" ITREALMS

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

'Operators must learn new tricks to profitable business'



The newly appointed Chief Technology Officer for Iskratel, Damijan Slapar  has said that telecommunications service operators must learn new tricks to profitable business model, if they want to survive in the changing world, reports ITRealms.

Speaking at the opening day of Fiber to the home (FTTH) Conference 2017, in Marseille, France, Mr. Slapar said that operators that continue to rely on box equipment for fiber networks will not be as successful as those working with system integrators which could install, manage and monitor end-to-end solutions, enabling the provision of new services and generation of additional revenue streams.

According to him,  the time has come for local operators to embrace the new business models being created by fiber networks and virtualization techniques, with those that ignore these opportunities likely to miss out on their share of the market.

“Following the disruption to the telecoms market from over-the-top (OTT) players, operators are now in an advantageousposition,” says Slapar. “Instead of having to find ways to fight against the cloud-service offerings from traditional web service providers, they can now prepare their own and capitalize on the market’s shift towards virtualization.

“Once operators take advantage of this, a plethora of new opportunities will open up to them. These are not just the moretraditional triple-play services, but improved, agile offerings such as local-cloud connectivity, fully managed services andenterprise networks.

“These managed OTT services not only provide operators with an easy win in terms of service delivery, they also benefit their local community in the long term by empowering residents, driving innovation and facilitating new businesses.”

Slapar was speaking as the FTTH Conference, held in Marseille, France, opens its doors to an expected 3,000 visitors.Iskratel is among the companies that will exhibit, with its portfolio of fiber products providing end-to-end networking solutions for operators across the globe.

Iskratel’s range of offerings includes its software-defined broadband solutions – which help operators easily migrate tosoftware-defined networking based infrastructures to increase productivity and reduce costs. At the show, visitors will be able to experience first-hand Iskratel’s innovative equipment portfolio of optical line terminals and home gateways for seamless smart home connectivity, which allows operators to provide improved service quality and increase revenues by offering cloud-based product bundles.

“It is critical for operators to be able to evolve their methods to fit the changing connectivity marketplace,” added Slapar. “Asfiber deployments grow and software-defined networks become the norm, operators need to be agile enough to take advantage of the business benefits provided by reduced complexity and simpler mass provisioning.”


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Pix: Damijan Slapar

Nokia entrenches 5G with world's first 5GTF connection

Nokia also affirmed it has successfully carried out the world's first connection based on the Fifth Generation Technical Forum (5GTF) 'pre-standard', marking a further milestone in Nokia's momentum to make 5G a commercial reality, reports ITRealms.

The test, ITRealms gathered, adds another key component to the development of 5G and the implementation of the first 5G applications, demonstrating the ability to provide fast pace implementation according to early standards including device interoperability.

Recalling that Nokia plays a leading role in defining the path to 5G with last quarter witnessing the introduction of 4.5G Pro and announced plans for 4.9G, thus providing operators with the critical increases to capacity and speed that will be needed for future 5G operations.

Head of the 5G Business Line in Mobile Networks at Nokia, Harold Graham, was quoted in a press statement available to ITRealms that the world's first 5G connection, took place in a laboratory environment in Oulu, Finland, on 23 December, using the 5GTF (Verizon 5G Technology Forum) draft specification and was made possible by Nokia's commercially available 5G-ready AirScale radio access with the Nokia AirFrame data center platform running on Intel architecture, together with the Intel 5G mobile trial platform as an end-user device.

He also said that data transmission on a 5G network is a significant milestone in the commercialization of the new wireless 5G technology, and indeed in the cross-industry efforts being made by all players in the 5G ecosystem to standardize all aspects of 5G ahead of full commercial service launches expected to begin in 2020 on 3GPP NR.

The 5G connection, Graham said, marks yet another Nokia contribution to the evolution of communications; noting the first GSM call was made in Finland more than 20 years ago using a network built by Nokia.

This tradition, he said, has continued with the world's first 3G voice call, on a commercial 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) system in Finland in 2001, and then with the world's first Long Term Evolution (LTE) call via commercial software in Germany in 2009.

