The Nation Newspaper

Category: e-Business

  • RCOM, Avaya partner on customer care

    Reliance Communications, India’s fully-integrated telecommunications service provider, has entered into a multi-year agreement with Avaya Inc., the leading provider of customer and team engagement solutions, to transform its Call Center operations. With more than 110 million customers, Reliance Communications is one of India’s largest telecom service providers.

    Under the terms of the deal, Avaya will transform Reliance Communications’ existing Call Center operations to the most advanced digitally-enabled customer engagement call centers in the country. The objective is to provide an enhanced and consistent customer experience across all their customer touch points and help enhance the customer life-time value. Avaya has won the services contract to implement and manage the new Call Center technology for the next five years.

    A large number of the solutions that RCOM is investing in are born in Avaya’s R&D lab in India, the largest in the world for the global solutions provider, making this project a flagship move towards supportingthe ‘Make in India’ national campaign of the Indian government. Under the terms of this deal, Avaya will invest in long-term training and support of RCOM’s technical team and its Call Center agents, protecting the company’s workforce, upgrading its skills and transforming its Call Center operations into a strategic asset for growth.

    Commenting on the innovative alliance with Avaya, Mr Gurdeep Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Business, Reliance Communications, said: “We are investing in one of the best Call Center technologies available in the worldtoday to deliver a differentiated experienceto our customers.

  • ‘Why NIPOST must be repositioned’

    MinIsterof Communications Technology Dr  Omobola Johnson has said the Federal Government will reposition the Nigeria Postal Services (NIPOST) because it is central to the realisation of its goals of financial, digital and social inclusion – in line with the Vision 20:2020 of the government.

    Meanwhile, plans to reform the postal sector and restructure NIPOST have received a boost with the approval of the Nigerian Postal Commission Bill 2014 by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). The Bill is expected to be forwarded to the legislature for passage into law.

    Dr.  Johnson said NIPOST has the largest retail infrastructure in the country, but contributes about 0.03 per cent to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) with 300 courier companies.

    She said 10 pilot states will run the programme of its being converted to a platform for digital, financial and social inclusion across the country.

    The Postal sector in Nigeria has grown over time with more than 1,200 post offices owned by the government, close to 2,000 postal agency outfits managed by individuals, and over 290 registered private courier companies. However, statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) show that whilst year-on-year growth is increasing, the contribution of the Post and Courier Services sector to GDP (at 0.03 per cent) is still low.

    The Nigeria Postal Commission Bill 2014 is designed to reform and reposition the postal sector in line with global trends and international best practices. It promotes a postal sector that is efficient, cost effective, better funded and capable of delivering service that meets universal obligations embedded in National policies and programmes such as the Transformation Agenda and Vision 20:2020.

    The postal sector is managed by NIPOST, therefore, the growth of the sector is intrinsically tied to the reform of NIPOST.

  • Council urges implementation of Broadband Plan

    The National Broadband Council has urged stakeholders in the information communications technology (ICT) industry to expedite action on the implementation of National Broadband Plan of the Federal Government.

    Rising from its meeting chaired by Communications Technology Minister, Dr. Omobola Johnson, it acknowledged the progress made on the implementation of the Broadband Plan in the last 18 months, especially the increased capacity rolled out by telcos and other infrastructure providers, which had resulted in a two per cent increase in broadband penetration last year.

    The Council also said the successful auction of the 2.3 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum, licensing of the first two infrastructure companies (Infracos) for metro fibre rollout were giant strides, adding that companies that won should quickly rollout to improve the pace of implementation.

    It commended the trial of TV White Spaces approved by Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) geared at reducing cost of internet access.

    A statement by Senior Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister, Efem Nkanga, said the Council also commended the telcos for their leadership in the area of base station infrastructure sharing and deployment and resolved that this needed to be extended to fibre.

    “Of particular concern to the Council, and the subject of extensive discussion during the meeting was the need to increase the landing points of international submarine cables beyond Lagos to other coastal states,” the statement said.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • ‘Outsourcing enables optimal use of IT infrastructure’

    ‘Outsourcing enables optimal use of IT infrastructure’

    The Chief Executive Officer of Computer Warehouse Group, Austin Okere has described outsourcing as a key enabler of optimal use of information technology (IT) infrastructure.

    Speaking at the Airtel’s Regional Corporate Customers’ Forum/Dinner in Lagos titled:  ‘Is IT and Network a Revenue Enabler or a Call Centre?’, Okere said there are two sides to a coin.

    He said the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), which CWG partnered Airtel and others to build, is a cost to the government, Airtel’s investment on aerial fibre optic cables is also at a cost to the telco.

    He explained that both are investments which benefits outweigh their costs, adding that while the former connects the country to the global learning and research portal, the latter makes the telco’s network more resilient.

    “The discussion five years ago was what was appropriate to spend and there was so much research and the pendulum swung to between three and five per cent of revenue, which was adjudged to be a fair amount of money for IT to spend. The issue about benchmarking this amount is that you are taking the median and somebody is spending 1000 when the median is 500.

    “If am spending the 5000 and citing Gartner figures, you are not being fair to me as a CIO. At the end of the day, those benchmarks ended up just what they were, which were benchmarks. Ecobank has a shared centre which it called e-process, which is eventually turning into an IT company that is beginning to provide service to all Ecobank’s operations globally.

    He said in the telecoms sector, the same process is done a little bit differently through outsourcing. IBM does outsourcing for Airtel; Huawei does for Etisaltat. The other one has CWG doing their outsourcing. Okere explained that outsourcing becomes more optimal because the companies doing it are also doing it for all the customers, saying that there is learning that you are going to bring to the table that will make you hit the ground running quicker.

    “It doesn’t diminish the value of what you are getting because you are not doing it because somebody else is doing it for you. What it does is that it is something that you are good at doing, so your IT people will sit up and roll up their sleeves,” Okere said.

    He identified cloud computing as another cost cutting design, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that don’t have the huge funding requirements of setting up an IT centre. According to Okere, the smart thing for SMEs to do is to take advantage of a platform that has been built.

    “The next level is cloud computing. This is speaking more to the SMEs because they cannot afford the kind of budget that you will need even to set up an IT centre and you are talking about shops in Ikota, in Maitiama, Iyana Ipaja. I am talking about people making tie and dye; people in carpentry and so on. They want to use technology to enhance their businesses and they need to incur a certain cost,” he said.

    Okere sais the way forward is for them to take a solution that someone has done for everybody and plug into it just like a utility. It is more optimal to have water from the waterworks than everybody digging a borehole. In Lagos, it is more optimal for power to come from the central grid than everybody having a generator.

    “We are spending the same amount. When everybody is generating power, the cost does not match the benefit. When the power is coming from the grid, you make an investment in which the benefit outweighs the cost. So, at the end of the day, you will need to spend money for the technology that you need to provide services because you have to look at what is the optimal rate to make an investment so that the benefits far outweigh the cost.”

  • Aerial cables solution to vandalism, says Phase 3 chief

    Aerial cables solution to vandalism, says Phase 3 chief

    With mounting complaints about incessant optic fibre cables’ (OFC) cut, which aggravate poor quality of service (QoS) by telcos, West Africa’s largest independent OFC infrastructure and telecommunications services provider, Phase3 Telecom, has said the option to terrestrial OFC is aerial which rides on high tension wires of power distribution companies (DISCOs)

    Its Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Jegede, who spoke on the sideline in Lagos, emphasised the uniqueness of aerial fibre optics technology.

    He said provides the best and most reliable transmission medium connecting cities in Nigeria and across the West African sub-region.

    “Phase 3 is offering the reliability of aerial fiber optics platform to connect multiple business locations, residential areas, institutions and government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) with diverse needs locally and across the region in the fastest and most resourceful manner that will broaden full business and internet potentials.

    “This is in line with ongoing debate in the IT/ICT space in the country, which revolves around broadband connectivity in terms of access, affordability and speed. Ours is also in line with the Federal Government’s broadband aspirations-ubiquity and access, because of its potential to grow the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP).”

    He said the firm is connecting several cities, including Ibadan and Kaduna to its internet protocol/multiprotocol label switching (IP/MPLS) point-of-access to provide affordable and robust broadband with enterprise solutions offerings, adding that this development means people and businesses in these cities will enjoy network access to several cities globally through the firm’s global IP/MPLS services, leveraging on its long term collaborations and partnerships with organisations such as with PCCW Global.

    Jegede said the firm is expanding the reach of the company’s network through enterprise solutions and broadband services, stressing that it reinforces its dedication to value creation and solid commitment to providing exceptional customer experience and best in class technological solutions.

    He argued that the firm will continue to ensure service provision at low cost, making communications simpler and bringing multiple networks together onto a single IP platform that makes them easier to manage. This is because more businesses can connect to all their sites from large offices to smaller ones and choose the right access for each one based on available speed and resilience options.

    He said the firm’s enterprise solutions remained the best ICT decision that will help businesses cut costs and sustain value creation as well as increase productivity which is a much needed respite for doing business in a country such as Nigeria where the cost of doing business is significantly high.

  • Vodacom signs to Convention on Business Integrity

    Vodacom signs to Convention on Business Integrity

    A technology firm, Vodacom Business Nigeria, has signed into the Convention on Business Integrity (CBi), a move which it said underscored its commitment to the observance of the Code of Business Integrity both within the company and in its dealings with customers and partners.

    Managing Director, Vodacom Business Africa, Douglas Craigie–Stevenson and his Vodacom Business Nigeria counterpart, Guy Clarke signed for Vodacom while the Executive Director, CBi, Mr Soji Apampa signed for his organisation during a ceremony in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    Craigie-Stevenson said Vodacom has always maintained the highest level of integrity in its business dealings in every country it operated, adding that formally joining the group is a further manifestation of the firm’s unalloyed commitment of standing on the side of integrity all the time.

    “Joining the Convention on Business Integrity shows our commitment to conducting all our business affairs with honesty and professionalism,” he said.

    Apampa commended Vodacom Business Nigeria for taking the bull by its horns, stressing that with firms such as Vodacom joining the CBi, corporate governance will become a reality while corruption will become reduced.

    He said: “We recognise the necessity to build a strong alliance of companies and organisations such as Vodacom, their collective action will improve corporate governance and reduce corruption in the Nigerian business environment.”

  • ‘Broadband ‘ll boost GDP growth, reduce poverty’

    ‘Broadband ‘ll boost GDP growth, reduce poverty’

    Improved broadband penetration can create wealth and unlock huge opportunities for millions of Nigerians, Chairman, Zinox Group, Mr Leo Stan Ekeh has said.

    Ekeh, who spoke at a telecoms forum in Lagos, said enhanced broadband access would equip majority of Nigerians with the freedom to succeed in today’s digital society.

    He said: “With increased deployment of broadband and more equitable access for the majority, huge opportunities will be created for self-development in the country. Just consider the effect this will have on the cost of doing business and the unlimited resources it will place at our disposal. Presently, a lot of people do not see these opportunities due to the current infrastructural challenges being faced in the sector and the slow pace of ICT uptake in Nigeria.”

    Ekeh, who chaired the forum, said Nigeria’s population and cultural realities make the country a potentially lucrative market for broadband deployment, urging synergy between the government and private sector.

    He said: “We must increase the tempo because the market is very huge. The digital divide must be bridged and access must become a basic human right for everyone in this country. Government has a critical role to play in this regard. With liberalised bandwidth allocation, investor-friendly policies and enabling environment for private sector involvement, the multiplier effect of broadband deployment is unquantifiable and will rapidly transform Nigeria into a digital economy.”

    Citing infrastructural deficiencies, security issues, multiple taxation and poor network quality as some of the factors hampering mobile broadband operators in Nigeria, Ekeh whose Zinox Technologies has handled some of the biggest ICT projects in the country, urged participants to see the current challenges as temporary obstacles which will be surmounted with time, noting that Nigeria is a prime investment destination on the continent.

    The conference, which has Connect Nigeria: Exploring ICT Potential for Growth as its theme, also featured a panel discussion involving representatives of major players in the industry. They included the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Etisalat Nigeria, Mr Mathiew Wilshire, Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Mr Segun Ogunsanya and MTN’s Corporate Services Executive, Mr Wale Goodluck

    The panelists agreed that Nigeria was overdue for 3G/LTE deployment in view of the massive opportunities it holds for unleashing human capital development.

    However, the government intervention in eliminating impediments, such as the high cost of broadband infrastructure deployment, spectrum allocation and issues of Right of Way, were also deemed crucial to this initiative.

  • How to avoid electronic fraud, by experts

    A professional group with focus on the security of electronic payment or  e-payment, the e-Payment Providers Association of Nigeria  (e-PPAN) has advised Nigerians to be wary as the frontiers of e-payment expands in line with the cashless policy of the  Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    Its Media and  Strategy Development Manager, Mrs Ntia Nnene Sylvia, who  spoke during an enlightenment forum about e-fraud in Lagos, said if users of e-payment platforms follow the group’s expert advice, they are not likely to fall prey to  fraudsters.

    One of the first steps is for people to be careful when they use their cards  during shopping at merchant outlets using the Point of Sale (PoS) terminal or use mobile banking/payment; online  transactions or even at the automated teller machine (ATM) point

    She said: “Typically, fraudsters also use this festive season to  launch their nefarious activities to unsuspecting bank  customers. The onus is therefore on the individual first, to consider safety in all transactions, and this will take  some extra and conscious effort by the individual.

    “It is very safe to use any of the payment instruments but to minimise the  chances of becoming a victim of electronic fraud, we advice  consumers to follow some safety tips such as; looking after  your cards and card details at all times; trying not to let your card out of your sight when making a transaction; not leaving your cards unattended to in public places. We  emphasise that card users should never share their personal  identification number (PIN) with anyone and ensure you are the only person that knows your PIN. Your bank will never  ask you to disclose it; anyone who ask you for your PIN is a  fraudster. keep it secret, keep it safe – protect your  PIN.

    For those who will  use the ATM at any point we always advice that never use an  ATM at any isolated location especially at night and  weekends. ATM’s are generally very safe; however they do  sometimes attract criminal attention so you still need to  follow common sense precautions when withdrawing cash. At  the ATM when entering your PIN, Stand close to the ATM , use  your free hand and your body to shield the number in case someone is watching you over your shoulder. “Once you have  completed a transaction put your money and card away before  leaving the ATM.  If the ATM does not  return your card, report it immediately to your service  provider. Destroy or preferably shred your ATM receipts,mini-statements or balance enquiries when you dispose of  them.

  • NCS insists electronic voting is practicable

    NCS insists electronic voting is practicable

    With  few days to the general elections and the possibility of most voters getting disenfanchised as a result of inability to collect the permanent voter card (PVC), the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS) has urged the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Federal Government to look in the direction of electronic voting.

    NCS said if e-Voting is adopted, it will not only be cost efficient, but also  erase whatever doubt the electorate might have concerning  the electoral umpire in terms of its being  biased.

    Its President, Prof. David Adewumi who spoke with The Nation said there is no basis why the country should not adopt e-voting which the  Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) have used a couple of time with great success.

    He said: “Our position in the NCS remains the same. We are ripe for e-voting. When you look at e-voting, it is no longer rocket  science. The major requirement is the infrastructure, I mean  the information technology (IT) equipment, capacity  building. Then INEC must provide the purposeful leadership  that is required to deploy the technology and consequently, e-voting. I think that is all that is needed. There no space  science to that.”

    On the low level of computer literacy and personal computers (PC) ownership in  the country, the NCS chief said it is not true that the level of computer literacy in the country is  alarming.

    According to him, the old people in the villages use mobile phones, adding that keyboard of the mobile phone is even smaller than the  ones on the PC. “Yes, the old people in the village now use mobile phones. So, what is it about low level of computer  literacy you are talking about? The key board for the mobile phone is smaller than that of the PC. I think what is required is determination to ensure it succeeds,” Prof Adewumi said.

    Namibia became the first African country to adopt the e-voting technology with the Southern African country using it during its election last year. The e-Voting Machines, or EVMs, were acquired at a cost of 24 million Namibia dollars from an Indian company and according to the company, they are equipped with technology that is designed to eliminate flaws and address the scepticism of some political parties questioning the transparency of that country’s electoral umpire.

    The machines have features such as candidates’ photos, political parties together with other information next to the casting button. Voters will just have to click on their preferred candidate or party during elections to vote.

    It would also berecalled that India successfully used half-a-million EVMs of the same type during its 2009 general elections. The EVM was used to choose 96 members of Namibia’s National Assembly and one of nine presidential candidates, ranging from the left-wing Economic Freedom Fighters to the white minority Republican Party. About 1.2 million Namibians reportedly cast their  ballots at nearly 4,000 electronic voting stations across  the country.

  • Telephone subscriber base hits 136m, says ncc

    Telephone subscriber base hits 136m, says ncc

    From less than 500,000 in year 2000, the subscriber base of the fixed and mobile telephone users has increased to 136 million as at November 2014.

    This was disclosed in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital on Wednesday by the Director, Policy Competition and Economic Analysis of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Mrs. Josephine Amuwa.

    The NCC chief made the disclosure during the donation of books on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to the Ekiti State University (EKSU).

    Mrs. Amuwa described Nigeria as the “fastest growing telecommunications country in the world” with more than three million direct and indirect employment.

    She expressed dismay that Nigerian engineers and engineering students have not utilised the opportunities made available by the growth in telecoms industry because of dearth of relevant books and other publications.

    Mrs. Amuwa said: “This development has led to a substantial demand on the available human resources and encouraging operating companies to become net importers of skilled telecoms manpower into the country.”

    Expressing his appreciation for the donation, EKSU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oladipo Aina, said the books would help the university to actualise it’s five-year strategic plan.