Telecom
InfraCo Licencing: MainOne Wins Lagos, North-Central Goes to IHS
MainOne Company has won the licence as the infrastructure company (infraco) for Lagos region, according to Dr Eugene Juwah, executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Juwah disclosed in Lagos during the 4th Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Industry Stakeholders Forum, organised by the Ministry of Communication Technology.
Juwah also said that IHS, an already existing infraco had won the bid for the deployment of ICT infrastructure and associated equipment in the North-Central region.
Under NCC’s ‘Open Access Model for Next Generation Optic Fibre Broadband Network’ Licensed InfraCo(s) are geographically focused to provide wholesale Layer 2 transmission services on a non discriminatory, open access, price regulated basis.
InfraCos may also provide Layer 1 (dark fibre) services on commercial basis; focus on the deployment of metropolitan fibre and provide transmission services, available at access points (Fibre to the Node or Neighborhood – FTTN) to access seekers.
They can also leverage existing inter-city fibre to deploy their services; purchase/lease transmission or long haul fibre capacity from other providers, where available, for the purpose of interconnection.
According to him, the plan of the commission is to divide Nigeria into seven zones, so as to ensure even distribution of infrastructure across the country.
”The award letters are already on the way and with the new infracos, a new regulation will come up,” the EVC said.
Juwah said that the bidding processes were still ongoing and the remaining five infracos would be licensed by July.
He added that the bid process for the licensing of infracos and the deployment metropolitan optic fibre infrastructure and associated equipment would be done in an open access, non-discriminatory and price regulated basis.
According to him, the open access model has been examined and considered as a strategic means for the deployment of optic backbone transmission infrastructure network in Nigeria.
The EVC said that the ultimate goal of the commission was to bridge the current broadband gap, facilitate the deployment of local content and deliver cost effective services to households and businesses.
He said that the process was expected to address the challenge of fibre deployment in towns and cities, promote infrastructure sharing, reduce right of way issues and transform the beneficiary state to smart states amongst other privileges.
”When the seven infracos finally come on board, they are expected to take broadband infrastructure from the ocean and connect them to the cities and hinterland across the country.
”This would make Internet ubiquitous in Nigeria and this would in turn impact positively on the economy,” Juwah said.
Ms Funke Opeke, chief executive officer of MainOne, said that the company was pleased and excited to have been announced the winner for Lagos State.
Opeke said that MainOne was eager to deliver the benefits of the licence to Nigerians.
Meanwhile, the EVC disabused the minds of stakeholders from any perceived system abuse, interferences or operational discomforts, adding that the licencing supposes that new regulations will be put in place to guide all players.
Telecom
MobileCoreX Taps Wireless Technology Labs in Multi-Million Dollar Deal to Build New Mobile Core Network across Nigeria
Wireless Technology Labs (WTL) today announced that it has been chosen by MobileCoreX Ltd (MCX), Nigeria’s premier Mobile Virtual Network Enabler (MVNE), to spearhead the development of the country’s first mobile virtual network in a landmark deal valued at millions of US dollars over the next three years.
This initiative aims to enhance mobile connectivity for Nigeria’s 220+ million residents, addressing the current challenges of low broadband penetration and poor quality of service.
Nigeria’s telecom sector is predominantly dominated by four major operators—MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9Mobile – with only 29% of Nigerian’s 220+m population regularly accessing the mobile internet, (GSMA figures) due to poor coverage and a variety of other issues.
In Q2 of 2023, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) adopted a new strategy to boost coverage and adoption, it issued 43 Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) licenses to amplify service coverage, particularly in unserved and underserved regions.
Amongst the licensee’s was MCX which obtained a tier 4 MVNE license aimed at constructing new mobile network infrastructure to provide capacity for emerging MVNOs as a platform as a service.
“Coverage, poor quality of service, costs and inflexible value propositions in Nigeria have persisted for too long.
“We are committed to leveraging innovative technology to create more competitive networks that reduce costs for consumers and provides value propositions that suite that needs,” stated Mr. Habib Ahmed, CEO of MCX.
He emphasized WTL’s pivotal role in delivering the carrier-grade core systems required for a comprehensive suite of mobile services, encompassing voice, data, and value-added features to meet the diverse needs of MVNO clients.
WTL, headquartered in Belgium, with over 20 years of experience, has been active in Nigeria and across Africa, working with operators of all sizes to rollout both urban and rural networks, work which has garnered it widespread recognition and industry awards.
The company has already partnered with two of the 43 new MVNOs licensed by the NCC, showcasing its commitment to enhancing telecom infrastructure in the region.
Mr. Satya Mekala, CEO of WTL “This partnership is about empowering a new entrant to make significant impact in the telecom market.
“We are committed to supporting MCX in its journey from a newcomer to a major player in the industry.
“Our advanced Core systems will ensure that MCX can offer reliable, scalable, and innovative mobile services from day one”.
As the telecom industry in Nigeria undergoes transformative changes, this collaboration signals a promising future for mobile connectivity and digital adoption in the country.
WTL will be showcasing its capabilities at upcoming events including MVNO Nation 2024 in Valencia, 6-8 November and The Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town, 12-14 November, further reinforcing its commitment to driving digital adoption across the continent and the globe.
To learn more about how WTL can help with the rollout of MVNO/E urban and rural networks in Africa, please email [email protected]
Telecom
Edo State Launches Data Centre in Benin
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo has said that reforms by his administration in the digital and technology space over the last eight years have revolutionised the state.
