Siemens Communications has announced its new catch with the winning of the contract to install and deliver its Next Generation (NextG) networks solution, Surpass to the Beijing Telecom.
The solution will provide Beijing Telecom, with what the company is a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) in Beijing market.
With versatile access methods, such as Ethernet, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and Wide Local Area Network (WLAN), Beijing Telecom, could now offer its customers a number of value-added services such as voice/data convergence and multimedia applications.
President of Fixed Networks at Siemens Communications, Mr. Christian Unterberger, said the networking equipment from Siemens allows Beijing Telecom to offer differentiated value-added services, such as Internet Protocol (IP) cafe, video, freephone and prepaid services, paving way for it to gain more momentum in the highly contested Chinese telecommunications market.
He said due to the carrier-grade stability and powerful processing capability of the Surpass NGN solution, Beijing Telecom could fully address data and service stream pass-through session border control between public and private networks and enterprise intranets of its key customer, the China education network (CERNET).
The contract involves the Surpass hiE 9200 core softswitch as a media gateway controller, the Surpass hiG media gateways and terminals.
“At Siemens, we are committed to contributing to the success of our customers – and that of their customers – by offering best-in breed solutions tailored to their specific needs. That is the central factor that differentiates us from the competition,” Mr. Unterberger,
Champion Infotel recalls Siemens has been working with Beijing Telecom in the NGN arena for over two years.
On the strength of continuous marketing activities, including the trial projects in Chongqiang and Hangzhou, the Siemens Surpass NGN solution is now widely recognized and has been adopted by several carriers in the Chinese telecommunications market.
The contract is seen as a milestone for Siemens Surpass in the Chinese NGN market.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Ndukwe lauds Globacom for honouring African ministers
Second National Operator, Globacom has received commendations from the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Earnest Ndukwe, for hosting African Information and Communications Technology (ICT) ministers to a bash, recently in Abuja.
He described the display of honour as deep commitment to the cause of telecommunications development not only in the country but on the continent.
Champion Infotel recalls that African ICT ministers were in the nation’s capital for a one-week pan-African Regional Preparatory meeting of the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) held in the Federal Capital Territory recently.
The meeting was a prelude to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) conference coming up in Qatar in February 2006.
Globacom sponsored a Gala Dinner for delegates on the last day of the event, at the Sheraton Hotel and towers.
Present at the dinner were communications ministers and government representatives from over twenty African countries.
Speaking on that, Dr. Ndukwe expressed thank to Globacom for its act which brought forth warm praises for the company from the audience.
Globacom, it would also be recalled, has in over one year of operations, given overt support to public events and social projects aimed at promoting leisure, making life better for Nigerians and improving the image of the nation.
He described the display of honour as deep commitment to the cause of telecommunications development not only in the country but on the continent.
Champion Infotel recalls that African ICT ministers were in the nation’s capital for a one-week pan-African Regional Preparatory meeting of the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) held in the Federal Capital Territory recently.
The meeting was a prelude to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) conference coming up in Qatar in February 2006.
Globacom sponsored a Gala Dinner for delegates on the last day of the event, at the Sheraton Hotel and towers.
Present at the dinner were communications ministers and government representatives from over twenty African countries.
Speaking on that, Dr. Ndukwe expressed thank to Globacom for its act which brought forth warm praises for the company from the audience.
Globacom, it would also be recalled, has in over one year of operations, given overt support to public events and social projects aimed at promoting leisure, making life better for Nigerians and improving the image of the nation.
TechnoWorld opens in Lagos
Multi-million dollar Korean technology company, LG Electronics (LGE) Nigeria Limited, has formally opened its ultra-modern TechnoWorld in Lagos, where it plans to share its Information Technology (IT) experience with consumers based on its dream to contribute to the technological growth of the country.
President, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Tae Hun Ryu, while declaring the facility open said it is yet another landmark achievement for his company and the nation.
He reiterated LG Electronics’ commitment to the country, saying that the new facility is designed with a class- room that seats 25 people at a time.
The TechnoWorld, he said, is the second LG Electronics showroom to be opened in the country after the commissioning of the first Digital Center in May last year.
He explained that unlike the Digital Center, the TechnoWorld is the company’s expression of commitment to Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Ryu described the TechnoWorld as a point of Information Technology transfer to the country, stressing that everything in the place is IT-driven with a focus on telecommunication and technology.
The training programme according to him, is IT skills acquisition and development for young Nigerians, even as the centre is fully air conditioned with 25 laptops attached to each desk of prospective students.
He pointed out that LG Electronics investment in the country has been very deliberate in the last couple of years from sports where it helped talent discovery through sponsorship of grassroots competition to international games such as the 2003 and 2004 LG four-nation cup.
LG Electronics has consistently displayed its leadership position in the country with the establishment of various consumer care programme such that the free product repair and warranty programmes.
The firm’s long-term goal for the IT market, he said, is to make every Nigerian information technology compliant by making LG’s products available while at this same time training the consumers.
President, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Tae Hun Ryu, while declaring the facility open said it is yet another landmark achievement for his company and the nation.
He reiterated LG Electronics’ commitment to the country, saying that the new facility is designed with a class- room that seats 25 people at a time.
The TechnoWorld, he said, is the second LG Electronics showroom to be opened in the country after the commissioning of the first Digital Center in May last year.
He explained that unlike the Digital Center, the TechnoWorld is the company’s expression of commitment to Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Ryu described the TechnoWorld as a point of Information Technology transfer to the country, stressing that everything in the place is IT-driven with a focus on telecommunication and technology.
The training programme according to him, is IT skills acquisition and development for young Nigerians, even as the centre is fully air conditioned with 25 laptops attached to each desk of prospective students.
He pointed out that LG Electronics investment in the country has been very deliberate in the last couple of years from sports where it helped talent discovery through sponsorship of grassroots competition to international games such as the 2003 and 2004 LG four-nation cup.
LG Electronics has consistently displayed its leadership position in the country with the establishment of various consumer care programme such that the free product repair and warranty programmes.
The firm’s long-term goal for the IT market, he said, is to make every Nigerian information technology compliant by making LG’s products available while at this same time training the consumers.
NEXTDAYSITE BOSS LAUDS MOI PORTAL
CHIEF executive, NextDaySite.com, Mr. Oliver Okafor, has lauded the recent launch of portal by the Ministry of Information (MoI) in Abuja.
A portal is online home site for Web browser and provides links to information and other Web sites, according to MSN Encarta.
Mr. Okafor who made his views known in Lagos, said the launch was in line with modern business modules, especially at the government circle.
He noted that it would afford Nigerian businesses the chance to align itself with the rest of the world through provision of adequate information on the country among others.
Mr. Okafor also lamented that less than five per cent of the nation’s businesses have functional websites.
“Nigerians must step up their game or risk extinction. The internet is a powerful engine that continues to bridge the physical and economic gap between us and the developed nations,” he said.
Internet, he pointed out, has empowered people in ordinary parts of the world to realize extraordinary financial wealth by taking their products and services to the world market.
Stressing that now is the time for the populace to think globally.
“Technology has made it possible for every individual to be an entrepreneur. I believe the time has come when an English teacher in Abuja can easily market her technical writing services, showcase her writing samples, and inform prospective clients on her labour rates on her website that will be viewed by the thousands of companies worldwide that control their overhead by outsourcing specialized tasks,” Mr. Okafor asserted.
To this end, he disclosed that NextDaySite is planning to introduce its full range of web enabled products and online solutions including eCommerce solutions, content management systems, database applications and Business to Business (B2B) communications architecture services.
Negotiations, he said, have already advanced for the firm’s proposed partnership with Fluent US to commence a new range of Learning Management Systems to encourage e-Learning for individuals and organizations alike.
Other core services of NextDaySite, he said, cut across the Internet, creative design, application development, e-learning and new media technologies
A portal is online home site for Web browser and provides links to information and other Web sites, according to MSN Encarta.
Mr. Okafor who made his views known in Lagos, said the launch was in line with modern business modules, especially at the government circle.
He noted that it would afford Nigerian businesses the chance to align itself with the rest of the world through provision of adequate information on the country among others.
Mr. Okafor also lamented that less than five per cent of the nation’s businesses have functional websites.
“Nigerians must step up their game or risk extinction. The internet is a powerful engine that continues to bridge the physical and economic gap between us and the developed nations,” he said.
Internet, he pointed out, has empowered people in ordinary parts of the world to realize extraordinary financial wealth by taking their products and services to the world market.
Stressing that now is the time for the populace to think globally.
“Technology has made it possible for every individual to be an entrepreneur. I believe the time has come when an English teacher in Abuja can easily market her technical writing services, showcase her writing samples, and inform prospective clients on her labour rates on her website that will be viewed by the thousands of companies worldwide that control their overhead by outsourcing specialized tasks,” Mr. Okafor asserted.
To this end, he disclosed that NextDaySite is planning to introduce its full range of web enabled products and online solutions including eCommerce solutions, content management systems, database applications and Business to Business (B2B) communications architecture services.
Negotiations, he said, have already advanced for the firm’s proposed partnership with Fluent US to commence a new range of Learning Management Systems to encourage e-Learning for individuals and organizations alike.
Other core services of NextDaySite, he said, cut across the Internet, creative design, application development, e-learning and new media technologies
ICT, key to e-payment solution
RISING from a two-day fifth edition of Smartcard exhibition and Electronic Payment (e-payment) forum 2005, recently in Lagos, participants made one point that must not be forgotten in a hurry.
