Nigerian Telecommunication Industry

Development in the Industry.     Operators-Part 1

There has been huge development in the telecommunication industry in Nigeria with several benefits to the economy- Job creations, improved connectivity, reduced call tariffs, development of products, just to mention a few.

A quick overview of these development cannot be complete without mentioning the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited, or NITEL, a principal telecommunications company in Nigeria owned by the government of Nigeria until it was sold to Mtel by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

Nitel was responsible for all wired telecommunications in Nigeria. MTEL was the mobile telephony arm of NITEL.

Recently in 2015, the government finalized a transaction that saw NITEL and Mtel's assets which is now called NATCOM.

Currently, we have 4 Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) operators in Nigeria namely MTN Nigeria Communications Limited, Airtel Networks Limited, Emerging Market Telecommunications Services Limited (Etisalat) and Globacom Limited . 

Telecommunication companies in Nigeria generate huge revenues that surpass their returns in other African countries.

In the beginning, it was not so. There were three operators in Nigeria and the first being Econet. In 2001, Econet Nigeria won the GSM license auction with the other two operators being MTN Nigeria and MTEL. 

Econet has had to change management several time from Econet to Vodacom to Vmobile, to Celtel followed by Zain and finally Airtel.

The entry of new operators has increased the competition in the telecoms sector with the end user subscriber being better for it.

As at November 2015, there are over 149 million active subscribers riding on the GSM technology in Nigeria. 

• MTN subscribers: over 62 million.
• Globalcom: over 31 million subscribers,
• Airtel Nigeria: over 31 million and
• EMTS Limited (Etisalat): over 23 million subscribers. 

Each of these subscribers make use of voice or data services and contribute to the over N1.9 trillion revenues jointly reported by the GSM operators in this industry. 

Let us not forget the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) Operators. The Nigeria's revolution with CDMA operators was seen as a plus for the country, as the likes of Multi-links, VGC Communications, Zoom, Intercellular were the darling networks of many Nigerians in the early days of the revolution with cheaper call rates compared to the new entrants GSM operators whose SIM cards were sold for as high as N30,000 on entry. Other CDMA operators are Starcomms and Visafone.
From NCC report, as at September 2015, the existing CDMA Operators (Visafone Limited and Multilinks-Telkom) has over 2 million and 10 thousand Subscribers respectively.

It has not all been bed of roses for these Operators, as well as the citizen of the country, remembering the cost of a SIM card, Tariffs on calls, and the limited value added services in those days.

However, things have changed and still changing. Fast forward till date, there has been massive development in the industry as the competition within these operators has brought about introduction of new products, purchase of SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card at almost free and more value added services, reduced call tariffs and better quality of service available to end users. 

We definitely hope for better days to come, for instance when the cost of the Internet will be reduced to an affordable price that all can access and our telecoms industry can comfortably compete with the western nations in connectivity, Internet speed, voice quality and better user experience. However, as the market grow larger and the companies’ profits goes up, there are growing concerns about the quality of service they offer which have left subscribers/consumers unhappy and frustrated.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), an independent regulatory body for the Nigerian telecommunications industry created under Decree number 75 by the Federal Military Government of Nigeria on 24 November 1992 saddled with the responsibility of regulating the supply of telecommunications services and facilities, promoting competition, and setting performance standards for telephone services in Nigeria has been playing important role to see positive transformation in this sector of the economy.

In subsequent post, we will talk extensively on each operators and delve into their past, present and also what the future holds for them in Nigeria Market and also the role of NCC in Nigerian Telecommunication Industry. 
We will also look into impact and contribution of the Service providers/Vendors in the telecommunication industry.

Technology in Football

The passion and enthusiasms when it comes to sport especially the game of football or soccer as it is called, transcends age, race, or background. There are millions of fans all around the world that follow the game to the letter. 

           

I watch football, but I am not as much a fan as some people. I have friends who will do everything possible not to miss watching a football match even matches that have nothing to do with the team they support. I hear of bets all around the world with fans showing their commitment and allegiance to a club.

Due to the enormous fan interest in the game, controversial as it can go as well as where crucial decision is to be made, there have been some development in recent times which is the introduction of Technology into football. 

One of such which many are aware of is the Goal Line Technology.

According to Wikipedia definition, Goal-line technology (sometimes referred to as a Goal Decision System is a method used to determine when the ball has completely crossed the goal line in between the goal-posts and underneath the crossbar with the assistance of electronic devices and at the same time assisting the referee in awarding a goal or not. 

         The objective of goal-line technology (GLT) is not to replace the role of the officials, but rather to support them in their decision-making. The GLT must provide a clear indication as to whether the ball has fully crossed the line, and this information will serve to assist the referee in making his final decision.

Hawk eye technology uses a system of several cameras around the goal to track the ball and the system software creates 3D images which capture by triangulation the position of the ball in relations to the goal-line.

Another proposed way is to have a chip embedded in the center of the ball which if the ball crosses the line, an encrypted signal is transmitted to the referee via a watch or earpiece within half a second.

Historically, Technology in sport has been a very contentious issue but recently, there has been series of controversies in some matches that has left the fan venting their concerns, anger and dissatisfaction in the decisions by the referee and the match officials. 

About 3 years ago, Gordon Alexander Taylor, an English former professional footballer who played as a winger and has also been chief executive of the English footballers' trades union and the Professional Footballers association since 1981 has accused the game as being stuck in the past and says "referees need support.