"This first 5G connection is a true landmark for the telecommunications industry, and yet another mark of Nokia's capabilities in 5G. With its low latency and significant capacity and speed increases, 5G will deliver a variety of new and innovative applications, and Nokia is playing leading roles in all aspects of the total 5G proposition. This 'first' highlights our commitment to being on the front line in providing our customers 5G-ready technologies so that they can seize early market opportunities by building 5G-enabled applications," he said.

The solution deployed in the test, he further said, include Nokia AirScale radio access, BTS with system module and radio unit running early 5G software, with 100 Mega Hertz (MHz) frequency band on 28 Gega Hertz (GHz); Nokia AirFrame data center solution, Intel 5G mobile trial platform designed to support sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G Bands; 2 or 4 layer MIMO, Up to 800MHz channel bandwidth.

As said by him, the 5G-TF has been designed to support all pre-standard specifications trending to a common 3GPP NR standard as well as video streaming over the air to the device.


Remmy Nweke/ED, Ops
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Safer Internet day: Facebook reassures on safety options for African child

Facebook has reassured that efforts are ongoing to ensure Africans, especially children and youth are safe on the Internet with the introduction of series of initiatives, reports ITRealms.
According to Facebook, this is a set of protective tools that range from awareness to digital protections and physical protections.

These tools include the "I'm Safe" button, which Facebook said, allow communities to keep control and support each other during crises while ensuring their online security are intact.
Reports by ICTMag quoted Facebook officials in Cameroun as saying that the tool has become widespread.

Additionally, ITRealms gathered that the ranks of the innovations of Facobook include the U2F security key, which allows users to protect their account against hackers, hence, the user could lock his account with a physical key and configure it so that it opens only if these "usb keys" are connected to the PC.

Further, Facebook has revised the design of its Security Center to provide its users with information that will enable them to control their data, and thereby ensure their security.

These measures, Facebook noted activates the leveraging of awareness, by providing financial and marketing support to several players, which enables them to raise public awareness of online security.


Among these partners, Watoto Watch in Kenya, the International Center for Leadership Development and the Women's Technological Empowerment Center in Nigeria, the South Africa Film and Publications Committee, JOXAfrica, also specialized in The cause of childhood in Senegal, Tech Women in Zimbabwe as well as J Initiative and Ghana Ghana Internet Safety Foundation.

Chuks Egbune with additional report from ICTMag/GEE
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University strikes: FG inaugurates C'ttee on 2009 agreement

The Federal Government (FG) on Monday in Abuja inaugurated a 14-man committee chaired by Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN) to end incessant and protracted strikes in Nigerian tertiary institutions, with a declaration that it does not see the unions as an enemy, reports ITRealms.

The committee is expected to re-negotiate the 2009 agreement between government, Academic Staff Union of Universities; Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities; National Association of Academic Technologists and Non-Academic Staff Union of Associated and Allied Institutions.

Members of the committee include Prof. Munzali Jibril, Pro chancellor, Federal University, Lafia; Prof. Nimi Briggs, Pro. Chancellor, Federal University, Lokoja; Senator Gbemisola Saraki, Pro chancellor, Federal University, Otuoke; Arc. Lawrence Ngbale, Pro chancellor, Federal University, Birnin Kebbi; Prince Alex Mbata, Pro chancellor, Imo State University, Owerri and Prof. Olufemi Bamiro, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun.

While inaugurating the the committee, the Minister of Education, Malami Adamu Adamu, said the re-negotiation team was significant government was committed to keeping to its promise and ensure an environment that is conducive for learning, teaching, research and community service "engendered through lasting industrial harmony."

He encouraged the team to undertake the responsibility with patriotism, dedication, mutual trust and selflessness because the future and stake of the university system will be affected by its successes or otherwise.

"Today’s inauguration kick-starts our drive for re-negotiation across the three segments of the tertiary education sub-sector-universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, starting with universities.. Subsequently, the teams of the re-negotiation with the polytechnics and colleges of education, would be constituted as soon as their respective governing councils are put in place", he said.

"The inauguration of the re-negotiation team is significant as it confirms to the unions that government is committed to keeping its own side of the promise. It wants to ensure that an environment that is conducive for teaching, learning, research and community service is engendered through lasting industrial harmony in all our tertiary institutions.

