PREconfigured programmes
Preconfigured programmes and services on the Exceptions list.
Additional items that you have added to the Exceptions list.
When you select Don’t allow exceptions, you can still send and receive e-mail, use an instant messaging program, or view Web pages.
Off: With this setting, your computer is much more vulnerable to harm from unknown intruders or viruses from the Internet. This setting should only be used when it is necessary to turn off Windows Firewall for computer administration purposes.
Notes
Except for unsolicited requests, Windows Firewall blocks or allows connections to your computer without notifying you each time. But Windows Firewall can also create a record, called a security log, that records those connections. If you want Windows Firewall to create a security log, see Enable security logging options.
Windows Firewall does not detect or block Trojan horses.
Advanced users can configure Windows Firewall using the command line tool, netsh.exe. For more information about this tool, see Configuring Windows Firewall from the command line.
Network administrators can also use Group Policy to configure Windows Firewall settings. Group Policy settings apply globally for the network. If Group Policy is enabled, individual users are prevented from changing firewall settings.
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Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Improving service delivery via co-location
Experts in the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) sector agreed on the fact that infrastructure sharing also known as co-location could immensely improve service delivery, reports REMMY NWEKE.
At the recently held three-day Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) summit organized by the Commonwealth Telecommunication Organisation (CTO) in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS), Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, lamented the high cost of accessing ICT on the continent and attributed this to lack of proper national and regional infrastructure.
For him, it’s extremely lamentable due to the progress made in the region in recent times, as he canvassed for an open access to the available infrastructure so as optimize sharing or co-location.
Sharing leverages on harmonized policy:
He noted that policy provision for ICT framework, application and services is a huge challenge, but by harmonizing telecommunications policies, legal and regulatory frameworks it would boost development of a regional and international reliable modern telecommunications infrastructure.
Chambas said that ECOWAS is working towards integrated regional infrastructure that could promote development in a peaceful and democratic environment, disclosing that the telecommunications infrastructure project known as SatCom-2 was designed to establish regional information and communication infrastructure for the community, and is steadily being executed by member states.
Shareable infrastructure:
Also speaking at the summit co-organised by the Ministry of Information and Communication and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which is on its sixth year, the Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone Plc (GBP), Mr. Gerald Ilukwe, advised on some shareable telecommunications infrastructure on the continent, more so in the country, where there is dearth of infrastructure.
Ilukwe who dwelt on “Pursuing Successful Infrastructure Sharing Strategies in Africa,” noted there are some immediate and most viable infrastructure that could be easily shared among operators in the ICT sector, namely electronic and non-electronic. The electronic infrastructure includes base towers stations, micro wave radio equipment, switches, antennas, transceivers for signal processing and transmission. While the non-electronic comprises of tower, shelter, air-conditioning, standby power generating sets and back-up batteries, electrical equipment, technical premises and easement and pylons.
Others, Ilukwe said, are data centres, utility and middleware applications disaster recovery as well as business continuity facilities. Accentuating that it facilitates optimization of investment in infrastructure and the use of scarce national resources like right of way. Just as it reduces negative environmental impact through co-location of antenna farms to limit radiation, incessant digging up of roads and pavements as well as proliferation of telecom masts; thus focusing on service innovation instead of network deployment.
Co-location requires rational decision:
Commenting, Deputy Chief Regulatory Officer (CRO) in-charge of Regulatory Affairs for all of Zain’s 22 operating companies in the Middle East and Africa, Mrs. Lynne Dorwood, said at the summit that successful co-location of infrastructure in telecommunications sector require rational decision.
Zain Group, she said, is currently co-locating infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and has even signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Kuwait for a similar offer.
“Infrastructure sharing needs to be a rational business decision that should be taken into account at all times,” she asserted, mostly considering the amount of investment that existing operators have already incurred which is vital for a successful co-location of infrastructure.
Mrs. Dorwood stressed that technical and operational concern should include spare capacity and cost of adding and upgrading facilities, even as the environmental decisions, is relevant to satisfy regulatory objectives of free and fair competition and ease of consumer access while at same time respecting operator’s investment made and risks taken, hitherto.
She also called for a collaborative approach by operators working together, so that telecom industry would continually witness sustainable growth.
“Let’s take a collaborative approach and work together,” she said and traced the origin of co-location of telecom infrastructure to Chile in late 1980’s due to extreme length and narrowness of the country, noting that before now this concept has taken root in the Third Generation (3G) site sharing in Germany and Sweden.
She emphasized that multiple mobile network operators in India already engaged in effective site sharing, and recalled that as the third operator in Saudi Arabia, Zain already is using site sharing, while it recently signed an MOU with Saudi Telecom Company (STC) to provide same in Kuwait.
Co-location, a natural evolution:
While on official visit to Champion House, recently in Lagos, the chief executive officer, Zain Nigeria, Mr. Adebayo Ligali, said his firm is disposed to co-location of infrastructure with other operators among service providers in the nation’s ICT sector.
Co-location, he said, is a natural evolution and Zain is presently co-locating facilities in some parts of the country, even with some competitors. “We’re currently leasing fibre optic from a core competitor among other ICT firms.”
N3bn for co-location:
However, the Federal Government in July this year announced its intensions to invest the sum of N3 billion (about $25.4m) to subsidize the cost of providing co-location infrastructure for telecommunications service providers in the country.
Chief Executive Officer, NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, who made this disclosure in Abuja, at a Co-Location Infrastructure Project (CIP) forum under the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) Accelerated Mobile Phone Expansion (AMPE) initiative of the government, said that the project is aimed at facilitating the construction of shareable infrastructure such as masts and towers, land perimeter fence, generators, storage tanks for fuel, and shelter.
He explained that the concept of co-location would assist greatly on the extension of telecommunications and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services to the underserved communities in the country.
Ndukwe further said the project was to consolidate on the progress made on Base Transceiver Stations (BTS), which were designed to take the advantage of the opportunity that the ease of deployment of wireless based technologies presents, to encourage the rapid deployment of mobile communication and associated ICT services to rural communities.
Government’s efforts:
He said, “the new initiative when properly implemented will also reduce if not totally eliminate the need for each service provider to construct and own individual masts and towers, generators and so on as well as reduce the usual concerns about associated impact on the environment.”
Reaffirmed the global acceptance of infrastructure out-sourcing through co-location as a more popular alternative to adopt in ICT service delivery, and would enable ICT providers to focus more on their core business of service provision thereby improving the over all operational efficiency.
This, he said, has become imperative in view of the amount of human and material resources that are expended for the construction and maintaining such infrastructure mechanism by individual operators especially in rural areas.
“It will obviously be a win-win situation for the operators, the co-location providers and the subscribers if the project is fully embraced by all stakeholders,” Ndukwe anticipated.
NCC vows to protect telecom infrastructure:
NCC also vowed to protect telecommunications infrastructure in the country, so as to reduce vandalism, stressing that vandalism sets back the development in the sector and noted that operators have a great deal of responsibility too as far as protecting their infrastructure is concerned.
“This means that they must take the security of their data and network seriously,” he said, advised them to set up corporate security plans and look for ways to work together on critical infrastructure protection. Insisting that the federal government considers telecommunications infrastructure as public property of strategic importance, hence, it is criminal to vandalize them.
As said by him, NCC would seek support of the police among other relevant security agencies in training those who would assist in safeguarding the infrastructure, counseled operators to minimize competition and look at the inadequacies of each other and join forces in finding solution for the benefit of their customers.
The Commission, he said, is thinking of revisiting the law of willful damage and enforces same to deter vandalism.
Collaborating with other ministries:
Mr. Val Amadi of Etisalat, suggested that NCC directs operators on how best to construct their cables as a way forward and avoid damaging of competitors’ cables. “Operators should submit their drawings to the commission to help identify the defaulter when one damages each other’s cable.”
For Mr. Martins Oluwale of Globacom the Commission should collaborate with the ministry of works, states and local governments to help ensure that telecommunication infrastructure are not damaged while constructing roads. He recommended a harmonized policy for cable installation and laws that would make operators live up to their responsibilities, advocating the need to demarcate routes where cables are installed to avoid duplication of installation by operators.
Regulators promoting infrastructure sharing:
Noteworthy is that at the eight session of global telecom regulators in Pattaya, Thailand, March 2008, under the auspices of Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-08), the focus was on best practices in regulatory measures to foster and encourage sharing of infrastructure resources as a means of stimulating investment and growth in the ICT sector.
Addressing participants at the meeting organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) presided over by the Chairman, Thailand’s National Telecommunication Commission (NTC), General Choochart Promphrasid, with over 600 participants from 96 countries, the Secretary-General of ITU, Dr Hamadoun Touré, said that innovative business models and services are helping to drive the take-up of mobile communications in emerging markets in the Asia-Pacific region, Africa and the Americas.
As such, “Pro-competitive and open access strategies are needed to cut the cost of deploying ICT networks, thus take a big step towards achieving the targets set by the World Summit on the Information Society as well as the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.”
Dr. Touré said that sound regulatory frameworks would establish the enabling environment for telecommunications and ICT infrastructure development to help meet the connectivity targets.
GSR arrived at a consensus on a set of best practice guidelines aimed at fostering affordable broadband access through innovative infrastructure sharing and open access strategies related to pricing, efficient use of resources, spectrum sharing, licensing, neutral, fair and non-discriminating interconnection, transparency in information sharing, and sharing with other infrastructure industries; such as electricity, gas, water, sewage, railways to distribute the cost of civil works.
Six degrees of sharing and surplus fund:
Dwelling on the theme of the Symposium “Six Degrees of Sharing: Innovative Infrastructure Sharing and Open Access Strategies to Promote Affordable Access for All emphasizes,” GSR, of which Nigeria was represented by the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, identified basic and passive infrastructure sharing, open access to international capacity, business-sharing regulation, active infrastructure sharing, end-user sharing, and policy and regulatory harmonization.
They also recognized the need for regional and international harmonization to ensure widespread use of best practice regulatory policies on sharing, especially in areas dealing with cross-border effects. And in order to encourage universal access and bridge the ‘digital divide’, regulators tend to consider incentives for service providers who share infrastructure, including financial subsidies on a competitive basis.
At the end of the Global Industry Leaders’ Forum (GILF), the first-ever interaction between industry and regulators which preceded GSR meeting in Thailand, it was recommended that surplus funds raised through levies, such as Universal Service Funds running into billions of dollars, should be extended to ICT access to underserved regions, support infrastructure sharing, stimulate investment by reducing taxes, tariffs and duties on handsets and telecom equipment.
This is in addition to the release of unused spectrum for productive and innovative commercial applications and services as well as strengthens any emergency communications by harmonizing rules and regulations to facilitate trans-border relief efforts as outlined in the Tampere Convention; while exploring feasibility of a single global emergency call-in number.
