... Making SENSE of digital revolution!
Friday, March 21, 2014
2.3GHz auction: A transparency testimonial for NCC
It was the much anticipated auction which followed some industry agitations, but the apex regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in its infinite wisdom after further consultation to allay stakeholders’ fears, resolved to host the auction on Wednesday, February 19 through Thursday 20, 2014, at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja.
But at the first day, February 19, the numbers of bidders have scaled down from some 27 companies that applied through initial expression of interest to just two, leaving the field to Globacom, the second national operator and relatively unknown consortium called Bitflux Communications Ltd to slug it out eventually.
Although most industry watchers have described and anticipated the auction to be literally likened to the fight between David and Goliath, little chance was actually given to BitFlux in this auction.
For instance, the auction which was expected to be a tight rope for both bidding companies had garnered international and local attentions as investors continued to watch in earnest how NCC under the leadership of Dr. Eugene Juwah could execute this test and how successful or otherwise too.
Prior to the kick-off of the auction, DigitalSENSE Business News also gathered that several industry watchers had faulted the guidelines which availed the likes of Globacom Ltd led by Otunba Mike Adenuga; a second national carrier to enter the competition despite the avalanche of licenses in its kitty, yearning for exploration.
This school of thought had argued that it could amount to drawing the hands of progress within the telecom sector 10 years backward if Globacom had won the 2.3GHz auction, which is outright monopoly.
Whereas, DigitalSENSE Business News learnt that Bitflux Communications Ltd is a consortium comprising VDT Communications Limited, BitCom Systems Nigeria Limited and Superflux Limited.
VDT led by Mr. Abiodun Omoniyi, for instance, is reputed for its broadband reselling records; BitCom Systems Nigeria Limited is a system integrator, value-added reseller, installation service provider for a wide array of microwave, and broadband radio telecommunications products.
On the hand, DigitalSENSE Business News gathered that Superflux is an indigenous conglomerate that has investments in the biggest securities printing outfit in Africa; providing secure and communication print solutions to a wide range of clients. Superflux key print supplies include bank cheques, dividend warrants, certificates, tickets to name a few.
Approved Bidders in line with IM:
The duo who could be described as last companies standing for this auction where ushered into their respective rooms at the Transcorp Hilton already equipped with the intranet application for the auction without any means of communicating with the outside world.
In addition, according to the Auction Manager and Head, Spectrum Management at NCC, Engr. Austine Nwaulune, who had earlier read out the guidelines for the bidders and modalities at which a winner will emerge, said that there are also independent observers in each of the rooms where the bidders are.
DigitalSENSE Business News recalls that NCC had earlier announced the two approved bidders of 2.3 GHz frequency spectrum auction, saying it’s in line with the terms of the Information Memorandum (IM) published on the subject matter by the Commission.
Bitflux beats Globacom:
However, the second round saw Bitflux offering the sum of $23,251,000, while Globacom offered $23,050,001; thus Bitflux was pronounced the winner having been the highest bidder herein, therefore beating Globacom to the bid to the astonishment of most stakeholders.
Bitflux winning bid of $23,251,000m emerged at exactly 11:50am on February 19 at the close of 00:06 hours, 49 seconds, against Globacom’s $23,050,001.
The Globacom team was led by Mr. Mohammed Jameel, the Group Chief Operating Officer, Ibrahim Fadipe, Head, Business Development, Divisional and Director, Head Regulatory Affairs, whereas the Bitflux team consisted of Biodun Omoniyi, Tokunbo Talabi, Tunji Gaafaar and Julius Olatishe.
Despite the fact that the auction literally turned against Globacom, the proverbial ‘Goliath’ in an open and transparent process monitored by DigitalSENSE Business News alongside other industry stakeholders in an open hall at Transcorp Hilton; with BitFlux beating the second national operator, Globacom Limited to emerge winner in the 2.3 Gega Hertz (GHz) auction.
Juwah congratulates bidders:
Announcing the outcome of the auction formally, the Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah congratulated the two bidders; Glo and Bitflux, stressing that they have shown sportsmanship throughout the auction process including the simulated pre-auction and actual exercise, which began with submission of expression of interest some months ago.
He explained that the result which came on the second round of the auction followed the initial 15 minutes of first round, where the bidders were expected to add financial value to the bidding price of $23m, but both bidders where silent; an indication that they may not want to change the price by adding to the bidding price or invariably that the bidding price was high enough for the license.
