Ben Uzor Jr
Cisco, a leader in networking solutions has announced that the installation of Cisco TelePresence exchanges in its Lagos office. The TelePresence solution offers a live, face-to-face experience that enables people from different offices around the world to meet virtually using the power of video conferencing. The ‘real-life’ meeting experience provided by the TelePresence technology is delivered through ultra-high-definition video that reveals subtle facial expression conveying nonverbal reaction.
Furthermore, spatial audio allows the transmission of every nuance of the conversation and enables participants to interact as they would in person. This however marks the second major deployment of the TelePresence solution in Nigeria following the announcement, in April 2010, that MTN had become the first service provider in the country to offer public Cisco TelePresence rooms in three locations: the Southern Sun Hotel in Lagos, the Sheraton Hotel in Abuja and the Le Meridian Hotel in Port Harcourt.
With this solution, Nigerian businesses seeking ways to reduce travel costs amidst unfavourable economic conditions can do this without necessarily constituting a downside to employee productivity. But more importantly, the TelePresence solution will also facilitate a greener company environment by reducing its carbon footprint. It will bridge geographical divides, by enabling highly secure virtual meetings with multiple locations inside or outside the corporate firewall.
Besides, with the MainOne cable now live and its 1, 920 Gbps, 7000 kilometres long, submarine fibre optic cable system linking West Africa to Europe active; the company has also revealed plans to drive content through the cable to consumers. According to Cisco, the wide adoption of collaborative solutions, like Cisco TelePresence, in all sectors from education, to health and entertainment, will help drive economic growth in Nigeria as well as make it a true globally connected nation.
Den Sullivan, chief information officer, emerging markets, Cisco who spoke to newsmen via a live video conferencing (TelePresence) session between Brussels, Belgium and Lagos, noted that the deployment of Cisco TelePresence technology can now be increased significantly throughout the sub-Saharan African region with the arrival of submarine cables which offer high bandwidth at attractive prices.
“Cisco’s vision is to be the leading enabler of ICT and broadband acceleration in emerging markets through innovative, scalable, high-value technology offerings and solutions. This Cisco TelePresence solution will not only transform the way business is conducted in Africa but also help make vital services like healthcare and education more accessible to those who need them most”, he added.
In the same vein, Richard Edet, managing director, Cisco Nigeria said that the solution will have a transformational impact all sectors of Nigerian society from healthcare and education to safety and citizen inclusion. “Healthcare professionals, for example, will soon be able to collaborate more easily, regardless of location, thereby improving both the timeliness and the quality of care delivered and patients will be able to access physicians and specialists from remote locations.
“Likewise, for educational establishment, Cisco TelePresence will help transform the learning environment, providing a means to bring education to remote locations and also connect with colleges, institutions and tutors from around the world. With the adoption of TelePresence, Nigeria is set to mark its 50 years of independence milestone by becoming a truly smart and connected nation”, he concluded.
For more interesting articles, check out my blog, www.benedictspace.blogspot.com
Monday, August 30, 2010
Phillips Consulting addresses bandwidth constraint with portable e-learning solution
Ben Uzor Jr
Conscious of the fact that infrastructure, bandwidth availability and cost remains a significant impediment to the adoption of e-learning in Nigeria, Phillips Consulting, an indigenous company offering management consulting and training services to corporate organisations in strategic partnership with NetDimension has introduced a portable e-learning solution running independently from a flash drive.
The solution, mEKP (Mobile Enterprise Knowledge Platform) is designed to enable organisations to revolutionise training delivery to learners around the world with a truly portable LMS (Learning Management System). With the technology, learners can take courses or exams whenever and wherever it is convenient, without the need to connect to the internet.
Paul Ayim, managing consultant, Phillips Consulting Limited Nigeria who spoke at an e-learning seminar organised by the company and which had in attendance Human Resources (HR) executives from the banking, oil and gas sector, said that mEKP was a much more powerful solution than offline players. “It is a portable e-learning environment that can support all courseware and exam detail delivery, as well as tracking user information and activity that can be found in the master EKP system.
“It supports single and multi-user environments”. In the same vein, Steve Curtis, channel director, Europe Middle East and Africa, NetDimensions said that businesses today are seeking e-learning solution because they want to improve the expertise and performance of their employees with regards to improved service delivery. He further added that portable version of the EKP can intelligently manage user information (AICC, SCORM, exam data) while offline and communicate with the master EKP system to synchronise user-specific information when access to the internet or company intranet is available.
“All course and exam completion data, including dates, times and scores are uploaded to the main server when an Internet connection is available”, he added. Curtis further explained that mEKP has the same security options and permissions settings of a master EKP system. “A user system may be configured for a range of security requirements, from dynamic creation of new users to master host authentication and verification of user identity before access is granted.
