The Nation Newspaper

Category: e-Business

  • IBM chief urges Fed Govt to fix power

    American multinational technology and consulting firm, International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation, has urged the Federal Government to attend to the power needs of the country so that application of technological solutions to solve problems could easily fall in line.

    The General Manager, IBM West Africa, Taiwo Otiti, said if the Federal Government focuses on fixing the power deficit, so many other things will be alright.

    He said stability in the services offered by telecoms operators is vital because it is on their networks that services like e-transaction, mobile money and other forms of electronic payments ride. He added that seamless transaction may be wishful thinking if there is no constant power supply.

    “I think the main issue in telecoms is not just stability, majority of the cell sites are running on generators. So if the Federal Government can fix the power (sector), you will see a big transformation because if a generator goes down, the cell site also goes down and therefore, the nearest cell site which might be congested at that particular moment, your PoS (Point of Sale) is diverted to that one. So there are many issues. The major issue around it is power. If you fix power (the success of the initiative would be assured). It (power) has a big role to play in ensuring the success of the initiative,” he said in an interview.

    According to him, operators run cell cites on generators. This situation implies that once in a while, there will be hitches in services as the generators will need to be refuelled and serviced at a particular point in time.

  • Lagos to host mobile apps summit

    LAGOS State may soon host mobile application summit, expected to draw key players in the industry together.

    With Unleasing the power of mobile application as its theme, the event is being backed by 70th Precinct and E2 Marketing.

    The firm’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Osamede Umweni, said: “The summit will bring together the brightest minds in mobile technology. We are gathering over 300 of the most interesting mobile app developers, investors, company executives, entrepreneurs, brand managers, policy-makers, marketers, carriers, content developers and aggregators, advertisers, mobile devices manufactures and the press for a day of in-depth discussion, and powerful networking on the future of mobile applications in Nigeria.”

    He frowned at a situation where local content in the mobile phone industry is less than one per cent 12 years after the revolution.

    He said Gatner (a market research firm) estimates that mobile phone users will pay more than $25billion to buy ‘mobile applications’- games, social networking tools, productivity and entertainment – based mini programmes for mobile phones despite the fact that 80 per cent of these will be free downloads this year.

  • Asian tech firm unveils new products

    An Asia IT firm, Gionee Communication Equipment Company Limited, has unveiled its flagship smartphone in Nigeria christened Elife E6.

    Speaking at the launch of the product in Lagos, the firm’s officials in Nigeria led by the Managing Partner, Gabriel Nwabueze, said the device is a tool for work and play.

    According to him, the device has a non-removable back and uses a one glass (OGS) solution for the display where the touchscreen and protective glass are fused into one layer that makes the assembly thinner and elements on the screen also appear to be closer.

    He said the smartphone is an anti-scratch 5-inch OGS HD display of 1920 x 1080 pixels and 441 ppi density and running the latest Android 4.2 Jelly bean OS with a heavily customized ROM called Amigo. It weighs only 128g.

    “It is powered with 1.5 GHz quad core Mediatek processor and 2 GB RAM, which is a good combination of speed to get the better experience of speed while using multiple applications at same time,” he said.

    He added that the device comes with 13mega pixel (MP) rear camera with autofocus, LED flash, and BSI sensor and a front facing 5MP shooter. It has 31 GB internal (onboard) memory expandable to 64GB via microSD card. With a 2020 mAh battery, it is another best in talk time. DTS 3D stereo surround sound speaker is one of its major features.

  • Etisalat introduces Easyblaze multi-device plan

    Etisalat has introduced a Multi-Device Plan to complement the Easyblaze mobile internet service.

    It allows users to access the same data bundle from various devices by duplicating a primary (parent) SIM card into up to four other SIMs. These duplicate SIMs can be inserted into data-only devices such as tablets, USB modems and 3G cameras.

    In a statement, Director, Business Segments at Etisalat Nigeria, Lucas Dada, explained that the plan is a solution which gives customers better control over their data, by managing their data use on multiple devices from a single source, usually their Smartphone.

    “Many of our premium customers own more than one data-enabled device, and for them convenience is a priority as they go about their busy lifestyles. The idea behind this service is to ensure that they have uninterrupted access to data on all their devices irrespective of where they are,” he said.

    He said to create a duplicate SIM to be used in other devices, customers should dial *215*PIN*1*new Number*newPUK# from their main line.

