E-Business
NEPs Can Become Digital Infrastructure Natives- Gartner
Network equipment providers (NEPs) can remain competitive in a rapidly changing environment, said Martina Kurth, research director at Gartner, while discussing how this can be achieved.
Writing on why NEPs should change their business model, Kurth believes that the network infrastructure market is undergoing a rapid shift.
“Traditional telecom equipment providers, he wrote, “must reinvent themselves to remain relevant in an increasingly digital world. Simply selling routers, towers and boxes will not be enough to survive as margins on hardware become increasingly slim. NEPs have to find new ways to leverage their core assets, while simultaneously acquiring new technology skills to align with the new digital economy technology”.
The Research Director at Gartner continued, “The world’s largest wireless equipment provider, Ericsson, is an example of the need for change. It has been through major turmoil recently, struggling with precisely this shift.
Hans Vestberg stepped down as CEO in July 2016, after the company suffered several consecutive quarters of declining growth. The recent merger of Nokia and Alcatel-Lucent, along with Huawei’s aggressive stance in the market, has put enormous pressure on Ericsson, but this also underlines the big efforts all major companies are making to align themselves with the new realities of this market.
Where can network equipment manufacturers find growth in the new digital marketplace?
“Communication service providers (CSPs) are inclined to use a single strategic technology supplier for a combined software and services offering. Infrastructure technology suppliers will be expected to cover the entire end-to-end stack across virtualized network infrastructures, IT software and cloud data center capabilities. This is a big opportunity for those suppliers that can deliver on this need, and a threat to those who can’t.
“However, NEPs must provide more than new software-driven technology architectures — the big challenge is to operationalize and monetize new cloud-based technologies, like software-defined networks and network function virtualization.
“Capabilities that center on software-driven and cloud-based telecom operations will be critical. Eventually, CSPs will expect their suppliers to provide viable end-to-end solutions to capitalize on the market potential that future technologies such as 5G, machine-to-machine, the Internet of Things, cloud and multimedia hold. New digital standards, such as Narrowband IoT, will need new digital operational and support system orchestration capabilities, such as partner management, onboarding and settlement, charging, policy and analytics.
What will a leading NEP look like in the future?
“NEPs must redesign their business to address larger digital transformations. This will require a total transformation of vertical operations support system (OSS)/business support system (BSS) stacks to fully automated, horizontal execution environments. Vendors also need to assist with the design of new operating models, the introduction of DevOps, and the associated organizational and operational network and IT alignment. Development tools and guidance on operational and organizational processes must be part of the solution to facilitate any changes required to a company’s culture and mindset.
“As telecom operators change the way they create, manage and deliver digital services, big changes will also be required in the DNA of technology providers as they must facilitate the shift toward digital infrastructure. The good news for market-incumbent infrastructure providers is that their legacy network and OSS capabilities will be critical. We will mostly see hybrid CSP architectures for some time, before CSPs transition to fully virtualized infrastructures over the next decade. Established players will need to gain credibility in the emerging digital areas by beefing up capabilities in the cloud, data center and enterprise domains.
“There is a huge market opportunity in enabling CSPs’ architectural integration and ensuring interoperability across an end-to-end digital infrastructure.
“However, NEPs must evolve into facilitators that help overcome the challenges between business strategy, technology and operational planning for CSPs. For most providers, this means making the cultural shift to new digital development and operations paradigms. This will require them getting the attention of prospects well beyond traditional CSP constituents, as CIOs and CMOs take a key role in the new digital service delivery models”.
Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mastercard to enhance data protection in Nigeria.
Dr. Vincent Olatunji, commissioner, NDPC and Derek Ho,deputy chief privacy officer, Mastercard
The agreement was sealed during a workshop where 150 Data Protection Officers (DPOs) were trained on Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs).
Dr. Vincent Olatunji, commissioner, NDPC, said the event kicks off activities for the 8th NADPA conference, highlighting government efforts to train more certified DPOs.
Olatunji also disclosed the Federal Government’s commitment to increasing the number of certified DPOs with the required skills to manage data protection.
He noted that Nigeria’s digital-savvy youth are key to driving this agenda.
“Human capital is really key to us, and the ecosystem we are regulating is very special. It is still new, still emerging, and we need all we can to build the capacity of officers.
“We want to build the capacity of our people so we can be able to deliver on our mandate and fully deepen privacy in Nigeria.