“Likewise, various USB encryption options are available to protect the device in event of theft or loss. Each mEKP is allocated a unique instance identifier by the master EKP system to better manage security and the integration of data from multiple sources. As an added level of security, administrators can tag specific items in the EKP master as downloadable material into mEKP”, he concluded. It was learnt that mEKP can also automatically remove materials (courses, exams, etc.) after they have been used offline and the results synchronized with the master EKP system.
For more interesting articles, check out my blog, www.benedictspace.blogspot.com
Conscious of the fact that infrastructure, bandwidth availability and cost remains a significant impediment to the adoption of e-learning in Nigeria, Phillips Consulting, an indigenous company offering management consulting and training services to corporate organisations in strategic partnership with NetDimension has introduced a portable e-learning solution running independently from a flash drive.
The solution, mEKP (Mobile Enterprise Knowledge Platform) is designed to enable organisations to revolutionise training delivery to learners around the world with a truly portable LMS (Learning Management System). With the technology, learners can take courses or exams whenever and wherever it is convenient, without the need to connect to the internet.
Paul Ayim, managing consultant, Phillips Consulting Limited Nigeria who spoke at an e-learning seminar organised by the company and which had in attendance Human Resources (HR) executives from the banking, oil and gas sector, said that mEKP was a much more powerful solution than offline players. “It is a portable e-learning environment that can support all courseware and exam detail delivery, as well as tracking user information and activity that can be found in the master EKP system.
“It supports single and multi-user environments”. In the same vein, Steve Curtis, channel director, Europe Middle East and Africa, NetDimensions said that businesses today are seeking e-learning solution because they want to improve the expertise and performance of their employees with regards to improved service delivery. He further added that portable version of the EKP can intelligently manage user information (AICC, SCORM, exam data) while offline and communicate with the master EKP system to synchronise user-specific information when access to the internet or company intranet is available.
“All course and exam completion data, including dates, times and scores are uploaded to the main server when an Internet connection is available”, he added. Curtis further explained that mEKP has the same security options and permissions settings of a master EKP system. “A user system may be configured for a range of security requirements, from dynamic creation of new users to master host authentication and verification of user identity before access is granted.
“Likewise, various USB encryption options are available to protect the device in event of theft or loss. Each mEKP is allocated a unique instance identifier by the master EKP system to better manage security and the integration of data from multiple sources. As an added level of security, administrators can tag specific items in the EKP master as downloadable material into mEKP”, he concluded. It was learnt that mEKP can also automatically remove materials (courses, exams, etc.) after they have been used offline and the results synchronized with the master EKP system.
For more interesting articles, check out my blog, www.benedictspace.blogspot.com
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Power constraint force telecoms operators to seek alternative energy sources
•Initiatives include low energy base station, infrastructure sharing
Ben Uzor Jr
The search of telecommunication operators for ways of beating rising diesel spend and the enormous cost of generators is finally headed in the right direction. With the falling prices of equipment for developing alternative energy, telecommunication operators have now discovered a number of initiatives geared towards creating more energy efficient networks, BusinessDay can now reveal.
These initiatives, it was learnt, include: designing low energy base station sites, deployment of base stations powered by renewable energy, and implementation of infrastructure optimisation and sharing. In the preceding year, the Federal Government had disclosed plans to initiate policy thrusts that would force operators to abandon generators for alternative sources of energy. However, the MTN Group is already making significant strides in this regard as the firm has recorded a major breakthrough in power generation with the development of a self-sustaining, environment-friendly power supply initiative.
It was learnt that a team of engineers at MTN’s Network Group came up with the alternative energy solution. The solution is a 2-megawatt (mw), methane-driven tri-generation plant, which is the first of its kind on the African continent. Analysts say that telecom operators investing in alternative energy sources for base stations could recoup the capital cost in as short a period as 24 months. Besides, GSMA, the global trade for the mobile industry, forecasts that by 2012 up to 50 percent of new off-grid base stations in developing countries could be powered by renewable energy.
Investigations show that there are over 22, 000 base stations in the country. These base stations are all powered by generators running on diesel fuel, which is increasingly becoming expensive. BusinessDay checks reveal that the price of diesel rose from between N85 and N90 two months ago, to between N98 and N108 per litre, an increase of more than 10 percent.
It was further gathered that MTN spent over N12 billion in acquiring generators to provide for its over 4, 798 base stations nationwide. The company also spends N500 million monthly on diesel and generator maintenance. The three other networks: Glo, Zain and Etisalat also spend huge sums of money on diesel and generators to power their base stations across the country.
