Telecom
We are Taking Steps to Resolve the N165 billion Interconnect Debt – Danbatta
Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Thursday said the commission was taking pragmatic steps to resolve the N165 billion interconnect debt owed by some telecom operators.
Danbatta disclosed this when Olusola Teniola, President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), led his team to visit the NCC headquarters in Abuja.
Interconnect debt results when an operator fails to settle the cost of termination of service rendered to it by another operator in the industry.
Interconnection is important in the telecoms industry because it enables the subscriber to experience the smoothness of a connected or one network.
Thus, with interconnection, a subscriber does not care and does not need to know whether the person at the other end of the network subscribes to another network operator.
He said that because of the realisation of the implication of the debt burden on the industry, NCC arranged a very important meeting of all the telecommunication companies recently.
“We mediated on what the actions and powers of what the commission can do in terms of crisis like this because there is a debt crisis in the industry.
“But it is being managed very well. We all agreed yesterday that pragmatic ways must be found to settle the debts and a deadline had been given as mid-July for the payment plan.
“That is pragmatic, it is being worked out in order to ensure that those who owe will start paying and those who are being owed start receiving what is being owed to them,’’ he said.
The EVC also said the commission made a presentation to the National Economic Council (NEC) where the members of the Governors Forum were in attendance on the challenges that face deployment of broadband infrastructure in the country.
He said NCC complained about lack of adherence to the provision of NEC document.
“A document that specifies a tax of about a N145 per meter length of fibre but unfortunately, states in the country are charging in excess of the amount between N7,000 to N8,000 per meter length of fibre.
“At that meeting, one of the resolutions was that the provision of the NEC report should be respected; it is still an extant provision and therefore all states of the federation should ensure compliance to N145 per meter,’’ he said.
Earlier, Teniola said his team was in NCC to introduce the newly elected National Executive Council of the association to the EVC and to discuss other challenges facing the association.
He said ATCON was passionate about making sure that broadband penetration in Nigeria became high.
He said part of the strategy the association had earmarked to achieve this feat was the introduction of ATCON Broadband and Technology Investment Forum in all states of the Federation.
“The plan is to work majorly with the NCC and all state governors and commissioners of ICT in the country to organise this forum in all the states and in 2018, we plan to stage this forum in three states – Kano Akwa-Ibom and Osun.
“The strategic objective of this initiative is to promote greater awareness about the state’s technology and broadband investments potential, identify viable technology investment projects for both private and public sectors.
“Increased government and private investments and spending in broadband infrastructure. Part of the essence of the forum is to also generate jobs for the people of the state,” he said.
Teniola sought the assistance of NCC on the issue of “multiple taxations’’, adding that the telecom companies at the moment were facing 38 different taxations.
“And this does not come from the telecom regulator as it comes especially from the ministry of finance and the ministry needs to harmonise the taxes faced by the industry as it serves as a disincentive to roll out broadband services.
“Without our ability to attract investment to be actually roll-out broadband infrastructure, then we have consumers who are not benefiting from the digital benefit that exist in the cities.
“We need the taxes to be removed to encourage investment,’’ he said.
Telecom
New CAMON Device Set to Redefine Mobile Content Creation
TECNO is gearing up to launch the next CAMON series device, which promises to be the next evolution in mobile photography.
The CAMON lineup has always been known for its innovation in capturing and sharing cherished moments. Now, TECNO is taking it to the next level with a groundbreaking camera innovation that aims to redefine what’s possible.
For years, the CAMON series has been the driving force behind countless memorable shots, empowering users to unleash their creativity and capture the world in stunning detail. With the upcoming device, TECNO promises to exceed your expectations and deliver an unparalleled photography experience that’s second to none.
The new CAMON device will feature cutting-edge technology and unparalleled performance, setting a new standard for mobile photography and content creation. Imagine being ten steps ahead of the curve, armed with a device that empowers you to capture the perfect shot every time.
Stay updated on the latest news and announcements regarding the upcoming TECNO CAMON device by following TECNO on Facebook, Instagram, and X(Twitter). Join TECNO on this exciting journey towards the future of mobile photography!
Telecom
Data Protection: NIMC’s Licensees to Face More Scrutiny
Following the reported incident of unauthorized NIN verification by expressverify.com, investigation reveals that a third-party who, among others, was originally authorized to provide verification services to citizens and genuine businesses might have allowed expressverify.com to use its NIN verification credentials to conduct verification. The circumstances surrounding this permission is still under investigation.
To remedy this incident, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), in line with established remediation protocols, barred all forms of access to its database.
Though necessary, barring all forms of access affected all genuine and crucial verification requests. After a painstaking review, limited access has been granted to few establishments that are providing pivotal public services such as education and security.
Ongoing investigation – by relevant agencies – seeks to establish the medium through which expressverify.com obtained the credentials of bona fide third parties and to determine the liability of persons involved in line with extant laws.
At the moment, data processing by licensees generally are to be scrutinized and only those that are cleared based on credible evidence of regulatory compliance will be permitted to carry out NIN verification going forward.
Furthermore, series of intensive trainings will be conducted in order to ensure that personnel and licensees are abreast of the duty of care and the standard of care mandated by the Nigeria Data Protection Act, NIMC’s Privacy Policy and other relevant regulatory protocols.
In the meantime, NDPC calls on members of the public to see NIN as an essential data for sustainable development. While existing technical and organizational measures are being strengthened to ensure the protection of this data, it is important for citizens to ensure that they are not left unidentified in various frameworks for development. It is equally important to be vigilant when sharing personal information on various online platforms.
Telecom
5 Common Backup Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Are you confident that your valuable data is protected from unexpected disasters or cyber threats? Consider this: 1 in 10 computers fall victim to viruses, and a staggering 113 phones are stolen every minute every day[1].
With data loss being a sudden and potentially irretrievable nightmare, ensuring reliable backups is non-negotiable. March 31st, celebrated as World Backup Day, is a poignant reminder of this essential task. Let’s delve into the common backup mistakes people make and how to steer clear of those.
1. Skipping regular backups:
The most common mistake is forgetting to back up data regularly. Whether personal files or crucial business documents, not establishing a consistent backup routine leaves you vulnerable to data loss.
Unexpected system crashes or malware attacks can happen anytime, making your precious data inaccessible or permanently lost. But you can help avoid such a situation by setting up automatic backups.
A device can get damaged or stolen, putting your backups at risk, so depending entirely on one storage medium is playing a dangerous game with your data’s safety.
Instead, diversify your backup storage solutions with a combination of external HDDs, NAS, and cloud storage.
Portable HDDs like those from WD like Western Digital’s My Passport offer up to 5TB for simple, cost-effective backups. For smartphones, 2-in-1 flash drives such as SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Go USB Type-C and SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe are convenient options.
These drives, compatible with USB Type-C devices, automatically back up photos, videos, and more. Just plug and play for seamless data transfer across devices.
If you need a device to store huge amounts of data, then the desktop drive called My Book from WD is just the product for you, with up to 22TB of storage capacity.
3. Forgetting version control:
Overlooking version control during backups is another blunder. Not keeping multiple versions of files increases the chance of saving corrupted or wrong data over previous versions.
Without a proper versioning system, fixing mistakes or retrieving older versions can become a challenge. To prevent forgetting version control, establish a system that tracks changes to your files over time.
This ensures that you can always revert to earlier versions if needed, helping protect against accidental data loss or corruption.
Regularly maintaining this system will help you stay organized and prepared for any unforeseen issues.
Additionally, it’s crucial to verify the version you’re backing up to ensure it’s the correct one.
This simple step can help prevent accidental overwriting of important data with potentially corrupted or incorrect versions.
Double-checking ensures that you’re safeguarding the most up-to-date and accurate information, minimizing the risk of errors during backups.
Many people overlook off-site backup solutions, assuming local backups are foolproof. However, relying solely on local backups makes you vulnerable to site-specific disasters like fires or theft.
Using off-site backups means keeping copies of your data in different places so that if something bad happens in one area, your data stays safe.
As an alternative, you could use cloud storage. Cloud backup devices are popular for remote data storage accessible via the internet. Various online cloud services offer features like file synchronization, sharing, and encryption for secure data storage.
5. Underestimating encryption:
Not prioritizing encryption in backups can be a costly mistake. Storing unencrypted backups makes your sensitive data vulnerable to unauthorized access or breaches.
Implementing strong encryption ensures even if your backups fall into the wrong hands, the data remains protected.
However, it is equally important to remember not to opt for out-of-the-box encryption solutions, as they might make it difficult for you to retrieve the backed-up information later.
My Passport HDD and My Book from WD come equipped with built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption with password protection that helps keep content secure.
Additionally, maintaining proper key management practices is essential to ensure smooth decryption and access to your data when needed.
This World Backup Day, Western Digital urges you to back up your data safely, and at the same time, prepare for the unexpected by having a contingency plan in place for device mishaps like crashes, theft, or damage.
Worrying about losing data isn’t something you have to lose sleep over if you have an active data backup strategy.
A common rule of thumb for keeping important data from disappearing forever is the 3-2-1 Rule. It dictates that you should:
3. Have THREE copies of your data. One is a primary backup and two are copies.
2. Save copies of your backups on TWO different types of media or devices.
1. ONE backup copy should be kept offsite in case of disaster.
Determine where and how you’ll store backup files and identify support contacts for swift assistance.
These proactive measures ensure quick data recovery and safeguard your cherished memories for the long haul.
- News3 days ago
IFC Invests in New 4DX Ventures Fund to Support Tech Startups in Africa
- Telecom2 days ago
SIM-NIN Linkage: Telcos to Bar More Lines Friday as NCC Insists on Deadline
- Telecom2 days ago
FG Rakes in N412Bn VAT from Telecom Subscribers
- News2 days ago
AXA Mansard Empowers Female SMEs with Financial, Digital Skills
- Telecom2 days ago
MTN to Exit Some African Countries, Gives Reasons
- Telecom2 days ago
Nigerian Business Leaders Partner Google for Strategic Advantage, Seeks Competitive Edge in Privacy-First Era
- Telecom2 days ago
Treepz Doubles Down on Corporate Mobility in Africa with Launch of a New Website
- E-Financial2 days ago
CBN, EFCC Probe Banks, Firms over Alleged Forex Racketeering