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Mobile Devices, A Veritable Tool for Increased Internet Penetration

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International Telecommunications Union has put the number of internet users in the country at 24 million, a figure that is low compare to a country with 150 million people. This situation explains why Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has embarked on different regulatory framework as well as initiatives aimed at increasing internet access in the country. Such regulatory framework includes, relaxed regulations of internet service delivery this the commission said is a approach adopted deliberately to ensure that operators in the sector roll out internet service that would help in increasing access to Nigerians no matter where they live. The commission had also initiated such projects as Wire Nigeria project as well as State Accelerated Broadband project which has taken off in some northern states of the federal. All these are efforts by the commission to ensure that internet access is available to all Nigerians and cost effective also with good speed.
Telecommunications experts that spoke to Nigeria CommunicationsWeek are of the view that the best means of delivery high speed internet service is through terrestrial infrastructure such as copper and fibre optic. They decried the peculiarity of Nigeria situation where there is no national fibre optic backbone network required to deliver broadband internet service thereby forcing operators in the industry to use wireless technology, satellite among others.
Lanre Ajayi, managing director, Pinet Informatics, argued that Nigeria cannot wait till the required fibre optic or copper infrastructure is available before people can use internet, which makes the use some mobile internet applications relevant in the effort to make internet accessible to the people.
As technology evolves it improves efficiency as well as capability to deliver added services. This is the case of mobile telecommunications technologies, which has continued to advance to deliver internet service at a good speed.
For instance, GSM technology has advanced from two generation that hardly deliver internet to 3G network that delivers mobile broadband to users, same is the case of code division multiple access (CDMA) from TDMA to 2000 1x and EV-DO Rev A which deliver mobile broadband internet access as well as voice from the same platform.
According to recent findings by Dataxis Intelligence, Mobile broadband subscribers in Africa – users of data cards and USB dongles through cellular 3G networks- reached 4 million milestone in the last quarter of 2011.
In fact, according to Dataxis, mobile broadband adoption grows 2 times faster than fixed broadband with an average net addition of over 400,000 new subscribers on a quarterly basis. This euphoria is mainly due to the flexibility of the service  with both prepaid and postpaid offerings marketed by operators as well as its user-friendly aspects -mobility, top-up to name a few.
A simple explanation for Mobile Broadband is that it’s like having your fixed home broadband experience delivered to your mobile device. Mobile Broadband rivals the performance of fixed broadband technologies and is suitable for a broad range of data applications including accessing email with attachments, web browsing, multimedia streaming and file downloads while stationary or on the go.
The last 18 months have seen a huge upswing in the adoption of mobile broadband globally, especially relating to PC connectivity through 3G USB “dongles”, as well as high-end smartphones like the Apple iPhone™, Blacberry among others.
For the mobile industry, Mobile Broadband has been one of the few bright spots, especially in matured markets where the recession (and regulation) has impacted on voice and SMS revenues.  There are several technologies competing to deliver commercial mobile broadband services. By far the most successful is HSPA, which has been commercially deployed by over 300 operators in more than 110 countries.
The arrival of mobile broadband has prompted PC notebook manufacturers to embed cellular modems into their products, as they have done with Bluetooth®. Previous 2G and 2.5G mobile technologies were simply not fast or efficient enough to justify being embedded into notebooks. The GSMA designed the Mobile Broadband Enabled Service Mark to simplify customer communication by quickly and easily conveying to consumers that their devices are Mobile Broadband Enabled.
To date, over 2,000 HSPA devices have been launched globally. These devices initially included conventional mobile phones, PC Cards and Express Cards and USB ‘dongles’. 
Mobile broadband enabled devices are now available in the market, supporting a vast range of consumer and industry applications. These devices are being used to deliver solutions to people and industry in metropolitan and rural areas to a range of sectors including consumer electronics, clean technology, health care, transportation and utilities. The GSMA Embedded Mobile initiative is a GSMA market-development programme designed to accelerate the adoption of wireless connectivity across these sectors.
In order for operators to deliver the Mobile Broadband connectivity that delivers feature rich applications to consumers and industry it is crucial that they can innovate in a defined and stable environment, confident in the security of spectrum allocations. The GSMA actively lobbies governments to fairly allocate spectrum to operators – including spectrum that has been freed up by the Digital Dividend.
The new operator Capex investment data, compiled by global investment firm Deutsche Bank, reflects the continued consumer and enterprise demand for mobile broadband services and the need for underlying infrastructure, and comes as global HSPA connections reach the 200 million milestone.
GSMA said that mobile technology is revolutionising the lives of millions of people in Africa and will continue to be the primary means for the great majority to access voice, data and internet-based services. Mobile broadband has the potential to improve access to health care and education, create new business opportunities and access to markets, and ultimately to help eradicate extreme poverty.


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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.

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Digital Payments Fuel Growth for Nigerian SMEs: Mastercard Report Highlights Trends

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Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria are leveraging digital payments, innovation, and partnerships to expand their reach and strengthen business operations, according to the third edition of the Mastercard SME Confidence Index.

With 99% of SMEs in Nigeria now accepting digital payments, businesses are capitalizing on cashless transactions to enhance efficiency, improve customer experience, and build financial resilience. This digital shift is enabling SMEs to grow in an evolving business environment, with many prioritizing secure payment solutions and financial inclusion initiatives.

“Small and medium enterprises are the backbone of economies, driving innovation, employment, and resilience. As digital transformation accelerates, SMEs are unlocking new opportunities through digital payments and financial inclusion.

“Their ability to adapt and grow in a rapidly evolving business landscape reflects the strength of an ecosystem that prioritizes access to finance, digital enablement, and sustainable growth,” said Dimitrios Dosis, president Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, Mastercard.

“Nigerian SMEs are demonstrating remarkable adaptability and foresight by leveraging digital payment solutions to drive economic transformation. Their positive revenue outlook highlights a commitment to harnessing technology for sustainable growth. At Mastercard, we are dedicated to empowering these businesses with innovative digital tools, fostering strategic partnerships, and supporting their journey toward greater financial inclusion and security,” said Mark Elliott, division president, Africa, Mastercard.

Digital payments at the core of SME expansion

As Nigeria’s economy embraces digitalization, SMEs are recognizing the advantages of cashless transactions in driving business efficiency. Many business owners highlight ease of managing payments, seamless supplier transactions, and reduced reliance on cash handling as key benefits. Looking ahead, SMEs are focused on expanding their digital payment capabilities and ensuring seamless customer experiences to sustain their competitive edge.

Looking ahead, 73% of SMEs plan to further expand their digital payment capabilities across various channels, and 70% are focused on providing seamless, user-friendly payment experiences to customers to drive business improvement.

SMEs focus on growth, cybersecurity, and financial access

While most SMEs anticipate maintaining or increasing their revenue, they acknowledge cybersecurity, inflation, and financial access as key areas influencing business growth. Strengthening digital security measures is a growing priority as businesses increase their reliance on online transactions.

Many SMEs also emphasize the need for broader financial access, with business owners identifying private sector partnerships, government-led initiatives, and international collaborations as key enablers for long-term success.

This highlights the growing role of collaboration in driving SME resilience and supporting businesses as they navigate an evolving financial landscape.

Access to credit remains a priority for over three-quarters of SMEs, with 47% aiming to secure financing to grow their businesses and 27% seeking capital to maintain daily operations.

Optimism amid challenges

While SMEs face challenges such as inflation (77%) and rising costs of goods and services (75%), a significant 78% expect to achieve the same or higher revenue this year compared to last, signaling resilience and adaptability.

SMEs identify private sector initiatives or partnerships (56%), government-led initiatives (47%), and international collaborations (41%) as key factors that will positively impact their operations this year.

Through strategic collaborations, Mastercard aims to support Nigerian SMEs in achieving their growth objectives. For instance, in July 2023, Mastercard partnered with Alerzo, a leading Nigerian B2B e-commerce company, to digitize SMEs in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, making digital payments more accessible and efficient.

Recognizing the growing market need, Mastercard’s Product Express is helping Nigerian fintech launch card programs quickly and easily, enabling them to reduce their time to market and service customers more efficiently.

