All Posts in "IT&Telecoms"

GCR Gives Highest Credit Rating To MTN Nigeria

Global Credit Ratings (GCR) has upscaled  the national scale long-term issuer rating of MTN Nigeria Communications Plc (MTN Nigeria) to AAA and affirmed the national scale short-term rating of A1+, with a stable outlook.
Besides, GCR upgraded the national scale long-term rating of the recently concluded N110 billion Series 1 Senior Unsecured Bond to AAA with a stable outlook.
 MTN Nigeria is the first mobile network operator in Africa to be accorded such ratings by GCR.
GCR explained that the ratings accorded to MTN Nigeria reflects its  strong competitive position as the leading provider of telecommunications services in Nigeria, as well as its strong earnings and cash flow which has supported a robust financial profile.”
Speaking on the rating, Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, said, “We are delighted with the outcome of the GCR rating. This demonstrates the resilience of our business and positions MTN Nigeria as the benchmark of reference for the information and communications technology sector for long-dated, fixed-term instruments. As we continue to invest in our network and strengthen our risk management processes, we remain focused on sustaining and accelerating growth in line with our Ambition 2025 strategy.”
Online Editor by — June 24, 2021 in IT&Telecoms 0
 Why Nigeria Needs 5G Technology

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) have advocated the need  for immediate deployment of 5G technology in the country.

The two agencies explained that the development was necessary to  enable the country to leapfrog its economic growth and development.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta and the Director-General of NITDA, Malam Kashifu Abdullahi,who disclosed this during their virtual presentations at Digital Africa Conference and Exhibition 2021,said 5G would accelerate the development of Blockchain Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) as well as Internet of Things (IoTs) in the country.

They revealed that Nigeria stands to gain from AI global market size of 58.3 billion dollars in 2021 which is projected to hit 309.6 billion dollars by 2026.

They added that  small businesses would benefit from a global BlockChain of 180.7 million dollars in 2019, which is expected to grow to about 1.12 billion dollars by 2027.

Abdullahi said besides, Nigeria would lead the rest of Africa in economic diversification through the various digital platforms and emerging technologies.

The NITDA boss said: “Africa, particularly Nigeria, with a growing population and dwindling revenue from oil, have put significant pressure on the economy. There is a need to harness other areas to diversify our economy. Emerging technology is one of these areas, and will play an important role in economic diversification if properly harnessed.”

Abdullahi, who described the conference theme: ‘Building a New Africa with AI & Blockchain’, as aptly stated that digital technologies are changing the world at a faster pace than previously experienced waves of technological innovation.

The NITDA boss said Digital Economy for Africa (DE4A) flagship initiative supports the digital transformation strategy for Africa, prepared by the African Union (AU), the DE4A initiative also recognizes that the digital economy can help to accelerate the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the World Bank Group’s twin goals.

 

He noted that recently, a call to action was made with the unveiling of the “Economic Sustainability Plan 2020” which seeks to put technology at the forefront of driving development in Nigeria.

“This conference is a meeting point for professionals, practitioners, and policymakers to brainstorm on the best ways of harnessing these technologies to the advantage of the citizenry,” added Abdullahi.

In his keynote address, Prof. Danbatta,encouraged  Africa to  take  advantage of the unprecedented quantities of data, now being generated on sentiment, behaviour, human health, commerce, communications, migration and more.

“Adoption of AI solutions is expected to increase tremendously in the next few years and competition among major AI companies is expected to be intense,” said Danbatta.

He noted that, in a recent report published by Markets and Markets (M&M), the global AI market size is projected to grow from 58.3 billion dollars in 2021 to 309.6 billion dollars by 2026, it is a compound of enormous growth rate of 39.7% during the forecast period.

He explained that BlockChain is the foundation for cryptocurrency such as bitcoin; one of the newest technologies that has received extensive global attention in recent times.

Online Editor by — June 24, 2021 in IT&Telecoms 0
5G Deployment : NCC Sets Up  Committee On Spectrum Auction 

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has  set up a committee to develop the Information Memorandum (IM) for the auction of 3.5 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum band which will be used for early deployment of 5G services in Nigeria.
 Director, Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde explained that the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, recently inaugurated the 18-member Committee in Abuja, with NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Ubale Maska as Auction Adviser while the Director, Spectrum Administration, NCC, Oluwatoyin Asaju, is the Committee Chairman.
 He quoted  Danbatta  as saying that apart from developing the IM for auctioning of C-band spectrum for 5G deployment in Nigeria, the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the committee will include the development of an award process to be used pursuant to which the grant of Spectrum licenses may be made.
   Other ToRs reeled out for the committee by Danbatta include the auctioning of the C-band spectrum for 5G deployment in Nigeria in line with the award process; as well as report regularly/fortnightly to the EVC through the Office of the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services of the Commission on the progress made by the Committee.
 Expressing delight at the current stage of 5G deployment process in Nigeria, especially with respect to established mutual understanding among stakeholders that 5G service poses neither security nor health risk to users, Danbatta said the outcome of the work of the Committee is a major step towards realisation of 5G services in Nigeria.
 He said  the NCC has committed enormous resources to ensure harmonised spectrum is secured and released in a timely manner for present and future deployment of services that will underpin the fourth industrial revolution, including International Mobile Telecommunication (IMT-2020) services.
 This, according to him, is in recognition of relevant provisions of the Nigerian Communication Act (NCA-2003) and its strategic plan for effective communications resource management, facilitating broadband penetration and improving Quality of Service (QoS) amongst others.
 He added that  the Commission had ensured the participation of relevant staff in international fora, especially in the International Telecommunication Union Radio Telecommunication Sector (ITU-R) study groups, to enable the allocation of strategic Spectrum to IMT services, especially IMT 2020, which, he said, has been in the front burner in the last two ITU-R study cycles towards World Radio Communication Conference (WRC-15 & WRC-19).
 “Arising from these efforts, which include engagements with relevant governmental and non-governmental organisations during preparatory meetings at National, Regional and Continental level, we have been able to secure harmonised frequencies for 5G deployment in Nigeria,” he said.
 He, however, stated where NCC desired premium spectrum like the 3.5GHz with good propagation characteristics suitable for capacity and coverage with good device ecosystem but did not have sufficient allocation, “we put in extra efforts and secured additional 160MHz in the 3.5GHz band by making huge commitment of resources to secure additional Spectrum from Nigerian Communication Satellite Limited (NigComSat),” culminating in a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NCC and NigComSat.
 “Having put in these efforts and resources to secure, amongst others, contiguous Spectrum in a premium band like the 3.5GHz band that is being adopted as the best Spectrum for early deployment of 5G with about 70 per cent of 5G global deployment so far, it has become imperative to immediately re-purpose the 3.5GHz band in Nigeria for auction in accordance with best practices.
 “In view of this, Danbatta said NCC Management deemed it necessary to constitute the committee with clear ToRs, adding that the committee members are expected to demonstrate strong commitment required to carry out these tasks and in a timely manner,” he said.
  Danbatta stated that even though some successful auctions have been conducted by the Commission in the past, “extra effort is required of us to ensure the success of this particular exercise since the 5G technology is just being adopted around the globe.”
He   tasked the committee to consider benchmarking its activities against other countries where 5G has been successfully deployed through successful auction of relevant spectrum band like 3.5GHz.
Online Editor by — June 21, 2021 in IT&Telecoms 0
NCC Commences  Review Of Telecoms License Structure

