The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Thursday said that the positive impact of Value Added Services (VAS) on consumers outweighed the negative impact.
Mr Efosa Idehen, Director Compliance, Monitoring and enforcement, NCC made this known during the 1st Annual Nigeria Valued Added Services Stakeholder’s Forum held in Lagos.
He said that the commission deemed it fit to find a balance between enabling the opportunities that the VAS providers offer to consumers, while at the same time mitigating the challenges constituted to other consumers.
“So, while VAS providers are licensed by the commission and allowed to operate and provide services, consumers are also empowered through the Do-Not-Disturb (DND) facility to choose whether to allow or block access to VAS services,” Idehen said.
The director said that the VAS service is an important component of the Nigerian telecommunication ecosystem necessary for optimising the benefits of telecom services to consumers.
“VAS service has its advantages, as it encourages innovation, creativity and allows payment of utility bills.
“It increases revenue for the government in taxes which is used in providing amenities for the benefit of consumers.
“It has contributed in promoting financial inclusion policy of the government and facilitated the creation of wealth for many Nigerians.
“The VAS services also reduce incidence of bank fraud, since most consumers get bank alerts, “he said.
Idehen, however, said that the negative impact exposes consumers to receiving unsolicited messages, fraudulent deductions of consumers credit for VAS services not subscribed for, among others.
“Most subscribers are forced to ask the question: Are the telcos and their third parties adding ‘value’ or ‘pain’ services?
“Some major consumers’ concerns in respect to VAS services include spam messages, fraudulent bank alerts, forceful subscriptions, among others, “he said.
The director also said that the commission was planning to stop auto-renewal, which was illegal and seen as a form of forceful subscription.
Idehen said that consumers should be given the choice to choose whether they want to renew their subscription or not.
He said that the commission was also planning to take action against VAS providers who force auto-renewal on consumers.
Also speaking, Engr. Maska Ubale, Executive Commissioner Technical Services, NCC, said that the VAS forum was one of the laudable initiatives embarked on by the commission to develop effective collaboration with relevant stakeholders for sustainable ICT development.
Ubale, who was represented by Mr Bako Wakil, Head, Technical Standards and Network Integrity Department, NCC, said that as the ICT ecosystem was transforming daily, VAS content developers would have to collaborate with other stakeholders in the telecom Industry.
“This collaboration will be needed to drive the proliferation of applications that will meet the needs of consumers.
“This forum is intended to create more awareness, guide participants in understanding the social and economic importance of collaboration in the telecom world where content is king, ” he said.
Ubale also said that VAS licensees recorded by the commission in the last few years was an indication of the growing interest in the VAS segment of the telecom industry.
He noted that the commission had also allocated short codes to about 233 VAS licensees for the provision of different services, which has enhanced service delivery in country’s telecom industry.
Tag: ICT
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NCC weighs pros, cons of Value Added Services
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Undergraduate students to pass through ICT training phase – NUC
The National Universities Commission (NUC) says a framework will be established for all undergraduate students to pass through an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training phase.
The Chairman, Information And Communication Technology (ICT), Development Committee, NUC, Mr Johnson Asinugo disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday during an interactive session between the Directors of ICT of all Nigerian universities with the NUC ICT committee.
According to him, there is no reason we should graduate a Nigerian student, who is not computer illiterate.
“Part of what we are trying to do now is to establish a framework where all Nigerian university graduates or students will pass through an ICT training phase.”
He added that if university system computerises its environment sufficiently, most of the problems faced by students, especially on the issue of getting transcript would go away.
Also speaking, the Director of Research, Innovation and Information Technology, NUC, Dr Babatunde Raymond-Yusuf said in today’s world, where ICT is driving and shaping everything, there was need for universities to put in place ICT structures.
He said putting in place structures as well as capacity would help to drive the education using appropriate ICT tools.
“By the time we finish this process, it should be a thing of the past for any Nigerian university to be unable to use ICT to resolve these issues,” he said.
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Educating telecom consumers on their rights our priority – NCC
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said on Wednesday that educating the telecom consumers on their rights would be given top priority by the commission.
Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, represented by Mr Reuben Mouka, Head Public Relations, NCC, made this assertion at the NCC Special Day at the ongoing Abuja International Trade Fair in Abuja.
He said the theme of the fair ” Enhancing SMEs in Agribusiness through Innovative Technology” was in line with the objective of the commission to use technology as an enabler of the overall economic growth and development in the country.
He said the commission through the availability of information and education would helps consumers to make informed choices in the use of ICT services as well as to protect telecom services consumers’ rights and privileges.