Analysts say that alternative energy solutions could save telecoms companies as much as N6 billion annually. This is the cost spend on diesel and generator maintenance. Emeka Opara, Zain Nigeria's head of corporate communications, said: "Available records show that telecoms operators in Nigeria spend over 60 percent of their operating cost on power generation. This is the major reason why most operating companies are desperately considering alternative sources of energy that are not only cheaper but also environmental friendly.
"At Zain, we are doing something about this issue. We are looking at Hybrid systems because they comply with emissions regulations and reduce fuel consumption. Solar is been considered, even wind energy is also being considered industry wide" “The recent degradation in national grid power supply has increased the pressure on our generators, increased maintenance costs and outstripped local market capacity for supply of generators to telecoms operators”, a senior executive at MTN Nigeria who pleaded anonymity told BusinessDay.
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has called on the government to solve, with immediate effect, all problems associated with electricity supply, as the economic cost and associated loss to the operators and the nation as a whole is too high.
“Nigeria’s power supply problems will create a major set back for telecoms development in Nigeria, and this might erode the gains of telecommunications which has become a way of life and performance enhancing tool for many, irrespective of trade and status”, Adebayo posited.
Ben Uzor Jr
The search of telecommunication operators for ways of beating rising diesel spend and the enormous cost of generators is finally headed in the right direction. With the falling prices of equipment for developing alternative energy, telecommunication operators have now discovered a number of initiatives geared towards creating more energy efficient networks, BusinessDay can now reveal.
These initiatives, it was learnt, include: designing low energy base station sites, deployment of base stations powered by renewable energy, and implementation of infrastructure optimisation and sharing. In the preceding year, the Federal Government had disclosed plans to initiate policy thrusts that would force operators to abandon generators for alternative sources of energy. However, the MTN Group is already making significant strides in this regard as the firm has recorded a major breakthrough in power generation with the development of a self-sustaining, environment-friendly power supply initiative.
It was learnt that a team of engineers at MTN’s Network Group came up with the alternative energy solution. The solution is a 2-megawatt (mw), methane-driven tri-generation plant, which is the first of its kind on the African continent. Analysts say that telecom operators investing in alternative energy sources for base stations could recoup the capital cost in as short a period as 24 months. Besides, GSMA, the global trade for the mobile industry, forecasts that by 2012 up to 50 percent of new off-grid base stations in developing countries could be powered by renewable energy.
Investigations show that there are over 22, 000 base stations in the country. These base stations are all powered by generators running on diesel fuel, which is increasingly becoming expensive. BusinessDay checks reveal that the price of diesel rose from between N85 and N90 two months ago, to between N98 and N108 per litre, an increase of more than 10 percent.
It was further gathered that MTN spent over N12 billion in acquiring generators to provide for its over 4, 798 base stations nationwide. The company also spends N500 million monthly on diesel and generator maintenance. The three other networks: Glo, Zain and Etisalat also spend huge sums of money on diesel and generators to power their base stations across the country.
Analysts say that alternative energy solutions could save telecoms companies as much as N6 billion annually. This is the cost spend on diesel and generator maintenance. Emeka Opara, Zain Nigeria's head of corporate communications, said: "Available records show that telecoms operators in Nigeria spend over 60 percent of their operating cost on power generation. This is the major reason why most operating companies are desperately considering alternative sources of energy that are not only cheaper but also environmental friendly.
"At Zain, we are doing something about this issue. We are looking at Hybrid systems because they comply with emissions regulations and reduce fuel consumption. Solar is been considered, even wind energy is also being considered industry wide" “The recent degradation in national grid power supply has increased the pressure on our generators, increased maintenance costs and outstripped local market capacity for supply of generators to telecoms operators”, a senior executive at MTN Nigeria who pleaded anonymity told BusinessDay.
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has called on the government to solve, with immediate effect, all problems associated with electricity supply, as the economic cost and associated loss to the operators and the nation as a whole is too high.
“Nigeria’s power supply problems will create a major set back for telecoms development in Nigeria, and this might erode the gains of telecommunications which has become a way of life and performance enhancing tool for many, irrespective of trade and status”, Adebayo posited.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Nigeria may become leading supplier of bandwidth in sub-Saharan Africa
. . . Etisalat goes live on MainOne
Ben Uzor Jr
Nigeria may indeed be positioning herself to become the most important supplier of critical international bandwidth in sub-Saharan Africa, analysts have said. Given the number of submarine cables expected to berth on the country’s shores in 2011, industry experts say that Nigeria could provide the broadband capacity needed to expand internet access in the region.