“We are targeting to build the capacity of 250,000 DPOs annually, and we are working with partners like Mastercard to achieve that,” he said.
Derek Ho,deputy chief privacy officer, Mastercard, also stressed the need for collaboration to build trust in the digital economy and urged participants to embrace training as data protection keeps evolving.
Central Securities Clearing System PLC (CSCS) has announced the launch of *7270#, its Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) code service, set to go live on May 8th, 2025.
The USSD code service is an innovative solution designed to enhance the ease and accessibility of investment services for all users.
Also, this service leverages the network capabilities of MTN Nigeria to bring unparalleled convenience to investors.
Driven by a relentless commitment to innovation, CSCS aims to revolutionize information access within the Nigerian capital market through this USSD code service.
As the Central Securities Depository (CSD), CSCS focuses on enhancing investor experiences and providing deeper market insights with unparalleled convenience.
The CSCS USSD code service offers seamless access to essential market information directly from mobile phones, eliminating the need for internet connectivity or specialized trading platforms.
Investors can now effortlessly retrieve Clearing House Number (CHN), check Direct Cash Settlement (DCS) status, view stock positions, account balances, and account status confirmations.
Haruna Jalo-Waziri, managing director/chief executive officer of CSCS, said ” We are excited to launch the *7270# USSD code service, a significant step in leveraging mobile technology to democratize access to account and portfolio information.
“This service empowers every investor, regardless of their location or resources, to stay informed about their investments. At CSCS, we believe that financial inclusivity is key to driving economic growth.
“Our partnership with MTN Nigeria on this project represents a significant leap toward a more inclusive financial landscape, leveraging the spread of the MTN network.
“This collaboration enhances the investing experience, reinforcing our shared commitment to empowering individuals with the tools they need to manage their financial futures effectively.” he added.
The CSCS USSD code service will initially be available to MTN users only. However, CSCS plans to expand this service to other networks soon.
This innovative service offers investors streamlined and secure access to critical market information at their fingertips.
Aisha Umar Mumuni, chief digital officer of MTN Nigeria, said, “This collaboration with CSCS on the *7270# USSD service underscores MTN’s commitment to harnessing the power of mobile technology to simplify complex processes for our users.
“By making critical investment information available at the touch of a button, we are helping to democratize access to the capital markets and, in the process, enhance investor engagement and market transparency,” she said.
CSCS continues to lead the way in technological advancements, reinforcing its position as a pivotal player in the Nigerian capital market ecosystem.
This initiative underscores our dedication to enhancing market efficiency and empowering investors with the tools they need for informed decision-making.
The need to maximise local digital assets, amid dwindling Oil revenues and a struggling economy, has been reiterated by the Chief Executive Officer of Quomodo Systems Africa, Oluwole Asalu, who maintained this measure remains the path to prosperity.
Asalu, while addressing the press in Lagos, recently asserted that global shift towards digital economies, presents a pivotal opportunity for Nigeria at this time to mobilise sufficient resources towards effective governance.
He emphasised harnessing the burgeoning local digital economy to expedite national diversification goals, while break away from overdependence on oil output.
Asalu, boasted further that Nigeria’s tech-savvy, youthful population and increasing recognition from global tech giants already position its digital sector as a driver of inclusive growth and job creation.
“Nigeria’s overreliance on oil is no longer tenable. As global markets shift towards renewable energy, the urgency to diversify has never been greater. Technology stands out as the most promising avenue, not merely as a sector, but as an enabler of growth across all facets of the economy,” he explained.
According to him, Nigeria’s tech talent remains the new oil, a renewable resource with the potential for significant returns, if strategically harnessed.
Like India’s successes in information technology services, Asalu want Nigeria to tap into lucrative outsourcing industry to draw foreign investment.
“Foreign investment in Nigeria’s tech sector is rising. Programmes like Digital Explorers have led European firms such as Telesoft to establish operations in Nigeria. Tech giants like Microsoft and Facebook have followed suit, injecting capital and creating jobs,” he stated.
He again pointed to the emergence of three unicorns within Nigeria’s tech ecosystem as a breakthrough and sign of maturity.
“Nigeria’s tech ecosystem is already showing signs of maturity, with three unicorns emerging from its soil. These success stories, powered by local innovation, underscore the viability of a home-grown, world-class tech sector,” he affirmed.
He however emphasized urgent need to close existing gap in skills and infrastructure, in addition to embracing governance and collaboration to fully harness digital potential cum future.
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