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Leading ICT Company in Nigeria, MTN has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to its stakeholders including 63 million customers, thousands of employees, vendors, partners and consultants. This commitment and belief in the long term sustainability of the business was one of the drivers of the company’s decision to seek judicial determination in line with due process and the rule of law over the huge fine imposed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). In a statement signed by MTN’s Human Resources & Corporate Services Executive, Amina Oyagbola, the 780 billion Naira fine has potentially dire consequences for the company, its employees, partners, stakeholders as well as the entire Nigerian telecommunications industry. Being a significant contributor in Nigeria, MTN has an obligation to protect the interests of its ecosystem of millions of Nigerians who are directly and indirectly affected by its business operations and continuity. According to Oyagbola, the decision ...

The ITU Radiocommunication Assembly concluded today after deliberating this past week on new directions in radiocommunications. Held every three to four years, the Radiocommunication Assembly deliberated the future direction of radiocommunications and reached significant decisions that will influence the future development of radiocommunications worldwide in an increasingly wireless environment. The Radiocommunication Assembly (RA-15) was chaired by Mr Akira Hashimoto (Japan). Around  460  participants from 97 countries attended the Assembly. “The ITU Radiocommunication Sector plays a central role in the technological progress of telecommunications and information and communication technologies,” said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao, noting that issues facing the ICT sector have become increasingly diverse and complex. “At a time when technical solutions require greater innovation and skill, this Radiocommunication Assembly addressed the rapid changes underway in the...

  South Africa's MTN on Tuesday said the Nigerian regulator had renewed its operations and licence up to 2021 at a cost of 94.2 million dollars. MTN said that it received confirmation from the regulator that its operating spectrum in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands had been renewed. There were media reports recently that MTN had a 5.2 billion dollars' fine imposed on it by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for failing to deregister SIM cards in its largest market. MTN's operating spectrum and digital mobile licence were issued in 2001, and both were due to expire in February 2016. Both have now been extended to Aug.31, 2021, the firm said. "We view this extension as a demonstration of confidence in MTN's capacity to continue to provide ground-breaking and innovative services to its customers," Akinwale Goodluck, said in a separate statement. Goodluck is MTN's corporate affairs executive. Shares in MTN, which earns 37 per...

Significant opportunities for retail-focused businesses on the continent The African continent is experiencing rapid retail expansion, and is being compared to China in 1987 when it was predicated to be the next big thing(1). A.T. Kearney’s 2015 Global Retail Development Index has listed Sub-Saharan Africa as the ‘big story’ for 2040, similar to that of China 30 years ago, where today, retailers are expanding four to five times faster than retailers in the United States and Europe. Recognizing this potential, DHL ( http://www.dpdhl.com ) is playing a key role in growing retail on the continent via its current footprint of 5 800 retail outlets across Sub Saharan Africa (SSA), not by building its own bricks and mortar branches but by partnering with local business owners who act as DHL resellers. Steve Burd, Acting Vice President of Sales for DHL SSA, says, “Thousands of vendors – such as electronics stores, travel agents and stationery stores – now offer DHL Express service...

MTN Nigeria Nigerian National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS),  and Salt & Einstein MTS, Mobile insurance services aggregator, have announced a strategic partnership to launch a mobile-based universal health insurance service known as Y’ello Health. This service, according to the trio will provide Nigerians affordable health insurance cover on a pre-paid basis, adding that through the Y’ello Health, mobile subscribers are able to opt into a micro healthcare insurance scheme through Health Management Organizations (HMO’s) using their mobile phones for a range of pre-defined medical treatments for which affordable premium can also be remitted through the subscribers’ mobile phone. Dr. Femi Thomas, executive secretary and CEO of NHIS, speaking on the rationale behind the new partnership said, “MTN is a large player in the Nigerian economy, having a good number of registered Nigerians on its database. To be able to reach out to Nigerians, we at NHIS decided to partner with S...

Stanley Jegede For Nigeria’s telecommunication services to record needed improvement and stability in quality, the Chief Executive Officer of Phase3 Telecom, Mr. Stanley Jegede, has urged operators to rely more on aerial optic fibre cable for their long distance data communications. According to him, aerial fibre optic routes offer both cheaper and more reliable services than their terrestrial equivalent and in view of recent experiences facing operators, there is need for them to adopt this aerial services to keep their customers happy. Jegede, who spoke in Abuja on Thursday stated that with the current challenges facing the deployment and use of underground optic fiber cables especially Right of Way issues, persistent vandalism and ecological problems, aerial optic fiber systems offer the needed and timely solution at this time in the country. He said, "We are all aware about the problems of building and maintaining underground cables in Nigeria. It is one of the mos...

Nokia 103 In line with its strategy of connecting the next billion, the world’s largest manufacturer of mobile phones has unveiled its most affordable mobile phone to date – the Nokia 103 in Nigeria. Nigeria is the first market to launch this phone, which is designed specifically for people buying their first phones. The Vice President Nokia West Africa, Mr. James Rutherfoord, said the choice of Nigeria as the lead market for this device underscores the importance of the Nigerian market and the need to empower millions of Nigerians who are yet to acquire a mobile phone. He further explained that the Nokia 103 is for people looking for an affordable and practical phone that gives them the essential features needed to help them progress economically and socially without compromising on design and quality. Apart from its fresh look and durable anti-scratch cover, the Nokia 103 is designed with long lasting battery life of up to 11 hours talk time and 27 days standby t...

A new mobile phone anti-theft and tracking application has been introduced into the Nigerian telecommunications market as the first step towards a pan-African launch. The system called Tracknshield provides an easy-to-use solution to the problems associated with mobile phone theft, incidental loss with the possibility of recovery of such phones. The Managing Director, TracknShield Limited, Mr Abu Grema, said at the unveiling of the product in Lagos on recently that new application was introduced as a result of the increasing importance of mobile phones in the hands of people today. He noted that due to their growing sophistication, phones are now the platforms on which many users transact a lot of their businesses including funds transfer on their, noting that this makes it very important for people to protect phones and data contained therein. He said Tracknshield, once installed on a mobile phone, makes it possible for the owner of the phone to trace the whereabouts of the p...

ETranzact PocketMoni has been inaugurated. below is a photograph that captures the leadership of the firm during the event. Mr. Patrick Eregie, GH Business Development of eTranzact, Mr. Valentine Obi MD/CEO of eTranzact and Mr. Bob Udeagha MD/CEO of Bundi Diagnostics LTD at the launch of PocketMoni services to Merchants, recently in Lagos.

FirstBank of Nigeria Plc and Etisalat Nigeria have signed an agreement  to provide seamless Mobile money Financial Services to millions of Nigerians. The agreement signed recently in Lagos further strengthens the readiness of Nigeria for effective delivery of mobile money services. Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) , the two companies promised to combine their strengths to provide secure, convenient, affordable and user-friendly mobile financial services to all Nigerians through the use of mobile phones. Mobile Financial Services is the use of mobile phones either as an access to bank accounts, or as a bank account in itself, for account inquiry, mobile transfer, retail payments, micro insurance, savings remittances, mobile top-up, utility bill payments and government collections among others. Add caption Commenting on the initiative, FirstBank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bisi Onasanya said mobile financial services help ...

In a bid to continually deliver unmatched mobile experience to its teeming customers, Nokia the world’s leading mobile phone manufacturer has unveiled the Asha range of products into the Nigerian market. The launch event which took place in Lagos recently saw the official introduction of the Nokia Asha 201 and Nokia Asha 303 into the Nigerian market. Nokia Asha phones are messaging devices produced with full QWERTY keypad for quick and easy text input yet quite affordable. The Asha range are available at the very affordable prize of mobile phones but imbued with the distinct features of smart phones. General Manager Sales, Nokia Nigeria, Mr Chris Brown said consumers can now send text messages, emails and chats with their friends with the added speed advantage of QWERTY. They can also view their friends status updates and tweet right there on their home screen and download thousands of free applications from the proprietary Nokia store. Nokia’s Solutions Marketing Manage...

Jonah Iboma How Lagos rains impacted telecoms service Jonah Iboma Telecoms infrastructure was among the worst hit following the first rainfall in 2012 in Lagos. Telecoms masts and towers belonging to Internet service Providers (ISPs) and other operators were badly damaged in the rainfall that resulted in loss of lives as well. The February rain was unusual in the tropic zone which is one that is characterised by intense sunshine and heavy rains at different times of the year. Many African countries, especially those in the western part of the continent including Nigeria, fall into this zone. The weather pattern is such that the tropics have two major seasons -rainy season and dry season. The rainy season, as rightly named, has a lot of rainfall, while the dry season has a lot of dry air, although night temperatures fall significantly during this period. A car damaged by a mast Nigeria, like many West African countries, witnesses a transition from the dry sea...

Jonah Iboma Trading in computers and related electronic products has become synonymous with Ikeja, the capital city of Nigeria’s economic headquarters, Lagos. This follows the emergence of what has been described as West Africa’s biggest computer trade centre- the Ikeja computer Village. One of the reasons that have been adduced for the emergence of Ikeja computer market is the centrality of Lagos to economic activities in the state. For anyone making entry to Lagos through air, land or rail, Ikeja is a place that one must go through. This is because the railway line that runs from southern Nigeria to the northwest passes through Lagos. The Local and International airports are located in Ikeja while coming by road from the country through the ever-busy Lagos-Ibadan expressway, one will be have the Ikeja on the right had side with the imposing structures of the state secretariat. A cross-section of the Ikeja Computer Village  In the last 15 years, Ikeja Computer...