According to them, Nigeria’s imminent bandwidth boom has created a viable opportunity for telecommunications companies (telcos) operating in the country to generate significant revenue from supplying bandwidth to other countries in the sub-Saharan region that are heavily dependent on expensive satellite (VSAT) communications. Meanwhile, MainOne Cable has announced Etisalat as the first telecommunications company to switch on its network on the strength of the cutting-edge technology recently launched in the country by MainOne.
Etisalat also announced that new and existing customers on Etisalat network are set to enjoy enhanced service as the innovative telecommunications company is now live on the submarine fibre optic cable system. Etisalat CEO, Steven Evans said that with the latest technology, customers on Etisalat network will have the benefit of increased broadband and enhanced data services.
BusinessDay gathered that over 11.2 terabits of bandwidth would be available to the Nigerian market by 2011. The bandwidth boom is being powered by West African Cable System (WACS) - an initiative operated by nine countries (including Nigeria’s MTN Group), which comes with a high capacity submarine cable system linking Europe, West Africa and South Africa, and will provide over 3.8 terabits per second of bandwidth.
Furthermore, Glo-1 which is ready for commissioning and has customised services to address the requirements of a wide segment of clients - including telecommunications operators, oil and gas companies, manufacturers, education and medical institutions, will provide 2.5 terabits of bandwidth. In addition, Main One’s commercial director, Bernard Logan, has announced plans for the provision of outstanding 4.92 terabits per second of bandwidth.
The outstanding provision will push well above the broadband capacity of existing competitors. Lanre Ajayi, president, Nigerian Internet Group (NIG), who spoke to BusinessDay on telephone, said Nigeria could become the number one supplier of international capacity in Africa if more competition is encouraged in the cable market. “We already have two cables now.
We are expecting more, WACS and ACE cables are expected to berth in the country in 2011. With this, I can say that Nigeria will become one of the leading suppliers of bandwidth in Africa, outside South Africa. “Presently, South Africa has an advantage over us because they have a number of cables coming in from the east and west coast. I think we still need to encourage more competition in the industry for us to achieve that pinnacle of success”, he explained.
Echoing the same view, Kenneth Omeruo, an internet analyst, stated: “If more cables continue to land in the country, then Nigeria will attain that height. You see, most of these cables coming into Nigeria will provide wholesale bandwidth to neighbouring African retail carriers who will buy a portion of bandwidth and also sell this capacity to end-users. These end-users will, in turn, be able to access the internet at international broadband speeds and at more affordable prices, creating a wealth of opportunities for important sectors such as education, healthcare and government services”.
Giving further insight into the complexities inherent in the submarine cable market, Emmanuel Ekuwem, former president of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), pointed out that the possibility of Nigeria reaching that position would depend strongly on sound business plan and heightened investments in fibre optic cable infrastructure.
“Nigeria can only supply countries on the coastline. But for countries in land-locked areas like Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Niger and Chad, the question will be how to push the bandwidth to the hinterlands. Glo 1 and Main One will definitely be looking at doing business with telecom companies (telcos) in these countries. But this will also imply that huge investments will be made in VSAT technology and cross-national terrestrial fibre backbone. I know most telcos will want to stick with fibre than satellite technology, therein lies the problem.
“Telecommunications companies in Nigeria will have to get licenses to offer these services. They will have to partner strategically with the telecom companies in these African countries. Besides, it will be cost effective for these countries to leverage on these emerging cable systems like Main One and Glo -1 than to make huge investment in laying a cable from Europe to their respective countries. It all boils down to proper business plan and further investment in cable infrastructure”, he explained.
Muhammed Rudman, chief executive officer, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) who spoke to BusinessDay was stoutly in support of Ekuwem’s view that Nigeria’s prospect of becoming a leading supplier of international bandwidth capacity in sub-Saharan Africa will depend on investments in cross-border fibre networks. “This could be possible if Nigeria becomes more proactive and starts to invest in terrestrial transmission cables that can service landlocked countries in the region. This is very critical because most of these cables will have landing points in some of the countries on the region.”
Ben Uzor Jr
Nigeria may indeed be positioning herself to become the most important supplier of critical international bandwidth in sub-Saharan Africa, analysts have said. Given the number of submarine cables expected to berth on the country’s shores in 2011, industry experts say that Nigeria could provide the broadband capacity needed to expand internet access in the region.
According to them, Nigeria’s imminent bandwidth boom has created a viable opportunity for telecommunications companies (telcos) operating in the country to generate significant revenue from supplying bandwidth to other countries in the sub-Saharan region that are heavily dependent on expensive satellite (VSAT) communications. Meanwhile, MainOne Cable has announced Etisalat as the first telecommunications company to switch on its network on the strength of the cutting-edge technology recently launched in the country by MainOne.
