Connect with us

Telecom

ATCON Opens Portal for Registration of Delegates for National Dialogue on Telecoms & ICT sector

Published

on

Kindly share this post

The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has opened its portal for members and the general public for  registration of delegates for the National Dialogue on Telecoms and ICT Sector in Nigeria.

 

ATCON under the leadership of the President, Mr Olusola Teniola said that the national dialogue is holding under a well-researched theme: ‘Harnessing the Digital Resources for the building of our National Economy’; it is slated for Thursday, March 26, 2020 at NAF Conference Centre and Suites, Abuja by 9am.

 

The Minister, Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, is expected to deliver a Keynote Address on the under-listed topics which would be the focus of the panel discussions at the dialogue:

 

    Digital Economy in Nigeria: Challenges and Opportunities

Private Public Partnership and Development of Mechanism for the seamless Management of Inter-Ministries and Agencies: an imperative for Broadband Infrastructure Development in Nigeria

National Funding and Investment Strategy for Broadband Infrastructure and Digital Economy: The Importance of Education and Awareness

Regulation on Emerging Technologies (AI, IoT, Robotics, Blockchain, etc): Leveraging on Nigerian Young Population’s Innovation and Creativity for National Development

 

Event objectives

 

The President of ATCON said that the Association is convening the Dialogue as a channel collaborative efforts toward Nigerian Digital Economy with the sole aim of accelerating our economy’s performance in relation to other leading African countries

 

“The platform will serve as a forum to discuss the recently launched documents on Digital Economy and take stakeholders input for implementation.

 

“To optimally Xray the factors that have worked for and against the telecom and ICT sector in Nigeria and to discuss regulations and policies around AI, IoT and Blockchain

 

“The growth across all the sectors of Nigeria’s economy is expected to be exponential as a result of the resolve by the Federal Government of Nigeria under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to drive the entire economy through digital resources.

 

“This strategic dialogue plans to bring together the Presidency, National Assembly, relevant Federal Ministries, State Governors, ICT State Commissioners, Telecom and ICT Operating Companies, World Bank and other international relevant agencies.

 

“One of the overriding deliverables of this national dialogue on telecoms and ICT sector is that the adoption of digital resources by all aforementioned sectors would lead to development which would eventually make Nigeria to join the league of the top 20 global economies”, ATCON said.


Kindly share this post

Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Comments

Telecom

Glo Felicitates Nigerians on Christmas Celebration

Published

on

Kindly share this post

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.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Telecom

FG Gives Banks, Telcos Six-Month Deadline to Resolve N250Bn USSD Debt

Published

on

Kindly share this post

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.

FG Gives Banks, Telcos Six-Month Deadline to Resolve N250Bn USSD Debt

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.”


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Telecom

NCC Launches Initiative to Combat Fraud, Spam Messaging

Published

on

Kindly share this post

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.

NCC Launches Initiative to Combat Fraud, Spam Messaging

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.

 

 

 

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending