the wider issues of the ‘clean internet’ and impact of the rise of smartphones and mobile computing on unsolicited content, the growing threat of mobile spyware, what it could mean for personal and enterprise security and what could be done to combat it.
A hands-on demonstrations of how parents could use technology to protect their children from inappropriate content on across Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Service (MMS), electronic mail (Email), Web and Voice.
“The security implications of mobile spyware – see how a simple, invisible application can allow third-part access to a handset,” Collins was quoted as saying.
AdaptiveMobile is an acclaimed leader in mobile internet security market, with over 400 million mobile subscribers under protection worldwide.
The company provides a suite of security products that protect mobile operators and their subscribers with policy based content control, anti-virus, anti-spam and security management for parents, consumers and enterprise customers.
Though headquartered in Dublin AdaptiveMobile has offices in North America, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Akunyili, others eulogize MTN on orphanage care
Information and Communications Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili and the Chairperson, Committee on Nigerians in Diaspora at the House of Representatives, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa have commended MTN Nigeria for showing love to orphans and other less privileged members of the society.
The commendations were given by the dignitaries following the donation of food, clothing and other household materials to various orphanages in Lagos and Enugu recently. Materials donated by MTN Nigeria to one of the orphanages were the largest single donation the orphanage has received from any corporate body since it was founded 10 years ago.
“I want to sincerely commend MTN for this wonderful gesture to these lovely children” Professor Akunyili said at the Voice of Children International, Enugu, where MTN donated mattresses, pillows, disinfectants, mosquito nets, detergents, raincoats, nutritional drinks and other food and household items.
“MTN and the Voice of Children International are showing the world that, indeed, Nigerians are Good People from a Great Nation. We thank you for touching the lives of these young ones in our community; especially MTN for leading others in meaningful Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives,” said Prof. Akunyili”.
The minister, who physically handed over the gifts to the founder of the orphanage, Rev. Father Chidi Obinna, on behalf of MTN, urged the telecom company to make the donation a continuous exercise, and called on other corporate bodies to emulate the gesture.
At two other orphanages, the Guardian Angel Motherless babies Home, and the Cathedral of Good Shepherd Motherless Babies Home, both in Enugu, MTN donated different sets of food and household items for the comfort of the children.
The gifts were handed over by Mrs. Nwanneka Ekweremadu, the wife of the Deputy Senate President, in the presence of Ms. Nonny Ugboma, Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Mr. Austin Iyashere, Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs, MTN, and Mr. Daniel Nwankwo, Regional Marketing Manager, MTN.
Speaking at the presentations, Mrs. Ekweremadu and Rev. Father Obinna, expressed gratitude to the telecom company for coming to the rescue of the little children.
They prayed that God would continue to bless the company so that it can do more.
“For this laudable gesture shown to the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd Motherless Babies Home, we thank MTN and pray that God will touch the hearts of more people and organisations to emulate this gesture,” said Mrs. Joyce Chukwuma, wife of the Bishop of the Anglican Church, Enugu Diocese.
At the Great Faith Orphanage Home in Bayeku, Igbogbo, Lagos, where MTN donated another set of food and household items, Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa commended MTN’s unrelenting commitment to public welfare. Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa handed over the items on behalf of MTN in the company of Mrs. Funmi Omogbenigun, General Manager, Corporate Communications and other MTN officials.
“We are touched by the welfare items that MTN has donated to us. No company has ever done it this big and if there is any sign that a company cares, this clearly shows that MTN is a company that truly cares. I pray that its business grows bigger so they can touch more lives and hospices in our country,” said Reverend Lateefat Aroyewun, the founder of Great Faith Orphanage Home.
“We have resolved to continue to assist orphanages and hospices across Nigeria to make the lives of their inmates better,” said Mrs. Omogbenigun. By the end of February 2010, we hope to have reached at least 20 orphanages spread across the six geopolitical zones of the country”.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
The commendations were given by the dignitaries following the donation of food, clothing and other household materials to various orphanages in Lagos and Enugu recently. Materials donated by MTN Nigeria to one of the orphanages were the largest single donation the orphanage has received from any corporate body since it was founded 10 years ago.
“I want to sincerely commend MTN for this wonderful gesture to these lovely children” Professor Akunyili said at the Voice of Children International, Enugu, where MTN donated mattresses, pillows, disinfectants, mosquito nets, detergents, raincoats, nutritional drinks and other food and household items.
“MTN and the Voice of Children International are showing the world that, indeed, Nigerians are Good People from a Great Nation. We thank you for touching the lives of these young ones in our community; especially MTN for leading others in meaningful Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives,” said Prof. Akunyili”.
The minister, who physically handed over the gifts to the founder of the orphanage, Rev. Father Chidi Obinna, on behalf of MTN, urged the telecom company to make the donation a continuous exercise, and called on other corporate bodies to emulate the gesture.
At two other orphanages, the Guardian Angel Motherless babies Home, and the Cathedral of Good Shepherd Motherless Babies Home, both in Enugu, MTN donated different sets of food and household items for the comfort of the children.
The gifts were handed over by Mrs. Nwanneka Ekweremadu, the wife of the Deputy Senate President, in the presence of Ms. Nonny Ugboma, Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Mr. Austin Iyashere, Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs, MTN, and Mr. Daniel Nwankwo, Regional Marketing Manager, MTN.
Speaking at the presentations, Mrs. Ekweremadu and Rev. Father Obinna, expressed gratitude to the telecom company for coming to the rescue of the little children.
They prayed that God would continue to bless the company so that it can do more.
“For this laudable gesture shown to the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd Motherless Babies Home, we thank MTN and pray that God will touch the hearts of more people and organisations to emulate this gesture,” said Mrs. Joyce Chukwuma, wife of the Bishop of the Anglican Church, Enugu Diocese.
At the Great Faith Orphanage Home in Bayeku, Igbogbo, Lagos, where MTN donated another set of food and household items, Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa commended MTN’s unrelenting commitment to public welfare. Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa handed over the items on behalf of MTN in the company of Mrs. Funmi Omogbenigun, General Manager, Corporate Communications and other MTN officials.
“We are touched by the welfare items that MTN has donated to us. No company has ever done it this big and if there is any sign that a company cares, this clearly shows that MTN is a company that truly cares. I pray that its business grows bigger so they can touch more lives and hospices in our country,” said Reverend Lateefat Aroyewun, the founder of Great Faith Orphanage Home.
“We have resolved to continue to assist orphanages and hospices across Nigeria to make the lives of their inmates better,” said Mrs. Omogbenigun. By the end of February 2010, we hope to have reached at least 20 orphanages spread across the six geopolitical zones of the country”.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
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