Etisalat also announced that new and existing customers on Etisalat network are set to enjoy enhanced service as the innovative telecommunications company is now live on the submarine fibre optic cable system. Etisalat CEO, Steven Evans said that with the latest technology, customers on Etisalat network will have the benefit of increased broadband and enhanced data services.
BusinessDay gathered that over 11.2 terabits of bandwidth would be available to the Nigerian market by 2011. The bandwidth boom is being powered by West African Cable System (WACS) - an initiative operated by nine countries (including Nigeria’s MTN Group), which comes with a high capacity submarine cable system linking Europe, West Africa and South Africa, and will provide over 3.8 terabits per second of bandwidth.
Furthermore, Glo-1 which is ready for commissioning and has customised services to address the requirements of a wide segment of clients - including telecommunications operators, oil and gas companies, manufacturers, education and medical institutions, will provide 2.5 terabits of bandwidth. In addition, Main One’s commercial director, Bernard Logan, has announced plans for the provision of outstanding 4.92 terabits per second of bandwidth.
The outstanding provision will push well above the broadband capacity of existing competitors. Lanre Ajayi, president, Nigerian Internet Group (NIG), who spoke to BusinessDay on telephone, said Nigeria could become the number one supplier of international capacity in Africa if more competition is encouraged in the cable market. “We already have two cables now.
We are expecting more, WACS and ACE cables are expected to berth in the country in 2011. With this, I can say that Nigeria will become one of the leading suppliers of bandwidth in Africa, outside South Africa. “Presently, South Africa has an advantage over us because they have a number of cables coming in from the east and west coast. I think we still need to encourage more competition in the industry for us to achieve that pinnacle of success”, he explained.
Echoing the same view, Kenneth Omeruo, an internet analyst, stated: “If more cables continue to land in the country, then Nigeria will attain that height. You see, most of these cables coming into Nigeria will provide wholesale bandwidth to neighbouring African retail carriers who will buy a portion of bandwidth and also sell this capacity to end-users. These end-users will, in turn, be able to access the internet at international broadband speeds and at more affordable prices, creating a wealth of opportunities for important sectors such as education, healthcare and government services”.
Giving further insight into the complexities inherent in the submarine cable market, Emmanuel Ekuwem, former president of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), pointed out that the possibility of Nigeria reaching that position would depend strongly on sound business plan and heightened investments in fibre optic cable infrastructure.
“Nigeria can only supply countries on the coastline. But for countries in land-locked areas like Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Niger and Chad, the question will be how to push the bandwidth to the hinterlands. Glo 1 and Main One will definitely be looking at doing business with telecom companies (telcos) in these countries. But this will also imply that huge investments will be made in VSAT technology and cross-national terrestrial fibre backbone. I know most telcos will want to stick with fibre than satellite technology, therein lies the problem.
“Telecommunications companies in Nigeria will have to get licenses to offer these services. They will have to partner strategically with the telecom companies in these African countries. Besides, it will be cost effective for these countries to leverage on these emerging cable systems like Main One and Glo -1 than to make huge investment in laying a cable from Europe to their respective countries. It all boils down to proper business plan and further investment in cable infrastructure”, he explained.
Muhammed Rudman, chief executive officer, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) who spoke to BusinessDay was stoutly in support of Ekuwem’s view that Nigeria’s prospect of becoming a leading supplier of international bandwidth capacity in sub-Saharan Africa will depend on investments in cross-border fibre networks. “This could be possible if Nigeria becomes more proactive and starts to invest in terrestrial transmission cables that can service landlocked countries in the region. This is very critical because most of these cables will have landing points in some of the countries on the region.”
Friday, July 23, 2010
Ikemefuna nominated as new EVC of NCC
The dust over who heads the regulatory body, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), appears to be settling with the recent nomination of Ikemefuna Juwa, a telecommunications engineer as the executive vice-chairman of the Commission. The succession tussle which started with the exit of its former EVC, Ernest Ndukwe has generated so much controversy that many have wondered if the sector was having a dearth of professionals to fill the post.
Also questions have arisen on why the federal government was taking such a long time to address the issue. At the centre of the controversy was the appointment of Bashir Gwandu by the Head of Service of the Federation, Steve Oronsaye, as the new EVC while an existing one, Stephen Bello was still on seat. Bello had been acting as the executive vice-chairman following the exit of Ndukwe in April. But all that have been laid to rest now.
In his response to the nomination, Titi Omo-Ettu, president, Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), said it was a welcome development and lauded the appointment. According to him: “Yes, if Ikemefuna Juwa is the Eugene Juwa that I know, he is a fitting and very ready material for the job. Intellectually and in industry equipment, he is round.
