Telecom

BCN Commends NCC, Seeks USPF Review

Published

8 years ago

October 16, 2016

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Backbone Connectivity Network Nigeria (BCN) has extolled the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC’s) efforts towards the deployment of fibre broadband infrastructure to the un-served and underserved areas of the country through the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF).

Ibrahim Dikko, managing director (BCN) made the remark during a presentation on the “State of the Industry – Telecom Infrastructure Company’s Perspective” at a reception organized by the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) in honour of Professor Umar Danbatta, executive Vice Chairman of NCC, recently in Lagos.

Dikko pointed that NCC’s gesture falls in line with a World Bank study between 2000 and 2006 which found ‘low-income and middle-income countries experienced “about a 1.38 percentage point increase in GDP for each 10 percent increase in [broadband] penetration.”

The World Bank further found that the development impact of broadband on emerging economies is greater than for high-income countries, which “enjoyed a 1.21 percentage point increase in per capita GDP growth” per 10 percent increase in broadband penetration.

He said that with Nigeria’s projected 2017 GDP estimate of US$657 billion, a 1.38% GDP growth is equivalent to $8.6 billion (N309.6 Billion).

He also said that broadband penetration level is now up to 14% from 10% in 2014, signifying a growing trend in much needed communications infrastructure.

But, in the midst of these successes, Dikko said that there are gaps in the ICT ecosystem that is inhibiting the kind of growth, sectoral connections and contribution to our economy that it is capable of.

According to him, the National Broadband objective to attain 30% broadband penetration goal by 2018 is facing challenges; “The big question before us today is —how do we develop the requisite infrastructure to sustain and increase growth rates and increase broadband penetration levels? Is the environment enabling enough to allow for more infrastructure rollout? The answer rests in how we unlock the supply chain of our Digital Ecosystem”.

“We commend the efforts NCC through the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) to extend fibre broadband infrastructure to the unserved and underserved areas of our country. We believe a review of the current model is required for greater effectiveness and impact of the very laudable initiative. This would range from shortening the tender process, consideration to move to a longer term IRU model (5 – 10 years) rather than the present yearly tender and to either increasing coverage area (600km to 1,200km) or increasing density (clustering in focused area) in proposed zones to ensure critical mass and higher impact,” he said.

The BCN MD said that consideration need to be given to securing waivers for import duties and levies for equipment for broadband deployment such as FOC etc, granting tax holidays to Infracos.

“Broadband infrastructure as the pivot for ICT growth should be regarded as a critical socio-economic infrastructure,” he recommended.

He also urged the NCC EVC to double efforts in collaboration with partners such as Bank of Industry (BoI) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to create an ICT infrastructure fund with a-two year moratorium period which would provide long term investment funds at single digit interest rates.

“This would definitely have a strong and positive impact on operators, enable rapid deployment of broadband infrastructure, assist our country bridge its ICT infrastructure gap deficit, facilitate growth of our digital economy and increase our sector contribution to GDP.

“We must all pause and reflect deeply on the digital ecosystem bottlenecks that abound such as Base Station permits and taxes, telecom equipment manufacture& services and the continued lack of and epileptic power supply situation in the country. This continues to negatively impact businesses with the corresponding adverse influence on the digital ecosystem.

“We need to eliminate the high taxes, bureaucratic bottlenecks, considerably ease the cost of doing business and improve the overall environment to best of our ability to progress the development of the digital ecosystem with attendant benefit to its constituent parts. We must also look critically at the challenges of Wireless transmission, of adding more Base Stations to areas where technology upgrades are needed, for example from 2G to 3G, etc.

“We must also engage government parastatals that seek to embed and enjoy most times exorbitant ROW charges on routes and cause avoidable bottlenecks in fibre deployment. These charges are generally on routes that ROW charges have already been paid, this are some of the challenges including community issues that operators face concerning deployments. We must note that infrastructure companies whose sole business is to operate at wholesale capacity transmission level must survive and interconnect for Nigeria to have an independent neutral carrier/backbone strong enough to unlock the supply chain challenge that exists in our country today”.

He underscored the necessity of speeding up the legislative process to enact the ICT Critical Infrastructure Act to criminalise sabotage and vandalism to telecom infrastructure and subsequently see to it that Federal Executive directives are issued to security agencies to enforce the law and administrative protection from theft and vandalism.