Furthermore, Mastercard’s award-winning startup engagement program, Start Path is providing fintech like Duplo and Mono with operational support, commercial engagement, and the opportunity for strategic investment.

Mastercard remains committed to supporting SMEs in Nigeria by leveraging its extensive network, cutting-edge technology, and strategic collaborations. By introducing contactless payment solutions like Tap on Phone, QR Pay by Link, and Payment Link, and collaborating with governments, financial institutions, and private sector partners, Mastercard is driving financial inclusion and digital transformation, and supporting small businesses as they navigate evolving commercial landscapes.


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Sophos and Pax8 Forge Strategic Partnership to Enhance Security Management for MSPs

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Sophos, a global leader of innovative security solutions for defeating cyberattacks, today announced a strategic partnership with Pax8, the leading cloud commerce marketplace.

The collaboration introduces the most comprehensive portfolio of cybersecurity solutions available to Pax8’s network of more than 40,000 managed service providers (MSPs).

MSPs in the Pax8 network now have a complete one-stop shop of best-in-class cybersecurity solutions available from a single vendor – including Sophos Managed Detection and Response (MDR), Sophos Endpoint powered by Intercept X and Sophos Firewall.

This revolutionizes opportunities for channel partners to streamline operations, simplify billing and significantly reduce the complexity of cybersecurity management across customers.

According to the Sophos MSP Perspectives 2024 report, MSPs that consolidate their security stack with a single vendor can cut daily security management time by nearly 50% – a savings that jumps to 69% for those juggling six or more security vendors.

By partnering with Pax8, Sophos is removing a key operational barrier for MSPs, enabling them to seamlessly manage cybersecurity through a single vendor platform trusted by 600,000 organizations to streamline solution integration and enhance efficiency while strengthening their security posture and simplifying cloud procurement cycles.

“Sophos and Pax8 are strongly aligned in our mission to empower MSPs with best-in-class end-to-end security services and products while simplifying lifecycle management of these solutions and reducing operational overhead.

“MSPs want to align with vendors who are easy to work with and this agreement will make it even easier for MSPs to work with Sophos, something we’ve long been committed to,” said Joe Levy, CEO of Sophos. “With cybersecurity, speed and innovation are essential for defending against attackers.

“This partnership with Pax8 accelerates MSP access to critical cybersecurity tools, enabling them to better protect their customers in an increasingly complex and volatile threat landscape.”

Key advantages of the Sophos and Pax8 partnership for MSPs include:

· Driving new revenue opportunities for partners by providing the most comprehensive portfolio of security offerings by a single vendor on the Pax8 Marketplace.

· Reducing overhead costs and freeing up partners’ billable hours by simplifying procurement and billing via a fully integrated Pax8 Marketplace experience.

· Empowering partners with seamless experiences through coordinated MSP enablement, support and sales training initiatives.

· Compatible and comprehensive 24/7 security for MSPs’ Microsoft Defender customers with Sophos’ MDR service for Microsoft environments.

“MSPs today need solutions that align with the way they operate—cloud-first, flexible and easy to manage at scale. Pax8 is revolutionizing the way MSPs access and deploy cloud-based solutions, and cybersecurity is an important piece of the overall stack,” said Scott Chasin, Chief Executive Officer of Pax8.

“By bringing Sophos’ innovative security offerings to our marketplace, Pax8 is providing our partners with access to enterprise-grade security solutions for their SMB customers in a way that simplifies management, reduces risk and drives profitability.”

Comprehensive Security, Unparalleled Efficiency

“MSPs say they could cut day to day management time almost in half by consolidating on a single cybersecurity platform – and Sophos enables them to achieve that goal.

“By managing all their customers’ cybersecurity in the cloud-based Sophos Central platform, MSPs can reduce workload and free up valuable billing hours,” said Raja Patel, Chief Product Officer, Sophos.

“What’s more, with a complete portfolio of Sophos cybersecurity solutions at their fingertips, Pax8 MSPs enjoy extensive opportunities to sell additional revenue-generating products and services that meet their clients’ evolving cybersecurity needs.”

