Telecom
Digital Encode Drums Support As eBusinesslife Hosts Forum on 5G
Digital Encode Limited, Africa’s leading consulting and technology integration firm, has partnered with eBusiness Life Communication Limited and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to organise a one-day forum on the Fifth Generation (5G) deployment in Nigeria, which coincides with the 20th year of GSM operation in the country.
Mrs Ufuoma Emuophedaro, publisher and ceo of eBusiness Life
The event which will hold on November 5, 2021 at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki Road, Victoria Island Lagos, will look at the prospects of the Fifth Generation (5G) technology in Nigeria, while also proffering solutions to anticipated challenges in deployment, implementation and use of the technology.
According to the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Digital Encode Limited, Dr. Obadare Peter Adewale, as the country starts the deployment of 5G technology, there is a need to preview all aspects and foreseeable challenges that may arise, and formulate ways of tackling them in order to create a seamless technology that will drive solutions eventually.
He emphasised on the need to ensure that security patches are in place for 5G deployment because of the massive and revolutionary services the technology will bring.
Digital Encode specialises in the design, management and security of business-critical networks, telecommunications environments and other Information Technology (IT) infrastructures. The company, which specialises in Information security, Risk Management, Governance, Cybersecurity, Compliance and Computer Forensics,
The multi-award winning firm is in partnership with government agencies and other organisation on data and cybersecurity deployment, and has received both local and international recognition for its services.
Speaking in the light of the nation’s preparedness for 5G deployment, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the nation’s telecommunication regulatory body, the NCC, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta noted: “Already, we are set for the auction some spectrum slots in 3.5GHz band. The other day I was at the National assembly, I informed the senate that we were 95% ready for 5G. Today as we speak, I am delighted to tell you that we are already at 97% completion.”
It is expected that the deployment of the 5G technology will spur services that will stimulate growth in different sectors of the Nigeria’s economy, including the health, education, financial and commerce sectors.
Speaking on the event, Mrs Ufuoma Emuophedaro, publisher and ceo of eBusiness Life, disclosed that panel a discussion will look at the infrastructure readiness of the service providers and expectations from the regulator and other public sector stakeholders. “We need to also know, how ready the entrepreneurs and tech Startups are? How ready other sector operators are to latch unto revolutionary 5G technology? Are there policies in place that will ensure that the consumers are well protected in terms or charges and service provisions? Are there collaborative opportunities? What do we expect and how do we tackle the expected rise in cyber insecurity that the technology will attract?”
With the theme, “GSM @ 20, Setting The Stage For The 5G Journey – Requirements, Deployment and Challenges”, the event will afford stakeholders the opportunity to discuss the level of preparedness of ICT stakeholders to embrace the challenge of being pivotal to the stability and growth of all other sectors through 5G deployment.
The event, which is expected to have the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami; EVC/CEO of the Nigerian Communication Commission, (NCC) Prof. Umar Danbatta; as well as Captains of industry in attendance, will bring together Mobile Network Operators, telecom service providers , infrastructure companies, cybersecurity companies, among others to discuss the past, the present and the future of digital communication in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s technology company, Globacom, has extended warm felicitations to Nigerians on the occasion of the 2024 Christmas celebrations.
In a goodwill message released in Lagos, Globacom urged Nigerians to embrace the spirit of love and kindness during the festive season, especially in the face of prevailing economic challenges.
The company emphasized the importance of practicing the teachings of Jesus Christ, particularly the virtues of obedience to God and loving one’s neighbor as well.
“Christ taught many virtues including obedience to God and loving one’s neighbour as oneself”, the company said, adding, “Now is the apt time to practise these teachings by sharing with the needy”.
Globacom also encouraged Nigerians to extend the conviviality of Christmas beyond the festive season by fostering love, peace, and harmony, as demonstrated by God through the birth of Jesus Christ.
Assuring its customers of uninterrupted services throughout the Yuletide period and beyond, Globacom urged them to take advantage of its innovative products and services to stay connected and share the memories of the season with loved ones.
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have ordered Deposit Money Banks and Mobile Network Operators to settle the long-standing N250bn USSD debt dispute before January 2, 2025.
The CBN and NCC also directed banks to pay the pre-Application Programming Interfaces (API) debt before July 2, 2025.
They also ordered that post-API debts be settled before December 31, 2024.
The directive was issued in a joint cirular titled, “2nd Joint Circular of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian Communications Commission on the Resolution of the USSD Debt Issue Between Deposit Money Banks and Mobile Network Operators.”
The circular dated December 20, 2024, was signed by Oladimeji Taiwo, acting director of the Payments System Management Department, CBN, and Chizua Whyte, head of Legal and Regulatory Services, NCC.
The regulators said, “In view of the foregoing, the CBN and the NCC hereby direct DMBs and MNOs as follows: 1. That 60 per cent of all pre-API invoices must be paid as full and final settlement.
“Payment plans (lump sum or installments) must be agreed upon between a concerned DMB and MNO by January 2, 2025. Installments must be based on equal monthly payments, with full payment due by July 2, 2025.
“DMBs must pay 85 per cent of all outstanding invoices issued after the implementation of APIs (i.e., February 2022) by December 31, 2024.
“Similarly, 85 per cent of future invoices must be liquidated within one month of service.”
According to the regulators, the transition to end-user billing will be activated only for DMBs and MNOs that comply with the payment conditions cobtained in the circular.
CBN and the NCC said they would provide further guidance on public enlightenment initiatives related to the transition.
The regulators also directed MNOs to implement the “10-seconds rule” for USSD invoicing.
This implies that any session lasting less than ten seconds will not be billable.
The regulators added, “Failure to comply with the terms outlined in this directive will attract necessary sanctions, ensuring that both DMBs and MNOs uphold their obligations.”
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a draft regulatory framework aimed at addressing fraud, spam, and other challenges in the Application-to-Person messaging sector.
The telecom regulator made this announcement in a statement.
The proposed framework, which was introduced during a virtual Stakeholders’ Forum, is said to be a key step towards enhancing the sector’s integrity and ensuring a fair, transparent environment for all parties involved.
The draft framework, presented by Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman, NCC, who was represented by Chizua Whyte, NCC’s acting head of legal and regulatory services, seeks to regulate the A2P messaging space.
The A2P messaging, used for notifications such as bank alerts, promotional campaigns, and government updates, has become a vital communication tool in Nigeria.
However, the sector faces significant challenges, including consumer protection concerns, fraud, and data privacy issues, as well as an unequal distribution of value within the ecosystem.
“The international A2P messaging space in Nigeria faces gaps that have led to issues such as fraud, spam, and data privacy concerns. These challenges threaten the sustainable growth of this communication tool,” the NCC said.
The proposed framework aims to address these challenges by protecting consumers, promoting fair competition, and holding service providers accountable.
“This forum marks a pivotal step towards addressing these challenges. We are here to engage with all stakeholders—operators, aggregators, businesses, service providers, and consumers—to refine the framework and ensure it meets the needs of the entire ecosystem.”
The NCC stressed the importance of inclusivity and collaboration in creating an effective regulatory environment.
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