    Alternatively, they should send the following via SMS to 215: Add new Number, 1,PIN,new PUK. For subsequent child SIMs, replace ‘1’ with ‘2’, ‘3’ or ‘4’.

  • Airtel, Nokia partner over Asha series

    Airtel is partnering Nokia on the new Asha Series 501 and 210 which were recently introduced into the market to enhance the quality of products and better service delivery.

    Nokia Operator Account Manager Beatrice Olumhense said the belief is that the devices are modelled to change the way consumers experience the internet as well as being able to keep in touch with what is going around.

    She spoke while unraveling the qualities embedded in the new Asha series in Lagos, adding that the Asha 501 device is made of a monobody able to resist scratches as usually experienced by mobile phone users. The device provides consumers with ranges of bright luring colours.

    “Today, we are introducing the 501 series with stunning that actually takes turn from the successful app. We know that our youths drop their phones, scratch their phones when using them for different things. Now we have made sure that these colours are scratch proof and even when you scratch, the back has a capacity torch. We have also ensured that our consumers have a choice of what colour to pick from,” she added.

  • Subscribers decry Visafone’s poor data service

    Subscribers decry Visafone’s poor data service

    Subscribers to the data service of leading code division multpile access (CDMA) operator Visafone are angry.

    They said the services offered by the telco were below standard.

    Some of the subscribers who gave their dongle subscriber identity module (SIM) numbers as 07046935910, 07046915503, 07026627997, 07046915504, 07046837132 complained that they have issue with speed and connection.

    They complained that since they chose the operator for data services, they have been paying for services not rendered.

    “I bought the modem to ease my work. Unfortunately, I have not got the ease I was looking for when I decided to buy the modem. I am very disappointed that nothing is being done to check the execesses of the operators that promise to do one thing or the other without keeping their promises,” Chukwu, a subscriber lamented.

    Another female subscriber said when she initially bought the modem, she was enjoying the services, adding that in the last seven months, the story has changed.

    “I do not know what to do. I am on the N6000 bundle plan but I rarely enjoy services that are valued at N1000. The frustration is immense. In the morning, the speed does not go beyond endurance threshold but as soon as it is approaching mid day, the speeed begins to go down and finally crashes,” she said.

    Others have started ditching the operator for global system for mobile (GSM) service providers. One of them, who simply identified himself as Emmanuel, said he has bought a new modem from one of the GSM operators. “Before this operator sacks me, I have gone to buy the modem of GSM operator. Each time I have issues with the CDMA modem, I try fruitlessly to call 400. That number scarcely works. Then, I resort to the customer care line which is 200 where I will be subjected to long conversation and music. My job does not wait on such frivolities, so the only option available for me is to opt out,” he said.

    Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, said subscribers should not be made to pay for data services not rendered. ALTON is the umbrella body to which all the telecoms operators belong. He insisted that charges should be based on actual consumption but not on expiry dates as is the common practice now.

    Efforts to get the management of the telco to react proved abortive as the email sent to its Chief Executive Officer, K. V. Srinivasa, was not replied. The only acknowledgement that was received came in form of a call from one Mr Lukman who wanted the identities of the modem owners listed above. Prodded to explain why it has been so, he argued that as a technical person, it was not within his mandate to speak to the press.

  • ‘How SMEs can reduce operating costs’

    MTN Nigeria has said one of the ways small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) can reduce operating costs is through the cloud technology services.

    Speaking at the launch of the services in Lagos, MTN Chief Enterprise Solutions Officer Babatunde Osho, said the technology has become a key differentiator and enabler for businesses.

    He said with the cloud service offer, there was a critical success factor for SMEs due to its flexibility and pay-as-you-go cost structure.

    The services, he said, would enable SMEs to increase productivity and by implication, profitability.

    Osho said MTN was the first telecoms operator to offer cloud services to small businesses in the Nigerian market.

    According to him, the services are designed to cut costs for SMEs. He said: “It is a range of prepaid cloud-based services designed to offer human resource management, customer relationship management and other enterprise software over a secure internet connection. And this without any of the associated IT infrastructure costs.”

    Osho said with the launch of the services, SMEs would be able to enjoy enterprise solutions without the usual attendant cost.

    “No matter what you need, MTN Cloud Services can help take your business to new heights. These services are available on the MTN Business Nigeria online portal, providing a one-stop shop for a range of services such as Human Resource Management, Customer Relationship Management, Sales Force Automation, Accounting and Finance, Virus and Spyware Protection, Firewall Protection, Browser Protection, and Email Protection, among others,” he said.