Conclusion:
As the six degree agenda of GSR takes root among member nations, Nigeria inclusive, there is need to fast-track this agenda if the 2012 plan for meeting up the self-imposed Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is anything to go by, then infrastructure sharing must be encouraged by all stakeholders, at least, by coming up with time table on how operators and infrastructure laying firms could benefit from the incentives, practically, including the supposed surplus USP Fund.
Therefore, the private sector that has been driving this laying of infrastructure till now, needs backing to remain steadfast. And the earlier steps are taken in this direction, the better for the industry, after all time waits for no man and 2012 is just round the corner.
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eTranzact to launch mobile cardless, tackles e-scam with ESA
FOREMOST operational multi-application and channel electronic transaction operator, e-Tranzact, has concluded plans to launch its innovative eTranzact Automated Teller Machine (ATM) CardlexCash, as the firm tackles electronic scam with e-Tranzact Strong Authentication (ESA) security solution for both banking institutions and end users.
Chief Executive Officer, e-Tranzact Limited, Mr. Valentine Obi, said that the ATM CardlexCash leverages on subscriber’s mobile phone, eTranzact platform and ATM processor of over 21 partnering banks to make funds transfer and collection convenient for the numerous unbanked persons in the country and beyond as well as the existing over 40 million mobile phone subscribers.
Obi told newsmen that eTranzact ATM CardlexCash is a product designed for the eTranzact global payment network that provides a solution which allows a transferor to transfer funds from his mobile phone to the mobile phone of the transferee, who then collects the funds at any ATM without the use of cards.
“eTranzact’s ATM CardlexCash which has been patented in Nigerian, and in Africa, US, UK and Asia is a revolutionary product which leverages on a subscriber’s mobile phone, the eTranzact platform, and ATM processors of partners to make funds transfer and collection convenient for the end users,” he said.
This, he said, would bring smiles to the faces of the numerous unbanked persons in the country and beyond.
“e-Tranzact ATM CardlexCash proposes a faster and convenient process of money transfer that eliminates going to a bank or using an ATM card,” he said.
Mr. Obi also said plans have been finalized to make the product available in all its countries of operation including Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Zimbabwe, UK and the United States.
He also said that the product, which provides seamless transfer of funds across borders, will require the sender to transfer money using his phone to any cell phone.
“And on the receiving the text the recipient will be given details which he enters on any enabled ATM machine and withdraws cash as preferred by him,” he said.
On ESA, Mr. Obi said that it offers solution to the insecurity problem of chip-based cards and offers a harmonization of cards of various banks via a single mobile phone.
“ESA allows a subscriber to withdraw cash from any ATM through a proxy. This is done by generating a one time pass code (OTPK), to which the cash withdrawal value is tied for a one-off ATM transaction. With the eTranzact ESA, should a customer fall victim of scam or cloned website and give away both user name and password, a third party can never defraud the customer due to lack of the dynamic PIN residual on the mobile phone,” he explained.
Obi further said, ESA is a product of numerous research and findings, considering that utilization of static PIN as the singular parameter for electronic transactions has become increasingly fraud-prone and its first fully operational multi-application and multi-channel electronic transaction switching and payment processing platform has come up with a product aimed at tackling the challenges besetting all chip-based and non-chip based cards.
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Chief Executive Officer, e-Tranzact Limited, Mr. Valentine Obi, said that the ATM CardlexCash leverages on subscriber’s mobile phone, eTranzact platform and ATM processor of over 21 partnering banks to make funds transfer and collection convenient for the numerous unbanked persons in the country and beyond as well as the existing over 40 million mobile phone subscribers.
Obi told newsmen that eTranzact ATM CardlexCash is a product designed for the eTranzact global payment network that provides a solution which allows a transferor to transfer funds from his mobile phone to the mobile phone of the transferee, who then collects the funds at any ATM without the use of cards.
“eTranzact’s ATM CardlexCash which has been patented in Nigerian, and in Africa, US, UK and Asia is a revolutionary product which leverages on a subscriber’s mobile phone, the eTranzact platform, and ATM processors of partners to make funds transfer and collection convenient for the end users,” he said.
This, he said, would bring smiles to the faces of the numerous unbanked persons in the country and beyond.
“e-Tranzact ATM CardlexCash proposes a faster and convenient process of money transfer that eliminates going to a bank or using an ATM card,” he said.
Mr. Obi also said plans have been finalized to make the product available in all its countries of operation including Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Zimbabwe, UK and the United States.
He also said that the product, which provides seamless transfer of funds across borders, will require the sender to transfer money using his phone to any cell phone.
“And on the receiving the text the recipient will be given details which he enters on any enabled ATM machine and withdraws cash as preferred by him,” he said.
On ESA, Mr. Obi said that it offers solution to the insecurity problem of chip-based cards and offers a harmonization of cards of various banks via a single mobile phone.
“ESA allows a subscriber to withdraw cash from any ATM through a proxy. This is done by generating a one time pass code (OTPK), to which the cash withdrawal value is tied for a one-off ATM transaction. With the eTranzact ESA, should a customer fall victim of scam or cloned website and give away both user name and password, a third party can never defraud the customer due to lack of the dynamic PIN residual on the mobile phone,” he explained.
Obi further said, ESA is a product of numerous research and findings, considering that utilization of static PIN as the singular parameter for electronic transactions has become increasingly fraud-prone and its first fully operational multi-application and multi-channel electronic transaction switching and payment processing platform has come up with a product aimed at tackling the challenges besetting all chip-based and non-chip based cards.
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Bavisi warns Nigerian banks, telcos on cyber warfare
President and Co-founder of EC-Council, Mr. Sanjay Bavisi, has warned on cyber warfare on Nigerian banking and telecommunications institutions, advocating for internal Information Technology (IT) policy by corporate entities.
This, he said, would check-mate people, especially employees using mobile tools to bring in dangerous trends into the company that could affect its smooth operations.
Speaking at a one-day seminar for bank and telecom executives in Lagos, organized by New Horizons, Mr. Bavisi, accompanied by the Vice President, EC- Council University , Mr. Sean Lim, noted that there are many implications in mobile and hospital hacking.
“Some companies have no IT policy and people can bring in dangerous tools into the company that could affect its smooth operations,” he said.
According to him, “Mobile phones also allow the use of any applications, and just allowing anybody to take in any mobile phone into a company could be dangerous because people could use mobile phones or digital devices, to install malicious software and steal data.”
He stressed that every company faces challenges of one form or the other, and when this happens, it is not advisable to depend on the army or navy to protect the country.
“Cyber warfare could be dangerous attack on any nation and could bring down economy,” he said, noting that electronic Jihad is just one way of fighting cyber warfare.
Noting that there are some groups that hack for different purposes and this should be checked.
He explained that the whole purpose of EC-Council is to reduce the rate of cyber warfare across countries, pointing out that a country must first recognise that there is a security gap before thinking of how to reduce the gap.
“A lot of countries feel that there is no need to beef up security against cyber attack, just because they have not been attacked. There are several attacks that are going on in some organisations and their computers that they are yet to find out. There is something called backdoor and there are lots of data that could be hacked,” he said.
On the implication of expanding operations beyond Nigeria’s shores more so now that some local banks have gone international in relation to online banking, the expert said, security protection is key to any nation and organisation.
“I think Nigerian financial institutions have not really branded themselves as Information security institutions. When this is lacking, they will be open to risk and online attacks,” he said.
Advising that what Nigeria needs to do is to come with an agenda on cyber security, accept the agenda and ensure that the agenda is well implemented.
“All banks and stock market need information security,” he said.
Bavisi also counselled on how cracking could be controlled globally, saying that there are several measures in which attacks could be checked, citing for instance that EC-Council would be hosting an Asia-Pacific roundtable next month, November, to brainstorm on cyber security globally.
“We are partnering with the ministry of defence in most Asian countries. We will come out with a global solution on how to reduce crime rate in cyberspace,” he said.
The National Security Agency of the United States, he said, is coming up with global solution in the area of human capital and the reason is that without proper human capital development, there will be room for attacks.
“No matter how sophisticated technology equipment a nation or organisation may buy, and no matter the huge investment of physical facilities without investing on the human capital development, then it is mere waste of energy and resources,” he said.
Pointing out that people that will handle the equipment must be trained and be knowlegeable in information security management.
“Without human capital and proper methodolagy in place, it will be difficult to controll cyber attacks,” he said.
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This, he said, would check-mate people, especially employees using mobile tools to bring in dangerous trends into the company that could affect its smooth operations.
Speaking at a one-day seminar for bank and telecom executives in Lagos, organized by New Horizons, Mr. Bavisi, accompanied by the Vice President, EC- Council University , Mr. Sean Lim, noted that there are many implications in mobile and hospital hacking.
“Some companies have no IT policy and people can bring in dangerous tools into the company that could affect its smooth operations,” he said.
According to him, “Mobile phones also allow the use of any applications, and just allowing anybody to take in any mobile phone into a company could be dangerous because people could use mobile phones or digital devices, to install malicious software and steal data.”
He stressed that every company faces challenges of one form or the other, and when this happens, it is not advisable to depend on the army or navy to protect the country.
“Cyber warfare could be dangerous attack on any nation and could bring down economy,” he said, noting that electronic Jihad is just one way of fighting cyber warfare.
Noting that there are some groups that hack for different purposes and this should be checked.
He explained that the whole purpose of EC-Council is to reduce the rate of cyber warfare across countries, pointing out that a country must first recognise that there is a security gap before thinking of how to reduce the gap.
“A lot of countries feel that there is no need to beef up security against cyber attack, just because they have not been attacked. There are several attacks that are going on in some organisations and their computers that they are yet to find out. There is something called backdoor and there are lots of data that could be hacked,” he said.
On the implication of expanding operations beyond Nigeria’s shores more so now that some local banks have gone international in relation to online banking, the expert said, security protection is key to any nation and organisation.
“I think Nigerian financial institutions have not really branded themselves as Information security institutions. When this is lacking, they will be open to risk and online attacks,” he said.
Advising that what Nigeria needs to do is to come with an agenda on cyber security, accept the agenda and ensure that the agenda is well implemented.
“All banks and stock market need information security,” he said.
Bavisi also counselled on how cracking could be controlled globally, saying that there are several measures in which attacks could be checked, citing for instance that EC-Council would be hosting an Asia-Pacific roundtable next month, November, to brainstorm on cyber security globally.
“We are partnering with the ministry of defence in most Asian countries. We will come out with a global solution on how to reduce crime rate in cyberspace,” he said.
The National Security Agency of the United States, he said, is coming up with global solution in the area of human capital and the reason is that without proper human capital development, there will be room for attacks.
“No matter how sophisticated technology equipment a nation or organisation may buy, and no matter the huge investment of physical facilities without investing on the human capital development, then it is mere waste of energy and resources,” he said.