Pay in 44 days or forget 2.3GHz, UAL licenses:
Excited Juwah also congratulated the spectrum management committee of NCC, describing the exercise as a major history of the telecommunication revolution as a turning point in the quest to enthrone a broadband revolution, which is a key focus for NCC at this time. He was confident the winner, Bitflux will live up to expectation.
“We have adopted the virtues of the open access model; open, fair, transparent and non-discriminatory process. This will now be the shape of things to come when we come to the licensing of the InfraCos,” Juwah said.
The EVC also said that Bitflux has 14 working days to pay for the 2.3GHz licence starting from February 19, 2014, advising that failure to pay within the 14 days will mean that Globacom would be invited to pay for the license. In addition, Bitflux is expected to acquire another license – the Unified Access License (UAL) for N155m within 30 days of payment of 23,251,000 USD in order to maximize the auction they won. Until then, NCC will not issue the 2.3GHz alongside the UAL.
BitFlux win, a divine providence says Omoniyi:
Speaking after the auction, Omoniyi attributed the recent win of 2.3GHz spectrum to divine providence and gave kudos to NCC and stakeholders for their encouragements.
Bitflux, he said, is grateful to NCC for its integrity, transparency and observation of fair rules in the bidding process and for promoting a healthy communication industry, stressing that BitFlux sees Globacom as a big brother in the industry and acknowledges its support for the growth of younger players in the industry.
Stakeholders’ applause for NCC:
ICT stakeholders at the auction commended NCC for the successful round of auction and transparency, which reaffirmed the experience of 2001 during the GSM auction that went for $26.45m, the first by the Commission, which actually brought NCC to limelight as truly a trustworthy and transparent Nigerian institution and regulator.
For the President, Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) Mr. Lanre Ajayi, NCC management and staff deserve commendation of all Nigerians for proving themselves worthy of Nigerian ambassadors and urged other Federal Government institutions and organizations to emulate NCC, which he said, has gone beyond building individuals to a system-based organisatioon.
Former president of ATCON and Group Chief Executive Officer, Teledom International Group, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem reiterated Mr. Ajayi, saying that more Nigerian Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) should leverage on this kind of transparency to advance the international rating of Nigeria.
Speaking to DigitalSENSE Business News at the auction venue, Messrs Biodun Omoniyi and Tokunbo Talabi who stood in for the Bitflux consortium could not hide their excitement, giving glory to God, they commended NCC for a transparent exercise and Glo for being magnanimous in accepting the outcome of the exercise.
What the analysts say:
Industry analysts posited that the major factor against Globacom’s failure to clinch the license was that they have a one-man empire, which entails that whatever may be the changes in the bidding to be proposed by Glo’s team will mean contacting its chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga to authorize such a review upward, unfortunately for the team, based on NCC’s guideline for the auction, each team had no electronic devices or gadgets to reach out externally; A management model that made Glo to pay very direly during the 2001 GSM auction with CTL having a little delay payment deadline.
On the other hand, industry analysts said the team Bitflux was made up mainly of the chief executives of the consortium members, which made it possible and easier for them to put heads together and take a quick decision.
Although it was very well agreed among industry analysts that if Glo had won the 2.3GHz auction, the sector and Nigeria ICT development may have been drawn backwards 10 years behind, due to the suspected monopoly the win should have caused.
Wrapping up:
The ball is now on Bitflux to meet up with the expectations and stipulations of NCC to ensure the licenses as required will be issued to the consortium before the expiration of the 44 days of ‘fasting and praying’ for Bitflux to take charge, which will also create more jobs for Nigerians.
Till then, Nigerians are waiting to see the difference beyond the existing licensees of 2.3GHz, namely Mobitel, SpectraNet and DoPC and now the new entrant, Bitflux.
... Making SENSE of digital revolution!
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Internet scam: 4 undergraduates, 3 others in EFCC net
Four undergraduates and three others are now cooling off in
the net of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged
involvement in Internet scam, DigitalSENSE
Business News authoritatively reports.
EFCC confirms to DigitalSENSE Business News that
the alleged offenders were arrested in two different locations in Ibadan, Oyo
State in South Western Nigeria.