The point being the consensus that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is the key to the nation’s long-standing quest for global relevance, especially in this e-payment era through deployment of smartcards.
Electronic payment involves the deployment of ICT tools in the transaction system, but this dream seems to be obstructed by a lot of inadequacies including lack of infrastructure, awareness and usage, respectively.
Welcoming participants to the events, with the theme “Discover the World of payment,” chairman of Intermarc Consulting Limited, organizers of the event, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, said that this year’s programme was built around the consumer. She also said that a lot of changes have taken place in the banking industry as a result of automation.
“The advent of e-Banking and increase in capitalization entails that banking business is now becoming less manual and more electronic,” she said, decrying the situation where about 70 per cent of transactions today in the country are cash-based.
According to her, the essence of the forum was to change this trend through the use of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and smart wallets. She was of hope that by using the card technology, a strategy to bring forth the informal sector into the mainstream economy, a mission the government has been finding difficult to achieve.
Stressing that the use of cards would enhance business operations in the West African sub-region when common currency issues have been sorted out
In his opening speech, Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Turner Isoun, represented by the Director, Research and Development (R&D) at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Emeka Ezekwesili, pointed out that ICT revolution presently has gone beyond the industrial revolution in impact and speed as it affects the digital global economy, hence, the theme is apt at this time.
He however, noted that security questions in online payment systems are instrument to the realization of this revolution, therefore, it is necessary to facilitate the law on cyber security that seeks to create a favourable legal and other environments for a successful e-payment systems.
The minister also stated that the e-payment system through cards is transparent, a trend that leads to a cash-less society with an added advantage of deterring armed robbers. He encouraged Nigerians to follow the global trend, by imbibing the culture of electronic payment.
The Director, Banking Operations, Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. (Mrs) Sarah Alade, who was represented by Mr. Chris Odiaka, in a keynote address, said the forum is timely as it seeks to enhance financial intermediation through migrating the economy from cash-based to card payment system.
She enjoined the fora to recognize the critical mass as the hallmark of the success of the system and encourage the citizens to move fast towards imbibing the system in their hearts. Just as she noted the some challenges in the area of implementation of the card system to include low income base of Nigerians, infrastructure shortages, which she hopes a Public-Private Partnership could address.
Additionally, the CBN Director, noted what the apex bank has been doing in terms of helping to develop firm infrastructure so as to reduce systematic risk in the industry through the N25bn capitalization directive.
Emphasizing that the new challenges which the use of card may introduce into the monetary policy in the measurement of money supply needed to be identified and addressed.
Managing Director, Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System Plc, Mr. Paul Lawal, also in his keynote, raised an alarm that over N500 billion in circulation in the country are outside the banking system. This, he said, equals to more than 20 per cent of the total monetary liabilities of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that are in currency outside the system.
“Electronic payment is the order of the day in all industrialized economies. Nigeria, and indeed all emerging economies, must deploy all appropriate resources to develop their respective payment systems,” he asserted.
Mr. Lawal also examined the state of the nation’s payment system, and said that the N500b represents about 90 per cent of the money supplied into the system as at the first quarter of this year.
Champion Infotel recalls that the country’s COB hovered between N300 billion and N400 billion.
He pointed out that this figure amounts to 20 per cent of the total monetary liabilities of CBN, against 4 per cent in the United Kingdom and 9 per cent in the United States. Stressing that the nation’s payment system is generally characterized by high cash payments volume and high resistance to new initiatives, resulting “in adequate data for planning”. This in effect causes the missing of economic development opportunities, even as low depth of financial intermediation also pervades the banking industry and the nation as a whole.
He said that this amounted to critical reduction in the efficiency of monetary policy, coupled with rife in corruption, which have contributed to the decay of the nation’s payment system. Thus the cost of banking business is high, “so much investment in cash handling machines, insurance, cash storage among others,” standing as obstacle to the growth of the system too.
According to him, duplication of payment structures and lack of infrastructure were not helpful at all and add to high under-utilization of installed capacity. But then, there are potentials of an efficient payment system in the country, that is, until customers embrace electronic payment solution fully.
This, he said, would bring about drastic reduction in the amount of currency outside the banking system as more funds would be available for banks to support credit demands.
He further said that the nation has potentials to earn foreign exchange due to export of new payment process, personnel and technology. Mr. Lawal also lauded the recent payment solution initiatives in the country, including the implementation of the Nigeria Automated Clearing System (NACS), which he said, reduces the clearing days for local cheques, just as the introduction of Electronic Funds Transfer by NIBSS has been very helpful.
Pointing out that the establishment of electronic payment schemes such as Valucard, Smartpay, eTranzact, Interswitch, Mastercard, GloMobile among others into the system, as well as the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) network have been on the increase and is very encouraging for the system growth.
Addressing the occasion on ‘Payment and the Macro-economy’ the Managing Director, Intercontinental Bank Plc, Mr. Erastus Akingbola, represented by Mr. Adeyinka Adebiyi, noted that the Nigerian economy is mono product-based while consumption is import dependent, and payments made mainly by cash.
ePayment system, he said, affords simplicity and capable of using the same card for a number of transaction, consequently cost-effective, even as it would lead to employment. However, to encourage customer buy-in the current absence of reliable price information that mars market transparency should be put to a stop, whereas, interconnectivity problems expected to affect capacity utilization of installed card payment systems, and security issues must be addressed.
“Lack of credit cards in Nigeria is due to absence of credit bureau
and poor identification system for customers,” he said, outlining tools for economic growth using cards to include effective consumer awareness campaign, government creation of enabling policies to encourage use of cards, introducing discount/incentives to win competition, making use of GSM for e-payment to enhance reach and the legal system be overhauling.
Other speakers included the Managing Director of Nextzon Ltd, Mr. Mac Atasie, Mr. Deon LaGrange of ACI Worldwide, Mr. Noble E. Ekajeh of ATM Consortium Limited, and Dr. Olu Agunloye, chief executive, National eGovernment Strategies Limited (NeGSt).
Conversely, a communiqué issued at the fifth edition of the events warned that the nation’s quest would be in vain if proper recognition is not accorded ICT in the scheme of things, more so as the most populous and most endowed black nation in the world.
The communiqué endorsed by Managing Director of Intermarc Consulting, Mr. Yinka Adeyemi, also stated that electronic payment (e-payment) system is a missing link in the effort to achieve an ICT-driven economy and a vibrant e-commerce nationwide and in the West African sub-region.
He pointed out that e-payment system, being transparent and open to audit trail, could be an important antidote to corruption and robbery since it is also a vehicle for a cashless economy.
“The efficiency and sophistication of any payment system has a direct correlation to the level of economic advancement in the country, and banks have a central role to play in the evolution of any payment system, including e-payment, by providing a viable foundation upon which the system is built,” the communiqué read in part.
Expressing dismay over most transactions and payments in the country were still cash-based, regardless of the efforts to usher in e-government and credit culture, the conference noted that the citizenry could be encouraged to adopt this new systems, such as in using smart cards through incentive packages and policies.
He stressed that security issues abound in e-payment systems, and decried the absence of appropriate laws in the nation’s e-commerce environment and the non-enforcement of even the existing, relevant anti-breach provisions in the statutes.
Mr. Adeyemi further stated that the myriad of challenges such as poor infrastructure and e-culture, interconnectivity problems, absence of a unified and uniform citizen’s identification process and absence of enabling policies, all of which inhibit the entrenchment of e-payment culture.
Participants however, commended the federal government for the recent efforts on proposing legislation, which is expected to aid electronic transactions and criminalize unwholesome online and electronic activities.
This realization is gladdening in that the background of the forum is from the financial and banking sector, it goes to add that the other part of the economy, would make the sector to reposition as inclined to the core ICT issues such as in proffering financial facilities that would be amiable to the likes of software developers and hardware section of the community.
The point being the consensus that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is the key to the nation’s long-standing quest for global relevance, especially in this e-payment era through deployment of smartcards.
Electronic payment involves the deployment of ICT tools in the transaction system, but this dream seems to be obstructed by a lot of inadequacies including lack of infrastructure, awareness and usage, respectively.
Welcoming participants to the events, with the theme “Discover the World of payment,” chairman of Intermarc Consulting Limited, organizers of the event, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, said that this year’s programme was built around the consumer. She also said that a lot of changes have taken place in the banking industry as a result of automation.
“The advent of e-Banking and increase in capitalization entails that banking business is now becoming less manual and more electronic,” she said, decrying the situation where about 70 per cent of transactions today in the country are cash-based.
According to her, the essence of the forum was to change this trend through the use of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and smart wallets. She was of hope that by using the card technology, a strategy to bring forth the informal sector into the mainstream economy, a mission the government has been finding difficult to achieve.
Stressing that the use of cards would enhance business operations in the West African sub-region when common currency issues have been sorted out
In his opening speech, Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Turner Isoun, represented by the Director, Research and Development (R&D) at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Emeka Ezekwesili, pointed out that ICT revolution presently has gone beyond the industrial revolution in impact and speed as it affects the digital global economy, hence, the theme is apt at this time.
He however, noted that security questions in online payment systems are instrument to the realization of this revolution, therefore, it is necessary to facilitate the law on cyber security that seeks to create a favourable legal and other environments for a successful e-payment systems.
The minister also stated that the e-payment system through cards is transparent, a trend that leads to a cash-less society with an added advantage of deterring armed robbers. He encouraged Nigerians to follow the global trend, by imbibing the culture of electronic payment.
The Director, Banking Operations, Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. (Mrs) Sarah Alade, who was represented by Mr. Chris Odiaka, in a keynote address, said the forum is timely as it seeks to enhance financial intermediation through migrating the economy from cash-based to card payment system.
She enjoined the fora to recognize the critical mass as the hallmark of the success of the system and encourage the citizens to move fast towards imbibing the system in their hearts. Just as she noted the some challenges in the area of implementation of the card system to include low income base of Nigerians, infrastructure shortages, which she hopes a Public-Private Partnership could address.
Additionally, the CBN Director, noted what the apex bank has been doing in terms of helping to develop firm infrastructure so as to reduce systematic risk in the industry through the N25bn capitalization directive.
Emphasizing that the new challenges which the use of card may introduce into the monetary policy in the measurement of money supply needed to be identified and addressed.
Managing Director, Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System Plc, Mr. Paul Lawal, also in his keynote, raised an alarm that over N500 billion in circulation in the country are outside the banking system. This, he said, equals to more than 20 per cent of the total monetary liabilities of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that are in currency outside the system.
“Electronic payment is the order of the day in all industrialized economies. Nigeria, and indeed all emerging economies, must deploy all appropriate resources to develop their respective payment systems,” he asserted.
Mr. Lawal also examined the state of the nation’s payment system, and said that the N500b represents about 90 per cent of the money supplied into the system as at the first quarter of this year.
Champion Infotel recalls that the country’s COB hovered between N300 billion and N400 billion.
He pointed out that this figure amounts to 20 per cent of the total monetary liabilities of CBN, against 4 per cent in the United Kingdom and 9 per cent in the United States. Stressing that the nation’s payment system is generally characterized by high cash payments volume and high resistance to new initiatives, resulting “in adequate data for planning”. This in effect causes the missing of economic development opportunities, even as low depth of financial intermediation also pervades the banking industry and the nation as a whole.
He said that this amounted to critical reduction in the efficiency of monetary policy, coupled with rife in corruption, which have contributed to the decay of the nation’s payment system. Thus the cost of banking business is high, “so much investment in cash handling machines, insurance, cash storage among others,” standing as obstacle to the growth of the system too.
According to him, duplication of payment structures and lack of infrastructure were not helpful at all and add to high under-utilization of installed capacity. But then, there are potentials of an efficient payment system in the country, that is, until customers embrace electronic payment solution fully.
This, he said, would bring about drastic reduction in the amount of currency outside the banking system as more funds would be available for banks to support credit demands.
He further said that the nation has potentials to earn foreign exchange due to export of new payment process, personnel and technology. Mr. Lawal also lauded the recent payment solution initiatives in the country, including the implementation of the Nigeria Automated Clearing System (NACS), which he said, reduces the clearing days for local cheques, just as the introduction of Electronic Funds Transfer by NIBSS has been very helpful.
Pointing out that the establishment of electronic payment schemes such as Valucard, Smartpay, eTranzact, Interswitch, Mastercard, GloMobile among others into the system, as well as the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) network have been on the increase and is very encouraging for the system growth.
Addressing the occasion on ‘Payment and the Macro-economy’ the Managing Director, Intercontinental Bank Plc, Mr. Erastus Akingbola, represented by Mr. Adeyinka Adebiyi, noted that the Nigerian economy is mono product-based while consumption is import dependent, and payments made mainly by cash.
ePayment system, he said, affords simplicity and capable of using the same card for a number of transaction, consequently cost-effective, even as it would lead to employment. However, to encourage customer buy-in the current absence of reliable price information that mars market transparency should be put to a stop, whereas, interconnectivity problems expected to affect capacity utilization of installed card payment systems, and security issues must be addressed.
“Lack of credit cards in Nigeria is due to absence of credit bureau
and poor identification system for customers,” he said, outlining tools for economic growth using cards to include effective consumer awareness campaign, government creation of enabling policies to encourage use of cards, introducing discount/incentives to win competition, making use of GSM for e-payment to enhance reach and the legal system be overhauling.
Other speakers included the Managing Director of Nextzon Ltd, Mr. Mac Atasie, Mr. Deon LaGrange of ACI Worldwide, Mr. Noble E. Ekajeh of ATM Consortium Limited, and Dr. Olu Agunloye, chief executive, National eGovernment Strategies Limited (NeGSt).
Conversely, a communiqué issued at the fifth edition of the events warned that the nation’s quest would be in vain if proper recognition is not accorded ICT in the scheme of things, more so as the most populous and most endowed black nation in the world.
The communiqué endorsed by Managing Director of Intermarc Consulting, Mr. Yinka Adeyemi, also stated that electronic payment (e-payment) system is a missing link in the effort to achieve an ICT-driven economy and a vibrant e-commerce nationwide and in the West African sub-region.
He pointed out that e-payment system, being transparent and open to audit trail, could be an important antidote to corruption and robbery since it is also a vehicle for a cashless economy.
“The efficiency and sophistication of any payment system has a direct correlation to the level of economic advancement in the country, and banks have a central role to play in the evolution of any payment system, including e-payment, by providing a viable foundation upon which the system is built,” the communiqué read in part.
Expressing dismay over most transactions and payments in the country were still cash-based, regardless of the efforts to usher in e-government and credit culture, the conference noted that the citizenry could be encouraged to adopt this new systems, such as in using smart cards through incentive packages and policies.
He stressed that security issues abound in e-payment systems, and decried the absence of appropriate laws in the nation’s e-commerce environment and the non-enforcement of even the existing, relevant anti-breach provisions in the statutes.
Mr. Adeyemi further stated that the myriad of challenges such as poor infrastructure and e-culture, interconnectivity problems, absence of a unified and uniform citizen’s identification process and absence of enabling policies, all of which inhibit the entrenchment of e-payment culture.
Participants however, commended the federal government for the recent efforts on proposing legislation, which is expected to aid electronic transactions and criminalize unwholesome online and electronic activities.
This realization is gladdening in that the background of the forum is from the financial and banking sector, it goes to add that the other part of the economy, would make the sector to reposition as inclined to the core ICT issues such as in proffering financial facilities that would be amiable to the likes of software developers and hardware section of the community.
M-Tel, MTN must talk to each other – NCC
NIGERIAN Communications Commission (NCC) has directed that two Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) operators; MTN Nigeria and M-Tel who are currently having interconnection problems must speak to each other before the end of next month, August.
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, gave this directive at the monthly Telecom Consumer Parliament held at Ogba-Ikeja in Lagos State.
He said that NCC has observed from the avalanche of complaints presented at the 22nd edition of the parliament that the two operators were not making life easy for their subscribers, who ordinarily would like to talk to themselves.
“MTel must talk to MTN, and MTN must talk to MTel,” he declared, stressing that failure for them to resolve their differences, if any, before the next edition of the parliament, the regulator may be forced to wield the big stick.
“Otherwise, NCC would intervene,” he asserted.
Dr. Ndukwe was not also comfortable with complaints of credit disappearances, saying that NCC would, along with the operators in the country, look into the cause and how to stop it forthwith.
He further cleared the air on the concept of Vmobile customers also using the firm’s website to reach the operator, which was endorsed by the parliament previously, even as he made it clear that it does not take the place of customer service lines.
Emphasizing that it is not every subscriber that has access to the Internet which would avail them the opportunity to make contacts via the internet.
Cautioning that free Short Messaging Service (SMS) should be ensured to be free, decrying the lots of complaints generated on that issue and misconception thereof by subscribers on means of managing it.
NCC further lauded MTN for being consistent at the parliament sessions, even as it should look into call drops while the credit warning time should be reduced drastically so as not to interrupt calls for a long time.
Earlier, Dr. Ndukwe has said NCC has embarked on a national survey particularly on GSM networks, which is expected to be published soon.
The June edition of the parliament which held in Onitsha-Anambra State, he reported, was well attended.
This, he said, was part of the resolve by NCC to ensure that the parliament has a national spread, hence, it is rotated.
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, gave this directive at the monthly Telecom Consumer Parliament held at Ogba-Ikeja in Lagos State.
He said that NCC has observed from the avalanche of complaints presented at the 22nd edition of the parliament that the two operators were not making life easy for their subscribers, who ordinarily would like to talk to themselves.
“MTel must talk to MTN, and MTN must talk to MTel,” he declared, stressing that failure for them to resolve their differences, if any, before the next edition of the parliament, the regulator may be forced to wield the big stick.
“Otherwise, NCC would intervene,” he asserted.
Dr. Ndukwe was not also comfortable with complaints of credit disappearances, saying that NCC would, along with the operators in the country, look into the cause and how to stop it forthwith.
He further cleared the air on the concept of Vmobile customers also using the firm’s website to reach the operator, which was endorsed by the parliament previously, even as he made it clear that it does not take the place of customer service lines.
Emphasizing that it is not every subscriber that has access to the Internet which would avail them the opportunity to make contacts via the internet.
Cautioning that free Short Messaging Service (SMS) should be ensured to be free, decrying the lots of complaints generated on that issue and misconception thereof by subscribers on means of managing it.