Pointing out that people that will handle the equipment must be trained and be knowlegeable in information security management.
“Without human capital and proper methodolagy in place, it will be difficult to controll cyber attacks,” he said.
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ExpertEdge partners Actimize on anti-fraud solutions
Expertedge software, an arm of Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) has been named the Actimize’s partner in Nigeria.
This partnership, according to the Head, Marketing Communications, at the CWG, Ms Morenike Popoola, said it would enable collaboration in successfully implementing anti- fraud solutions in major banks in the country.
She said in a press statement endorsed by Jonathan Stotts of Actimize, a NICE Systems Company, which delivers proven Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and debit, fraud prevention capabilities to MasterCard, that Actimize analytics are already deployed in production and detecting card fraud in MasterCard’s core processing environment.
“Actimize, a leading provider of transactional risk management software for the financial services industry and NICE Systems announced that MasterCard is using the Actimize technology to augment its ATM and Debit fraud detection capabilities for issuers,” part of the press statement read.
Actimize recently enhanced its debit fraud solution by acquiring proven analytic models used today by MasterCard in its Fraud Monitor service, a real-time risk scoring and fraud prevention service for PIN-based transactions offered by MasterCard to its customers.
Stotts also said that the technology has proven to fight ATM and debit fraud effectively across multiple card brands and geographies and used and tested by clients such as MasterCard and other card issuers.
“The Actimize fraud detection analytics are unique in that their multi-dimensional profiles can be created and updated in real-time to detect suspicious activities at the card, device, account level and many other dimensions,” he said, stressing that MasterCard, the industry’s security innovator and a global debit card leader, values the new relationship with Actimize in delivering value-added real-time risk scoring and fraud prevention solutions to customers.
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This partnership, according to the Head, Marketing Communications, at the CWG, Ms Morenike Popoola, said it would enable collaboration in successfully implementing anti- fraud solutions in major banks in the country.
She said in a press statement endorsed by Jonathan Stotts of Actimize, a NICE Systems Company, which delivers proven Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and debit, fraud prevention capabilities to MasterCard, that Actimize analytics are already deployed in production and detecting card fraud in MasterCard’s core processing environment.
“Actimize, a leading provider of transactional risk management software for the financial services industry and NICE Systems announced that MasterCard is using the Actimize technology to augment its ATM and Debit fraud detection capabilities for issuers,” part of the press statement read.
Actimize recently enhanced its debit fraud solution by acquiring proven analytic models used today by MasterCard in its Fraud Monitor service, a real-time risk scoring and fraud prevention service for PIN-based transactions offered by MasterCard to its customers.
Stotts also said that the technology has proven to fight ATM and debit fraud effectively across multiple card brands and geographies and used and tested by clients such as MasterCard and other card issuers.
“The Actimize fraud detection analytics are unique in that their multi-dimensional profiles can be created and updated in real-time to detect suspicious activities at the card, device, account level and many other dimensions,” he said, stressing that MasterCard, the industry’s security innovator and a global debit card leader, values the new relationship with Actimize in delivering value-added real-time risk scoring and fraud prevention solutions to customers.
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Brian bags 2 Microsoft’s OS awards
One of the nation’s local personal computer (PCs) assembling firm, Brian Integrated Systems being promoted by Balog Tech Limited has bagged two prestigious awards at the recently ended Microsoft Partner University 2008 forum.
The awards include the Microsoft best Operating Systems (OS) and Microsoft most Outstanding Partner in 2008 respectively.
Disclosing this, Managing Director, Brian Integrated Systems, Mr. Olatunji Balogun said that his firm based on Microsoft observation, was recognized as the brand of choice in several states where the local PCs assembler closed accounts due to its efficient, sleek and durable state-of-art models.
According Microsoft, Brian is a tier one system builder committed to delivering high quality PCs, even as the company produces an array of computers desktops, laptops and servers with varying capacities in processor speed, hard disk space, memory and so on. “Over the years, the nominee has shown loyalty to Microsoft by consistently purchasing the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) products via the right channels. Brian has been approached severally by our competitors offering different value propositions for a platform shift. However the company’s commitment has been unwavering,” Microsoft citation on Brian stated.
Microsoft also said that from a development perspective, the Brian has passed all the necessary validation certifications including WHQL, Vista LOGO Certification, and the OEM hardware competency, and could compete with any other brands.
Balogun after receiving the awards commended Microsoft Corporation for recognizing the company’s robust state-of-the-art technology, which are not only affordable but also has international standard.
Brian Integrated Systems, Balogun said, has all the technology equipment to service the growing Nigerian IT industry, stressing that their products have three years warranty.
“We have finally come to stay. We are aware of the challenging market environment. Under the Computer For All Nigerian initiative (CANi). We have the capacity to support the Nigerian growing IT market said to be the toast of African sub-region,” he said.
He noted that before now, Brian has won the Most Improved PC Company 2007 at the Titans of Tech award by Technology Africa, and Intel Premiere Partner 2007 Intel Corporation.
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The awards include the Microsoft best Operating Systems (OS) and Microsoft most Outstanding Partner in 2008 respectively.
Disclosing this, Managing Director, Brian Integrated Systems, Mr. Olatunji Balogun said that his firm based on Microsoft observation, was recognized as the brand of choice in several states where the local PCs assembler closed accounts due to its efficient, sleek and durable state-of-art models.