Babalakin, assured the unions of its commitment towards ensuring that there would be no stalemate between the two parties and pledged that the committee's objective will be in creating a better educational system.

He said, "A conducive environment in the tertiary institution is the bedrock for the development of a nation's intelligentsia. A nation's development can be seriously enhanced by the active participation of the intelligence in the pursuit of the country' developmental goals.

"We also want to assure you that we intend to rise beyond your expectations for the fourth realms of tertiary education‎ in Nigeria. This task should not be underestimated and with the commitment of all, it could provide a serious enhancement for education in Nigeria."


Uj. N. Dom/GEE

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Monday, February 13, 2017

Buhari, Trump phone chat: Security, improved relationship top agenda

ITRealms:
NIGERIAN President, Muhammadu Buhari, Monday, afternoon from London spoke to President Donald Trump on telephone at the instance of the American President, with top on the agenda being security, and improved relationship, reports ITRealms.

The conversation, according to the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, was cordial and President Buhari congratulated Trump on his election as President of the United States, and on his cabinet.

He also revealed that the two leaders discussed ways to improve cooperation in the fight against terrorism through provision of necessary equipment.

President Trump, he said encouraged President Buhari to keep up the good work he is doing, and also commended him for the efforts made in rescuing 24 of the Chibok Girls and the strides being taken by the Nigerian military.

Trump further assured the Nigerian President of US readiness to cut a new deal in helping Nigeria in terms of military weapons to combat terrorism.


President Trump also invited President Buhari to Washington at a mutually convenient date.

Shittu in Algiers for ADB Internet conference 2017

The Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, is currently attending a three-day international conference on African Internet Governance in Algiers, Algeria, reports ITRealms.

The conference, ITRealms gathered is jointly organized by the Algerian Ministry of Communications Technology and the African Development Bank (ADB), is meant to serve as a platform for discussing the possibilities of coordination in terms of internet governance in African countries, and mainly the issues of the equitable sharing of the internet-generated revenue.

According to the Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, Mr. Victor Oluwadamilare, told ITRealms that rich and constructive discussions are expected to be held around the main concerns related to cyber world and will be led by African and international experts from the Ministry.

Also, he said, there will be the installation ceremony of the Trans-Sahara Backbone Liaison Committee, on the margins of the conference.

The Minister, who is the head of the Nigerian delegation, will participate in the discussions that centred around security of cyber Africa in general and as it affects the interests of the country.

“The outcome of the conference, no doubt, will impact the use of internet in the country vis-à-vis other countries in Africa. Besides, it will shore up the country’s internet revenue,” he said.

The internet governance conference, which commenced on Monday in Algiers, ITRealms reports is an initiative of the Ministry of Post and Information and Communication Technologies and the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Holding at the International Centre of Conferences, Abdelatif Rahal, ITRealms gathered would see participation of African ministers in charge of information and communication technologies, representatives of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the African Union (AU) as well as experts in the field of internet governance.

“This high-level meeting is meant to be a space of debates and exchanges of views between the different players in the Pan-African digital sphere, to discuss coordination opportunities for the internet governance in the African countries,” the Algerian ministry source disclosed.

In addition, our source, said “The direct impact of the internet on the African populations’ daily lives in the social, cultural, economic and political fields is a challenge for Africa, which remains the continent that benefits least from the spin-offs of the digital economy.”

This conference, ITRealms reports is aimed at “bringing the African countries’ viewpoints closer and unifying their positions concerning the issue of internet governance so that Africa ensures a use of internet adapted to its needs and realities.”

The conference core theme focuses on “the governance of internet, the fair sharing out of internet incomes and the protection of the users on the web.”

Nonye Dom/GEE
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MIIVOC invokes FOI Act on Lamorde, MDAs compliance

In efforts to review the half a decade compliance of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), the Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption-MIIVOC, has invoked Act, demanding for details of Annual Compliance Reports by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government between year 2011 and 2016, reports ITRealms.