NCC further lauded MTN for being consistent at the parliament sessions, even as it should look into call drops while the credit warning time should be reduced drastically so as not to interrupt calls for a long time.
Earlier, Dr. Ndukwe has said NCC has embarked on a national survey particularly on GSM networks, which is expected to be published soon.
The June edition of the parliament which held in Onitsha-Anambra State, he reported, was well attended.
This, he said, was part of the resolve by NCC to ensure that the parliament has a national spread, hence, it is rotated.
GLO MOBILE BOOSTS SUBSCRIBERS’ ACCESS DAYS
In readiness to sustain its subscribers, the Second National Operator (SNO) Globacom has announced an upward review of the validity days of its recharge cards.
This Globacom said was a new move to enhance subscribers’ access to its network.
The validity increase which cuts across all recharge card denominations was implemented with effect from July 28, 2005.
Officials of Glo Mobile said, weekend that N500 recharge cards which hitherto attracted five days access gives the subscriber now 20 days validity, even as the validity period for the N1,000 recharge cards have been increased from 10 to 45 days.
Similarly, the N2,000 recharge cards now offer 90 days validity each instead of the previous 20 days access.
Globacom also said the N3,000 and N5,000 denominations of its recharge cards would at present give subscribers 120 days access to Glo network rather than 30 days and 50 days access days respective, which prevailed before the review.
The company also announced that the maximum validity that a Glo Mobile Classic subscriber could accumulate, based on his recharge, has been increased from 90 days to 365 days.
Globacom, said, the increase in validity periods enable the subscriber to have more uninterrupted access to loved ones, friends and business associates.
Group Director of Marketing and Strategy at Globacom, Mr. Subhra Das, said this validity increase coupled with the current promotions – Zero Naira Classic SIM, ‘Everyone is an instant winner' and 'Glo 2nd Anniversary Double slam' - make Glo Mobile’s packages the most attractive in the industry.
He stressed that in the “Everyone is an instant winner” promo, subscribers of Glo Classic, Glo Premium and Profit Max are given 15 per cent discount on every recharge card loaded.
The 15 per cent extra airtime effectively reduces call charges by 15 per cent thereby making call costs more affordable to subscribers.
The bonus translates to a credit of N575 for N500 recharge card, N1150 for recharge of N1000, N2300 for recharge of N2000 and N3450 for N3000 recharge and N5750 for N5,000 recharge card, he explained.
On the other hand, the “Glo 2nd Anniversary Double Slam” which is termed the mother of all promotions offers Glo Mobile subscribers the chance to win 42 prizes including six tastefully furnished town homes, six Mercedes Benz E240, six Kia Sorento jeeps, six VW Polo, six Honda City and 12 Kia Picanto cars in an anniversary draw to be held on August 25.
Remarkably, this offer has also been designed to benefit customers from all over the country in line with Globacom’s vision of being a pan-Nigeria company. While the South West, with the largest number of subscribers on the Glo network, gets two houses and 12 cars, all other regions namely, the South East, the South-South, the North Central, and the North will get a house and six cars each.
This Globacom said was a new move to enhance subscribers’ access to its network.
The validity increase which cuts across all recharge card denominations was implemented with effect from July 28, 2005.
Officials of Glo Mobile said, weekend that N500 recharge cards which hitherto attracted five days access gives the subscriber now 20 days validity, even as the validity period for the N1,000 recharge cards have been increased from 10 to 45 days.
Similarly, the N2,000 recharge cards now offer 90 days validity each instead of the previous 20 days access.
Globacom also said the N3,000 and N5,000 denominations of its recharge cards would at present give subscribers 120 days access to Glo network rather than 30 days and 50 days access days respective, which prevailed before the review.
The company also announced that the maximum validity that a Glo Mobile Classic subscriber could accumulate, based on his recharge, has been increased from 90 days to 365 days.
Globacom, said, the increase in validity periods enable the subscriber to have more uninterrupted access to loved ones, friends and business associates.
Group Director of Marketing and Strategy at Globacom, Mr. Subhra Das, said this validity increase coupled with the current promotions – Zero Naira Classic SIM, ‘Everyone is an instant winner' and 'Glo 2nd Anniversary Double slam' - make Glo Mobile’s packages the most attractive in the industry.
He stressed that in the “Everyone is an instant winner” promo, subscribers of Glo Classic, Glo Premium and Profit Max are given 15 per cent discount on every recharge card loaded.
The 15 per cent extra airtime effectively reduces call charges by 15 per cent thereby making call costs more affordable to subscribers.
The bonus translates to a credit of N575 for N500 recharge card, N1150 for recharge of N1000, N2300 for recharge of N2000 and N3450 for N3000 recharge and N5750 for N5,000 recharge card, he explained.
On the other hand, the “Glo 2nd Anniversary Double Slam” which is termed the mother of all promotions offers Glo Mobile subscribers the chance to win 42 prizes including six tastefully furnished town homes, six Mercedes Benz E240, six Kia Sorento jeeps, six VW Polo, six Honda City and 12 Kia Picanto cars in an anniversary draw to be held on August 25.
Remarkably, this offer has also been designed to benefit customers from all over the country in line with Globacom’s vision of being a pan-Nigeria company. While the South West, with the largest number of subscribers on the Glo network, gets two houses and 12 cars, all other regions namely, the South East, the South-South, the North Central, and the North will get a house and six cars each.
ERRATIC POWER SUPPLY, BANE OF ICT GROWTH IN NIGERIA
ARISING from his seat at the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) Center’s Agip Hall, at the recently held Computer, Telecommunications and Office Equipment (CTO-05), upcoming professional, Mr. Emeh Ekanem, 30, resolved to close his personal savings in order to refocus by acquiring a Personal Computer (PC) for $750, about N70,000 and going online.
This step was followed few weeks later by engaging an Internet Service Provider (ISP) for close to $200, about N25,000 so as to have Internet access anywhere and at anytime of the day, especially at home.
Mr. Ekanem, also known for a patriot who does not hesitate in settling his bills as soon as they come, includes bills from the scrapped National Electric Power Authority (NEPA).
Although, he has been residing in the Gbagada axis of Lagos State, for over three years now, one thing that had forced him not to think about owning a PC initially, let alone getting Internet access was the incessant epileptic power supply in the area.
This kind of scenario must have forced the concerned Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) Group of 22 (G-22) in its recent eight sectoral based memoranda submitted to the National Political Reform Conference (NPRC), stated in its section three “What must Nigeria do to succeed in the 21st century,” listed as number one challenge the issue of having constant electricity supply in the system.
G-22, made up of Nigerian ICT professionals, 13 of who are resident locally, nine others reside in the United Kingdom, Canada and United States; opined that for the nation to attain any meaningful qualitative development within the global context, there must be an un-interruptible electricity supply at all points and at all times.
“We used to hear that knowledge is power (electricity) will then become the real knowledge tool for engaging 21st century global competitiveness,” the group said.
They also said in the recommendations that the nation has been disconnected for too long a time by applying what was described as “outdated strategy of even development”.
Noting that by their submission, the group has deactivated the wheel of progressive development, which they said, grossly contributed to the under-development of the nation, lamenting however, of none inclusion of ICT professionals in the NPRC.
The G-22, which has the likes of Dr. Aluko Mobalji, Alhaji Ajijola Abdul-Hakeem, Dr. Bada Abiodun, Messrs Reuben Muoka, Titi Omo-Ettu, Kolawole Ogunlana, Uche Onwudiwe, Chris Uwaje and Seni Williams among others, further insisted that the time has come to reconnect governance with the industry and academia, through a science, technology and knowledge-based public-private partnership (PPP) initiative as a strategic vehicle for national development and global competitiveness.
Managing Director, Gafunk Nigeria Limited, Mr. Ganiyu Alimi, while speaking to Champion Infotel exclusively, on problems facing ICT entrepreneurs in the country, equally picked as the number one, the problem of electricity, which has since constrained most stakeholders to power their electricity themselves through generating sets.
Mr. Alimi said that this in turn drains the pocket of growing entrepreneurs, noting the steps taken by the Lagos State government, for instance, by trying its hands on Independent Power Generation Plant (IPGP), which was unfortunately politicized to the detriment of citizens, especially Lagosians due to feud between the state and federal government.
“Until the power sector is privatized, we may not see tangible development in the country,” he said. Stressing that as he was speaking to Champion Infotel, his company runs on generating set most of the 24 hours in a day, coupled with the ever rising cost of diesel which currently sells at about N64 per litre.
“So, power is very important but not any where available for use and now you have to generate it at a very high cost,” he lamented.
All these, Gafunk boss said adds to the cost of ICT tools such as computers as well as life span of such equipment and for the nation to witness dramatic change in the industrial development, “the government must give power generation high priority”.
For the President, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) and Vice Chairman, Teledom Group of Companies, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, who blamed this power problems to poor management of public-owned institutions just as the renaming may not after all be the solution to power supply in the country.
Champion Infotel recalls that about forthnight ago the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) was scrapped by the federal government and replaced with a new firm, Power Holding Company of Nigeria Limited (PHCNL).
Dr. Ekuwem maintained that for industrial development to occur, government at all levels has no business being in business, emphasizing that this means that any government’s public owned institution such as NEPA should not only be in the hands of the Organized Private Sector (OPS) but privatized in order to have the management structured in a way that private people manage it, with little per cent if necessary own by the government, as well as avoiding undue interference.
