Telecoms operators spend about N270bn on foreign software in three years

From left: Director New Media and Information Security Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Sylvanus Ehikioya; Director, Policy and Competition Mrs. Lolia Emakpore and Secretary Felix Adeoye at the event in Lagos.

Chuks Udo Okonta

About N270 billion ($I.8 billion) has been spent by telecommunications operators on the purchase of foreign software, Inspentech has learnt.

The Executive Vice Chairman Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Dr Eugene Juwah, who was represented by the Director, Policy and Competition

NCC Mrs. Lolia Emakpore, disclosed this at the Stakeholders’ Forum on the Confirmation of Reseasonableness of Service (CRS) its organised in Lagos.

He said the operators spent $281.2 million in 2010, $624.6 million in 2011 and $894.5 million in 2012. He added that software remittances abroad accounts for over 40 per cent of the total cost of CRS processed over the last three years, and that NCC processed and approved over 5,580 invoices in the telecoms industry between 2010 and 2013.

He said over 745 applications were declined by the commission due to integrity tests, ranging from over-invoicing, expired contract agreements, as well as duplications of invoices.

Juwah canvassed the need to develop local capacity and skills in software development to reduce forex remittances, increased local content and create employment as well as entrepreneur opportunities.

He called on telecoms operators to support the commission through encouraging development of local content, adding that the repatriation of money abroad is inimical to the nation’s development.

Oyo State Governor lauds Airtel's efforts on job creation

From left: Lanre Adepoju of Airtel; Ms Titilayo Olusanya; Head of CSD, West Region; His Excellency, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; the Governor of Oyo State; Chairman of Juli Pharmacy; Adelusi Adeluyi; Chairman Odua Group of Companies, Chief Sharafadeen Alli and Ekundayo Fatoki, Zonal Business Manager, West-West, Airtel, at the commissioning of ‘Airtel Express Shop Plus’ located inside the new Heritage Mall in Ibadan, Oyo State.



 

 

Chuks Udo Okonta

The Executive governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has commended Airtel Nigeria, for its laudable contribution to job creation in the state.

Governor Ajimobi , who spoke while commissioning the Airtel Express Shop located inside the new Heritage Mall in Ibadan, Oyo State, described the opening of　 the sales and service 　outlet as a means of further increasing the empowerment opportunities created by Airtel.

According to him, more jobs have been provided for youths in this state and Airtel Nigeria must be commended for delighting customers with innovative products and customer-oriented services.

He noted that the outlet would further bring the products and services of Airtel closer to the people in the capital city and added that his administration will continue to partner with the private sector for job creation and development in the state.

The governor, who was accompanied by the Chairman of Juli Pharmacy, Prince Julius Adelusi Adeluyi and Chairman, Odua Group of Companies, Chief　Sharafadeen Alli, was led on a tour of the new shop by Mr. Ekundayo Fatoki, Airtel’s Zonal Business Manager.

He cited the state-of-the-art facilities in the shop as a testimony of Airtel’s commitment towards the delivery of quality services to its customers.　

In the same vein, Airtel in partnership with Easy & Quiet Limited, one of their reputable Channel Partners, have opened another Express Shop in Surulere, Lagos.

The shop is located on Ogunlana Drive, one of the major commercial hubs of Surulere and according to retailers present at the launch, the location is very strategic as it is easily accessible to customers within Ojuelegba, Itire, Idi-Araba, Mushin, Lawanson, Aguda and environs.

The Chairman of Easy & Quiet Limited, Alhaji Mutiu Mohammed Anthony noted that the introduction of the new shop has opened up more job opportunities for the youth in the community and also brought Airtel Nigeria closer to the people in the locality.

" Airtel is not only bringing services closer to its teeming consumers and prospective customers, but also creating employment opportunity for the people in this area," he said.

The Chairman, Surulere Local Government, Honourable. Tajudeen Ajide, who also graced the occasion, applauded the partnership for their contribution to the commercial development of the Surulere Local Government.

The event was also attended by Bayo Osinowo, Airtel’s Regional Operations Director, Lagos and Ayo Ogunranti, Zonal Business Manager Lagos Metro.