According Microsoft, Brian is a tier one system builder committed to delivering high quality PCs, even as the company produces an array of computers desktops, laptops and servers with varying capacities in processor speed, hard disk space, memory and so on. “Over the years, the nominee has shown loyalty to Microsoft by consistently purchasing the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) products via the right channels. Brian has been approached severally by our competitors offering different value propositions for a platform shift. However the company’s commitment has been unwavering,” Microsoft citation on Brian stated.
Microsoft also said that from a development perspective, the Brian has passed all the necessary validation certifications including WHQL, Vista LOGO Certification, and the OEM hardware competency, and could compete with any other brands.
Balogun after receiving the awards commended Microsoft Corporation for recognizing the company’s robust state-of-the-art technology, which are not only affordable but also has international standard.
Brian Integrated Systems, Balogun said, has all the technology equipment to service the growing Nigerian IT industry, stressing that their products have three years warranty.
“We have finally come to stay. We are aware of the challenging market environment. Under the Computer For All Nigerian initiative (CANi). We have the capacity to support the Nigerian growing IT market said to be the toast of African sub-region,” he said.
He noted that before now, Brian has won the Most Improved PC Company 2007 at the Titans of Tech award by Technology Africa, and Intel Premiere Partner 2007 Intel Corporation.
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Gowon to preside @ NITTA-08
Former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd) has been tipped to preside over the seventh Nigerian Information Technology and Telecom Awards (NITTA 2008) due to hold in Lagos, on November 14, 2008.
A press statement made available to ITRealms Online by the organisers, IT & Telecom Digest, weekend, quoted Gen. Gowon as saying that he accepted to preside over the event because of the pivotal role the event plays in the Nigerian Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector and the economy in general.
According to them, this is more so now that NITTA is geared towards rewarding hard work and engendering excellence in the country’s ICT sector.
Gen. Gowon would be joined at the high table by another respected elder statesman, Ambassador Matthew T. Mbu, who has also accepted to be the Father of the Day at the epoch-making occasion.
NITTA 2008, which is on its seventh edition, is said to be a culmination of the celebration of the seventh year of the Nigerian ICT Revolution.
Mbu, who was a former foreign affairs minister, had earlier commended NITTA for raising the consciousness of the public on the activities of operators, service providers and government institutions in the Nigerian Information and Communications Technology industry.
The annual awards programme through due recognition to deserving products, services, operators and institutions, Ambassador Mbu stated, has contributed immensely in shaping the Nigerian ICT industry, and ultimately the Nigerian economy.
Ambassador Mbu, who was Nigeria’s first High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, made the observations when he accepted to play the role of Father of the Day at this year’s NITTA, scheduled to hold on November 14 at Muson Centre, Lagos.
“Credible recognitions such as those bestowed on awardees at NITTA must be commended and the integrity of this particular programme needs to be commended so that the Nigerian ICT industry will continue to benefit from the quality work and contributions of those who win at each NITTA event,” he said.
Stressing that a Nigerians worry about quality of service issues, infrastructure and skilled manpower, among other challenges, asserting that those who have excelled despite these hurdles “deserve to be recognised and commended, and this is where NITTA comes in and is doing a good job and I commend the organisers.”
The organisers said enquiries from industry operators, service providers and the general public for this year’s event have almost doubled last year’s, an indication that the interest generated by this year’s event is extremely high.
“They’ve been various phone calls, emails and indeed visits by various companies, service providers and operators, all wanting to be kept abreast of activities leading up to the D-Day,” stated Mr. Mkpe Abang, Editor-in-Chief of IT & Telecom Digest, organisers of the event.
“Comparatively, this year there has been so much interest and so many enquiries that it more than doubled last year’s; this shows the respect the general public and stakeholders have for NITTA, and on behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to assure everyone that this year’s event will be a hit, especially as it is the culmination of the celebration of the seven years of the revolution in the Nigerian ICT industry,” Abang further said.
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A press statement made available to ITRealms Online by the organisers, IT & Telecom Digest, weekend, quoted Gen. Gowon as saying that he accepted to preside over the event because of the pivotal role the event plays in the Nigerian Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector and the economy in general.
According to them, this is more so now that NITTA is geared towards rewarding hard work and engendering excellence in the country’s ICT sector.
Gen. Gowon would be joined at the high table by another respected elder statesman, Ambassador Matthew T. Mbu, who has also accepted to be the Father of the Day at the epoch-making occasion.
NITTA 2008, which is on its seventh edition, is said to be a culmination of the celebration of the seventh year of the Nigerian ICT Revolution.
Mbu, who was a former foreign affairs minister, had earlier commended NITTA for raising the consciousness of the public on the activities of operators, service providers and government institutions in the Nigerian Information and Communications Technology industry.
The annual awards programme through due recognition to deserving products, services, operators and institutions, Ambassador Mbu stated, has contributed immensely in shaping the Nigerian ICT industry, and ultimately the Nigerian economy.
Ambassador Mbu, who was Nigeria’s first High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, made the observations when he accepted to play the role of Father of the Day at this year’s NITTA, scheduled to hold on November 14 at Muson Centre, Lagos.
“Credible recognitions such as those bestowed on awardees at NITTA must be commended and the integrity of this particular programme needs to be commended so that the Nigerian ICT industry will continue to benefit from the quality work and contributions of those who win at each NITTA event,” he said.
Stressing that a Nigerians worry about quality of service issues, infrastructure and skilled manpower, among other challenges, asserting that those who have excelled despite these hurdles “deserve to be recognised and commended, and this is where NITTA comes in and is doing a good job and I commend the organisers.”