NCC commences review of telecoms license structure
 The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC),says it has  initiated a process for the review of existing licensing structure in the nation’s telecommunications industry.
 The commission’s spokesman,Dr Ikechukwu Adinde,explained that the move was in demonstration of its responsiveness to global trends and the new dynamics in the Information and Communications Technology ecosystem.
He emphasized that it was an important step towards achieving this was taken recently by the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta when he inaugurated an in-house Standing Committee to carry out the task.
 Danbatta, while inaugurating the Committee, said the need for the review of the existing license structure was informed by the wide range of technological advances, convergence of technologies and services which have characterized the global telecoms space over the years, and which impact is increasingly being experienced in Nigeria.
 He said the current license structure is almost 20 years old, hence the need for an urgent review of the existing license pattern to reflect new licensing trends in line with international standards while providing opportunities for improved revenue for government.
 “Therefore, it is evidently clear that this Standing Committee, drawn up from competent hands in various departments of the Commission, is perfectly suited and capable of addressing the enormous task of reviewing the existing license structure of  telecom licensees in Nigeria,” he said.
 He noted that the task of the Standing Committee will be carried out in phases, Danbatta said effective delivery of the Committee’s task will help the Commission to institute a process, which will culminate in the review of the terms and conditions of the various license categories. These, he said, will include licensing fee, as well as identification of the limitations of the various license categories, with a view to clearly determining licenses that should be phased out or amended.
 He outlined management’s seven-point deliverables from the Committee to include a comprehensive review/report on existing licenses; report and recommendations on consultative fora; and report on recommended new license undertakings.
 Others include a report on recommended amendment to license fees and durations; a report on benchmarking of license with similar jurisdictions, a report on the impact of certain licenses on other license holders. The Committee is also expected to recommend solutions as well as the develop updated regulatory framework for new and amended licenses as the case may be; and a final report on the project with all recommendations.
 Also speaking during the inauguration of the Committee, the Director, Licensing and Authorisation, NCC and Chairman of the Committee, Mohammad Babajika, assured the Commission’s Management of the Committee’s resolve to deliver on the terms of their assignment.
Online Editor by — June 16, 2021 in IT&Telecoms 0
 Glo  Launches ‘Always On’

Glo introduces ALWAYS ON to retain subscribers' lines | Marketing Edge Magazine
Globacom, has announced the introduction of ‘Always On’, a new prepaid tariff, which allows subscribers to retain their phone numbers for one full year even if they do not use the lines during the period.
The telecommunication said its subscribers no longer need to worry about their lines getting suspended or disconnected even if they have not made or received calls, used data or sent or received SMS in one year.
It said  with a token payment of just N500, “the customer will enjoy the assurance of 365 days of continued service, even if the customer does not make or receive calls, text or browse.
“Always On is available to all existing and new prepaid Glo subscribers and is especially beneficial to customers who travel out of the country for long periods of time without access to the network or customers whose handsets get stolen or whose SIMs get damaged but do not have immediate means of replacement. They can now be rest assured that their lines will not be disconnected due to inactivity
To enjoy the offering, subscribers are required to simply dial*777# and select ‘Always On’ from the menu. “Upon confirmation, a one-time fee of N500 will be deducted from the customer’s main account after which he or she will be subscribed to the plan and given 365 days of uninterrupted access to the network”
It explained that the customer can make and receive calls at any time during the 365 days as long as he or she has sufficient airtime balance in the account. There is no need to visit any Glo world or to contact customer care for the line to be reactivated.
‘Always On’ customers can still purchase any Glo products and services they wish and they can also subscribe to any other GLO tariff plan at any time via *777# or via Glo Café.
Towards the expiration of the ALWAYS ON subscription, Globacom explained, the subscriber will receive SMS and email reminders (where applicable) forhim or her to re-subscribe to the ALWAYS ON plan.
“With this new and exciting value proposition, we have again established ourselves as the brand that gives customers the most value for money”, Globacom stated.
Online Editor by — June 14, 2021 in IT&Telecoms 0
Report Rated Airtel Nigeria’s Best In  Broadband Coverage Speed

