Connect with us

Telecom

A Call to Revamp CDMA Operations

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), a second generation telecommunications standard pioneered by chip maker Qualcomm, uses spread spectrum techniques and is globally acknowledged as the better technology compared to Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM).

GSM, thanks to its wide adoption in Nigeria, Africa and indeed across the globe, gained critical mass subscription, out-edging CDMA and became the dominant standard for 2G telecommunications all over the globe and currently moving to 5G. But in countries like America and Japan, CDMA still managed to find a firm footing and they are better for it.

CDMA is preferred as better technology compared to GSM, given its inherent quality in terms of data speed and capacity. There is no gainsaying that telecommunications network providers are seriously focusing on data services hence the revenue shares from voice has reduced, substantially.

CDMA in Nigeria and Why they Failed
It is pertinent to note that CDMA as a technology managed to find a use case in Nigeria at the time it stood for wired landline connections. Recall, the first set of Private Telephone Operators (PTO) in Nigeria offered services via the CDMA technology. Multi-Links Telecommunications Limited was the first to begin operations in 1998 while the likes of VGC Communications, Intercellular, Mobitel and EMIS were the preferred networks of many Nigerians in the early days of the telecom revolution.

Then, a particular GSM entrant had exorbitant call rates with SIM cards being sold as high as N40, 000 upon entry. But, a number of issues worked against the spread of CDMA networks since the GSM licensing in 2001.

The inability to have the same interconnect charges and failure to convince investors in the interconnect space, that, since CDMA required lesser spectrum than GSM, they should be allowed to provide full fledged CDMA services on the spectrum they got for WLL. That is just one case out of many. Well, the recent acquisition of Visafone by MTN Nigeria may have sounded the long awaited death knell on CDMA operators in Nigeria.

Yes, MTN acquisition of Visafone, meant the services could be spread to a wider coverage area, using the spectrum (800GHz) on fourth generation equipment (4G LTE). However, it may not be yet uhuru. For instance, can you compare subscribing to CDMA broadband service for a year with that of the GSM? While the CDMA helps to ensure stability in your business which depended largely on internet access these days, tethering your phone in order to GSM phone internet connection would bill for every kilobyte and has proved to be a very expensive option. CDMA would have saved us some headache in this time of recession.

CDMA leverages several transmitters and can send information simultaneously over a single communication channel. It uses spread spectrum technology allowing many users to occupy the same space time and frequency allocations in a given band/space. Unlike GSM, CDMA does not assign a specific frequency channel or time slot to each user but instead individual conversations are encoded with a pseudo-random digital sequence.

It is widely acknowledged CDMA showcases better technology compared to alternative technologies such as GSM and is also believed to be more cost effective for operators as the CDMA capacity advantage leads to lower tariffs. Had it this been the case, the Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu and his lieutenants at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), probably, would have had a safe-sail in pushing for increased data-floor which generated much debate late last year.

During its dominant era, the CDMA operators unleashed excellent voice clarity for both local and international traffics; clearly identified lines and locations, while their data quality were often been described as first rate.

Many are still at lost over the causes of CDMA demise in Nigeria. As we speak, they are at the verge of extinction with less than 1.5million subscribers in a market where there are over 216million connected telephone lines, according to NCC statistics, with about 154million active lines. Out of the number, GSM operators account for about 152million lines. Fixed wired/wireless operators have less than 200,000 lines.

A close look at the Nigerian Telecommunications industry, as an industry analyst would put it, “one can deduce that the business model of the average Nigerian CDMA operator made it unable to compete on the same platform with GSM service providers. Almost all the CDMA operators where locally developed, with no international investors or technical partners involved in the management of their service”.

This is backed up with the fact, GSM providers- MTN, Airtel (formerly Econet, Celtel), Globacom and Etisalat due to their size and international affiliations were able to attract financing and support from foreign banks and international finance brokers. The CDMAs’ woes reached the crescendo as, financial institutions repulsed by the companies’ stinking financial records, turned their backs, preferring to fund GSM operators with proven corporate practice.

Another factor that could have worked against the CDMA operators could be there network spread, most of them were located in urban cities like Abuja and Lagos, extending their services to other regions or cities meant going back to the regulator for additional spectrum which usually came at a cost. The guidelines on their licensing hindered their spread.

Others believe that market forces like stiffer competition and the tough business climate in the country made co-location impossible in the early day thus operators had to build and maintain their telecom infrastructure across the country. Unfortunately, the industry was skewed against infrastructure sharing, by that; they shot themselves in the leg. This singular act, it is believed, signaled the present NCC’s InfraCo arrangement, where issue around co-location is industry approved.

Simply put that the inability of CDMA operators to spread massively in the beginning compared to their GSM counterparts stifled innovation, and formed the major impediment to their growth.

Way Forward
The regulator seems to have created a monster (monopoly) that will, sooner or later, turn against the market. How do we mean? Pundits predicted that in the near future, mobile operators on different platforms including GSM and CDMA will migrate to the Long Term Evolution (LTE). With LTE operators will get a speed of up to 37.5MB per second on the device as against the 3.1MB that is currently available on the 3G networks.