“We, as the independent telecom regulator in Nigeria, recognizes that telecommunications services are very important to our nation,
“More importantly, that the consumers of telecommunications services deserve to get value for their money, and be treated as very important stakeholder in the scheme of things as far as service delivery is concern.
“The strategy, which we have adopted in achieving these agenda item, is to strengthen initiatives to educate and inform consumers in the use of communications services and to act swiftly and consistently whenever necessary.
He said the main thrust of NCC participation at the fair was to promote a major campaign, dedicated to the welfare of the consumer, which the commission launched on March 15, 2017
Speaking on the issue of data rollover, Danbatta said that the commission has directed all the service providers to give 14 days window to the subscribers to enable them roll over their unused data, even if they do not renew on the expiration data.
“In other words, this will stop the current practice where subscriber lose their entire unused data if they fail to renew on the date of the expiration of the current data
“Therefore, we can say that our citizens have not been left behind with services and innovations that abound in the ICT industry; it is our promise to keep the nation abreast of developments in telecommunications industry.
On her part, the Director Consumer Affairs Bureau, Mrs Felicia Onwuegbuchulam, said the commission was facilitating deployment of broadband network for economic growth.
Onwuegbuchulam represented by Mr Ayabamji Ojo, Deputy Director Consumer Affairs Bureau, said that the deployment of broadband infrastructure would also be a platform for innovation and job creation.
“The forum is to educate consumers on the Do Not Disturb code 2442 to stop unsolicited text messages, the commission’s 622 Toll-free line, data roll over, the menace of call masking among others.
Also speaking, Mrs Tonia Shoyele, Director General Abuja Commerce of Industry, said the theme was chosen in line with the Federal Government vision in diversifying the economy from a mono economy with total dependence on oil to other sectors.
She appreciated the NCC for creating an enabling environment for competition among operators in the industry as well as ensuring the provision of qualitative and efficient telecommunications services throughout the country.
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Huawei donates N100m ICT equipment to DBI
Huawei, an ICT company, has donated N100million ICT equipment to the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) to boost capacity building.
Speaking during the ceremony on Wednesday in Abuja, the Administrator of DBI, Mr Ike Adinde said the partnership with Huawei started in 2016.
He said the equipment donated to DBI would help reshape and redefine the institute’s capacity building process, especially in the area of telecommunications.
“This partnership will support a number of DBI training programme and help build skills.
“Equipping this lab would have taken another three years to get there but coming together with a solution provider to build core competencies in a synergistic manner is a milestone.
On his part, Mr Uwazie Kingsley, Training Director of Huawei said the company’s training centre has been in existence since 2004. To meet the company’s career capacity building requirement.
Kingsley said that the partnership with DBI started in 2016 and amongst the plans we had was for DBI to utilize Huawei lab.
He said Huawei, however, believed that there was the need to go a step further, adding that DBI should be equipped to have a lab where trainings can take place.
“We believe DBI should be equipped to have a lab to carry out its training and this we are experiencing today.
“And the equipment made available would cover various training need in Information Communications Technology (ICT).
“We are looking at not just employed Nigerians but we are also looking at trainings that would benefit unemployed Nigerians that would get them ready to move into the ICT.
Among the equipment donated by Huawei were core network, Transmission and wireless equipment.
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Why right policies are need to fast-track digital growth in Africa
Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has called on stakeholders in the telecommunication sector to put in place right polices to fast track digital growth in Africa.
Danbatta made this call on Monday at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Digital Bridge Institute Regional Human Capacity Building Workshop in Abuja.
The three days’ workshop has the theme: “Strengthen Capacity on Internet Governance in Africa.
He said there was need to put in place policies and institutions that will accelerate digital growth in the Africa continent.
“ We need to also examine policies that are in place and change those policies that pertain to internet governance with a view to making them more impactful.
“Policies that we need to put in place to inform internet governance, we need to look at what we can do to fast track blocking of internet access gaps.
“Because unless and until we do so, many of our citizens will continue to live without access to the internet, especially the right kind of internet connectivity, ‘the high speed internet, which is mostly facilitated by broadband infrastructure.
“NCC know how important it is to ensure that network is available, the infrastructure necessary to facilitate access to internet and that is why the country is being divided into seven zones with a licensee each to deploy broadband infrastructure,‘’ he said.
Danbatta said NCC through the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) funds intervention aimed to provide training particularly to teachers in Nigeria tertiary institutions so that they can leverage the power of ICT to improve content delivery.
He said the training would also enable the teachers to access all relevant materials from the internet.