He dismissed NEPA, saying that it has become a national disgrace and is at the root of non-development of the country, because even those who want to contribute to the development are frustrated out, because power is not available and even where available it is not stable.
Corroborating this, Managing Director, Dunlop Nigeria Plc, Mr. Dayo Lawuyi, said that privatization remains the solution to epileptic power supply in the country.
“Many young men are waiting out there to do things with their hands but they are held up by erratic power supply,” he said.
Dunlop, according to him, has seven generating sets already and the eighth is on its way, pointing out that the dearth of the public power supply was a major handicap of Nigerians and manufacturers in particular.
He drew an analogy with the telecoms industry and argued that nowadays “Competition gives room to efficiency …. If you go to NITEL now, it is virtually empty. Nobody wants to patronize NITEL anymore and in addition, you get good service because there are options”.
Project Manager, Lagos Digital Village (LDV) Yaba-Lagos, Mr. Gbenga Sesan, lamented that the situation is literarily killing and said that as he speak that LDV has spent millions of Naira on diesel alone to keep the Digital Village up and running and this has eaten deep into other budget of LDV.
This, the pioneer IT ambassador said, poses more problem in a place like LDV, which is being funded by international organizations like Microsoft, who are dazed that such amount of money is spent on power supply alone. Additionally, this is retarding the hand of development as the plan for another Digital Village would require stringent planning and rise in the cost of operation.
Business Center Operator at the Ajegunle axis of Lagos State, Mr. John Gozie, decried that erratic power supply has caused break down of most of his PCs, apart from fueling his generating set most of the time, which cost is usually passed to the customers.
He expressed pessimism over the change of NEPA to PHCNL, wondering if that would really make electricity available to Nigerians to use and advance their knowledge, particularly in the use of ICT tools, such as the PC and Internet.
Though change of name may not really change the structure or orientation especially of then existing NEPA, some industry analyst, should have preferred taking of privatization headlong first before a new name is picked.
And even at that, NEPA which has since become “Never Expert Power Always” for most Nigerians and they are worried with the PHCNL name as ‘Power Holding’, suggesting it is not enticing either and has began to denote ‘withholding power’.
No matter how it is looked at, millions of Nigerians like Mr. Ekanem are on queue waiting to know where the train of poor electricity or otherwise, would take us beyond the change of name, even as it retards the wheel of ICT penetration.
This step was followed few weeks later by engaging an Internet Service Provider (ISP) for close to $200, about N25,000 so as to have Internet access anywhere and at anytime of the day, especially at home.
Mr. Ekanem, also known for a patriot who does not hesitate in settling his bills as soon as they come, includes bills from the scrapped National Electric Power Authority (NEPA).
Although, he has been residing in the Gbagada axis of Lagos State, for over three years now, one thing that had forced him not to think about owning a PC initially, let alone getting Internet access was the incessant epileptic power supply in the area.
This kind of scenario must have forced the concerned Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) Group of 22 (G-22) in its recent eight sectoral based memoranda submitted to the National Political Reform Conference (NPRC), stated in its section three “What must Nigeria do to succeed in the 21st century,” listed as number one challenge the issue of having constant electricity supply in the system.
G-22, made up of Nigerian ICT professionals, 13 of who are resident locally, nine others reside in the United Kingdom, Canada and United States; opined that for the nation to attain any meaningful qualitative development within the global context, there must be an un-interruptible electricity supply at all points and at all times.
“We used to hear that knowledge is power (electricity) will then become the real knowledge tool for engaging 21st century global competitiveness,” the group said.
They also said in the recommendations that the nation has been disconnected for too long a time by applying what was described as “outdated strategy of even development”.
Noting that by their submission, the group has deactivated the wheel of progressive development, which they said, grossly contributed to the under-development of the nation, lamenting however, of none inclusion of ICT professionals in the NPRC.
The G-22, which has the likes of Dr. Aluko Mobalji, Alhaji Ajijola Abdul-Hakeem, Dr. Bada Abiodun, Messrs Reuben Muoka, Titi Omo-Ettu, Kolawole Ogunlana, Uche Onwudiwe, Chris Uwaje and Seni Williams among others, further insisted that the time has come to reconnect governance with the industry and academia, through a science, technology and knowledge-based public-private partnership (PPP) initiative as a strategic vehicle for national development and global competitiveness.
Managing Director, Gafunk Nigeria Limited, Mr. Ganiyu Alimi, while speaking to Champion Infotel exclusively, on problems facing ICT entrepreneurs in the country, equally picked as the number one, the problem of electricity, which has since constrained most stakeholders to power their electricity themselves through generating sets.
Mr. Alimi said that this in turn drains the pocket of growing entrepreneurs, noting the steps taken by the Lagos State government, for instance, by trying its hands on Independent Power Generation Plant (IPGP), which was unfortunately politicized to the detriment of citizens, especially Lagosians due to feud between the state and federal government.
“Until the power sector is privatized, we may not see tangible development in the country,” he said. Stressing that as he was speaking to Champion Infotel, his company runs on generating set most of the 24 hours in a day, coupled with the ever rising cost of diesel which currently sells at about N64 per litre.
“So, power is very important but not any where available for use and now you have to generate it at a very high cost,” he lamented.
All these, Gafunk boss said adds to the cost of ICT tools such as computers as well as life span of such equipment and for the nation to witness dramatic change in the industrial development, “the government must give power generation high priority”.
For the President, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) and Vice Chairman, Teledom Group of Companies, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, who blamed this power problems to poor management of public-owned institutions just as the renaming may not after all be the solution to power supply in the country.
Champion Infotel recalls that about forthnight ago the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) was scrapped by the federal government and replaced with a new firm, Power Holding Company of Nigeria Limited (PHCNL).
Dr. Ekuwem maintained that for industrial development to occur, government at all levels has no business being in business, emphasizing that this means that any government’s public owned institution such as NEPA should not only be in the hands of the Organized Private Sector (OPS) but privatized in order to have the management structured in a way that private people manage it, with little per cent if necessary own by the government, as well as avoiding undue interference.
He dismissed NEPA, saying that it has become a national disgrace and is at the root of non-development of the country, because even those who want to contribute to the development are frustrated out, because power is not available and even where available it is not stable.
Corroborating this, Managing Director, Dunlop Nigeria Plc, Mr. Dayo Lawuyi, said that privatization remains the solution to epileptic power supply in the country.
“Many young men are waiting out there to do things with their hands but they are held up by erratic power supply,” he said.
Dunlop, according to him, has seven generating sets already and the eighth is on its way, pointing out that the dearth of the public power supply was a major handicap of Nigerians and manufacturers in particular.
He drew an analogy with the telecoms industry and argued that nowadays “Competition gives room to efficiency …. If you go to NITEL now, it is virtually empty. Nobody wants to patronize NITEL anymore and in addition, you get good service because there are options”.
Project Manager, Lagos Digital Village (LDV) Yaba-Lagos, Mr. Gbenga Sesan, lamented that the situation is literarily killing and said that as he speak that LDV has spent millions of Naira on diesel alone to keep the Digital Village up and running and this has eaten deep into other budget of LDV.
This, the pioneer IT ambassador said, poses more problem in a place like LDV, which is being funded by international organizations like Microsoft, who are dazed that such amount of money is spent on power supply alone. Additionally, this is retarding the hand of development as the plan for another Digital Village would require stringent planning and rise in the cost of operation.
Business Center Operator at the Ajegunle axis of Lagos State, Mr. John Gozie, decried that erratic power supply has caused break down of most of his PCs, apart from fueling his generating set most of the time, which cost is usually passed to the customers.
He expressed pessimism over the change of NEPA to PHCNL, wondering if that would really make electricity available to Nigerians to use and advance their knowledge, particularly in the use of ICT tools, such as the PC and Internet.
Though change of name may not really change the structure or orientation especially of then existing NEPA, some industry analyst, should have preferred taking of privatization headlong first before a new name is picked.
And even at that, NEPA which has since become “Never Expert Power Always” for most Nigerians and they are worried with the PHCNL name as ‘Power Holding’, suggesting it is not enticing either and has began to denote ‘withholding power’.
No matter how it is looked at, millions of Nigerians like Mr. Ekanem are on queue waiting to know where the train of poor electricity or otherwise, would take us beyond the change of name, even as it retards the wheel of ICT penetration.
PrepCom-2; Between NGOs, visa racketeering
Today marks 41 days after the second Preparatory Committee Meeting (PrepCom-2) for the second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS-2005) which ended in the Swiss capital, Geneva on February 25, but the exploits by some Nigerian-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs), otherwise referred to as civil society groups during the exercise are still reverberating.
PrepCom-1 for this phase was held last June in Tunis, the host country of the WSIS-05, slated for November this year. Prior to the second phase of PrepCom-2 held between February 17 and 25 this year, a Save-Our-Soul (SOS) letter was distributed online to some stakeholders, precisely on February 11, by a group identified as “Concerned Nigerian Delegates to the WSIS PrepCom-2”.
The letter was addressed to the Chief Travel Section, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretariat in Geneva and read thus:
“Your Excellency,
RE: PREPCOM-2, GENEVA
URGENT ASSISTANCE FOR SWISS ENTRY VISA
We, members of the civil society accredited to the World Summit on the Information Society want to thank you immensely for facilitating our participation for PrepCom-2 of the Tunis Phase of the World Summit on the Information Society, Geneva 17-25, 2005.