Some of the customers present at the event won phones and free recharge cards through the fastest finger game, while two retailers also won cash prizes of N50, 000 each.



Airtel signs definitive agreement to acquire Warid’s Congo Brazzaville Operations

Bharti Airtel ("Airtel"), a leading global telecommunications services provider with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa, today said that it has entered into a definitive agreement with the Warid Group ("Warid") to fully acquire Warid Congo SA. The agreement is subject to regulatory and statutory approvals.

The agreement marks the second in-country acquisition by Airtel in Africa. It had acquired Warid’s Uganda operations earlier this year. The latest acquisition will make Airtel the largest mobile operator in Congo Brazzaville with around 2.6 million customers. At present, Airtel is the second largest operator in the country with over 1.6 million customers, while Warid is the third largest with around one million customers.

The agreement aims to bring together the strengths of Airtel and Warid in Congo Brazzaville and benefit customers in the form of affordable tariffs, superior 2G/ 3G network, affordable voice and data services and superior customer care. In addition, existing Warid customers in Congo Brazzaville will join Airtel’s global network of over 280 million customers and enjoy the benefits of ‘One Airtel’ network with affordable roaming rates across Africa and South Asia, besides other exciting bouquet of innovative 2G and 3G services.

Speaking on the agreement, Mr. Manoj Kohli, MD and CEO (International), Bharti Airtel said, "This acquisition is in line with our stated strategy of strengthening our market position through in-country acquisitions, as and when suitable opportunities come along. We are at an advanced stage of successfully integrating Warid’s Uganda operations with that of Airtel and look forward to a similarly swift transition in Congo Brazzaville as well. As already demonstrated in Uganda, the merger will bring more value for the customers in the form of affordable data & roaming tariffs, innovative products, Airtel Money, world-class networks and customer care. We would like to express our deep gratitude to the Government and look forward to its support to this deal. "　

Speaking on the agreement Sriram Yarlagadda, Board Member, Warid, Congo Brazzaville said, "This agreement creates a win–win situation for the customers and provide them with an opportunity to be part of one of the largest mobile services providers in the world. The customers can look forward to enjoy affordable voice tariffs and 3G data services on the most extensive network. On this occasion, we would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the Government for its support and look forward to its continued cooperation towards a successful transaction"

With presence across 17 African countries, Airtel is the largest telecom service provider across the Continent in terms of geographical reach and had over 66 million customers at the end of quarter ended September 30, 2013. Globally, Airtel is ranked as the 4th largest mobile operators in terms of subscribers.

About Bharti Airtel:

　 　 　 　

Bharti Airtel Limited is a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa. Headquartered in New Delhi, India, the company ranks amongst the top 4 mobile service providers globally in terms of subscribers. In India, the company's product offerings include 2G, 3G and 4G wireless services, mobile commerce, fixed line services, high speed DSL broadband, IPTV, DTH, enterprise services including national & international long distance services to carriers. In the rest of the geographies, it offers 2G, 3G wireless services and mobile commerce. Bharti Airtel had over 280 million customers across its operations at the end of September 2013.

　

　

From Left: Akinsola Omoniyi, Area Business Manager, Lagos North, Airtel; Mrs. Ojuade Oluwaseun, Education Officer, Ifako-Ijaye LGA; Winner of one million naira in Airtel Red Hot Promo, Aremu Akeem Adewale and Fatuade Ayobanji, Area Business Manager, Lagos North, Airtel, during the presentation of cheques to the first set of winners in the on-going Airtel Red Hot Promo at Airtel Express Shop, Ogba, Lagos.

From Left: Akinsola Omoniyi, Area Business Manager, Lagos North, Airtel; Mrs. Ojuade Oluwaseun, Education Officer, Ifako-Ijaye LGA; Winner of one million naira in Airtel Red Hot Promo, Aremu Akeem Adewale and Fatuade Ayobanji, Area Business Manager, Lagos North, Airtel, during the presentation of cheques to the first set of winners in the on-going Airtel Red Hot Promo at Airtel Express Shop, Ogba, Lagos.