Airtel ranked Nigeria's best in broadband coverage speed –new report - Prime Time News
A new report has ranked Airtel Nigeria, one of  mobile telecommunications companies , as Nigeria’s best in broadband coverage speed, following a nationwide broadband assessment by Umlaut.
Airtel confirmed the current rating in Lagos, on Sunday.
Hakan Ekmen, Chief Executive Officer, Umlaut Telecommunications, said that based on their assessment, Airtel achieved the best-rated broadband coverage and user download speed among other mobile network operators in the country.
“In our nationwide assessment, 82.8 per cent of the urban build-up areas and 83.9 per cent of the population areas were tested.
“An extensive analysis revealed that 263,000 users contributed 707.4-million samples in 24 weeks from October 2020 until early April 2021.We concluded that Airtel Nigeria is Best in the Tests, achieving the highest Umlaut score with 697 points, Ekmen said
‘`Airtel scored the highest with 697 points, while MTN emerged second with 663 points, 9mobile with 591 and Glo with 486 points.The tests were carried out with Umlaut’s crowdsourcing methodology, which was used to evaluate the mobile networks in Nigeria”, he added.
He  noted that umlaut’s sophisticated methodology enabled the results to be compared across network operators globally, adding that the transparency it provided not only boosted network quality and performance, but also improved experience for every customer.
He commended Airtel for emerging the best-rated, citing this remarkable feat as a positive step towards attaining digital equality in Africa.
He said that while the results in Nigeria were quite impressive, there was still room for improvement in global comparison.
The competition in Nigeria’s telecoms landscape was working favourably for consumers in the country, he noted.
Online Editor by — June 14, 2021 in IT&Telecoms 0
Danbatta Urges  Support For Increased Adoption Of  ICT  In Nigeria

The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has urged stakeholders in Nigeria to support  his commission in its quest to ensure increased  adoption and use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), in order  to add value to the nation’s economy.
He also promised that  the NCC  would continue to be in the vanguard of implementing the Federal Government’s policies aimed at digitalising the nation’s economy.
Danbatta  spoke  while commissioning “Prof Umar Garba Danbatta Computer Laboratory” donated by Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited to the Government Senior Secondary School (GSS),  Danbatta, Kano State.
Expressing  his gratitude to the company for choosing his alma mater for the ICT project, however, Danbatta  that the facility will not only bring invaluable benefits to the students and teachers of the GSS in Danbatta, but it will also impact the other neighbouring schools, which can utilise the tech facility for preparing their pupils for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and other educational purposes.
 He implored  the students and others desirous of acquiring for upgrading their knowledge of ICT to avail themselves of the ample opportunity provided by the new facility within their own domain.
 Speaking,the Director Public Relation of Huawei Nigeria, Mrs. Lola Fafore, observed that the fully-fledged computer laboratory donated to the school is equipped with free 4G internet service for 90 days as well as computer-based testing (CBT) training applications for JAMB  installed in the computers for the benefit of the students.
She  disclosed that as part of the company’s contribution to Nigeria through corporate social responsibility, the firm would continue to promote digital inclusion, especially through provision of access to technology.
“As a company, Huawei looks forward to making more contributions to Nigeria by supporting the NCC in bridging the digital connectivity divide, training talents, building capacity, knowledge transfer and supporting the process of achieving a fully-digital economy,” she said.
The chairman of Danbatta Charity Foundation (DCF), Alhaji Nasiru Danguda, commended the NCC for attracting major development projects to the community, thereby opening unprecedented windows of opportunity for the people.
Danguda said:“This is not the first time Huawei is donating this kind of project in Danbatta as Maimunatu Girls Secondary School is also a previous beneficiary. We, the people of Danbatta, are grateful to you and are also proud that we have Prof Danbatta making us proud with his outstanding performance at NCC, which has attracted us to global giants like Huawei.”
Online Editor by — June 14, 2021 in IT&Telecoms 0
 ITF Plans  Mass Production Of Android Smart Phone 