The request signed by MIIVOC’s FOI Officer, Phillip Inyang, the group in a 6-point demand on the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, said its in pursuant to section 29 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, which provides that “Public Institutions shall submit to the Attorney General of the Federation, a report which shall cover the preceding fiscal year…”

Inyang in a letter dated 7th February, 2017, entitled: Request for details of Annual Compliance Reports by MDAs, status of Senate Order of Arrest of former EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde and details of the regulation submitted to the International Community at the Egmont Meeting on Nigeria’s AML/CFT Compliance among others.

“We are concerned about the low compliance level with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government, the raging controversy over the whereabouts of immediate past EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde and the status of the arrest warrant issued by the Senate on him as well as the Regulation allegedly issued by the immediate past Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Mohammed Adoke SAN and submitted to the Egmont group on the situation with Nigeria’s Anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism compliance.”

“Considering the controversy trailing the above and more, we invoke the FOI Act, 2011 to demand for clarifications.”

“A Certified True Copy of the details of Annual Compliance Reports by MDAs with the FOI Act from 2011 to 2015. The record should include: names of MDAs, compliance status, date of submission of report and all other relevant details.”

“An information on why the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice (AGF) is yet to direct the Inspector General of Police to arrest/produce Ibrahim Lamorde, former EFCC boss to give account of his stewardship, as ordered by the Senate.”
“An information on why the purported Order of Court (if any) restraining the Senate/Federal Government from investigating, arresting and prosecuting former EFCC boss, Ibrahim Lamorde, over allegations of corruption has not been challenged.”

“A certified true copy of the Guideline allegedly submitted to the Egmont group of FIUs by the immediate past Attorney General and Minister for Justice on Nigeria’s compliance level with international requirements on CFT/AML.”

“An update on the fate and present status of Nigeria on compliance with International requirements on CFT/AML?”

“Details on the situation with Nigeria’s quest to become a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), having applied.”

The demand for Annual Compliance Report of MDAs may not be unconnected with an earlier decision from a MIIVOC- organized FOI Roundtable in December, 2016, wherein participants resolved to embark on a Class Action; involving the joining of hundreds of Public Institutions in a legal Suit for violation of the FOI law.


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Pix: Mallami and Lamorde

NIRA Academy, AfriNIC sign MoU on IPv6 certification, capacity building

The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) Academy and Mauritius-based African Network Information Center (AFRINIC) Ltd, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop and certify skills in Internet Number Resources Management and Internet Protocol version Six (IPv6) in Nigeria, reports ITRealms.

NIRA Academy, ITRealms gathered was established by NiRA, the managers of the country code Top Level Domain Name (.ng ccTLD) to breed Nigerians that will take full advantage of the jobs and business opportunities, wealth creation and financial rewards that the .ng domain name string has to offer, while AFRINIC is the Regional Registry for Internet Number Resources serving the African Internet Community. Thus among the world’s five Regional Internet Registries (RIR) that manage IP Addresses and Autonomous System numbers based on policies defined by the community.

Confirming this development to ITRealms in a press statement, the Dean of NIRA Academy, Mr. Sikiru A Shehu, said he signed on behalf of NiRA, whilst the chief executive officer (CEO), AFRINIC Limited, Mr. Alan P. Barrett, signed on behalf of AFRINIC.

According to Shehu, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was actually effective on Tuesday 24th January 2017, in Nairobi, Kenya, to develop and certify skills in Internet Number Resources Management and IPv6 in Nigeria.

Shehu also said that the Memorandum of Understanding creates an accessibility to International IPv6 certification for Nigerian System and Network Engineers, and provides the opportunity for Nigeria to increase the number of internationally recognised and skilled IPv6 engineers, following the pattern established by AFRINIC. The trainings would be conducted at the NiRA Academy, using AFRINIC course wares and certified trainers for the certification programmes.


Further, he said, the signing ceremony was witnessed by key players within the African and Global Internet Community, including the President/CEO of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Mr. Goran Marby; Ghanaian Internet Pioneer, Prof. Nii Quaynor, representing the African Internet Community, NIRA President, Revd Sunday Folayan who is also the Chairman of the AFRINIC Board, Immediate Past President NIRA , Mrs. Mary Uduma, NIRA Board of Trustees member, Emmanuel Edet, NiRA's Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Edith Udeagu and AFRINIC Board/ICANN ALAC member Seun Ojedeji.

Chuks Egbune/GEE
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