    He pledged that the telco will continue to add value to the lives and businesses of Nigerians through delivery of tailor-made, productivity-enhancing solutions to various segments of the market across the country.

  • NCC warns MTN, Glo, others over ‘unsolicited’ SMS

    NCC warns MTN, Glo, others over ‘unsolicited’ SMS

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned nine firms,including MTN and Glo, against sending unsilicited short message service (SMS) to subscribers.

    It has declared as illegal the operation of those companies for not following laid down rules.

    In its Commission’s Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement report for the second quarter, NCC lamented that the unsolicited SMS emanated from value added services (VAS) of the companies, adding that to have a direct engagement with VAS providers, it has developed a database of VAS providers along side their short codes.

    “Warning letters have been sent to VAS providers directing that all unsolicited messages or telemarketing activities within the networks could at best be done between 8am and 8pm in line with the existing guidelines.This is necessary to ensure good consumer quality experience in the industry,” the NCC said in its latest industry updates.

    According to the NCC, MTN Nigeria Communications Limited; Globacom Nigeria Limited, Upstream Limited, Adnol Multimedia Limited, Fun Mobile, Terragon Limited, Rancard Mobility, Mtech Ltd, Elseji, Starfish Limited, Next Generation Tele Solutions, Cloud and Mobilexcetera were identified as major providers responsible for sending these unsolicited messages.”

    The NCC also identified three others, Upstream Limited, Next Generation Tele Solutions and One Communications Limited to be operating illegally as VAS firms.

    NCC argued that its action was pursuant to the exercise of the powers granted it in Section 89 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, which mandates the Commission to monitor all significant matters relating to the performance of licensed telecoms service providers and publish annual reports at the end of each financial year.

    It added that it has, therefore, developed what it described as ‘Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement strategies’to prosecute the mandate and achieve its objective of fair competition, ethical market conduct and optimal quality of service in the telecoms industry.

    NCC also said LG was discovered to be marketing a total of eight different brands of mobile phones that were not type-approved it.

    The non-type approved handsets are LG. Optimus 3D – P920, LG. Optimus Black – P970, LG. Optimus Net Dual SIM – P698, LG. Optimus pro – c660, LG. Optimus One – P500, LG. Optimus ME – P350, LG. Optimus L3 E400 and LG. Optimus L7 P700.

    “Necessary enforcement process has commenced and a notice of non compliance has been sent in line with Section 133 of the NCA 2003 and Section 9 (a) of the Commission’s Type Approval Regulation 2008,” NCC added.

  • African women least in global internet usage

    New women in developing countries use internet compared to their male counterparts, latest statistics from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has shown.

    On regional basis, the report showed that Africa recorded 140 million users while Arab States recorded 141 million users. Asia & Pacific has 1,269 million users; Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)-145 million users. The Americas has the highest with 585 million users while Europe recorded 467 million users.

    “The increase in the number of mobile cell phones in the world has been impressive. The 6.8 billion subscribers are approaching the 7.1 billion world population,” ITU noted, adding that it is an extra-ordinary growth.

    According to ITU, globally, more men use internet than women with 37 per cent of women globally connecting online, compared with 41 per cent of men.

    It shows that “in the developing world, there are 826 million women (29 per cent) compared to 980 million men (33 per cent). This represents 154 million more men than women using the Internet. In the developed countries the gender divide among Internet users is small: 475 million female users and 483 million male users (74 per cent against 80 per cent).

    The global telecommunication body is however optimistic that as time advances, more people would have a mobile phone in the world average penetration rate currently stands at 96.2 per cent.

  • Glo introduces youth-friendly package

    Glo introduces youth-friendly package

    Globacom has launched ‘Glo bounce’, a new package targeted at empowering youths in tertiary institutions across the country. It explained that it is one of the programmes slated for the celebration of its 10thyear anniversary. The new package which has been designed to fit into the lifestyle use of the teeming Nigerian youths offers unlimited access to the internet and affordable call rates both to Glo lines and other networks.

    The ‘Glo bounce’ package offers 5kobo per secs, an equivalent of #3 per minutes call rates for Glo to Glo network, 12kobo per secs flat rate to other networks, free 30megabytes as a bonus for every recharge of 200 and above, free night calls from 12a.m. to 5a.m., unlimited free SMS on each SMS you send coupled with free ring back tune for a month.*170*4# and *170*9# are codes to migrate to Glo bounce and campus zone rate respectively.