The Governor who stated this on Friday at the launch of the Edo State Digital Policy and Edo Data Centre, disclosed that was the first data centre owned by a state in Nigeria.
According to him, his reforms had repositioned Edo as a leading state in digital inclusion in Nigeria, adding that his government was leveraging technology as a catalyst for socio-economic development and inclusive growth.
He said: “I welcome you to the only data center owned by a state in Nigeria. This event is significant because we have started a revolution in Edo State, a digital revolution. We are rounding up with a policy statement that will guide this revolution into the future.
“The population of Edo is scaled towards the youths as they are born in a digital age. The future is digital. It will be difficult to navigate the world today without technology. If you want to develop and grow rapidly, you must begin to think of how to use technology.
“The pace of the advancement of technology in the world today is scary. So, just imagine those who have not started yet; I don’t think they can live in the future world. In Edo, we have always been ahead in our history. We have been a knowledgeable people as we interacted at a global level over 500 years ago on our own level.
“To catch up, we had to do something else and different. That was why from the beginning it was clear to us that we had to introduce technology and make sure that we begin to retrain our young ones, the youths, to own this digital world and the confidence in it.”
Obaseki added: “We have moved Edo into the digital superhighway and to operate on that superhighway, they must know the rules and must be guided by certain rules and practices. That is what we are doing today and incorporating in this policy document. This will enable everybody to understand the shape of this high way and what they need to do on this high way.”
The governor continued: “I had the privilege of working with young people in Edo State and working together, we set up EdoJobs and the Edo Innovate Hub as these have helped our young people and till date, over 50,000 young men and women have benefited from various training and programmes from Edo Innovate. We have been lucky to build a digital ecosystem which has grown rapidly.
“Years ago, as the Chairman of the State’s Economy Team, we set up the ICTA but we struggled all through but we kept it alive, and set up the law governing it. The agency is principally responsible for providing technology for the government.
“I am proud today of what we have done in Edo State which is all-encompassing as no aspect of government in Edo State that has not been digitized or in the process of digitization. All Government jobs have been digitized, and it is not difficult to operate in Edo as files can’t miss again.”
He said: “Technology has made it easy for our children to learn in school through the EdoBEST programme. We have over 400,000 children in our public schools. We have data in all our public schools, teachers, parents and ward of our pupils.
“You can go to any of our primary healthcare centers today without seeing your records, especially if you have registered and with our health insurance. Security, healthcare, agriculture, education and other areas, we have introduced technology.
Telecom
IHS Nigeria Donates Solar-powered Boreholes to Support Flood Victims in Maiduguri, Borno State
IHS Nigeria, part of the IHS Holding Limited (NYSE: IHS) (“IHS Towers”) group, one of the largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared communications infrastructure in the world by tower count, has announced the donation of four solar-powered boreholes to support victims of recent floods in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The donation, which will be delivered through the United Nations Children’s Fund’s (UNICEF) emergency flood response, will help address the most urgent needs of flood-affected populations in Borno State, especially those displaced following flooding in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Jere and Konduga LGAs.
The response by IHS Nigeria and UNICEF will help mitigate the impact of the flood and the risk of waterborne diseases for nearly 20,000 people, including vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and young mothers, children, and patients visiting health centers.
The four solar-powered boreholes donated by IHS Nigeria will be constructed in displaced peoples’ settlements and other temporary displacement sites.
This will include in densely populated areas without access to a safe water source, at schools to help facilitate the early return of children to classes, and at health centers, which are also used as Outpatient Therapeutic Program sites and provide nutrition services and counselling for pregnant women, young mothers, and malnourished children.
Mohamad Darwish, CEO, IHS Nigeria, said, “We empathize with the government and people of Borno State and extend our sympathies to those who lost loved ones and properties in the flood.
“We are aware that as people begin to return to their homes and communities with flood waters receding, they continue to face major risk factors, including damaged and contaminated water sources.
“A key priority for us, which informed our donation of these boreholes, is to help prevent or limit outbreaks of communicable diseases such as cholera, while improving water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services for affected populations.
This donation is an extension of our partnership with UNICEF, which since 2021 has supported the provision of WASH facilities to over 6,000 beneficiaries and enabled the delivery of over one million preventive and curative treatments for tropical diseases related to WASH.”
Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, said, “UNICEF is very grateful to IHS Nigeria for their generous donation of solar-powered boreholes, which comes at a critical time for communities affected by recent floods in Borno State.
“This contribution will not only provide essential safe water to thousands, but also protect vulnerable populations, including children, from the threat of waterborne diseases, and support communities as they work to start rebuilding their lives and livelihood.
“Together with IHS Nigeria, we are making significant strides in safeguarding children and families, and strengthening resilience through our shared commitment to water, sanitation and hygiene services in emergencies.”
IHS Nigeria’s long-standing partnership with UNICEF was recently demonstrated by the visit of Kitty van der Heidjen, UNICEF’s Deputy Executive Director, Partnerships, and her team to the company’s Head Office in Lagos.
Kitty van der Heidjen expressed her appreciation for the ongoing partnership with IHS Nigeria in empowering the country’s youth through education and digital connectivity. Under UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited (GenU) Project, designed to improve digital learning in Nigeria, IHS Nigeria has helped provide internet connectivity to 800 educational institutions between 2022 and 2024.
Through a collaborative partnership with UNICEF that began in 2019, IHS Nigeria has invested more than $4 million in various initiatives, including GenU 9ja, COVID-19 interventions, oxygen plant installations, WASH initiatives and school connectivity.
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