Jonah Iboma Journalists reporting telecommunications and information technology recently changed leadership of their reportorial group popularly called, the Joint Action Committee on ICT Awareness and Development (JACITAD). The group is particularly important as it consists of journalists that have been reporting the ICT sector that is one of the most viable in Nigeria over the past decade. The amount of foreign direct investment witnessed in the sector is second only to that of oil and gas. According to figures released by Nigerian Communications Commission, the regularity body of Nigeria telecommunications industry, over $10bn of investment has flowed into the sector in the last 10 years. The huge investment in the sector has led to creation of several thousands of direct jobs while many associated businesses have also been created in the process. While, the sector has witnessed a lot of such growth, much of its success is down to the work of journalists- the IT journalists...

Jonah Iboma It was tale of regrets on Friday when a driver and occupants of a Toyota Corolla car had to be rescued from a gutter on the Berger- Iyana Oworo road, following a crash that left them injured and their vehicle seriously damaged. Investigations revealed that the driver, Mr. Sunday Danladi and two of his friends were on their way to Lagos Island around 11am on the fateful day to make some purchases when the accident happened. A pedestrian who witnessed the accident, Mr. Kelechi Uche, said he was just walking on the side walk of the road when he saw that vehicle coming opposite him was gradually veering off the road. According to him, he thought the driver wanted to park but that he was surprised to see that the vehicle suddenly veered off the road completely and fell into the gutter. He said immediately he saw this, he and some vehicle owners that witnessed the accident, rushed quickly to help the occupants of the car to safety. Uche said when they had successfully ...

The Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Steve Evans, has said that the need to help create a platform for the academic community and businesses to work together in order to achieve a more meaningful impact on the society informed the firm’s decision to set up the Etisalat CSR Centre at Lagos Business School, Pan-African University. Speaking on Tuesday at the opening of the two-day International Corporate Social Responsibility Conference, in partnership with the Lagos Business School, Pan African University, Evans said Etisalat intends to act as a catalyst for the development of the CSR agenda in the country. ‘The essence of the centre is  to  bridge the usual gap created by the tendencies of business and academia to work independently and hopefully it will both enhance the practice of CSR in Nigeria and help shape the perspectives of decision and policy makers who can assist by developing an appropriate framework in which CSR can thrive’ he said. H...

World’s leading manufacturer of mobile devices, Nokia has launched six new Care centres across the country. The centres are located in Ibadan, Ilorin, Port Harcourt and Lagos, which has three – Victoria Island, Trade fair complex and the Computer Village Ikeja.  Speaking at the launch event in computer Village, the Head of Nokia care for West Africa, Mr. Silvin Sinan said the move was aimed bring after-sales service closer to the people through walk-in experience. He said Nokia was determined to provide first class repair services using genuine Nokia parts, technology and tools to fix genuine Nokia devices. Silvin Sinan, Head of Care, Nokia-West Africa; Sunday Ogunfolaji, National Social Secretary, Computer & Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN); Ladi Oyatayo, Head of Retail Marketing, Nokia-West Africa at the Nokia Care Centre official launch at Otigba, Computer Village, Lagos The Nokia Customer Care boss said Nokia had a strategy of recruitme...

The bid to fight unapproved mobile phones in Nigeria took a more robust push with the Nigerian Communications Commission sealing off the offices and warehouses of two mobile phone manufacturers at the popular Computer Village, in Ikeja, Lagos. According to the telecommunications regulator, the two companies - Ken Xin Da Mobile and G-Tide Mobile - were sealed because “they did not conform to the ‘Type Approval’ standards as mandated by the Commission before bringing their devices into Nigeria.” NCC is empowered by the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 to establish and enforce standards for all telecommunications equipment in operation in the country, in order to ensure that they operate seamlessly and safely within the Nigerian telecommunications environment. NCC regular publishes a list of type-approved phones in Nigeria but hardly seals companies for manufacturing and selling of non-typed approved phones. The statement read further, “All equipment manufacturers, ve...

Arrangements are in top gear for the first ICT Girls Day to be hosted in Nigeria and chaired by Chief Executive Officer of MainOne Cable Company Limited, Ms Funke Opeke,. Aside from chairing the event, MainOne Cable Company has also offered to be the platinum sponsor of the event, which has the objective of sensitizing young girls on the opportunities and relevance of getting into ICT as a profession. The event, which will hold at the Golden Gate Restaurant, Ikoyi on April 26, is part of an initiative of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and is being hosted in Nigeria by eBusiness Life Communication, publishers of eBusiness Life Magazine. In a mail to eBusiness Life, Ms Opeke acknowledged the importance of having women in the profession, noting that the quest is what MainOne would like to partner eBusiness Life on. “We will be delighted to support and I will be glad to chair,” she had stated in her mail to eBusiness Life. The one-day workshop, which is goi...