“If the time it has taken to find the candidate was meant to get one of the fine guys around, I think we can forgive the uneasy delay that has come to a good end.” Omo-Ettu added that, this is the kind of candidate Nigerians say is a “round peg in a round hole.” He said what is left now is the confirmation of the nomination by Senate. If the nomination of Ikemefuna sails through senate, he becomes the substantial EVC of the apex regulatory body. The nomination is one among the three positions which are to be filled on the Board of the NCC.
Also questions have arisen on why the federal government was taking such a long time to address the issue. At the centre of the controversy was the appointment of Bashir Gwandu by the Head of Service of the Federation, Steve Oronsaye, as the new EVC while an existing one, Stephen Bello was still on seat. Bello had been acting as the executive vice-chairman following the exit of Ndukwe in April. But all that have been laid to rest now.
In his response to the nomination, Titi Omo-Ettu, president, Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), said it was a welcome development and lauded the appointment. According to him: “Yes, if Ikemefuna Juwa is the Eugene Juwa that I know, he is a fitting and very ready material for the job. Intellectually and in industry equipment, he is round.
“If the time it has taken to find the candidate was meant to get one of the fine guys around, I think we can forgive the uneasy delay that has come to a good end.” Omo-Ettu added that, this is the kind of candidate Nigerians say is a “round peg in a round hole.” He said what is left now is the confirmation of the nomination by Senate. If the nomination of Ikemefuna sails through senate, he becomes the substantial EVC of the apex regulatory body. The nomination is one among the three positions which are to be filled on the Board of the NCC.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Nigeria’s Internet gathers speed as Main One Cable goes commercial
Increased access and connectivity, lower cost expected
Ben Uzor Jr
The commercial launch of Main One Cable yesterday has opened a new era in Nigeria’s internet access market, with promises of new terabits up-grades that beat analysts’ expectations and have begun to erase doubts that the cable company has its noose ahead in the crucial share of cable market. This comes after over 15 years of snail speed internet connectivity.
“This is an important step towards lower costs of international communication and significant expansion of internet access”, says Funke Opeke, chief officer, Main One Cable. As stakeholders gathered at the launch, the firm’s commercial director, Bernard Logan, announced plans for the provision of outstanding 4.92 terabits per second of bandwidth. The outstanding provision will push well above the broadband capacity of existing competitors. The firm had earlier pledged to offer 1.9 terabits of international capacity. It was gathered that ten operators have already signed up with Main One for capacity.
Leading the pack, BusinessDay learnt, is Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) provider, MTN Nigeria, Etisalat Nigeria, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operator, and Starcomms Plc. As at today, 40 gigabits of bandwidth is already available to the Nigerian market. Experts declared that the completion of the project was an important step towards lowering the cost of international communications and improving internet speeds.
Most of them agreed that the emergence of the cable system will have a multiplier effect on the Nigerian economy as it would boost the adoption of new and emerging technologies such as IPTV ( Internet Protocol Television), LTE (Long Term Evolution), VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), among others. According to them, the commencement of commercial services would go a long way in ushering in the much anticipated broadband boom Nigerians have been yearning for.
“We clearly see the cost of international communications coming down, and the cost of internet access coming down”, Funke told the audience, which included the Lagos governor, Babatunde Fashola, and the acting executive vice chairman of the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), Bashir Gwandu.
“We just talked about getting information to your trading partners for example. So, now, the cost for you to do that should come down, the speed and reliability at which you should do that is much improved”. Funke was also hopeful that the cost of doing business in Nigeria will come down with the cable on ground. “For industries looking for technology, looking for partners, looking to source offshore, they have the ability to access any global market off the internet and source for the most competitive. It really opens up tremendous opportunities for the economy”, she further explained.
Commenting on the commission’s contribution towards the actualisation of the project, Bashir Gwandu, the NCC executive stated: “At NCC, when Funke came to us for license, we cut down the price. We normally give out licences for $50 million for international gateway. We brought it down to $25 million. What we are seeing here today is a huge change in terms of reducing the price of internet services. The task before us is to make sure we maximise the use of that cable. We want to see broadband prices going down for Nigerian consumers”.
“This is a dream unfolding for me because when I came back to Nigeria in 2006, some of the things I mentioned are actually happening today. I called on the industry at the time to start thinking of deploying optical fibre, not only to international links but also to national links and local loops. This is just the beginning. We all know what we have been going through with SAT-3; we are now beginning to see a difference. Main One is clearly leading the race. There are two more cables coming on board but the clear leader is Main One. There are also other cables like Glo-1 and WACS coming to the shores of Nigeria. All these are in answer to some of the calls we have made”, he said.
Ben Uzor Jr
The commercial launch of Main One Cable yesterday has opened a new era in Nigeria’s internet access market, with promises of new terabits up-grades that beat analysts’ expectations and have begun to erase doubts that the cable company has its noose ahead in the crucial share of cable market. This comes after over 15 years of snail speed internet connectivity.
“This is an important step towards lower costs of international communication and significant expansion of internet access”, says Funke Opeke, chief officer, Main One Cable. As stakeholders gathered at the launch, the firm’s commercial director, Bernard Logan, announced plans for the provision of outstanding 4.92 terabits per second of bandwidth. The outstanding provision will push well above the broadband capacity of existing competitors. The firm had earlier pledged to offer 1.9 terabits of international capacity. It was gathered that ten operators have already signed up with Main One for capacity.
Leading the pack, BusinessDay learnt, is Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) provider, MTN Nigeria, Etisalat Nigeria, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operator, and Starcomms Plc. As at today, 40 gigabits of bandwidth is already available to the Nigerian market. Experts declared that the completion of the project was an important step towards lowering the cost of international communications and improving internet speeds.
Most of them agreed that the emergence of the cable system will have a multiplier effect on the Nigerian economy as it would boost the adoption of new and emerging technologies such as IPTV ( Internet Protocol Television), LTE (Long Term Evolution), VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), among others. According to them, the commencement of commercial services would go a long way in ushering in the much anticipated broadband boom Nigerians have been yearning for.
“We clearly see the cost of international communications coming down, and the cost of internet access coming down”, Funke told the audience, which included the Lagos governor, Babatunde Fashola, and the acting executive vice chairman of the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), Bashir Gwandu.
“We just talked about getting information to your trading partners for example. So, now, the cost for you to do that should come down, the speed and reliability at which you should do that is much improved”. Funke was also hopeful that the cost of doing business in Nigeria will come down with the cable on ground. “For industries looking for technology, looking for partners, looking to source offshore, they have the ability to access any global market off the internet and source for the most competitive. It really opens up tremendous opportunities for the economy”, she further explained.
Commenting on the commission’s contribution towards the actualisation of the project, Bashir Gwandu, the NCC executive stated: “At NCC, when Funke came to us for license, we cut down the price. We normally give out licences for $50 million for international gateway. We brought it down to $25 million. What we are seeing here today is a huge change in terms of reducing the price of internet services. The task before us is to make sure we maximise the use of that cable. We want to see broadband prices going down for Nigerian consumers”.
“This is a dream unfolding for me because when I came back to Nigeria in 2006, some of the things I mentioned are actually happening today. I called on the industry at the time to start thinking of deploying optical fibre, not only to international links but also to national links and local loops. This is just the beginning. We all know what we have been going through with SAT-3; we are now beginning to see a difference. Main One is clearly leading the race. There are two more cables coming on board but the clear leader is Main One. There are also other cables like Glo-1 and WACS coming to the shores of Nigeria. All these are in answer to some of the calls we have made”, he said.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Glo 1 Submarine Cable goes live
…takes broadband internet to homes, schools, hospitals, businesses
Globacom says its new Glo 1 submarine cable will offer customers the most guaranteed solutions to their business needs.
The National Operator on Tuesday took journalists on a facility tour of the Glo 1 landing station in Lagos and noted that the multi-million dollar cable which has been tested and is now ready for commissioning has customised services to address the requirements of a wide segment of clients including telecom operators, oil and gas companies, manufacturers, government, education and medical institutions.
Group Chief Operating of Globacom, Mohamed Jameel, said that with the company's extensive optic fibre backbone in Nigeria and terrestrial network in West Africa, there is a significant advantage to customers since Glo can provide connectivity right up to customer's premises in these countries, including domestic long haul and last mile services. The customer is thus provided end-to-end solutions for his requirements.
"Glo 1 offers extremely attractive contractual and pricing options which can be tailor-made for individual customer requirements. This is backed by best service level agreements (SLA) and professional account management. Indeed, Glo 1 offers the most competitive prices available in West Africa," Jameel stated. Also, the SLA, which offers end- to- end connectivity, ensures better service delivery as there is no dependence on other networks.
"For carriers and major telecom companies across the world, Glo 1 allows the wholesaler dedicated access to bulk bandwidth for long periods of up to 15 years thus giving the customer certain unique advantages, including the right to lease that bandwidth to someone else.
"For GSM, CDMA, Wimax operators and ISPs, Glo 1 offers extremely attractive prices on both short and long term basis, resulting in enhanced profitability for the customer through flexible terms of contract tailor-made for the customer type and requirement," the GCOO added.
Other customised solutions to be offered by Glo 1 include Data Centres, Tele-Medicine, Video Conferencing, Virtual Private Network, International Leased Lines, Managed Lines and Call Centres.
With Glo 1, Data Centers can be connected to each other for disaster recovery efforts in locations across the globe. This will be extremely helpful to governments and corporate organisations. Medical information can also be transferred through interactive audiovisual media. Remote medical procedures or examinations will therefore be possible. "Glo 1 will aid on-line diagnosis and video conferencing during surgery and research, while distance learning will be made easy by enabling a class of students and lecturers in West Africa to participate in a real time class in Europe, America and any other part of the world," Jameel explained.
Glo 1 will also facilitate premium video conferencing between multiple locations across the country. Videoconferencing uses telecommunications of audio and video to bring people at different sites together for a meeting. This can be as simple as a conversation between two people in private offices (point-to-point) or involve several sites (multi-point) with more than one person in large rooms at different sites. Besides the audio and visual transmission of meeting activities, videoconferencing can be used to share documents, computer-displayed information, and whiteboards.
The Globacom GCOO also guaranteed that anyone using Virtual Private Network (VPN) on Glo 1will get faster connectivity. The private nature of a VPN means that the data traveling over the VPN is not generally visible to, or is protected from, the underlying network traffic. Utmost confidentiality is therefore guaranteed.
The Glo 1 International private leased lines offer connectivity from West Africa to locations across the world. "Using our IPLC service, offices in Nigeria and other parts of Africa can connect to their offices abroad on a completely private circuit," he said.
Globacom says its new Glo 1 submarine cable will offer customers the most guaranteed solutions to their business needs.
The National Operator on Tuesday took journalists on a facility tour of the Glo 1 landing station in Lagos and noted that the multi-million dollar cable which has been tested and is now ready for commissioning has customised services to address the requirements of a wide segment of clients including telecom operators, oil and gas companies, manufacturers, government, education and medical institutions.
Group Chief Operating of Globacom, Mohamed Jameel, said that with the company's extensive optic fibre backbone in Nigeria and terrestrial network in West Africa, there is a significant advantage to customers since Glo can provide connectivity right up to customer's premises in these countries, including domestic long haul and last mile services. The customer is thus provided end-to-end solutions for his requirements.
"Glo 1 offers extremely attractive contractual and pricing options which can be tailor-made for individual customer requirements. This is backed by best service level agreements (SLA) and professional account management. Indeed, Glo 1 offers the most competitive prices available in West Africa," Jameel stated. Also, the SLA, which offers end- to- end connectivity, ensures better service delivery as there is no dependence on other networks.
"For carriers and major telecom companies across the world, Glo 1 allows the wholesaler dedicated access to bulk bandwidth for long periods of up to 15 years thus giving the customer certain unique advantages, including the right to lease that bandwidth to someone else.
"For GSM, CDMA, Wimax operators and ISPs, Glo 1 offers extremely attractive prices on both short and long term basis, resulting in enhanced profitability for the customer through flexible terms of contract tailor-made for the customer type and requirement," the GCOO added.
Other customised solutions to be offered by Glo 1 include Data Centres, Tele-Medicine, Video Conferencing, Virtual Private Network, International Leased Lines, Managed Lines and Call Centres.
With Glo 1, Data Centers can be connected to each other for disaster recovery efforts in locations across the globe. This will be extremely helpful to governments and corporate organisations. Medical information can also be transferred through interactive audiovisual media. Remote medical procedures or examinations will therefore be possible. "Glo 1 will aid on-line diagnosis and video conferencing during surgery and research, while distance learning will be made easy by enabling a class of students and lecturers in West Africa to participate in a real time class in Europe, America and any other part of the world," Jameel explained.
Glo 1 will also facilitate premium video conferencing between multiple locations across the country. Videoconferencing uses telecommunications of audio and video to bring people at different sites together for a meeting. This can be as simple as a conversation between two people in private offices (point-to-point) or involve several sites (multi-point) with more than one person in large rooms at different sites. Besides the audio and visual transmission of meeting activities, videoconferencing can be used to share documents, computer-displayed information, and whiteboards.
The Globacom GCOO also guaranteed that anyone using Virtual Private Network (VPN) on Glo 1will get faster connectivity. The private nature of a VPN means that the data traveling over the VPN is not generally visible to, or is protected from, the underlying network traffic. Utmost confidentiality is therefore guaranteed.
The Glo 1 International private leased lines offer connectivity from West Africa to locations across the world. "Using our IPLC service, offices in Nigeria and other parts of Africa can connect to their offices abroad on a completely private circuit," he said.
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