ITF to mass produce Nigerian made mobile phones – Voice of Nigeria
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF), says  it would soon begin mass production of its android smart phone,preparatory for its introduction into the market.
The Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Sir Joseph Ari, stated this after the formal presentation of the ITF Mobile Android GSM smart phone to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.
He said: “Plans are at an advanced stage to ensure commencement of the mass production of the smart phone, making it available and affordable, which in turn will expand the GSM phone market and create more jobs in the process.
“We are presently putting processes in place with the relevant regulatory agencies towards quality assurance, legal framework and intellectual rights amongst others.
“Our vision is to create a mass production hub that will churn out products that will be available to all Nigerians”, he said.
According to him,the ITF mobile phone, which was comparable in quality to any other brand of Android Phone in the world, was assembled by the ITF Model Skills Training Centre (MSTC), Abuja, as part of the implementation of the vision of the incumbent management of the ITF with particular emphasis on research and development.
 “The ITF Mobile Phone was produced with 100 percent locally sourced material. And for me, this breakthrough is proof that given the enabling environment and opportunities, Nigerians will unleash their creative potentials”, he said.
Commending the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for its policies of encouragement of innovation and creativity and for its initiatives that gave birth to this breakthrough, he appealed for increased funding for the ITF to ensure full actualisation of its mandate.
Online Editor by — June 11, 2021 in IT&Telecoms 0
NIN Linkage:Telcos Lose 20million Subscribers In Five Months

The Nigerian Communications Commission,says telecommunication companies have lost 19.20 million subscribers since the Federal Government began the linking of National Identity Number with SIM cards.
The  agency said in a report that subscriber base dropped from 207,907,709 in November 2020, to 188,705,734 in April 2021.
It said MTN  lost over 7,202,757 subscribers lost, while Airtel, Globacom and 9mobile lost 7,054,115; 4,490,531; and 408,904 subscribers respectively.
Besides,the report said  that the telecommunication companies lost 3.7 million subscribers in April as the subscriber base dropped from 192,413,613 in March.
Broadband penetration also dropped from 45.07 per cent in November to 40.66 per cent in April.
The telcos have lost more than eight million data subscribers since the SIM-NIN policy began. Porting services dropped from 16,342 in November to zero in April,it added
Online Editor by — June 9, 2021 in IT&Telecoms 0
Expert Advises  FG  To  Embrace Digital Currency

Meet Millionaire Bitcoin Guru, Adekunle Daniel - The First Nigerian To Design & Bring Bitcoin ATM To Nigeria (WATCH VIDEO) » Naijaloaded
The developer of the first Bitcoin Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in Nigeria, Mr Adekunle Daniel, has urged the Federal Government (FG) to embrace digital currency.
Daniel disclosed this in an interview  in Lagos.
According to Daniel, if the Central bank digital currency purported to be developed by the government eventually comes to fruition, it would have stability, visibility and banks involvement.
“CBN digital currency is going to benefit the country, looking at the way our conventional naira is at the moment.
“We don’t transact in a way that is efficient, We are a cash base economy and we depend solely on cash base.
“CBN coming to develop digital currency is actually something that would revolutionise Nigeria because there is no how you will not utilise block chain technology when developing a digital currency.
“The idea of a digital currency would soon become a reality in Nigeria because the central bank has already set up its committee, which is working on the concept,” Daniel said.
Daniel, a blockchain technology expert and crypto currency consultant said that there was only one switching company in the country, everybody using their service are vulnerable when they have a network problem.
He said that blockchain technology has been initiated to addressed the issue.
According to him, blockchain technology to finance would ensure transparency in the way we send and receive money and the way we make settlements and also eradicate third party companies intervention in payment processes.
Daniel expressed  delight over the decision of the CBN setting up committee that would look into crypto currency trading in Nigeria.
“I’m so excited that there is no way they would go around developing crypto currency without consulting stak beholders from the blockchain technology and some experts too,  so it is a great one.
“it shows that the problem we are looking into solving long time ago, is becoming feasible to stakeholders and people in the conventional banking system.
“We have only one switching company in the whole of Nigeria which means that when the switching company has an issue either with their internet or network.
“We all are affected, but with digital currency,  it will eradicate this and makes transactions seamless, efficient, faster and a whole lot more good”.he said.
Online Editor by — June 8, 2021 in IT&Telecoms 0