It is no longer news MTN acquired Visafone to access the 800 MHz spectrum band, which enabled it launch 4G LTE services. Recall, in 2007, VGC Communications Limited (VGCCL), a Lagos-based Private Telephone Operator licensed by NCC to provide cabling and radio, telephone services nationwide and had laid extensive fibre optic cables, and Internet service provision, was bought by MTN Nigeria. In other words, MTN is in a position to be a single dominant player in the voice and data markets in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.

The question in the minds of many in the light of recent developments is ‘how will the CDMA sector thrive if it is not proactively encouraged by the NCC to do so?”

There could be hope for CDMA, especially, if they are encouraged through the Universal Service Provision Funds (USPF) to deploy services in rural areas, because 3G technology performs better on CDMA. It will be a double-win for the government which is pushing for financial inclusion at the rural areas.

The CDMAs with best spectrum to reach the hinter lands can be very valuable in that regard. For those that will be stationed at the urban centre, they can help power the Point of Sale (POS) Terminals, the key driver of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) cashless policy initiative; it works better with the CDMA technology than with the GSM technology.

Thus,  is it expected the government through the NCC can give the CDMA operators a favourable licensing environment so as to continue operations, because there have been at least six CDMA operators in Nigeria from Multi-Links to Starcomms who have either exited the market or folded up citing unfavourable business conditions as a cause. It is heartbreaking that in 2001, there were 12 CDMA operators in the country and at 2016 none is viable. Remember, the death of a CDMA operator implies job loss, revenue loss to the nation and in a move towards monopoly.

 

 


Kindly share this post

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Comments

Telecom

5 Common Backup Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Are you confident that your valuable data is protected from unexpected disasters or cyber threats? Consider this: 1 in 10 computers fall victim to viruses, and a staggering 113 phones are stolen every minute every day[1].

With data loss being a sudden and potentially irretrievable nightmare, ensuring reliable backups is non-negotiable. March 31st, celebrated as World Backup Day, is a poignant reminder of this essential task. Let’s delve into the common backup mistakes people make and how to steer clear of those.

1. Skipping regular backups:

The most common mistake is forgetting to back up data regularly. Whether personal files or crucial business documents, not establishing a consistent backup routine leaves you vulnerable to data loss.

Unexpected system crashes or malware attacks can happen anytime, making your precious data inaccessible or permanently lost. But you can help avoid such a situation by setting up automatic backups.

SSD Backup Mistakes to avoid
2. Putting all faith in a single backup device:

A device can get damaged or stolen, putting your backups at risk, so depending entirely on one storage medium is playing a dangerous game with your data’s safety.

 Instead, diversify your backup storage solutions with a combination of external HDDs, NAS, and cloud storage.

Portable HDDs like those from WD like Western Digital’s My Passport offer up to 5TB for simple, cost-effective backups. For smartphones, 2-in-1 flash drives such as SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Go USB Type-C and SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe are convenient options.

These drives, compatible with USB Type-C devices, automatically back up photos, videos, and more. Just plug and play for seamless data transfer across devices.

If you need a device to store huge amounts of data, then the desktop drive called My Book  from WD is just the product for you, with up to 22TB of storage capacity.

SSD Backup Mistakes to avoid
storage device

3. Forgetting version control:

Overlooking version control during backups is another blunder. Not keeping multiple versions of files increases the chance of saving corrupted or wrong data over previous versions.

Without a proper versioning system, fixing mistakes or retrieving older versions can become a challenge. To prevent forgetting version control, establish a system that tracks changes to your files over time.

This ensures that you can always revert to earlier versions if needed, helping protect against accidental data loss or corruption.

Regularly maintaining this system will help you stay organized and prepared for any unforeseen issues.

Additionally, it’s crucial to verify the version you’re backing up to ensure it’s the correct one.

This simple step can help prevent accidental overwriting of important data with potentially corrupted or incorrect versions.

Double-checking ensures that you’re safeguarding the most up-to-date and accurate information, minimizing the risk of errors during backups.

SSD Backup Mistakes to avoid
4. Ignoring off-site backup solutions:

Many people overlook off-site backup solutions, assuming local backups are foolproof. However, relying solely on local backups makes you vulnerable to site-specific disasters like fires or theft.

Using off-site backups means keeping copies of your data in different places so that if something bad happens in one area, your data stays safe.

As an alternative, you could use cloud storage. Cloud backup devices are popular for remote data storage accessible via the internet. Various online cloud services offer features like file synchronization, sharing, and encryption for secure data storage.

5. Underestimating encryption:

Not prioritizing encryption in backups can be a costly mistake. Storing unencrypted backups makes your sensitive data vulnerable to unauthorized access or breaches.

Implementing strong encryption ensures even if your backups fall into the wrong hands, the data remains protected.

However, it is equally important to remember not to opt for out-of-the-box encryption solutions, as they might make it difficult for you to retrieve the backed-up information later.

My Passport HDD and My Book from WD come equipped with built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption with password protection that helps keep content secure.