Also DigitalSENSE
Business News gathered that these undergraduates were Otuyalo Damilola, a
400 level student of Computer Science of Lead City University, Ibadan; Adegbuyi
Michael, an undergraduate of University of Kaula Lumpur, Malaysia; Ibrahim
Aruna, a student of Mineral Resources
Engineering, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State and Adeosun Matthew, a
200 level student of Banking and Finance, University of Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti
State. Others are Afolabi Ayodele,
Balogun Olumuyiwa and Abiola Okunola.
It was gathered that five of the suspects, namely Aruna,
Matthew, Ayodele, Olumuyiwa and Okunola were arrested together at the Iyana
Adeoyo Branch of a first generation bank in Dugbe, Ibadan, while they were
collecting proceeds of scam via Western Union.
While the other two suspects, Damilola and Michael were
picked up in a rented apartment in Oluyole Estate, Ibadan, Oyo State.
DigitalSENSE
Business News learnt that the arrest of the seven suspects followed intense
surveillance by operatives of the Commission who had been on their trail for a
period. One of the suspects, Olumuyiwa, admitted conning a white American lady,
Sarah Jorth, in a romance scam.
Olumuyiwaa also affirmed to using a false name (Vincente
Marco) to deceive her into believing that he would marry her and in the process
raked in more than $450,000 (Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States
Dollars) from her.
As contained in a press statement made available to DigitalSENSE Business News by
EFCC, the two other suspects, Damilola and Michael equally confessed that they
were into Internet scam to make ends meet.
According to Damilola, "I am
into yahoo yahoo (Internet fraud) and I do this to earn a living. I make use of
a laptop to access Internet, to look for vulnerable white men and women who will
fall for my scam. I acquired my Infinity Jeep and Honda Accord car through the
fraud." He also admitted that he had been in the business since 2010.
Michael went on to confess that he started Internet scam since 2000
when he was a student at the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Even when he moved to Malaysia, he was still engrossed in the business.
"Anytime I come home on holiday, I look for vulnerable targets because the
rigour of studies in Malaysia would not allow me to do it there,” he said. He
disclosed that his specialty was lottery scam.
Items recovered from the suspects include: three laptop
computers; one flash drive; two Visafone modems; one travelling passport; one
Infinity Fx 35 SUV, one Honda Accord car and some bank documents.
DigitalSENSE
Business News further gathered that they will be arraigned in court as soon
as investigations are concluded.
Chuks Egbuna/GEE
... Making SENSE of digital revolution!
Monday, March 17, 2014
LG navigates TV landscape with superior picture quality
LG Electronics, Incorporated has shown its
readiness to navigate the Television landscape with superior picture quality,
at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) 2014, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.
The emergence of new cutting-edge technologies
able to render imagery as never before, according to LG official, was in a bid
to encourage quality viewership due to the dwindling buzz.
Also, LG used the CES 2014, to showcase the
HDTV market landscape, which has been undergoing more changes than ever, even
as LG, sees as essential to communicate the benefits and purpose of these
emerging technologies to allow consumers to confidently choose the TV that’s
right for them.
The General Manager, Home Entertainment
division, LG Electronics for West Africa operations, Mr. Steve Ryu, told DigitalSENSE Business News that the future of TV market industry is driven by
three key technologies at the moment; namely the lion’s share of the television
market today still belongs to LED LCD TVs.
“These use light-emitting diodes to light up
the LCD screen and offer the widest array of price points, sizes and features.
LCD TVs still exhibit imperfections when displaying rapid motion, as in sports
and because of the nature of the technology, the color black is represented by
dark grey.
Also,
he said, between superior quality technologies like the Organic Light-Emitting
Diode (OLED) and Ultra High Definition (Ultra HD) is that both had the effect
of new game-changers such as intuitive Operating System (OS) and curved screens
will all have their part to play besides higher resolution, panel technology is
seen as some changes to make them look brighter, sharper, more immersive, these
technologies are not mutually exclusive and in most cases exist side-by-side.
"We are fully committed to bringing next
generation technologies to the Nigerian market," he declared, pointing out
that the next-generation display technology and the advanced ultra-thin depth
of 4.3mm come with a unique curved design which represents a new era in home
entertainment.
“It must be seen to be believed," he
said, emphasising that rather than using a new or different display technology,
Ultra HDTVs are LED LCD models that ‘cram’ more pixels onto the screen.
As said by him, with more pixels in a given
area, images are sharper and more-detailed than on regular HD TVs, hence the
known 4K TVs affords consumer to have Ultra HD sets which have four times the
resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels) of traditional HD TVs (1920 x 1080
pixels).