In spite of the letter of support your office sent to the Swiss Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria to ensure our participation, the embassy refused to issue visas to our delegates with the excuse that they have not traveled to Europe before. Our entire attempt at explaining to them the importance of our participation especially as one of the key import of the conference is to bridge the digital divide between the South and the North was of no avail.
It will be recalled that the Republic of Ghana in West Africa issued visas to all accredited participants worldwide (Europe inclusive), even at the port of entry during the WSIS Africa Regional Conference. Please note that the denial of our delegates to participate in the meeting underscores Africa’s active participation and input on the outcome of PrepCom2, more so that Africa is hosting the Phase 2 of the World Summit in November (Tunis).
Even a few individuals who were privileged to be granted visa (due to the fact that they have traveled to Europe before) are completely unease about this development and may boycott the event if fellow delegates’ plight at the embassy is not immediately and adequately addressed by your office. Please, as a matter of urgency, kindly communicate with the Swiss government on this issue and get back to us on E-mail: concernigerians4wsis2005@yahoo.com, so as to adequately ensure the participation of our delegates. We await your URGENT response”.
It was endorsed by the duo of Prince Goodluck Obi, Country Co-ordinator United Nations of Youth, Nigeria and Mr. Michael Nwafejoku, President, International Foundation for African Children.
However, traveling in this era of evolving Information Society (IS), depending, may not be vital, but where the traveller meets all the requirement, entry visa should not be denied whether they are absconding or not, according to industry watchers. They, however, noted that one may not be advocating what is known in Nigeria as ‘Andrew check-out’ syndrome. Other analysts opined that the purpose of Information Society would be defeated where such denials occur, which often affects genuine travellers, who are not even ready to spend a night outside the official requirement on any shore outside their father land, Nigeria.
But the fact remains that most of these NGOs, have some ‘hidden agenda’ whenever such an international event is organized in any part of the world especially in Europe; to do brisk business through ‘organized’ travel, which paves way for some of the so-called delegates to break-out as soon as they touch down at destination.
Another worry, for stakeholders and particularly Nigerians as far as WSIS processes are concerned is that the number of visa applicants in the name of civil societies were reported to be about 300, hence some analysts took the figure with a pinch of salt, saying it could be above 100 but not 300.
According to the director, Nigerian Office of Heinrich Boll Foundation, Dr Axel Harneitt-Sievers, who intervened, “it also appears that the Swiss embassy in Abuja was simply overwhelmed by the number of applications … the visa department mentioned that they had received about 300 Nigerian visa applications to visit the Geneva WSIS PrepCom”.
Dr. Harneit-Sievers, also noted that apparently, “such a number alone makes it difficult to filter out genuine applications”.
At Geneva, during the civil society plenary session, the WSIS Executive Director, Mr. Charles Geiger, made some comments reportedly depicting condemnation of African NGOs’ quest for visa, with particular reference to the Nigerian delegation most of whom were later granted entry visas.
The explanation, Champion Infotel gathered, was that when some of the NGOs applied for accreditation, they were asked for papers, including annual reports, budgets and financial reports, which showed some, may have forgotten what they supplied as information. This, Mr. Geiger, noted was a purported tiny NGO bodies with very modest budget lines.
Unfortunately, thereafter, same NGOs without fellowships were registering a team of 10 and above participants for the events and were asking for visas. Hence, it was concluded that an NGO with the kind of budget that was submitted could not just fund that kind of a team unless it’s aim is migratory. However, this may not be the case of everyone.
But reacting to this development, a concerned Nigerian, Mr. Ayo Oladejo, wondered the possibility of writing boldly on individual forehead “we are truthful and honest citizens of Nigeria,” saying such should have been very good. Though it’s not possible, he guessed it’s a cross every Nigerian has to carry until a change is made on the situation of the country, socio-economically.
He stressed that Nigerian leaders brought this on the citizens, “when out of their selfish and personal agenda they made Nigeria a country without a future for her youths”. It was argued that if Nigeria was economically stable, “most of these young people would not have to leave Nigeria, their country for anywhere they have neither relations or friends”.
He agreed it is a big challenge for citizens, but “we need to start thinking of ways to correct this ugly trend of leaving an impoverished country for the next generation”.
Pointing out that in spite of the foregoing, embassy
officials are paid to distinguish between illegal and legal immigrants. He
argued that they should not look down on Nigerians, in view of the fact that not
every Nigerian is corrupt. Mr. Oladejo hopes this ugly experience will not
repeat itself during the main summit in Tunis later in the year.
Although he expressed sadness over the visa incident, he stressed that in the 60s, visas to the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK) were not what they are today, as most of the people who travelled out then went to school and they were even begged to go.
He pointed accusing fingers at leaders, saying they need to be actually questioned for allowing the nation to degenerate and make consular officers to abuse Nigerians and treat them like animals; making visa applicants to sleep over in embassies, among other unsavouring treatments.
Membership Coordinator, Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO), Mr. Oyebisi Oluseyi, while decrying the situation said that the absence of Africa in such a forum like the WSIS Prepcom and main summit, will amount to other developing countries planning for Africa in the absence of Africans.
Thus, he declared that enough is definitely enough on the marginalisation of Africa and indeed Nigerians in the development of the “world” which belongs to all and called on developed countries to be sincere on the plight of Africa and Africans, amidst other developing continents.
“With most government of the developed world’s mere rhetoric to the African plight, we cannot but keep experiencing this,” he lamented.
It was also gathered that during the Women Conference in Beijing, Nigeria alone sent hundreds of women to the conference and till date, not much impact of their participation is visible.
An issue, however, for evolving Info Society is that of freedom of movement across the borders. Though, this adds to tourism returns to the visited country economically, which also affects the origin of the visitor, mostly in developing countries adversely.
For instance, if 300 delegates were to come from Nigeria and spend an average of $900 for a 10-day event per person, that is a handsome income for the hospitality industry in Geneva.
Therefore, as much as many Nigerians condemned the suspected visa racketeering by some NGOs, decorum must be implored in dealing with visa applicants in the continent and Nigeria precisely.
This is because, despite the bad name engraved on Nigeria by some Nigerians, majority are proud Nigerians, who believe in the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools at this time of the century, position of the leaders on corruption and anti-corruption notwithstanding.
It is time to rethink on how to move the nation forward. Before then, like the recent “Commission for Africa” report launched March 11, 2005 in London and chaired by Prime Minister Tony Blair, in its page 20, stated, “... The first responsibility for change and improved governance lies with Africans themselves, in which the rich world has a moral duty - as well as a powerful motive of self-interest - to assist”.
PrepCom-1 for this phase was held last June in Tunis, the host country of the WSIS-05, slated for November this year. Prior to the second phase of PrepCom-2 held between February 17 and 25 this year, a Save-Our-Soul (SOS) letter was distributed online to some stakeholders, precisely on February 11, by a group identified as “Concerned Nigerian Delegates to the WSIS PrepCom-2”.
The letter was addressed to the Chief Travel Section, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretariat in Geneva and read thus:
“Your Excellency,
RE: PREPCOM-2, GENEVA
URGENT ASSISTANCE FOR SWISS ENTRY VISA
We, members of the civil society accredited to the World Summit on the Information Society want to thank you immensely for facilitating our participation for PrepCom-2 of the Tunis Phase of the World Summit on the Information Society, Geneva 17-25, 2005.
In spite of the letter of support your office sent to the Swiss Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria to ensure our participation, the embassy refused to issue visas to our delegates with the excuse that they have not traveled to Europe before. Our entire attempt at explaining to them the importance of our participation especially as one of the key import of the conference is to bridge the digital divide between the South and the North was of no avail.
It will be recalled that the Republic of Ghana in West Africa issued visas to all accredited participants worldwide (Europe inclusive), even at the port of entry during the WSIS Africa Regional Conference. Please note that the denial of our delegates to participate in the meeting underscores Africa’s active participation and input on the outcome of PrepCom2, more so that Africa is hosting the Phase 2 of the World Summit in November (Tunis).
Even a few individuals who were privileged to be granted visa (due to the fact that they have traveled to Europe before) are completely unease about this development and may boycott the event if fellow delegates’ plight at the embassy is not immediately and adequately addressed by your office. Please, as a matter of urgency, kindly communicate with the Swiss government on this issue and get back to us on E-mail: concernigerians4wsis2005@yahoo.com, so as to adequately ensure the participation of our delegates. We await your URGENT response”.
It was endorsed by the duo of Prince Goodluck Obi, Country Co-ordinator United Nations of Youth, Nigeria and Mr. Michael Nwafejoku, President, International Foundation for African Children.
However, traveling in this era of evolving Information Society (IS), depending, may not be vital, but where the traveller meets all the requirement, entry visa should not be denied whether they are absconding or not, according to industry watchers. They, however, noted that one may not be advocating what is known in Nigeria as ‘Andrew check-out’ syndrome. Other analysts opined that the purpose of Information Society would be defeated where such denials occur, which often affects genuine travellers, who are not even ready to spend a night outside the official requirement on any shore outside their father land, Nigeria.
But the fact remains that most of these NGOs, have some ‘hidden agenda’ whenever such an international event is organized in any part of the world especially in Europe; to do brisk business through ‘organized’ travel, which paves way for some of the so-called delegates to break-out as soon as they touch down at destination.