NCC attributes poor GSM services to inadequate base stations

Chuks Udo Okonta

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said the poor services offered by the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) providers are mainly due to inadequate base stations in the country.


Director, Public Affairs NCC, Tony Ojobo, who disclosed this in an interaction with journalists, said the commission is working closely with the operators to improve their services.

He pledged that comes next year, issues of drop calls, inability to recharge, abnormal billing and others, would no longer be, adding that NCC has being monitoring the operators to ensure they use the right infrastructure.

He debunked the belief that most telcos use sub-standard infrastructure, stressing that the number portability has raise the need for operators to improve their services as subscribers now have the choice to move to where they can get good services.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Airtel, Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, speaking on efforts made by operators, said about N4 trillion has been spent by telecommunications firms on infrastructure in the last 10 years

He added that telecoms operators have over 20,000 base stations for the over 120 million active lines.

FUTA tudents win 2013 ISPON national softwares cup

  By Emeka Aginam

Oladapo Oluwadora Glory, Aboluwarin Olaluwa David and Banjo Mofesola Paul of the Federal University of Technology FUTA , Akure have won ISPON software cup 2013, they were among the 70 students from the Nigerian higher educational institutions that competed in the 2013 Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria, ISPON national software conference and competition holding in Tinapa Business Resort, Calabar, Cross Rivers to win Software Innovation price.

Vanguard checks revealed that twenty one schools including Usman Danfodiyo, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, University of Benin, Delta State University, Anambra State University, uli, Federal Polytechnic, Okoh, Niger Delta University, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Uyo City University, Covernany University, Ajayi Crowther University, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife among others are participating in the national software contest hosted by the Cross Rivers State government for three years running.

However, 24 teams in different categories including mobile app, web app, desktop app, and mobile game battled to win software innovation price sponsored by Main One, Nigerian Communications Commission, NEXIM Bank, NITDA among others.

At the event that attracted key industry stakeholders and university Vice Chancellors, participants among other things discussed how best software strategies can help retool the workforce.

Earlier in his opening speech on Monday, the Governor of the Cross Rivers, Senator Liyel Imoke said with optimism that future belongs to the competing students.

According to him, there was need to review Nigerian educational curriculum to match global standard.

While urging the students to use the tools and knowledge in their hands to contribute to the economic development of the country, he said that CrossRiversState was well positioned for IT hub in Nigeria.

"How the winners will contribute to local economy is the next challenge. In this conference, we have the future of the country. We have the capacity. We can drive knowledge economy with right policies. The students in the software competition here are entrepreneurs of the future. Your destiny lies in your hands" he said.

For the ISPON President, Chris Uwaje, unless the workforce were retooled with local software, the challenge of the knowledge society may not be resolved.

According to him, there was need to retool the workforce with innovative sofware strategies for national survivability


Source: Vanguard

Telcos lose N47.4bn monthly to inactive lines –Investigation

By KUNLE AZEEZ
Nigeria’s telecoms operators may have been missing estimated N47.4 billion potential revenue from telephone services, according to National Mirror investigation.

The hidden revenue is as a result of the increasing number of connected telephone lines, which have gone inactive in the past years.

According to the Nigerian Communications Commission, there are currently about 167.4 million total connected telephones on all telecoms networks in Nigeria.

These, include the Global System for Mobile Communications GSM, operators such as MTN, Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat; the Code Division Multiple Access networks which include Visafone, Starcomms, Multi- Links and others; as well as the fixed lines networks.

According to findings, of total connected lines of 167.4 million, official data says only 114.7 million are active, leaving a whopping 52.7 million telephone lines redundant.

Meanwhile, the increasing inactivity of telephone lines is robbing telecoms operators of potential revenue that would have accrued to them is those lines are being recharged to make calls by their owners.

As such, National Mirror gathered that with an Average Revenue Per User, ARPU, figure of N900 for the Nigerian telecoms industry multiplied by 52.7 million inactive lines, operators are missing an estimated N47.4 billion potential revenue.

The ARPU is a financial performance benchmark in the telecoms industry that measures the average monthly revenue generated by operators from each customer.


Source: National Mirror