For the Managing Director, Fouani Nigeria
Limited, Mr. Mohammed Fouani, whose office is the largest LG major dealer in
Nigeria, “Our groundbreaking curved OLED TV marks the beginning of a whole new
era in home entertainment. Its IMAX-like curvature guarantees an amazingly
immersive and comfortable viewing experience. Indeed, it is a point of
pride that we were able to bring the curved OLED TV into the Nigerian market
and we will continue to expand and improve our industry leading television
technology.”
Chuks Egbuna/GEE
... Making SENSE of digital revolution!
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Download on Smile network is ‘sharp, sharp’ says Allen
Nigerians have been told that downloads on Smile networks is ‘sharp, sharp’ declares the Group Chief Operating Officer, Engr. Tom Allen at the formal launch of Smile Nigeria services in Lagos, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.
According to Allen, the debut of Smile
internet services in Nigeria signals the first launch of a true Fourth
Generation (4G) Long-Term Evolution (LTE) mobile network, just as ‘sharp, sharp’
is a local parlance in Nigeria depicting ‘very quick’ or above average fast speed.
DigitalSENSE
Business News also gathered that Allen declared that the Smile broadband
internet service now in Lagos, that the wait is over for Internet users in the
country who are anxious for fast internet access.
Smiles commercial launch, he revealed to DigitalSENSE Business News, follows
over two years of extensive testing and development, which culminated in the
launch in 2013 of Smile's network in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
“Smiles’ network coverage is expanding to
include Abuja and Port Harcourt before the middle of 2014, followed by further
network expansion covering most of Nigeria in the next few years,” he said.
Allen explained to DigitalSENSE Business News that 4G
LTE is the latest, most advanced and most flexible global technological
standard for wireless data communications, and represents a great change
compared to older technologies such as 3G.
“We are using the best technologies, creating
innovative and relevant products and services. We are confident and excited,
and we are ready to share the promise of digital citizenship with millions of
Nigerians,” Allen asserted.
He further said that the launch is a very
important day for his team at Smile, stressing “Our goal is to provide Nigerian
broadband internet users with speed, quality, reliability and simplicity. Our
vision of becoming the broadband internet provider of choice in Nigeria has
guided us in everything from selecting our people and partners to choosing technologies.
Nigerian customers, he told DigitalSENSE Business News are
already experiencing world-beating speed and quality, noting “Our customers
will experience average speeds in excess of 6Mbps, and some customers are
already running at average speeds in excess of 20Mbps, which is substantially
faster than the speed that can be achieved in other parts of the world,
including the United Kingdom.”
In his remarks at the occasion, excited Smile
chairman, Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, told DigitalSENSE Business News that
in the Nigerian market, they are cognizant of the challenges.
“Nigeria is one of the most dynamic markets in
the world and mobile broadband will play a crucial role in the transformation
and development of the country. Unfortunately, Nigerians are still too often
let down by slow and unreliable services, and have been disappointed too many
times when operators promise more than they can deliver. Smile will not repeat
their mistakes – we have the technology, people and partners to ensure that we
deliver what we promise and more,” he said.
Obiejesi also pointed out that having launched
Africa’s first 4G LTE network in Tanzania in 2012 and operating another
successful network in Uganda, Smile is advising its Nigerian customers to
monitor their data usage until they become accustomed to the superior
performance of Smile’s network.
Remmy Nweke
... Making SENSE of digital revolution!Pix: Tom Allen, Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, Leeo-Ann,
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Tanoh out, Essien in as Ecobank Group CEO
As countdown
heightens for the Group Chief Executive Officer of Ecobank Transnational
Incorporated, Mr Thierry Tanoh, on Wednesday, 12 March 2014, a replacement has
been announced, reports DigitalSENSE
Business News.
With the
effect from same date, Mr. Albert Essien, currently Deputy CEO/ Group Executive
Director for Corporate and Investment Bank, would assume the GCEO.
DigitalSENSE Business News
gathered that Mr. Tanoh joined the
Ecobank Group as CEO designate in July 2012 and commenced his executive role in
October 2012 prior to being appointed Group CEO in January 2013.
Whereas, Mr. Albert
Essien has been at Ecobank for over 20 years, rising to the position of Deputy
Group CEO two years ago.
Prior to becoming
Deputy CEO, Mr Essien was the Regional Head for the Anglophone West Africa
(excluding Nigeria) and Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) regions. He started
his banking career in 1986 with the National Investment Bank in Accra, Ghana
and joined the Corporate Banking Department of Ecobank Ghana in 1990. In 1997,
he became Country Risk Manager.
He was appointed Deputy Managing Director in
2001 and became Managing Director in December 2002. Albert Essien has a degree
in Economics from the University of Ghana and is an alumnus of the Executive
Development Program of INSEAD (France / Singapore).
He is also an honorary
fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana.
Announcing the
replacement ETI Interim Chairman, André Siaka, revealed to DigitalSENSE Business News
commended the outgoing Mr. Thierry Tanoh for his service to Ecobank.
“We wish him
every success in the future. We believe that Mr Albert Essien has the
experience and knowledge that Ecobank needs to take us forward as we continue
to implement our strategy which is to deliver outstanding customer service, to
improve long-term shareholder value and returns and to be the employer of
choice in our markets,” Siaka said.
Reacting after
his nomination as the new Group CEO Albert Essien noted that he has spent over
20 years with Ecobank and is proud of what have been achieved so far.
“I am
committed to achieving our vision of building a world class pan-African bank
which contributes to the economic development and financial integration of
Africa and to our mission of providing our retail and wholesale customers with
convenient, accessible and reliable financial products and services,” he said.
Remmy Nweke
... Making SENSE of digital revolution!Pix: Albert Essien
CWG, MAG Tech unveil effective approach to IT risks
As part of efforts at reducing threats
and cyber attacks in financial sector, Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) Plc and
MAG Tech, have unveiled experts approach to Information Technology (IT) risk
and security so as to avert cyber-attacks and fraud in the industry, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.
CWG, a leading technology company on the
continent, DigitalSENSE Business
News recalls is partnering with a specialized information security and
intelligence company, MAG Tech at session tagged ‘Security Operations Centre
(SOC) - Financial Services in the Cyber Attack Era’ created a rich avenue for the
stakeholders to extensively discuss and understand the new concept.
SOC, experts say is the ultimate
information security platform required to drastically minimize the cyber-attack
and threats currently being encountered by the financial institutions.
Chief Technology Officer, CWG, Mr. James
Agada said that the company is looking beyond enabling businesses with products
and solutions to concepts that will ensure 100 per cent security of all the
customers’ transactions.
He pointed out that product and product
knowledge are not adequate to achieve the end result of any business solution, hence
the need for the new concept, which is centered on how to detect and react to
fraudulent transactions.
Agada further expressed that 50 per cent
of the transactions in the industry are running on the servers that are being
managed by CWG’s seasoned and trained engineers.
“Our aim is to ensure that these skills
are internalized in Africa as information security is crucial to us and our
customers,” he said.
Chief Technical Officer at MAG Tech, Mr.
Nadav Arbel noted that on Darknet and Crimestated that cyber-attack is originated
from the darknet which is the illegal part of the internet.
Arbel also said that cyber-attack occurs
when there is data leakage which could be caused by misconfiguration of a server
or other sources.
Further, he said, that no one could run
a business efficiently without being on the internet and as long as your
business is connected on the internet, you will experience some form of
cyber-attack and threat.
Thus, the solution, he said, is client’s
ability to detect and prevent it, stressing “Security Operations Centre has
been conceptualized for detection and prevention of darknet’s negative impact
on businesses.”
DigitalSENSE Business News
recalls that one of the highlights of the session was a testimonial from one of
the leading banks in Africa where Mag Tech has implemented a SOC.
The bank was struggling with cyber-attacks
and threats until a Security Operations Center was designed and implemented.
Presently, the bank official said, they could
monitor all the transactions on their network across the globe through the SOC
concept from their office in Lagos. The number of intra-bank and inter-bank cyber-attacks
and threats detected and prevented could also be tracked through SOC.
The testifier, submitted by encouraging
the other banks to have a strategic roadmap to tackle IT risks and security
issues by looking at implementation of a standard and effective SOC.
“Any bank that wants to be in business and
roll out innovative products powered by IT infrastructure must take into
consideration the Security Operations Centre, as information security is very
key in the financial industry,” the source said.
Remmy Nweke
... Making SENSE of digital revolution!Pix: Chief Technology Officer, CWG, Mr. James Agada
Emirates SkyCargo increases freight service to Abidjan, Tunis
… Just 10 outstanding travel agents depart Lagos to Dubai
The freight division of Emirates, SkyCargo, has set to increase
its cargo capacity to Tunis and Abidjan with the introduction of a weekly
freighter service from 17th March
2014, DigitalSENSE Business News
reports.
This is coming as 10 outstanding
travel agents in Nigeria, departed for Dubai and Singapore on Emirates
Airline sponsored familiarization tour.
The new freighter flight DigitalSENSE Business News would
supplement the existing belly hold cargo capacity provided on Emirates’ daily
passenger services to the two cities.
DigitalSENSE
Business News recalls that Emirates SkyCargo currently offers over 200
tonnes of capacity each week on the Tunis route, while the flights to Abidjan,
which is a linked route with Accra, offers in excess of 300 tonnes.
Emirates SkyCargo, DigitalSENSE
Business News gathered would use a Boeing 777 Freighter aircraft on the Dubai-Abidjan-Tunis-Dubai route, which is capable of carrying 103
tonnes of cargo, and with its main deck being the widest of any freighter
aircraft at 3,7 metres, it is able to uplift outsized cargo and carry larger
consignments.
Confirming this to DigitalSENSE
Business News, the Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Cargo, Nabil
Sultan, said the B777 freighter is one of the most modern and technologically
advanced freighters available and has the lowest fuel burn of any comparable
size aircraft.
“Africa is a key growth region for Emirates SkyCargo and the additional capacity and
frequency of a scheduled freighter service will create new opportunities for
businesses in Tunisia and Cote D’Ivoire wanting
to tap into new markets in the Emirates network, particularly the Middle East,
Asia and the Far East, as well as for customers in our network wanting to
increase their trade with the two countries,” Sultan said.
Also DigitalSENSE
Business News gathered that imports into Abidjan include electronics and
electrical equipment, automotive spare parts, construction equipment and
pharmaceuticals, while similar types of cargo are moved into Tunis.
While exports from Tunis are perishables, electronics, construction
equipment and textiles, while exports from Abidjan are mainly perishables, such
as fresh and frozen fruit, vegetables, meat, seafood and other foodstuffs, as
well plants, machinery and tools.
Sultan said that Emirates SkyCargo currently operates freighters
to 46 destinations around the world, 13 of which are in Africa.
“These destinations, many of which are also Emirates’ passenger
destinations include Accra, Addis Ababa, Entebbe, Dakar, Johannesburg, Nairobi,
Tripoli, Cairo and Khartoum, while Djibouti, Eldoret, Lilongwe and Kano are
freighter only destinations,” the manager said.
DigitalSENSE
Business News notes that Emirates SkyCargo has a fleet of 12 freighters, 10
Boeing 777Fs and two Boeing 747-400ERFs, which from 1st May 2014 will operate from a brand new
cargo terminal at Dubai World Central’s Al Maktoum International Airport.
Ayo Omidele:Transport/Aviation/GEE
Pix: Managing Director, Dees Travels, Olotu Oluwadaisi(left); Regional Manager, Emirates Airline Manoj Nair; Senior Sales Executives Ms Grace Babalola and Managing Director, Wakanow.com, Ekezie Obinna shortly before their departure for the Emirates Airline sponsored familiarization tour to Dubai and Singapore for 10 Outstanding travel Agents in Nigeria
Smile Nigeria says search for superfast broadband access is over
Smile Communications Nigeria Limited,
has conclude plans to provide Nigerians with high quality, reliable superfast
broadband internet access, reports DigitalSENSE
Business News.
The recently established
telecommunications company, DigitalSENSE
Business News gathered is focusing on this kind of provision by using its
Fourth Generation Long Term Evolution (4G LTE) technology.
The company intends, according to DigitalSENSE Business News
findings to formally unveil its scope of unique services on Thursday, which
would offer a demonstration platform to enhance the appreciation of
the company’s acclaimed unique services.
This, official of the company who spoke without mention of names
said it would avail Smile to unfold the LTE technology to replicate its achievement
in some African countries.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
NIMC commences production of national ID cards
The
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has commenced the production of
national identification cards, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.
Director-General, NIMC, Mr. Chris Onyemenam, revealed this to DigitalSENSE Business News in
Abuja, last weekend, via the Deputy Director, Corporate Communications, NIMC,
Mr. Hamid Umar, saying that the organisation had accomplished the
personalisation of the identity cards.
“We were told that
personalisation of cards was not possible. However, I am happy to report that
we have now achieved the personalisation of cards. The card carries chips that
can be used to effect banking transactions,” he declared, stressing that the
personalisation of cards also means that it could be verified. He pointed out
that if a card claims to represent a person, it could be taken to the backend
to verify the details of the person that it identifies.
“There
is a database on which the details can be verified. This means that the card
cannot be forged,” he said.
Onyemenam was quoted as noting the agency had planned to start
the issuance of the identity cards to those that had enrolled this month, this,
would no longer happen because it had to be done in a formal ceremony when
President Goodluck Jonathan would be available.
“The President is the first person that should be issued a
card,” he declared.
DigitalSENSE
Business News recalls that NIMC had in April 2013 deployed equipment for
the registration of citizens eligible for the issuance of identity cards in
pilot registration centres. It has since been expanding the registration
centres across the country.
Onyemenam pointed out that NIMC has recorded over 100,000
enrolments a day, stressing that efforts were to ensure that the exercise
covered the 774 local government areas in the country.
The Federal Government had in 2001 awarded a contract worth
$214m to a consortium led by a French firm, Sagem, for the production of
identity cards for all Nigerian citizens.
The contract was marred by allegations that Nigerian officials
collected more than $2m in bribes to influence the award of the contract in
2003.
The NIMC was established by the NIMC Act of 2007 to take over
the functions, assets and liabilities of the Department of National Civil
Registration, which handled the tainted identity registration process.
The NIMC is charged with the responsibilities of registering
every individual in Nigeria, establishing and maintaining a national identity
database as well as issuing of unique identification numbers to citizens and a
general multi-purpose identity card.
Pix: Onyemenam, CEO, NIMC
Commonwealth community CyberGovernance Model at CTO’s 2014 Forum
Participants
at the fourth Commonwealth Cybersecurity Forum which took place between March 5
and 6, 2014 in London have commended Commonwealth countries for their newly
adopted Commonwealth Cybergovernance Model, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.
Also
participants expressed confidence that they see as a significant step in
helping to reach global consensus for a more secure and safe cyberspace,
The
Commonwealth Cybergovernance Model, DigitalSENSE Business News
gathered was adopted the previous day by Commonwealth ICT Ministers at their
first biennial meeting, which was presented to the wider ICT community at the
London forum by the Honourable Phillip Paulwell, Minister of Science, Technology,
Energy and Mining of Jamaica.
DigitalSENSE Business News
learnth that the model establishes four key principles that Commonwealth
countries will use for guidance in the governance of cyberspace, namely “We
contribute to a safe and an effective global Cyberspace; Our actions in
Cyberspace support broader economic and social development; We act individually
and collectively to tackle cybercrime; and We each exercise our rights and meet
our responsibilities in Cyberspace.
Introduced
in 2010, DigitalSENSE Business
News recalls that the CTO’s annual Commonwealth Cybersecurity Forum has
become the key Commonwealth event to exchange ideas, share knowledge and build
relationships to improve the safety, security and resilience of cyberspace.
This
year’s event was supported by BT, ICANN and Facebook, and was held at the BT
Centre in London.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Why Microsoft Nigeria was elevated to subsidiary – Makwane
The newly appointed Country
Manager for Microsoft Nigeria, Mr. Kabelo Makwane has given some insight in the
recent elevation of the Microsoft Nigeria to a subsidiary of the group, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.
Speaking in Lagos, he told DigitalSENSE Business News that the Nigeria office elevation became necessary
because of the maturity of the market.
According to him, there have been
immense opportunities that abound which include fast economic growth; skills
deposit as well as large enterprise that exist.
“There is urgent need to support
these all,” he declared.
Also, he noted that that under the 4Afrika initiative which
goal is the empowerment of African youth, Microsoft is already training 18
interns while one of its partners, Galaxy Backbone is training 50 with an opportunity
for about 75 per cent of them to end up in Microsoft Ecosystem.
Meanwhile, giving further insight, the visiting President, Microsoft International, Mr. Jean-Philippe Courtois (JPC) told DigitalSENSE Business News that the elevation of Microsoft Nigeria to
the status of a country subsidiary takes effect from the 2015 financial year,
which starts on July 1, 2014.