Additionally, maintaining proper key management practices is essential to ensure smooth decryption and access to your data when needed.

SSD Backup Mistakes to avoid
Monitor and storage device

This World Backup Day, Western Digital urges you to back up your data safely, and at the same time, prepare for the unexpected by having a contingency plan in place for device mishaps like crashes, theft, or damage.

Worrying about losing data isn’t something you have to lose sleep over if you have an active data backup strategy.

A common rule of thumb for keeping important data from disappearing forever is the 3-2-1 Rule. It dictates that you should:

3. Have THREE copies of your data. One is a primary backup and two are copies.

   2. Save copies of your backups on TWO different types of media or devices.

   1. ONE backup copy should be kept offsite in case of disaster.

Determine where and how you’ll store backup files and identify support contacts for swift assistance.

These proactive measures ensure quick data recovery and safeguard your cherished memories for the long haul.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Telecom

Treepz Doubles Down on Corporate Mobility in Africa with Launch of a New Website

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Treepz, Africa’s leading corporate mobility startup, has expanded its corporate mobility and employee transportation services across the continent with a fresh new look for its website.

 

The company’s new website boasts a sleek, user-friendly interface with added features to better showcase Treepz’s range of services for companies looking to efficiently and sustainably move employees and clients in major African cities. From on-demand employee shuttles, and school bus solutions to intra-city group trips for events and conferences, Treepz is positioning itself as an all-in-one corporate transportation provider.

Managing transportation logistics across multiple sites has always been an operational nightmare for companies,” said Onyeka Akumah, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Treepz. “Our goal is to streamline that experience through Treepz’s powerful technology platform.”

With nearly 6,000 employees of companies daily relying on Treepz’s innovative tech and reliable fleet for employee transportation or staff bus commutes, we understand the complexities of managing corporate transportation firsthand. “Our revamped website simplifies the process, offering businesses a seamless solution to optimize their transportation needs and empower their workforce in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and Ghana,” Onyeka added

Key Features of the New Treepz Website

  • Trackable Dashboard for a bird’s eye view of all guests’ trips in real-time when using Treepz.
  • 24/7 customer support to assist with all mobility inquiries.
  • Wide selection of vehicle options, each with professional drivers tailored to specific needs.
  • Friendly interface for easy navigation and booking.
  • Client testimonials and case studies showcasing Treepz’s success stories.

Treepz’s mission extends beyond just transportation – they aim to revolutionize how over 1 million daily commuters experience mobility across Africa. Since its launch in 2019, the company has provided employee transit for top firms like Tekexperts, Wakanow, Somasource, and Brighter Monday across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Uganda. This has resulted in the transportation of about 5 million passengers since then.

With this digital reinvention, Treepz doubles down on transforming corporate mobility through tech-driven solutions. The company welcomes businesses seeking smarter ways to move their people to explore the new website www.treepz.com.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Telecom

Nigerian Business Leaders Partner Google for Strategic Advantage, Seeks Competitive Edge in Privacy-First Era

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Leading companies from Nigeria joined Google West Africa at a roundtable to discuss the shift towards privacy-first marketing as third-party cookies are phased out. The forum brought together leaders from FairMoney, Konga, Mondelez, Stanbic IBTC, and Zenith Bank, highlighting a collective commitment to redefining consumer engagement in the digital age.

Businesses recognize that building consumer trust is essential in a world that increasingly values privacy. In this new era, adapting marketing strategies to be more privacy-focused is not just a necessity but a strategic move towards building sustainable customer relations. This transition challenges businesses to innovate while maintaining transparency and respect for consumer data privacy, turning potential constraints into avenues for deeper consumer engagement.

“Customer trust is the new currency,” noted Felicia Otolorin, Senior Industry Lead, West Africa, Google. “Consumers are demanding more control over their data, and the savviest businesses are seeing this shift as an opportunity. This is about reimagining how we engage with technology and data, ensuring that innovation and privacy go hand-in-hand.”

The discussions emphasised this point, highlighting the competitive advantage of adopting privacy-first strategies. Google showcased innovative solutions like Google Tag and Enhanced Conversions. These tools demonstrate a commitment to both high performance and privacy standards. Success stories illustrated how other businesses have successfully navigated this shift, offering valuable insights.

“We stand at a crucial juncture,” remarked Oluwadamilare Akinwunmi, Chief Data & AI Officer at Interswitch. “The winners of tomorrow will be those enterprises that strike a balance between innovative, data-driven marketing and a profound commitment to data protection and privacy-first practices. The essential dialogues we engage in, and the subsequent actions we take, set us on the path to achieve precisely this”

The roundtable underscores a pivotal shift towards privacy-first strategies in Nigeria’s digital marketing sphere, emphasising the critical role of collaboration and innovation in this transition. It marks a collective stride towards a future where consumer trust and data privacy form the cornerstone of business growth and competitive advantage.

“We are committed to empowering Nigerian brands in building a privacy-forward future. By harnessing AI and privacy-centric technologies, we aim to empower our partners to thrive amidst these changes,” stated Felicia Otolorin, Senior Industry Lead, West Africa, Google.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending