I.T & Telecomms

THE  number of mobile subscriptions in Africa will cross the 750 million mark during the fourth quarter of 2012 and reach one billion before the end of 2015, according to forecasts by Informa Telecoms & Media.

NIGERIA’S march to join the league of countries with robust satellite communication platforms has received a major boost as Information and Communications Technology (ICT) experts voted overwhelmingly for an Act to establish the Nigerian Communications Satellite Corporation.

They spoke in Lagos at a one day Stakeholders’ Forum organised by the ICT Publishers Alliance for industry experts and the public to make contributions towards the proposed NIGCOMSAT Bill currently awaiting passage by the Senate. The ICT Publishers’ Alliance is a body consisting of frontline publications specialising in publishing magazines in the ICT industry.

From leading speakers to respondents from the audience during the session, as well as feedback taken on the spot through an opinion poll, there was over 85 per cent total affirmation and endorsement for the bill to be passed. A few, however, cautioned that while the bill was desirable, Nigeria should be wary of the pitfalls that dogged some failed state institutions so as to prevent the institution, NigComSat from suffering such fate when the bill becomes an Act of Parliament.

In a similar vein, the Communiqué urged government to do all it can to support NIGCOMSAT in driving broadband penetration in the country adding that satellite technology driven by NIGCOMSAT was the best for a developing nation like Nigeria.

The proposed NIGCOMSAT bill, which is now set for deliberation at the Senate before it will eventually be sent to the President for assent has already been passed by the House of Representatives as at March 2012.

The bill seeks to establish an Act that will give the agency power to engage in, purchase and otherwise acquire or take over the assets, business, company, firm or persons and act in furtherance of all and any business associated and or relating to the satellite industry.

Speaking at the forum, Managing Director, NigComSat, Engr. Ahmed Rufai, noted that NIGCOMSAT had developed a lot of initiative including the successful launch of NIGCOMSAT -1R into orbit in December 2011, with footprints covering several countries; It has also partnered with Main One Cable Company to distribute broadband capacity to over 40 countries thus generating a lot of money for government.

He pointed out that despite the above, the company was faced with the problem of rolling out fast because of government bureaucracy. Consequently, the bill in question, if passed into law, would enable NIGCOMSAT to operate faster.

Some experts, however, such as Chief Executive of Teledom Group, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem and the President of the Nigerian Internet Group, Engr. Bayo Banjo, expressed concern that the spirit of the bill if passed into law must be implemented in such a way as not to undermine competition in the sector.

Globacom has won the 2012 Labour Legend Community Award, courtesy of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), just as it was inducted into the first Labour Legend Hall of Fame by the council. 

Globacom received the award at an induction ceremony organised by the FCT Council in conjunction with African Labour Watch Magazine, at Chelsea Hotel, Abuja, last week.

The organisers said the ceremony was held to recognise labour leaders, labour-friendly Nigerians and organisations that have made significant contributions to the welfare of Nigerian workers. 

The secretary of Induction Committee, Comrade Ossai Ilome, said that Glo was selected for the honour because of the company’s commitment to affordable services, sponsorship of Glo Heritage Series and the country’s national football teams, among other outstanding contributions. 

Globacom pioneered per second billing, thus establishing the basis for widespread affordable telecom services across the length and breadth of Nigeria. 

Globacom has also supported community initiatives, especially in the areas of sports development, poverty alleviation, job creation, youth empowerment, music, art and culture. 

Globacom commenced business on August 29, 2003, with the launch of its GSM service in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. It was the forth GSM service provider to launch operations, two years after other operators had rolled out. 

Today, Glo has about 25 million subscribers on its Nigerian network and has covered all parts of the country. It has also extended its business operations to the Republic of Benin and Ghana. 

Globacom’s overall success in service delivery and product innovation stems from its continued deployment of latest technology, from 2.5G to 3G and 4G LTE. The company is also revamping the nation’s fixed telephone services with the launch of Glo Fixed while it addresses Africa’s bandwidth requirement by single-handed building an international submarine cable called Glo 1. 

It was the 4th in the lecture series of the Amazing Grace Computers Ltd and as usual, it partnered Airtel, one of the leading telecommunications operators in the country.