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Telecom

Airtel Partners Google to Elevate Home Entertainment

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1 day ago

December 11, 2024

Chike Onwuegbuchi

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Telecommunications service provider Airtel Nigeria has announced an innovative partnership with Google to transform home entertainment across Nigeria.

The partnership, which was unveiled at an agreement signing ceremony at the telecom giant’s Lagos headquarters, integrates YouTube, the world’s largest video platform, into the ground-breaking Airtel Smart Router to deliver seamless internet connection and entertainment experiences for subscribers across the country.

As part of this innovative update, the Airtel Smart Router further fulfils its promise as a 2-in-1 device, acting as an internet router while also converting analogue television sets into smart TVs to enable YouTube viewing on any type of TV.

Now with a YouTube app, a dedicated button on the remote control, and an operating system optimised for a seamless YouTube experience, the Smart Router is equipped to bring world-class quality entertainment closer to more Nigerians.

Speaking on the new partnership, Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Femi Oshinlaja, highlighted its significance towards transforming digital entertainment in Nigerian homes.

“At Airtel, our goal to bridge the digital gap includes the provision of affordable entertainment content. Through this partnership with Google, we continue to revolutionise the entertainment space as the Airtel Smart Router offers a complete experience, delivering internet services and easy access to world-class entertainment through YouTube,” he said.

Also providing more insight about the collaboration, Director, Corporate Communications & CSR, Femi Adeniran, stated, “The integration of YouTube on the Airtel Smart Router offers an unmatched simplification of the customer experience, transforming how our customers consume digital content at home. This partnership reflects our commitment to creating affordable and innovative solutions that enhance the digital lifestyle of our customers.”

The ground-breaking Airtel Smart Router, which retails for N25,000 and arrives with unlimited data for 30 days, simplifies the streaming of movies, football matches, cartoons, music, and other forms of audio-visual entertainment for the entire family.

Olumide Balogun, West Africa Director, Google, added: “YouTube has always been about connecting people with the content they love, whether it’s exploring new hobbies, staying informed, or discovering creative inspiration.

“With this partnership, we’re making it easier for more Nigerians to access their favorite videos right from their TVs, enabling even more homes to benefit from the wealth of knowledge and entertainment that YouTube offers. It’s an exciting step toward our mission of creating a digitally inclusive Africa.”

Reiterating Balogun’s assertion, Director, EMEA Product Partnerships, YouTube, Mahesh Bhalerao said, “YouTube is the stage where culture comes to life and where everyone, from creators to viewers, can find their voice and connect with what matters most to them.

“This collaboration with Airtel underscores our commitment to bringing high-quality, on-demand content to more homes, while empowering Nigerian audiences to explore, learn, and enjoy the diversity of experiences YouTube offers.”

Airtel is committed to redefining the data access for Nigerian households via affordable and portable connection devices such as routers and MiFis.

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Telecom

Qualcomm Celebrates Successful Completion of the Second Year of the Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Program

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1 day ago

December 11, 2024

Chike Onwuegbuchi

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Qualcomm Incorporated has announced the successful completion of the second year of its Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Program, culminating in the Make in Africa Finale 2024.

This platform continues to showcase the energy and innovation emerging from the African technology scene, demonstrating Qualcomm’s commitment to supporting startups as part of the broader Qualcomm Africa Innovation Platform.

Now in its second year, this program has successfully guided early-stage technology startups by providing mentorship, business coaching, engineering consultation, and IP protection advice.

This year’s Make in Africa finalists, from six African nations, are tackling real-world challenges across healthcare, agriculture, cutting-edge AI and industrial sectors.

The 2024 cohort includes the following startups (listed in alphabetical order):

Aurora Health Systems from Kenya provides AI-based cardiovascular healthcare tools
CropScan from Kenya uses solar-powered smart farming IoT devices
Cure Bionics from Tunisia makes smart 3D printed prosthetic devices
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

Wireless Reach Social Impact Fund Winner

Aurora Health Systems from Kenya was announced the winner of the 2024 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.

Aurora Health Systems was selected for their innovative wireless, portable ECG device with LTE connectivity. This device assists patients with cardiovascular disease by enabling remote data transmission of ECG data to healthcare providers, even in rural areas.

They are the first in East Africa to train ECG AI models on locally sourced data, resulting in more accurate algorithms and improved AI-powered diagnostics. Additionally, all finalists will receive stipends to further fuel their growth and help protect their intellectual property.