Another worry, for stakeholders and particularly Nigerians as far as WSIS processes are concerned is that the number of visa applicants in the name of civil societies were reported to be about 300, hence some analysts took the figure with a pinch of salt, saying it could be above 100 but not 300.
According to the director, Nigerian Office of Heinrich Boll Foundation, Dr Axel Harneitt-Sievers, who intervened, “it also appears that the Swiss embassy in Abuja was simply overwhelmed by the number of applications … the visa department mentioned that they had received about 300 Nigerian visa applications to visit the Geneva WSIS PrepCom”.
Dr. Harneit-Sievers, also noted that apparently, “such a number alone makes it difficult to filter out genuine applications”.
At Geneva, during the civil society plenary session, the WSIS Executive Director, Mr. Charles Geiger, made some comments reportedly depicting condemnation of African NGOs’ quest for visa, with particular reference to the Nigerian delegation most of whom were later granted entry visas.
The explanation, Champion Infotel gathered, was that when some of the NGOs applied for accreditation, they were asked for papers, including annual reports, budgets and financial reports, which showed some, may have forgotten what they supplied as information. This, Mr. Geiger, noted was a purported tiny NGO bodies with very modest budget lines.
Unfortunately, thereafter, same NGOs without fellowships were registering a team of 10 and above participants for the events and were asking for visas. Hence, it was concluded that an NGO with the kind of budget that was submitted could not just fund that kind of a team unless it’s aim is migratory. However, this may not be the case of everyone.
But reacting to this development, a concerned Nigerian, Mr. Ayo Oladejo, wondered the possibility of writing boldly on individual forehead “we are truthful and honest citizens of Nigeria,” saying such should have been very good. Though it’s not possible, he guessed it’s a cross every Nigerian has to carry until a change is made on the situation of the country, socio-economically.
He stressed that Nigerian leaders brought this on the citizens, “when out of their selfish and personal agenda they made Nigeria a country without a future for her youths”. It was argued that if Nigeria was economically stable, “most of these young people would not have to leave Nigeria, their country for anywhere they have neither relations or friends”.
He agreed it is a big challenge for citizens, but “we need to start thinking of ways to correct this ugly trend of leaving an impoverished country for the next generation”.
Pointing out that in spite of the foregoing, embassy
officials are paid to distinguish between illegal and legal immigrants. He
argued that they should not look down on Nigerians, in view of the fact that not
every Nigerian is corrupt. Mr. Oladejo hopes this ugly experience will not
repeat itself during the main summit in Tunis later in the year.
Although he expressed sadness over the visa incident, he stressed that in the 60s, visas to the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK) were not what they are today, as most of the people who travelled out then went to school and they were even begged to go.
He pointed accusing fingers at leaders, saying they need to be actually questioned for allowing the nation to degenerate and make consular officers to abuse Nigerians and treat them like animals; making visa applicants to sleep over in embassies, among other unsavouring treatments.
Membership Coordinator, Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO), Mr. Oyebisi Oluseyi, while decrying the situation said that the absence of Africa in such a forum like the WSIS Prepcom and main summit, will amount to other developing countries planning for Africa in the absence of Africans.
Thus, he declared that enough is definitely enough on the marginalisation of Africa and indeed Nigerians in the development of the “world” which belongs to all and called on developed countries to be sincere on the plight of Africa and Africans, amidst other developing continents.
“With most government of the developed world’s mere rhetoric to the African plight, we cannot but keep experiencing this,” he lamented.
It was also gathered that during the Women Conference in Beijing, Nigeria alone sent hundreds of women to the conference and till date, not much impact of their participation is visible.
An issue, however, for evolving Info Society is that of freedom of movement across the borders. Though, this adds to tourism returns to the visited country economically, which also affects the origin of the visitor, mostly in developing countries adversely.
For instance, if 300 delegates were to come from Nigeria and spend an average of $900 for a 10-day event per person, that is a handsome income for the hospitality industry in Geneva.
Therefore, as much as many Nigerians condemned the suspected visa racketeering by some NGOs, decorum must be implored in dealing with visa applicants in the continent and Nigeria precisely.
This is because, despite the bad name engraved on Nigeria by some Nigerians, majority are proud Nigerians, who believe in the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools at this time of the century, position of the leaders on corruption and anti-corruption notwithstanding.
It is time to rethink on how to move the nation forward. Before then, like the recent “Commission for Africa” report launched March 11, 2005 in London and chaired by Prime Minister Tony Blair, in its page 20, stated, “... The first responsibility for change and improved governance lies with Africans themselves, in which the rich world has a moral duty - as well as a powerful motive of self-interest - to assist”.
THE NEED TO UNBUNDLED THE BENEFITS OF BROADBAND.
IN need to have access to some urgent information on his electronic mail (e-mail) box, Mazi Ofor Ikotuonye, a post graduate candidate of one of the states’ universities in Lagos, rushed out of his residence and headed to the nearby Internet café.
At the first café, nothing seemed to be happening though Internet savvy looking people were sitting before Personal Computers obviously linked to the Internet. They were waiting for the telephone line and a box, which he learnt, was a dial-up modem to connect to the Internet, before they could resume browsing.
A modem is a device used to transmit and receive digital data over a communications line normally used for analog signals, according to Columbia Encyclopedia. A modem could also come in form of cable or wireless format.
Initially, every person in the cafe with about 10 PCs were praying within themselves that rancorous noise of telephone buzzing across to the modem would seize, which otherwise means it has connected, but always indicating the engaged tone. He looked around and decided to check the next cafe, where he found out that the Internet was at rather snail speed and those already surfing were wearing long faces.
He dashed out again, yet to another café further down the road; there, people where very relaxed, surfing from one website to another in search of information.
Instantly, out of curiosity, he approached the manager of the café to inquire on what kind of service or technology that was deployed by them, only to be told "Broadband technology".
According to Broadband.com, this technology is technically defined as the non-specific term for high-speed digital internet access. Generally, Broadband includes the Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs, T1,T3 or even E1 lines) and the brand new satellite internet connection.
It is also seen as the latest in high-speed internet access technology, delivering access at speed hundreds of times faster than a dial-up modem can provide.
The BBCNews Online described Broadband as a system designed for high-speed transmission of huge amounts of electronic data.
Hence, it could be likened to a pipe carrying water and if one wants to get more water down the pipe, and send it faster; definitely the person needs a larger pipe, and so is broad bandwidth. Bandwidth is the capacity of a communications line in transmitting or receiving information.
To this end, BBCNews Online also noted that this same result could be achieved in respect of data, deploying advanced cable technology, radio frequency transmissions or satellite systems, as the case may be.
This is to further say that various signals were combined into one for the purposes of transmission down the wire and is separated on reaching the destination.
While DSL, a core technology bundled within the broadband range could best go for an always-on internet connection that uses available ordinary copper phone line for both home phone service and a high-speed internet connection.
Thus, it could be used to surf the world wide web (www) and still talk on the same time over an existing phone line, without having to install a new one.
Data Communications for Business, describing T1 as a revolution introduced by AT & T in 1962, said its a digital data stream capable of handling 24 independent connections simultaneously. It has proved to be a cost-effective means of linking voice and data, both inter-office and intra-office; serving as an alternative to high-speed modems for data transport.
In other words, bringing about an increased usage or deployment of T1, since most users of T1 have come to term with the notion that it costs less to have a T1 trunk than a series of leased telephone lines in a point-to-point topology, according to TechFest.Com.
Dallas Semiconductor/Maxim Integrated, explained that a full T1, a term for a digital carrier facility used to transmit Digital Signals (DS) at 1.544 megabits per second (Mbps), is made up of about 24 digital channels.
This, also requires a Digital Connection Device (DCD) unit or Customer Switching Unit (CSU) to connect to four wires in order to carry the information, and most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have T1 as their connection to the Internet, just as a full T1 accommodates over 200 internet users amidst other services offered by their providers.
On the T3, Sunrise Telecom said it is a network transport architecture-embedded with variety of purposes, convenient for carrying 672 voice channels in one circuit.
Latest T3 applications, Champion Infotel learnt, include the transport of broadcast quality video, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) physical layer connections and super computer direct links.
It was also recognized by Sunrise Telecom that T3 and T1 are general terms referring to the transformation of 44.736 Mbps and 1.544 Mbps worth of digital circuits over any media, respectively.
"T3 and T1 could be transported over copper, fibre or radio," Sunrise Telecom declared, stressing that Digital Signal (DS-3) and DS-1 are terms for electrical signal found at the metallic interfaces for these circuits where most testing is performed.
Throwing more light on the efficacy of Broadband core-competences, the chief executive of PiNet Nigeria Limited, Mr. Lanre Ajayi, said T1 or T3 is a technical standards which are dominantly used in the United States, while the E1 is the European standard that offers 2 Megabits per second of data or signal.
E1 line also comes along with about 30 telephone points and also mainly used by ISPs, but provided by national operators.
Ajayi, who is the vice president of the Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), agreed that broadband core technology would go a long way in ameliorating the penetration of internet and information in developing nations, including Nigeria.
Experts also said some of the merits embedded in Broadband is radically a life-changing steps as electronic mails containing attachments would be downloaded in seconds, and same with attaching files on your mails.
For music lovers, along other entertainment offered nowadays on the internet, the labour over dial-up modem would be a forgone conclusion, as hitherto attempts for hours becomes available in minutes, among other values.
Little wonder then that at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) organized Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) last December in Geneva, one thing that top the agenda was the issue of deploying broadband at every nook and cranny to boost universal access, describing it as an "enabler".
Participants, hence, sought the regulation that should be directed at improving the long term interests of this technology for citizens. Pointing out that Broadband could contribute to universal access by improving and enabling education, information, and increased efficiency such as reducing costs, overcoming distances, opening up Information and Communication Technology (ICT) markets, enhancing understanding and creating employment.
The GSR forum ended by issuing an industry transforming best practice guidelines toward achieving low cost Broadband and internet connectivity.
According to the conference chairperson and a Commissioner at the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Ms Kathleen Abernathy, "Broadband networks are the key to maximizing the promise of an evolving and converging ICT sector."
She noted that new wireless and converging technologies that are sure to follow can revolutionize societies and help to close the broadband divide that exists within and among countries of the world.
Director, ITU Development Bureau, Mr. Hamadoun I. Toure, while applauding GSR guidelines pointed out that technological innovations and market developments are forcing telecom regulators to rethink their regulatory practices.
Mr. Toure said, "in many ways they are pioneering innovative uses of technologies such as Broadband and the regulatory frameworks needed to support those innovations."
The GSR, attended by 54 heads of national regulatory bodies, encouraged regulators to educate and inform consumers about the services that are available to them and how to utilize same, "so that the entire population benefits".
It also tasked regulators to work with other government entities; industry, consumer groups and other stakeholders to ensure consumers have access to the information they need about Broadband and internet services.
They further urged member countries to adopt policies to increase access to the internet and Broadband services based on their own market structure, such that policies reflect diversity in culture, language and social interests.
Like the regulators pointed out, adoption of a regulatory regime that facilitates the use of all telecommunications transport mechanisms, be it wire line, power line, cable, wireless, including Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) or satellite; public access to broadband and internet services to schools, libraries and other community centers, should be of utmost importance.
Therefore, participants of all nations, were tasked to facilitate this dream through economies of scale and competition among Broadband vendors and service providers.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) led by Mr. Ernest Ndukwe, probably discovered this import, giving the impetus in organizing a workshop on Broadband in April 2001.
Though technology evolution goes beyond workshops on Broadband to transform into action process, hence, much is needed to encourage service providers to embrace Broadband as the technology of the future, with lots of prospects for developing continents like Africa, in keeping date with the future through ICT tools.
At the first café, nothing seemed to be happening though Internet savvy looking people were sitting before Personal Computers obviously linked to the Internet. They were waiting for the telephone line and a box, which he learnt, was a dial-up modem to connect to the Internet, before they could resume browsing.
A modem is a device used to transmit and receive digital data over a communications line normally used for analog signals, according to Columbia Encyclopedia. A modem could also come in form of cable or wireless format.
Initially, every person in the cafe with about 10 PCs were praying within themselves that rancorous noise of telephone buzzing across to the modem would seize, which otherwise means it has connected, but always indicating the engaged tone. He looked around and decided to check the next cafe, where he found out that the Internet was at rather snail speed and those already surfing were wearing long faces.
He dashed out again, yet to another café further down the road; there, people where very relaxed, surfing from one website to another in search of information.
Instantly, out of curiosity, he approached the manager of the café to inquire on what kind of service or technology that was deployed by them, only to be told "Broadband technology".
According to Broadband.com, this technology is technically defined as the non-specific term for high-speed digital internet access. Generally, Broadband includes the Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs, T1,T3 or even E1 lines) and the brand new satellite internet connection.
It is also seen as the latest in high-speed internet access technology, delivering access at speed hundreds of times faster than a dial-up modem can provide.
The BBCNews Online described Broadband as a system designed for high-speed transmission of huge amounts of electronic data.
Hence, it could be likened to a pipe carrying water and if one wants to get more water down the pipe, and send it faster; definitely the person needs a larger pipe, and so is broad bandwidth. Bandwidth is the capacity of a communications line in transmitting or receiving information.
To this end, BBCNews Online also noted that this same result could be achieved in respect of data, deploying advanced cable technology, radio frequency transmissions or satellite systems, as the case may be.
This is to further say that various signals were combined into one for the purposes of transmission down the wire and is separated on reaching the destination.
While DSL, a core technology bundled within the broadband range could best go for an always-on internet connection that uses available ordinary copper phone line for both home phone service and a high-speed internet connection.
Thus, it could be used to surf the world wide web (www) and still talk on the same time over an existing phone line, without having to install a new one.
Data Communications for Business, describing T1 as a revolution introduced by AT & T in 1962, said its a digital data stream capable of handling 24 independent connections simultaneously. It has proved to be a cost-effective means of linking voice and data, both inter-office and intra-office; serving as an alternative to high-speed modems for data transport.
In other words, bringing about an increased usage or deployment of T1, since most users of T1 have come to term with the notion that it costs less to have a T1 trunk than a series of leased telephone lines in a point-to-point topology, according to TechFest.Com.
Dallas Semiconductor/Maxim Integrated, explained that a full T1, a term for a digital carrier facility used to transmit Digital Signals (DS) at 1.544 megabits per second (Mbps), is made up of about 24 digital channels.
This, also requires a Digital Connection Device (DCD) unit or Customer Switching Unit (CSU) to connect to four wires in order to carry the information, and most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have T1 as their connection to the Internet, just as a full T1 accommodates over 200 internet users amidst other services offered by their providers.
On the T3, Sunrise Telecom said it is a network transport architecture-embedded with variety of purposes, convenient for carrying 672 voice channels in one circuit.
Latest T3 applications, Champion Infotel learnt, include the transport of broadcast quality video, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) physical layer connections and super computer direct links.
It was also recognized by Sunrise Telecom that T3 and T1 are general terms referring to the transformation of 44.736 Mbps and 1.544 Mbps worth of digital circuits over any media, respectively.
"T3 and T1 could be transported over copper, fibre or radio," Sunrise Telecom declared, stressing that Digital Signal (DS-3) and DS-1 are terms for electrical signal found at the metallic interfaces for these circuits where most testing is performed.
Throwing more light on the efficacy of Broadband core-competences, the chief executive of PiNet Nigeria Limited, Mr. Lanre Ajayi, said T1 or T3 is a technical standards which are dominantly used in the United States, while the E1 is the European standard that offers 2 Megabits per second of data or signal.
E1 line also comes along with about 30 telephone points and also mainly used by ISPs, but provided by national operators.
Ajayi, who is the vice president of the Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), agreed that broadband core technology would go a long way in ameliorating the penetration of internet and information in developing nations, including Nigeria.
Experts also said some of the merits embedded in Broadband is radically a life-changing steps as electronic mails containing attachments would be downloaded in seconds, and same with attaching files on your mails.
For music lovers, along other entertainment offered nowadays on the internet, the labour over dial-up modem would be a forgone conclusion, as hitherto attempts for hours becomes available in minutes, among other values.
Little wonder then that at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) organized Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) last December in Geneva, one thing that top the agenda was the issue of deploying broadband at every nook and cranny to boost universal access, describing it as an "enabler".
Participants, hence, sought the regulation that should be directed at improving the long term interests of this technology for citizens. Pointing out that Broadband could contribute to universal access by improving and enabling education, information, and increased efficiency such as reducing costs, overcoming distances, opening up Information and Communication Technology (ICT) markets, enhancing understanding and creating employment.
The GSR forum ended by issuing an industry transforming best practice guidelines toward achieving low cost Broadband and internet connectivity.
According to the conference chairperson and a Commissioner at the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Ms Kathleen Abernathy, "Broadband networks are the key to maximizing the promise of an evolving and converging ICT sector."
She noted that new wireless and converging technologies that are sure to follow can revolutionize societies and help to close the broadband divide that exists within and among countries of the world.
Director, ITU Development Bureau, Mr. Hamadoun I. Toure, while applauding GSR guidelines pointed out that technological innovations and market developments are forcing telecom regulators to rethink their regulatory practices.
Mr. Toure said, "in many ways they are pioneering innovative uses of technologies such as Broadband and the regulatory frameworks needed to support those innovations."
The GSR, attended by 54 heads of national regulatory bodies, encouraged regulators to educate and inform consumers about the services that are available to them and how to utilize same, "so that the entire population benefits".
It also tasked regulators to work with other government entities; industry, consumer groups and other stakeholders to ensure consumers have access to the information they need about Broadband and internet services.
They further urged member countries to adopt policies to increase access to the internet and Broadband services based on their own market structure, such that policies reflect diversity in culture, language and social interests.
Like the regulators pointed out, adoption of a regulatory regime that facilitates the use of all telecommunications transport mechanisms, be it wire line, power line, cable, wireless, including Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) or satellite; public access to broadband and internet services to schools, libraries and other community centers, should be of utmost importance.
Therefore, participants of all nations, were tasked to facilitate this dream through economies of scale and competition among Broadband vendors and service providers.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) led by Mr. Ernest Ndukwe, probably discovered this import, giving the impetus in organizing a workshop on Broadband in April 2001.
Though technology evolution goes beyond workshops on Broadband to transform into action process, hence, much is needed to encourage service providers to embrace Broadband as the technology of the future, with lots of prospects for developing continents like Africa, in keeping date with the future through ICT tools.
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