The organisers said enquiries from industry operators, service providers and the general public for this year’s event have almost doubled last year’s, an indication that the interest generated by this year’s event is extremely high.
“They’ve been various phone calls, emails and indeed visits by various companies, service providers and operators, all wanting to be kept abreast of activities leading up to the D-Day,” stated Mr. Mkpe Abang, Editor-in-Chief of IT & Telecom Digest, organisers of the event.
“Comparatively, this year there has been so much interest and so many enquiries that it more than doubled last year’s; this shows the respect the general public and stakeholders have for NITTA, and on behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to assure everyone that this year’s event will be a hit, especially as it is the culmination of the celebration of the seven years of the revolution in the Nigerian ICT industry,” Abang further said.
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Visafone introduces 12 car promo
Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operator, Visafone Limited, has introduced a new promo which offers 12 brand new cars to lucky Nigerians in 12 weeks.
Head, Corporate Communications at Visafone, Mr. Toni-Kan Onwudi told ITRealms Online that the promo, which commenced last week Monday, October 13 would last till January 4, 2009.
“The company plans to give out 12 brand new and latest model Kia saloon cars in 12 weeks to 12 lucky subscribers on the Visafone network,” he said.
Onwudi also said in a press statement made available to newsmen at the weekend that Visafone would also give out millions of naira worth of free airtime and free Short Messaging Services (SMS) to subscribers who would join the network during the promo period.
Explaining the modalities, he said that any subscriber that buys and activates a Visafone handset during this season would automatically get N1000 free airtime and 100 free SMS.
“To become eligible for the weekly draws of 1 Kia Rio, both new and old subscribers would have to recharge their phones with at least N400 every week to qualify,” he said.
He also said that Visafone is embarking on this promo “to express its appreciation to Nigerians for making it the fastest growing mobile phone company in the country. We want to reward both existing and potential subscribers for keeping faith with us and helping us to grow our network.”
Recalling that Visafone, which has consummate banker and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) philanthropist Jim Ovia as founder, begun commercial operations on February 22, 2008 and crossed the 1 million subscriber mark in an unprecedented 6 months and 4 days.
The company was also voted Best Telecom Brand of the Year 2008 in a Telecom News/Phillip Consulting survey.
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Head, Corporate Communications at Visafone, Mr. Toni-Kan Onwudi told ITRealms Online that the promo, which commenced last week Monday, October 13 would last till January 4, 2009.
“The company plans to give out 12 brand new and latest model Kia saloon cars in 12 weeks to 12 lucky subscribers on the Visafone network,” he said.
Onwudi also said in a press statement made available to newsmen at the weekend that Visafone would also give out millions of naira worth of free airtime and free Short Messaging Services (SMS) to subscribers who would join the network during the promo period.
Explaining the modalities, he said that any subscriber that buys and activates a Visafone handset during this season would automatically get N1000 free airtime and 100 free SMS.
“To become eligible for the weekly draws of 1 Kia Rio, both new and old subscribers would have to recharge their phones with at least N400 every week to qualify,” he said.
He also said that Visafone is embarking on this promo “to express its appreciation to Nigerians for making it the fastest growing mobile phone company in the country. We want to reward both existing and potential subscribers for keeping faith with us and helping us to grow our network.”
Recalling that Visafone, which has consummate banker and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) philanthropist Jim Ovia as founder, begun commercial operations on February 22, 2008 and crossed the 1 million subscriber mark in an unprecedented 6 months and 4 days.
The company was also voted Best Telecom Brand of the Year 2008 in a Telecom News/Phillip Consulting survey.
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200 sites: PNN executes N7bn deal with ITL
Proudly Nigerian telecoms service provider, PNN has announced the advancement of work on the Independent Towers Limited (ITL) deal to deliver 200 co-locatable sites in three countries on the continent.
Managing Director and chief executive officer, PNN, Alhaji AbdulRahman Abiola-Odunowo revealed this in Lagos and said that the firm which begun operations in in 1998, is at the fore front of turnkey deployment and operations of telecom infrastructure.
According to him, the project has reached another milestone in the telecommunications industry with the signing of a frame agreement with Independent Towers Limited (ITL), to deploy and operate 200 co-location sites in Nigeria, Ghana and Uganda as part of the first phase of the 750 sites being planned by ITL.
Speaking in Lagos recently, Alhaji Abiola-Odunowo, said that PNN intends to deploy the sites innovatively to help reduce the capital and operational expenditure for these sites.
He explained that in order to achieve a reduction in the operational expenses of clients, ITL has approved that all the sites would be deployed utilizing alternative power solutions.
“We are very excited to be working with a forward thinking organisation like ITL because they have recognized the need to think out of the box by deploying their sites in a more energy efficient manner,” he said, stressing that 100 of these sites would be completed and brought to use before June 2009.
Head, Business Development, Independent Towers Limited (ITL), Mr. Gbenga Owoeye, explained that ITL’s main focus is to deliver a cost effective service across Africa and the deployment of the first 200 sites to Nigeria, Uganda and Ghana is as a result of assessment of the current needs in these markets.
“Our choice of PNN as our turnkey service provider is based on their understanding of ITL’s aspirations in ensuring our operational cost is reduced significantly while also ensuring uptime on our sites is 100% at all times since they are the leading telecoms infrastructure operations and maintenance service company in Nigeria with over 700 sites under their management,” Owoeye said, confirming that ITL intends to deploy over 750 sites in six African countries between now and June 2010.
