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Ericsson Urges FG Pay Attention to Mobility, Broadband & Cloud

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Global trends demonstrate governments are focusing on Smart City projects with impact already felt in transport, buildings, travel, work, agriculture and land use, services/smart industry and grids (including smart homes).

To this end, Ericsson Nigeria has urged the Federal Government to Nigeria to pay critical attention to the three transformative technologies that together will transform every city- mobility, broadband and cloud.

Speaking during his maiden press conference, Rutger Reman, newly appointed as the vice president, head, Customer Unit and managing director, Ericsson Nigeria, said that with Ericsson as number one in ‘City Connectivity’ across the globe; a record proven by 40% of the world’s mobile traffic carried over its networks, the Company is committed to digitalizing Nigeria.

In this role, Reman is responsible for leading Ericsson’s operations in Nigeria by supporting customers in achieving their strategic objectives using Ericsson Technology and Services.

He joined the company in Sweden over 20 years ago having started his professional  career at the Swedish operator, Telia where he worked for several years. He holds a wealth of experience in Project Management, Product Management, Operations, Marketing and Sales garnered from leading various projects for a vast number of customers in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa since 2004.

Reman who spoke on ‘Digitalising Nigeria: The role of Ericsson’ said that adequate broadband services will enhance Nigerians’ productivity level and enthuse them with mobility while embracing cloud solutions in the areas of banking (mobile money), education, health, transportation, security, among others.

Specifically, the President and MD, Ericsson Nigeria stressed the need for stakeholders in the information communications (ICT) space in Nigeria to close ranks and ensure the success of mobile money in the country.

He said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Communications Technology Ministry, deposit money banks (DMBs), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and other relevant stakeholders in the industry to ensure that the scheme succeeded because of its overwhelming benefits to the economy.

Reman, said the punitive cost of printing, maintaining and managing cash would be reduced to the barest minimum while the CBN will be able to ascertain the quantity of currency in circulation at every given period of time.

According to him, mobile money will reduce the incidence of frauds, dangers to life associated with carrying huge cash, deepen financial inclusion.

He said the firm’s m-commerce solutions has edge in proactive maintenance to increase quality and lower cost, evolve from traditional business to business (B2B) relationship to direct B2C, secure and capture after-market sales through customer intimacy. He added that it enables new revenue streams and innovative partnerships

“The solution is explicitly tailored to provide a new channel enabling financial inclusion, providing easy-to-use and secure next-generation mobile financial services, including those who do not have access to traditional banking services.

‘’Ericsson m-commerce solution includes the development of a mobile money platform, systems integration, learning services, managed services and support,” he said.

He reaffirmed that 40 per cent of global mobile traffic is carried over Ericsson networks with leadership position in Long Term Evolution (LTE ) in world’s top 100 cities.

According to him, ICT enablement facilitated by the technology giant include smart transport, smart buildings, smart travel, smart work, smart agriculture and land use, smart services/smart industry, smart grids (including smart homes).

He said 70 per cent of the world’s population would live in cities by 2050; 1.8 billion would experience water scarcity by 2025; 2 billion vehicles on the roads in the world by 2035.

He said technology would help address the wastage in the power and water sectors, adding in the area of waste management, technology has done wonders.

Also, Fisayo Araoye, head of Network Products, said the in-building wireless market would more than double by 2020, to reach about $6 billion; Indoor wireless data traffic would grow more than 600 per cent by 2020.

She said that in accordance with the market demand, Ericsson launched Pico RBS 6402 and Radio Dot System to offer users seamless connectivity experience and competitive advantages through “Real time, traffic steering, combined cell, LAA, carrier and aggregation”.

Already 76 telecom operators across 56 countries are already using the Radio Dot System to enhance their network, with the possibility of availability in Nigeria before year end.

 

 


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ALTON, ATCON Urge FG to Address Telecoms Industry Challenges

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The Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and The Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), representing Mobile Network Operators and telecommunication companies in Nigeria, are calling upon the government to take decisive action in addressing the numerous challenges confronting the telecommunications industry.

In a statement jointly signed by Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of ALTON and Engr. Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, ATCON President, the associations underscored the urgent need for collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors to overcome obstacles hindering the sector’s growth and development.

Infrastructure Deficits: ALTON & ATCON members still lack access to essential telecommunication services due to a myriad of challenges, including multiple taxation and regulations and prohibitive Right of Way (RoW) charges, inadequate electric power supply and vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure.

 Protection of Assets and Network Infrastructure: Advocating for legislation that

designates telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure (“CNI”): Both Associations expressed deep concern over the escalating security threats facing telecommunications infrastructure in Nigeria.

Telecommunications infrastructure undisputedly plays a pivotal role in Nigeria’s national security and socioeconomic growth, especially as the country currently contends with multiple security challenges that require urgent and immediate actions in response to these threats.

Attacks on cell towers, fibre optic cables, and other critical assets disrupt telecommunications services and result in significant financial losses for operators.

The associations urge the government to prioritize the security of telecommunications infrastructure and collaborate with law enforcement agencies to enhance protection measures and combat vandalism and sabotage effectively.

Cost-Reflective Tariff of Services: ALTON and ATCON respectfully reiterate that telecommunications infrastructure development requires substantial investments in network expansion, maintenance, and technology upgrades.

Despite the adverse economic headwinds, the telecommunications industry remains the only industry yet to review its general service pricing framework upward in the last (11) years, primarily due to regulatory constraints.

For a fully liberalized and deregulated sector, the current price control mechanism, which is not aligned with economic realities, threatens the industry’s sustainability and can erode investors’ confidence.

ATCON and ALTON call upon the government to facilitate a constructive dialogue with industry stakeholders to address pricing challenges and establish a framework that balances consumers’ affordability with operators’ financial viability.

Regulatory Independence: ALTON & ATCON advocates for the sustenance of a culture of independence in the regulatory landscape to safeguard against undue influence and unwholesome incursion into the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) or (Commission) domain, which will inspire trust in the telecommunications sector and encourage investment.

Regulatory neutrality and independence are crucial to ensuring a thriving telecommunications sector. Statutory provisions lend credence to this notion, as a lack of an impartial regulator will lead to a failure to maintain public confidence in the objectivity and independence of its decisions.

ALTON and ATCON reaffirms its commitment to working collaboratively with the government to address the challenges facing the telecommunications industry in Nigeria.

By fostering a conducive regulatory environment, prioritizing infrastructure development, enhancing security measures, and facilitating pricing adjustments, the government can unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, driving economic growth and societal development.

 


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Qualcomm Shortlists Startups for Qualcomm Make in Africa 2024 and Awards 2023 Wireless Reach Social Impact Fund

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Qualcomm Incorporated today announced the shortlisted startups for Qualcomm Make in Africa 2024, as well as the winner of the 2023 Wireless Reach Social Impact Fund.

The Qualcomm Africa Innovation Platform, now in its second year, aims to work with and support the development of Africa’s emerging technology ecosystem by providing mentorship, education, and training programs with a focus on 5G, Edge-AI/ML, Compute, and IoT. This year, Qualcomm received an overwhelming response, with approximately 250 applications from 30 countries.

Highlights: 

  • Startup cohort announced for 2024 Qualcomm Make in Africa startup incubation program featuring technologies.
  • Announcement of the awardee of the 2023 Wireless Reach Social Impact Fund, supporting startups in scaling their societal and market impact.
  • Development of L2Pro Africa website content nears completion, providing free online training on intellectual property protection.

As the first initiative of its kind in Africa, Qualcomm Make in Africa is an equity-free mentorship program that identifies promising early-stage startups keen on applying advanced connectivity and processing technologies such as 5G, Edge-AI/ML, Compute, and IoT to innovative end-to-end systems solutions, including hardware.

These startups have demonstrated exceptional potential in applying advanced connectivity and processing technologies to innovative end-to-end systems solutions.

The selected startups will receive free mentorship, business coaching, access to engineering consultation for product development, and guidance on protecting intellectual property. The 2024 cohort includes the following startups (listed in alphabetical order):

  • Aurora Health from Kenya provides AI-based cardiovascular health care tools
  • CropScan from Kenya uses solar-powered smart farming IoT devices
  • Cure Bionics from Tunisia makes smart 3D printed prosthetic arms
  • DevisionX from Egypt provides AI-based low-code computer vision tools
  • Kalio from Cameroon is building AI tools for Agricultural IoT
  • Kitovu from Nigeria provides tools and software for smart agricultural warehouse management
  • NextAI Studios from Kenya builds AI-based emotion detection into toys for children’s mental healthcare
  • RIM Nextgen from Kenya, uses smart tools for monitoring propane consumption
  • Sparcx from South Africa uses AI for enhancing radar signal processing
  • Vizmerald from Tunisia, is working on AI-based textile industry inspection

Qualcomm is also proud to announce the awardee of the 2023 Wireless Reach Social Impact Fund. This fund, provided by Qualcomm through its Qualcomm® Wireless Reach™ Initiative, aims to support startups in scaling their societal and market impact.

Ecorich Solutions Limited, a female-founded organization based in Nairobi, Kenya, will be awarded funding to help scale the impact of their smart organic food composter.

Wireless Reach funding will support Ecorich to address the dual challenge of organic waste management and the need for sustainable agricultural practices, with the goal of reducing environmental pollution, improving crop yields for farmers, and mitigating waste-related health risks for communities.

The other nine startups from the 2023 cohort will also receive valuable stipends to continue fueling their growth. These startups have showcased innovative uses of wireless technology to address pressing needs in their communities.