Mr. Courtois, who also met with some of the company’s local
partners, told DigitalSENSE
Business News that the promotion of the Microsoft Nigeria became imperative
due to the fact that Nigeria has assumed the position of one of Microsoft’s
most important markets on the continent of Africa.
In addition, he reiterated
Microsoft commitment to remain leading provider of cloud services globally,
stressing that with cloud computing taking the
continent by storm and literally changing the way businesses and individual’s
access to technology, devices and services company like Microsoft remains the
No.1 on cloud enterprise.
This
position, he pointed out helps Microsoft to drive down the cost of data
especially for the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that often do not have
the capital for Information Technology (IT) infrastructure investment.
Mr. Courtois who was flanked by
the Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft Nigeria, Mr. Olayinka Oni, Country
Manager-designate, Microsoft Nigeria, Mr. Kabelo Makwane, Marketing and
Operations Director, Microsoft Nigeria, Mrs Awawu Olumide-Sojinrin, and
Consumer and Channel Group Director, Microsoft Nigeria, Mr. Mark Ihimoyan, used
the parley to share Microsoft’s rapid transition to devices, noting that the corporation
is set to double its efforts in skills investments, innovation support and
access provision for people across the globe in general and Nigeria in
particular, so as to create sustained economic opportunities.
Emphasising that Microsoft a few
days ago entered into a deal through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with
the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology to support the Information and
Communications Technology (ICT) Week.
... Making SENSE of digital revolution!
Pix: Makwane and JPC,
Sunday, March 2, 2014
SWIFT unveils Nomad wireless hotspot modem
DigitalSENSE Business News:
Leading provider of
high speed broadband internet and data services to enterprise and consumer customers,
SWIFT Networks has unveiled its portable, nomadic and personal wireless hotspot
modem tagged ‘The Nomad’ reports DigitalSENSE
Business News.
This, according to DigitalSENSE Business News investigations
was in continuance of its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology which has tripled its capacity and speed.
Chief Operating Officer
(COO) SWIFT Networks Limited, Mr. Chuma Okoye, told DigitalSENSE Business News that the
new portable, nomadic and personal wireless hotspot modem has been designed to
offer existing and potential SWIFT 4G LTE customers the convenience to take their
high speed SWIFT 4G LTE broadband connectivity on the go.
“… As they move
around the city because the Nomad fits perfectly in a pocket, briefcase,
handbag or in the car,” he said.
Mr. Okoye explained DigitalSENSE Business News that SWIFT ‘Nomad‘ enables teeming esteemed
customers in Lagos, in the first instance, to continue to access the fast and
reliable SWIFT 4G LTE broadband service not only at home or in the office, but
also on the go.
“The Nomad will only be available through our
4G LTE network, being the fastest wireless broadband technology available
today, to ensure that only the best broadband speed is provided to our
discerning customers,’’ he said.
Commenting on the new modem, the Assistant General Manager, Consumer
Sales and Marketing, SWIFT Networks Limited, Mr. Philip Sonibare told DigitalSENSE
Business News that the new portable, nomadic and personal wireless
hotspot modem will be available to both existing and prospective customers on
the 4G LTE network.
‘’Our current customers can add it as one of
the modems on their current SWIFT 4G LTE account, drawing from the same data
allowance on the same bill. New customers will only need to set up a new
account and can add it to other SWIFT 4G LTE modems they may have at home or
the office on the same monthly data subscription and bill’’ he said.
The
key benefits of the new modem to customers, Sonibare disclosed to DigitalSENSE Business
News includes that the ‘Nomad’
provides portable fast
and reliable broadband speeds while also allowing for multiple users and multiple
devices connectivity of up to 10 users or devices either on the go or different
locations within SWIFT coverage area.
He also said that the other benefits of the ‘Nomad’ consist
of the unique offering of connecting as one of the modems on a single SWIFT 4G
LTE account as well as offering the competitive advantage of up to 10 hours of
battery life.
The ‘Nomad’ comes in two variants; one with up to 6 hours of
battery life, while the other provides up to 10 hours battery life. As such,
once fully charged, customers could continue to enjoy 4G LTE services for up to
10 hours without being tethered to main power supply.
“Each of these variants is also rechargeable on the go, using the cigarette lighter plug adapter in a car,” he explained.
Remmy Nweke
... Making SENSE of digital revolution!
Pix: Chief Operating Officer (COO) SWIFT Networks Limited, Mr. Chuma Okoye
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