Highlighting the L2Pro Africa IP E-Learning Platform

In an effort to harness Africa’s vast potential for innovation and creativity, the L2Pro Africa IP e-learning Platform provides further support to startups across Africa. This free online training program, developed in collaboration with Adams and Adams, Africa’s leading IP law firm, is designed to empower startups, SMEs, and researchers across the continent.

The platform provides essential knowledge and tools to protect and maximize innovations, addressing the pressing challenge of limited patent activity in Africa. By equipping innovators with the skills needed to safeguard and commercialize their inventions, L2Pro Africa aims to unlock new economic opportunities and foster a thriving ecosystem of innovation.

Launch of Qualcomm Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Program 2025

Building on the success of previous years, Qualcomm is excited to launch the Make in Africa 2025 program. Applications are now open. Details can be found here: https://www.qualcomm.com/company/locations/africa/qualcomm-make-in-africa

“The Make in Africa startups are disrupting traditional industries and tackling socio-economic challenges, crafting innovative solutions with global market reach by using AI, advanced connectivity, and IoT,” said Wassim Chourbaji, SVP & President, Qualcomm MEA & SVP, Government Affairs EMEA,.

“This startup mentorship program reflects Qualcomm’s commitment to support promising early-stage deep tech startups, empowering local talents, creating jobs and driving economic growth.”

Highlights: The Qualcomm Make in Africa 2024 program supported ten startups from six African nations, addressing challenges in healthcare, agriculture, AI, and industrial sectors.

Nigerian startup, Kitovu, was among this year’s finalists. Founded by Nwachinemera Emeka, Kitovu is revolutionizing agriculture with its WareGuard smart warehouse management solution, designed to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance food security for millions of farmers.
Aurora Health Systems of Kenya was announced as the winner of the 2024 Wireless Reach Social Impact Fund.
Applications for Qualcomm Make in Africa 2025 are now open.

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Telecom

S Mobile Enhances Data and Airtime Access for Students in Nigeria

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1 day ago

December 11, 2024

Ugo Onwuaso

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In alignment with MTN Nigeria’s vision for digital transformation and inclusion, S Mobile is making significant strides to support technological advancement and improve access to digital services in Nigeria.

By partnering with tertiary institutions and empowering young minds across Southeast Nigeria, S Mobile is playing a pivotal role in MTN’s Ambition 2025 – a corporate initiative centered on creating a human-centric, tech-driven future for Nigeria.

Speaking on the development, Gabriel Onu, Chief Digital Strategist at S Mobile group, said they have partnered with students in tertiary institutions across Southeast Nigeria to provide easy access to affordable data solutions.

“Recognizing the role of data in modern education, this partnership is aimed at enhancing students’ connectivity, enabling them to access educational resources, communicate effectively, and thrive in an increasingly digital academic environment.

“In addition, S Mobile has introduced MTN MOMO, a financial technology solution, to these institutions. MOMO offers students a seamless and secure way to handle financial transactions, reducing the reliance on cash and improving financial inclusion among Nigeria’s youth”, Onu said.

He said that, as part of its support for MTN’s technology vision, S Mobile established the S Mobile Tech Hub, a dynamic space dedicated to equipping young Nigerians with critical skills for the future.

“To date, the hub has trained and empowered hundreds of youths, fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and technical expertise.

“The impact of the Tech Hub extends beyond education; it serves as a tool for societal transformation. By empowering youths with skills that enable them to achieve their potential, S Mobile is contributing to reducing crime and inspiring a new generation of tech-savvy leaders.

“This festive season, S Mobile is thanking its loyal customers with a Christmas Promo, offering affordable data packages as a token of appreciation.

“This initiative acknowledges the unwavering support of MTN’s subscribers and emphasizes S Mobile’s commitment to making digital services accessible to all.

“Through these initiatives, S Mobile is aligning with MTN’s Ambition 2025, a strategic goal focused on creating a better, more connected Nigeria. S Mobile’s contributions, from affordable data solutions to youth empowerment programs, highlight its commitment to MTN’s human-centered corporate objectives.

“Together, the partnership is not just about technological advancements but also about building a future where innovation drives progress and inclusion.

“S Mobile remains a committed partner in driving MTN’s mission for digital inclusion and national development. By empowering youths, fostering digital access, and enhancing financial inclusion, S Mobile is not just supporting MTN’s vision—it is actively contributing to a brighter and more connected future for Nigeria.

“As the year ends, S Mobile renews its pledge to support MTN’s vision, ensuring that its customers and the communities it serves continue to benefit from the transformative power of technology”, Onu said.

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