In addition, Qualcomm is excited to highlight the progress of the L2Pro Africa IP e-learning Platform, a free online training program designed to empower startups, SMEs, and researchers in Africa to protect, secure, and maximize their innovations. This program has been created in collaboration with Adams and Adams, Africa’s leading intellectual property (IP) law firm.

The education content has been updated with individual filing procedures for patents, industrial designs, and trademarks in the countries of Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Rwanda and within the two African patent organizations, ARIPO and OAPI.

These step-by-step descriptions of per-country filing requirements empower inventors to interact effectively with IP professionals such as an IP attorney and their respective IP offices.

“I am thrilled with the overwhelming response to the Africa Innovation Platform this year,” said Alex Rogers, President, QTL & Global Affairs, Qualcomm Incorporated.

“The quality and diversity of the applications received reflect the immense talent and potential within Africa’s technology ecosystem.

“We are excited to work with the shortlisted startups and provide them with the necessary resources and support to drive innovation and create a positive impact in their communities.”

“We applaud Qualcomm for launching the second year of its Innovate in Africa Platform, which not only equips the upcoming generation of African entrepreneurs with expertise in pivotal areas like AI/ML, healthcare, agri-tech, smart cities, and communications but also empowers them to safeguard their intellectual property through the complimentary L2ProAfrica program.”, said John Omo, secretary general, African Telecommunications Union (ATU).

Mr. Omo also emphasized that the ATU remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across the continent. “Our youth innovation program, among other initiatives, plays a crucial role in cultivating the talents and aspirations of Africa’s young visionaries,” he affirmed. “We are ready to collaborate with additional partners to realize this objective.”


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Mastercard and CEBIH join forces to bolster cybersecurity in Nigeria

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Mastercard, in collaboration with the Committee of E-Banking Industry Heads for Nigeria (CeBIH), recently hosted the second edition of its annual Fraud Forum in Lagos, Nigeria. Building on the success of the inaugural edition in 2023, this year’s forum convened key industry players ranging from financial institutions, payment service banks, and fintech companies, to discuss critical issues such as threats and vulnerability, intel-sharing, and best practices in combating industry risks.

The cybersecurity event, attended by key public and private sector actors, also covered the regional threat landscape based on Mastercard’s strategic threat intelligence data. This timely intervention is crucial in a region where cyberattacks remain prevalent, especially amidst Nigeria’s rapid economic expansion and widespread adoption of digital financial services.

Recent data from the Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC) revealed a staggering 276% increase in fraud-related losses within Nigeria’s deposit banks, underscoring the need for continuous vigilance and proactive cybersecurity strategies within the financial sector. In response to the escalating threats amid Nigeria’s bourgeoning financial landscape, key government bodies have called for enhanced collaboration within the payment systems’ ecosystem to curtail the rise in E-Fraud in the country.

“We are excited to continue the Fraud Forum in Nigeria,” said Kari Tukur, Vice President, Customer and Solutions Center, West & East Africa, Mastercard. “With cyberattacks posing serious challenges within the Nigerian financial ecosystem, we take pride in establishing a platform where key stakeholders can convene, network, and exchange best practices to safeguard against potential vulnerabilities. Mastercard remains committed to creating unique and essential solutions to help business owners protect themselves and their customers against vulnerabilities, and this platform provides us with an opportunity to drive knowledge regarding these solutions as we aim to elevate cybersecurity standards and ensure the resilience of the Nigerian financial ecosystem.”

The forum delved into various aspects of cybersecurity, including common attack methods used by cyber criminals, their motivations, the assets they target, and the best practices to safeguard against attacks. Attendees gained valuable insights into the regional cyber threat landscape, with a focus on the financial services sector, which has become a prime target for cybercriminals in recent years. It also presented an avenue for Mastercard to showcase its latest fraud prevention techniques and tools, including the Mastercard Decision Intelligence, a real-time authorization decisioning solution that empowers issuers to approve more genuine transactions while effectively managing risk.

“We are delighted to partner with Mastercard on another edition of the Mastercard Fraud Forum in Nigeria. This event continues to serve as a pivotal platform for industry leaders, stakeholders, and experts to convene and address the evolving landscape of fraud and cybersecurity challenges, especially in a period marked by increased sophistication. With this year’s edition, we continue to deepen our commitment to fostering collaboration and implementing effective strategies to combat fraud and safeguard the integrity of the financial ecosystem.” Temitope Onibaniyi, Secretary, Emerging Payments of CeBIH, representing Celestina Appeal, the CeBIH Chairman, added.

The forum aligns with Mastercard’s goal of providing clarity to the complex cybersecurity landscape, in a bid to foster an ecosystem where digital transactions are built on trust. As part of its commitment to combating fraud, Mastercard also announced that it will be sponsoring the CeBIH Quarterly Sessions for the second consecutive year, bringing together industry experts to discuss the latest trends in fraud prevention and share best practices for protecting customers.

 

 


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