PNN, prides itself as a Pan African telecoms company whose corporate mission is to enhance the socio-economic growth of any nation it operate in by providing excellent telecommunications solutions to both business and individual clients.
PNN started operations in Nigeria in 1998 and has recently expanded her operations into other African countries including Ghana, Uganda and Rwanda and currently focused on delivering true value and quality service to its customers, as well as actively involved in various aspects of the development of telecommunications in Africa.
PNN’s core services include planning, design and network optimisation services, supply and turnkey deployment of telecoms infrastructure, operations and maintenance of telecoms infrastructure, sales and distribution of telecoms products, provision of solar powered lighting, provision of alternative power solutions and Value Added Services (VAS).
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Managing Director and chief executive officer, PNN, Alhaji AbdulRahman Abiola-Odunowo revealed this in Lagos and said that the firm which begun operations in in 1998, is at the fore front of turnkey deployment and operations of telecom infrastructure.
According to him, the project has reached another milestone in the telecommunications industry with the signing of a frame agreement with Independent Towers Limited (ITL), to deploy and operate 200 co-location sites in Nigeria, Ghana and Uganda as part of the first phase of the 750 sites being planned by ITL.
Speaking in Lagos recently, Alhaji Abiola-Odunowo, said that PNN intends to deploy the sites innovatively to help reduce the capital and operational expenditure for these sites.
He explained that in order to achieve a reduction in the operational expenses of clients, ITL has approved that all the sites would be deployed utilizing alternative power solutions.
“We are very excited to be working with a forward thinking organisation like ITL because they have recognized the need to think out of the box by deploying their sites in a more energy efficient manner,” he said, stressing that 100 of these sites would be completed and brought to use before June 2009.
Head, Business Development, Independent Towers Limited (ITL), Mr. Gbenga Owoeye, explained that ITL’s main focus is to deliver a cost effective service across Africa and the deployment of the first 200 sites to Nigeria, Uganda and Ghana is as a result of assessment of the current needs in these markets.
“Our choice of PNN as our turnkey service provider is based on their understanding of ITL’s aspirations in ensuring our operational cost is reduced significantly while also ensuring uptime on our sites is 100% at all times since they are the leading telecoms infrastructure operations and maintenance service company in Nigeria with over 700 sites under their management,” Owoeye said, confirming that ITL intends to deploy over 750 sites in six African countries between now and June 2010.
PNN, prides itself as a Pan African telecoms company whose corporate mission is to enhance the socio-economic growth of any nation it operate in by providing excellent telecommunications solutions to both business and individual clients.
PNN started operations in Nigeria in 1998 and has recently expanded her operations into other African countries including Ghana, Uganda and Rwanda and currently focused on delivering true value and quality service to its customers, as well as actively involved in various aspects of the development of telecommunications in Africa.
PNN’s core services include planning, design and network optimisation services, supply and turnkey deployment of telecoms infrastructure, operations and maintenance of telecoms infrastructure, sales and distribution of telecoms products, provision of solar powered lighting, provision of alternative power solutions and Value Added Services (VAS).
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Multi-Links rewards 40 with laptops
Multilink-Telkom has rewarded winners in its on-going promo with over 40 laptops at a raffle draw for the months of July, August and September, 2008, reports CHARLES OKOH.
The draw which held in Lagos attracted dealers, customers, and past winners.
Speaking at the event, Corporate Affairs Manager, Multi-Links, Mr. Tayo Ekundayo, said that the promo which has been on for a year and half will run till December this year when the grand finale will be held.
He also said the telco is touching the lives of its subscribers in many ways, noting that Multi-Links is rewarding all its subscribers who receive calls from any network with credit and that the longer the calls last the more credit the subscriber gets.
Further he said the company is aspiring to be the first in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry.
“Apart from voice, we are already into broadband and lease services. We have laid 4,000 kilometres of optic fibre cables and soon, we are planning an additional 3,000. We are more interested in doing much and talking less,” he said.
In addition, he said, the telco has launched sales of broadband for internet users in Abuja and that soon this will be available across the entire nation.
Ekundayo also said the company has spent over one billion dollars over the last one year to expand its network.
He pointed out that the telco’s merger with Telkom South Africa, it has expanded into 14 countries, and seeks to be the first in telephony, data and internet services.
The draws held in the N200, 500, 1000, 5000 and N10000 categories saw two winners in each category for the three months under review, going home with laptop.
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The draw which held in Lagos attracted dealers, customers, and past winners.
Speaking at the event, Corporate Affairs Manager, Multi-Links, Mr. Tayo Ekundayo, said that the promo which has been on for a year and half will run till December this year when the grand finale will be held.
He also said the telco is touching the lives of its subscribers in many ways, noting that Multi-Links is rewarding all its subscribers who receive calls from any network with credit and that the longer the calls last the more credit the subscriber gets.
Further he said the company is aspiring to be the first in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry.
“Apart from voice, we are already into broadband and lease services. We have laid 4,000 kilometres of optic fibre cables and soon, we are planning an additional 3,000. We are more interested in doing much and talking less,” he said.
In addition, he said, the telco has launched sales of broadband for internet users in Abuja and that soon this will be available across the entire nation.
Ekundayo also said the company has spent over one billion dollars over the last one year to expand its network.
He pointed out that the telco’s merger with Telkom South Africa, it has expanded into 14 countries, and seeks to be the first in telephony, data and internet services.
The draws held in the N200, 500, 1000, 5000 and N10000 categories saw two winners in each category for the three months under review, going home with laptop.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
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