Last minute change: Backed by real-time threat intelligence from Sophos X-Ops, a global team of elite threat hunters and security analysts, Sophos’ solutions provide proactive, AI-driven protection against cyberattacks.

As the leading pure-play cybersecurity provider of MDR services, Sophos protects over 28,000 organizations globally. Insights from Sophos MDR further strengthens security by providing MSPs and their customers with unparalleled protection. Automated threat detection, managed response, and deep security insights across Sophos’s portfolios equip MSPs to enhance defenses, minimize risk exposure, deliver enterprise-grade protection and cut through the noise to reduce management complexity.

Better security for Microsoft environments

More than 60% of Sophos MDR’s customers are managed via MSPs, giving Sophos unparalleled insights into attacks on MSP-managed environments.

Sophos leverages these learnings to update customers’ defenses in real-time, optimizing their protection from ever-evolving attacks and providing peace of mind to both clients and partners.

Furthermore, with Sophos’s robust MDR service for Microsoft environments, Pax8 MSPs can elevate the security of clients using Microsoft Defender while enabling their customers to see greater return on their Microsoft investments.

The Sophos MDR service through Pax8 supports MSPs in several ways. They can either leverage Sophos’ managed service completely or to augment their customers’ in-house department, including coverage on nights and weekends, which are critical times to defend networks because they are when attackers often strike. For MSPs that provide in-house MDR services, the new AI Assistant in Sophos XDR enables operators of all skill levels to neutralize adversaries faster with existing threat investigation and response intelligence from frontline Sophos MDR analysts.

Availability

The Sophos offering will be available on the Pax8 Marketplace starting February 28, 2025. Pax8 partners interested in learning more about Sophos offerings coming to the Pax8 Marketplace can learn more and sign up at www.sophos.com/msp.


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QNET Spreads Love and Connection with Valentine’s Day Radio Show

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In a bid to foster love and community engagement, QNET, a wellness and lifestyle focused direct-selling company, partnered with Rhythm FM Lagos for a special Valentine’s Day radio show.

This interactive event delighted listeners with heartwarming conversations, engaging games, and exciting giveaways of exclusive QNET products, including the Chi Pendant 4, Bernhard H. Mayer watches, Amezcua E-Guard X, and the Edg3 Plus nutritional supplement.

Valentine’s Day, celebrated annually on February 14, has become a significant cultural event worldwide. In Nigeria, the celebration of love and friendship has seen increased participation, with over 60% of Nigerians marking the occasion through various forms of expression, from gifting to community activities (Statista, 2024). Embracing this spirit, the QNET radio show encouraged listeners to share cherished experiences, fostering emotional connections and meaningful engagement with the audience.

Biram Fall, Regional General Manager of QNET Sub-Saharan Africa, commented, “QNET’s mission revolves around love, connection, and giving. Through this show, we connected with our audience in a fun, heartfelt way, spreading positivity while celebrating this special day. The enthusiastic response and high levels of interaction from our listeners were truly inspiring. We look forward to hosting more initiatives that build on this success.”

The Valentine’s Day radio show aligns with QNET’s global theme for 2025, “Together We Rise,” emphasizing the importance of creating strong and meaningful connections between the brand and its stakeholders.

“As part of its commitment to the Nigerian market, QNET continues to raise awareness about its direct-selling business model, which supports over 5 million entrepreneurs globally (World Federation of Direct Selling Associations, 2024) and positions itself as a trusted provider of high-quality lifestyle and wellness products.

Akeem Ajisafe, CEO of Transblue Limited, added, “QNET is dedicated to building meaningful relationships.

“This radio show was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate love and engage with our Nigerian audience. Valentine’s Day is about giving and sharing, and through this initiative, we created memorable experiences while reinforcing our commitment to enriching lives with premium wellness products.

“We’re excited to deepen these connections and expand our footprint in Nigeria.”

QNET is a purpose-driven direct-selling company guided by the Raise Yourself to Help Mankind (RYTHM) principle, central to its core values. The company remains committed to positively impacting communities through innovative initiatives that foster connection and engagement, continuing its mission to enrich lives across Nigeria and beyond.

For more information about QNET and its initiatives, please visit QNET’s official website.


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