The NCC boss urged delegates at the workshop to make important suggestions on what can be done to bring about enabling policies and institutions that can transform the entire country as well as the Africa continent digitally.
On his part, Mr Marcelino Tayob, Representative of ITU Regional Office for Africa said the workshop which is an annual event of ITU regional office has the objective of providing a platform to share experiences and interact.
Tayob said the workshop dwells on matter selected for the theme of the year.
He said the annual workshop allows human resource professionals to meet under the guidance of the ITU to discuss and share views.
For 2018, we decided to combine the annual workshop on human capacity building and internet governance training.
“The ITU member states believe that capacity building of ITU members on internet governance is one of priorities to be addressed at this workshop with focus on at least developing countries,‘’ he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Administrator DBI, said the workshop was aimed at discussing African concerns about human capacity building.
He said ITU member states have another opportunity to focus discussion on future of skills and knowledge as we seek to change the African Landscape in the digital economy.
“We must take strategy decisions that are implementable during the shortest possible time.
“Africa is endowed with talented and vibrant youth population but high population of them lack the skills and opportunity to participate meaningfully in growing the economy.
“In this context, digital skills is required to become genuine contributors in the present competitive market place, ‘’ Adinde said.
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Telecoms, information services record 11.54% GDP growth
The telecommunications and information services sector of the Nigerian economy recorded a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 11.54% in the second quarter (Q2) of 2018, contributing N2.5 trillion to the nation’s GDP.
TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports this is according to the GDP report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Monday.
According to the report, the telecommunications and information services, under the information and communication sector, grew by 11.54% in Q2 2018 from 1.88% in Q1 2018 and -3.28% in Q4 2017.
TNG reports the information and communication sector is composed of the four activities of telecommunications and information services; publishing; motion picture, sound recording and music production; and broadcasting.
According to the NBS, in nominal terms, the second quarter of 2018 saw the sector grow by 15.34% (year-on-year), a 12.68% points increase from the rate of 2.66% recorded in the same quarter of 2017, and 10.83% points higher than rate recorded in the preceding quarter. The quarter on quarter growth rate recorded in the current quarter is 13.72%.
“The information and communications sector contributed 11.22% to total nominal GDP in the 2018 second quarter, lower than the rate of 11.26% recorded in the same quarter of 2017 but higher than the 10.64% it contributed in the preceding quarter.
“The sector in the second quarter of 2018 recorded a growth rate of 11.81% in real terms, year on year. From the rate recorded in the corresponding period of 2017, there was an increase of 12.96% points. Quarter on quarter, the sector exhibited a growth of 13.02% in real terms.
“Of total real GDP, the sector contributed 13.63% in 2018 second quarter, higher than in the same quarter of the previous year in which it represented 12.37% yet higher than the preceding quarter, in which it represented 12.41%,” the NBS report revealed.
While publishing contributed N9 billion to the nation’s GDP; motion picture, sound recording and music production contributed N294.8 billion; and broadcasting contributed N606.9 billion.
The NBS report further revealed that the non-oil sector, which contributed 91.45% to the nation’s GDP, was mainly driven by the information and communication services sector.
TNG reports the non-oil sector grew by 2.05% in real terms during the reference quarter, representing 1.60% points increase compared to the rate recorded for the same quarter in 2017, and 1.29% points over the first quarter of 2018.
According to the NBS, in the second quarter of 2018, Nigeria’s GDP grew by 1.50% (year-on-year) in real terms to N16.58 trillion.
Growth in Q2 2018 was 0.79% points higher when compared to the second quarter of 2017 which recorded a growth of 0.72%, but –0.45% points slower than 1.95% recorded in the first quarter of 2018. On a quarter on quarter basis, real GDP growth was 2.94%.
In the quarter under review, aggregate GDP stood at N30.69 trillion in nominal terms. This represents a 7.85% increase in nominal GDP when compared to the preceding quarter (N28.46 trillion) and 13.57% increase when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2017 (N27.03 trillion).
The oil sector contributed 8.55% to total real GDP in Q2 2018, down from figures recorded in the corresponding period of 2017 and the preceding quarter, where it contributed 9.04% and 9.61% respectively.
Real growth of the oil sector was -3.95% (year-on-year) in Q2 2018 indicating a decrease by –7.48% points relative to the rate recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2017. Growth also decreased by –18.72% points when compared to Q1 2018. Quarter-on-Quarter, the oil sector recorded a growth rate of –8.34% in Q2 2018.
“Broadly speaking, growth in Q2 2018 was driven by developments in the non-oil sector as services sector recorded its strongest positive growth since 2016.
“However, the relatively slower growth when compared to Q1 2018 and Q2 2017 could be attributed to developments in both the oil and non-oil sectors,” the NBS noted.
TNG reports the telecommunications and information services GDP data were computed from the gross output of revenue from telephone, telex, Facsimile, telegraph, and other income from satellite and internet services; and intermediate consumption of transit fees, operational expenditure, minor repairs and maintenance and other expenses.
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Mrs. Akeredolu distributes laptops to 2018 Summer Boot Camp 4 Girls Naija participants
The Ondo State Governor’s wife, Mrs. Betty Akeredolu, has distributed 400 Microsoft laptop computers to some girls on two weeks ICT and solar technology training in the state.
Mrs Akeredolu made this known in Akure at the closing ceremony of the 2018 Summer Boot Camp 4 Girls Naija.
She said she had never been more hopeful of a better Nigeria than this moment, seeing 400 girls ready to “change our story and make us more visible on the world map.”
She said although the two weeks rigorous training in ICT, solar technology and life-enhancing skills was over, the girls had many years of impacting the world and making it a better place.
The governor’s wife said: “the baton has been placed in your hands; your race now begins.
“I must warn you that there will be challenging times, but you should know that this boot camp has equipped you with all that you need to overcome them all.
“Girls, to rise up to the task ahead, you must put all you have learned here to practice; mentor many more girl children and build a formidable network of change agent.”
Mrs Akeredolu commended those who contributed in one way or the other to the success of the 2018 Summer Boot Camp 4 Girls Naija.
She described the contributors as great giants upon whose shoulders the girls would stand to see further and create lasting development in Nigeria and the world at large.
“You have given a head start to the girl child and indeed the marginalised of the society and pitched their tents in the court of great visionaries,” she noted.
She called on Nigerian to endeavor to help children in various communities without waiting for government support.
The Representative of Microsoft Nigeria, Mr Olusola Amosan, commended the First Lady for the initiative, saying it would enable the girls to prepare themselves for a better tomorrow.
Amosan said the two weeks training had exposed the girls to many applications in computer, which they could use to better their lots in a legitimate manner.
The training was the second edition since Mrs Akeredolu assumed office of the first lady of Ondo state.
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Pupils develop Made in Ikeja Mobile Games
A software development company, Softwareshop Pty Ltd., on Friday said that 16 pupils on a three-month free software development training had to develop computer games and apps for their usage on Android phones.
The Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Mr Austin Agbakor, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
Agbakor said that the 16 pupils were those who had taken advantage of the three-month free training on software by the Computer Village hub (Cvhub), a subsidiary of the softwareshop.
According to him, the pupils have started designing some games applications which is tagged “Made in Ikeja Games”.
He said that such an effort by the children would boost their knowledge on Information Communication Technology and make them economically independent.
Agbakor said the three-month free training for pupils was an effort to meet the target of training 100,000 Nigerians in partnership with Codefest Nigeria, that promotes idea meeting technology to create a unique product for enterprise and community.
It is a hackathon event, a software coding and application contest where students come together and use technology to transform ideas into reality.
NAN reports that Cvhub had on Aug. 6, commenced a three-month free training for children on software development, coding, Robotics and so on.
NAN also reports that at the launch of the Cvhub in Lagos on Aug. 3, Agbakor had said that the training was also to give back to the society.
According to him, training children well on software development, and providing the right environment will boost Nigeria’s production of software in line with international standards.
“CVhub starts free training on Aug. 6 at the heart of ICT market in Nigeria,’’ he said.
He expressed the hope that the beneficiaries would acquire relevant skills at the training.
“CVhub will make products that can be tagged `made in Ikeja’ during this training through children,” Agbakor said.
He urged the three tiers of government to invest in capacity building, especially in technology for improved economy.
A software developer at Codefest Nigeria, Mr Victor Morgan, said that CVhub was looking forward to excelling.
“CVhub is looking forward to doing great things; we are looking at ideas that are disruptive among the kids. CVhub trains kids to be lords of themselves,” he said.
He, however, advised that children who have yet to be registered to take advantage of the five days “Games Boot Camp’’ that would commence on Aug. 27 to Sept. 1.
NAN reports that CVhub, the venue of the training offers training in coding and cloud among others.
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Communications ministry, CBN move to include ICT, Telecom on Forex list
The Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, says the ministry is collaborating with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to include the ICT and Telecom industry on Forex priority list.
Shittu, represented by Mr John Emeawa, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS), Ministry of Communications, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja while inaugurating the ICT, Computers/Devices Service Centre.
The centre was established by the Ministry of Communications and Certified Computers Manufacturing of Nigeria (CCMON).
According to the minister, there is an ongoing discussion between the ministry and the CBN to include the ICT and Telecom industry in the list of sectors to be accorded Forex priority.
“In this regard, I will proudly say that Nigeria has an array of young people with great energies and creative abilities to launch Nigeria into the league of world leading economies by leveraging on ICTs.
Shittu stressed the need for the nation to adopt a deliberate, planned and sustainable national programme for developing a competent, knowledge-driven workforce and society.
He said sustained access to ICT tools was a critical component of competent and knowledge-driven workforce.
The minister said in ensuring a competent workforce that the Certified Computer Manufacturers of Nigeria (CCMON) seeks to collaborate with the ministry and its agencies to establish the centre.
According to him, the ministry fully identifies with CCMON since its activities align with the mandate of the ministry because we know that their value propositions will be beneficial to the sector.
“Our collaboration with CCMON is intended to transform and build the capacity of the workforce in digital literacy and in preparation for a full implementation of the National e-Government Master plan.
“ICT Roadmap and also equip benefitting tech savvy youths with entrepreneurial and job creation skills.
“I am happy to inform you that the Computer Service Center aligns with the implementation of the Federal Government Local Content Initiative,“ he said.
Shittu said the centre will support all systems bought in the public service, saying it was a pilot project of the ministry with plans to be replicated in every MDAs to provide after sales and services support.
“Such after sales support will ensure that computers bought by government are duly maintained.
“This will stop all incidents of breakdowns and malfunctioning of computers used for government business.
Consequently, the centre is for skills acquisition of staff that will provide services to various MDAs.
“The programme, therefore, will save costs for government and eliminate huge maintenance costs in government IT infrastructure.
“ I wish to state that our ministry will continue to support CCMON as well as other equipment manufacturers to provide policy direction, who may wish to set up an assembly plant in Nigeria in the future,‘’ he said.
In her opening remarks, Mrs Nkechi Ejele, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications, said the centre would serve as a model for promoting in-house maintenance of ICT devices.
Ejele said the centre would also carry out preventive maintenance, encourage purchase of locally manufactured ICT devices.
“Increase the life span of systems and serve as a training centre for devices repair and maintenance thereby lowering the total cost of ownership.
“As a ministry, we have consistently stated the ICT sector of the Nigerian economy has the capacity to serve as one of the leading sources of government revenue, if the enabling environment is created through partnership and investment.”
On his part, Mr Bode Pedro, President, CCMON, said the centre will create trade opportunity for the unemployed youths, the MDAs and private sector.
Pedro said the coming together of local manufacturers to set up a unified service centre will reduce cost and provide efficient services.
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2019 Budget: Communications Minister inaugurates ICT working team
The Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu on Thursday in Abuja, inaugurated the ICT Sector Working Team (SWT) to consider important aspect of the 2019 budget.
The team comprises of the Minister of Communication, who will serve as chairman, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Nkechi Ejele as Deputy Chairman.
Other members of the team are Heads of Major Departments of the Ministry, Heads of Agencies under the ministry and other identified parties.
Mr John Emeawa, Director, Planning Research and Statistics, Ministry of Communications is to serve as Secretary of the team.
Speaking at the ceremony, Shittu said the inauguration was part of government strategy to ensure fiscal efficiency, adding that the medium term strategy has been made an integral part of the annual budget process.
According to him, toward preparation of the 2019 budget, the Federal Ministry of Budget and the National Planning Commission has requested for the constitution of the SWT, which will oversee the preparation of the 2019 ICT sector medium term strategy.
Shittu listed the terms of reference for the team to include authoring the 2019-2021 MTSS- Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), identifying and collating projects, undertaking project priorisation to fit 2019-2020 MTSS ERGP.
“Updating the projects’ costing and obtaining the sector’s budget ceiling from Budget Office of the Federation.
“ Other assignments include ensuring capital projects fit into Budget Ceiling and phase projects implementation over 3 years (2019-2021) and obtain a sign-off of the permanent secretary and the minister.
He said timeliness and milestones have been prescribed for the team to work assiduously with.
“ I am already aware that some of our officers participated actively in the budget training conducted by the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.
“ I am also glad that a consultant from the ministry of budget and national planning has been working with officers to help collate inputs to the budget proposal for 2019.
“ Going forward, the work of our officers will be subjected to scrutiny and validation by the SWT, which will prepare a report on same for signature.”
The minister also urged the SWT to take the assignment seriously to provide a budget that will support realization of government agenda for ICT sector.