'It’s amazing that football is behind the times in trying to achieve justice. It’s perverse,' Taylor told BBC Sport. 'I don’t know why we should expect to put all the onus on referees.'

He added: 'Football is way behind other sports when we think how successful it is being used in cricket, tennis, rugby and so many other sports".

"In this day and age, the technology is available and we should use it. We've got to do all we can to ensure that, in sport, justice is done."

I play Lawn tennis, though not at the professional level but I do watch Tennis matches and I see Technology being used during the game and the effect of its use is seen in the quality decision that is being made and I am an advocate of the use of Technology. 

We have seen in the World cup and even in the premiership technological innovation in the Vanishing spray contained in an "aerosol Can: containing water gas and other ingredients which when spayed is released in form of foam which later vanishes and leaving water behind. The foams is to ensure players keep a certain distance from the ball.

And also the Goal line technology which has help save the day in making accurate and final decisions.

The new talk of Video Technology to be introduced in the game of football which I believe is a good idea as replay will also help in decision making. There has been countless times when wrong decision has been made due to the myopic view of the official but with an helicopter view of video technology, right decision is guaranteed.

Knowing fully well, football is a huge business, we cannot afford not to place technology especially in order to ensure a quality and accurate decision.

Life Without TECHNOLOGY...

How will it be?

       I'll like to start with something interesting, I am sure many might have a different view or diverse opinion about this topic and argument might arise, however, I wish to share my thought. Just a quick roll back memory lane some few years ago when Technology as it were, was not so common. Technology here, I refer to use of gadgets, phones, computers etc.

Cast your mind back about 2 to 3 decades ago, what were the things in vogue? 

Now, bring your mind to this present days and compare on the change and inventions particularly in technology.

Now imagine a present day life where these technologies are suddenly removed or not accessible.

Recently, I had a conversation with a colleague of mine and he told me he was on vacation and he had no access to his email and internet for the period. 

This made me think and ponder about how we lived those days when there was no technology, no computers, no phones, no iPad, no internet, no VSat, no 2G/3G/WiMAX/LTE, no Facebook, I can go on. What would life be without it? 

I am pretty sure several people can't comprehend it and definitely cannot live without technology. Imagine if these technology is suddenly taken away or inaccessible.

Its been a couple of days now without a smartphone just because I took it for a fix and I know how it feels especially not been able to access those apps and check emails on my phone. However, I feel light and simple but looking forward to get my phone back soon.

For some people, the existence of technology is the difference between possibility and impossibility.

My Thought

In as much as we live in the Technology age and everything is done at the speed of thought, I still think there is over indulgence in its use.

No access to technology would mean a simpler life, not having to worry about E-mails, Phone calls, less obesity because there would be no T.V and video games for kids and  grown ups would actually have to get up and do things by them self and less distractions.

But, I so much more think the advantages of technology is far more enormous than its disadvantages.

Technology is one of the best thing that has happened to Human, however, the use of a thing will determine if its good or not.

Human being are creatures of habits and with introduction of any new technology, there is a quest to want to have and sometimes overindulge in the use of it.

The Truth

• Some thinks their kids are spending too much time on Ipad or internet and not spending time exercising or reading from books. Do not blame Ipad as a technology, as kids were playing video games before Ipad came, and before video games, they were watching TVs and before TV, they were reading comic books.

So it is not Technology that is the cause of Kids being lazy, its importantly about the child's disposition, parental values and discipline.

• Technology has created weapons of war, depleted ozone layer, but I can re-assure you that the same Technology has been used in cure of diseases, generation of electricity, easy communication, mobility/transportation, improved mechanization.

I can go on with some popular believes but I believe technology is awesome and I totally agree that overindulgence is not good. 

Think of it, the world has made great inventions in technology that benefits Human kind, from the phone you are currently using, to the Tab, the PC and even to space technology, I can go on.

Without Technology, really life would just be different, not bad, but not exactly good. Just different. So Technology in itself is awesome, but its application will determine if good or not.

Finally, I suggest, in the midst of the web of technologies you use or find yourself, once in a while, you might need to go cold turkey "abruptly giving up a habit or addiction" I mean go without text, chat, Facebook, email, surfing the internet. I mean practically unplug. 

It will interest you to know most of all the ideas, innovations and inventions comes when you unplug, "outside the use of these technologies" 

Its year 2015, Happy New Year to you with great achievements. Watch out for more exciting posts.

Will Robots take over Jobs?

Amazing world of Robots...

What will it look like?

It is amazing how Technology is transforming the way we think, behave and even work. In the last decades, there has been discoveries and inventions with less and less Human intervention.

In recent times, we have seen the advent of technologies, inventions, innovations and solutions capable of delivering with higher level of precision what humans do. Artificial intelligence (AI) as it is being called and Robots.

According to Wikipedia, "a Robot is an automatic mechanical device often resembling a human or an animal. Modern Robots are usually an electro-mechanical machine guided by a computer program or electronic circuitry.

The branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots, as well as computer systems for their control, sensory feedback, and information processing is robotics".

It is no longer surprising to see Automated Teller Machines (ATM) doing part of the work of a bank teller. 


I recently stumbled on and watched an interview with the High tech Giant Google,

Larry page and Sergy with Vinod Khosla and it might interest you to know or you might have being aware of the Google X’s most high-profile project has been a new purpose-built prototype of its self-driving car. 

Think of these;

• Self driven cars, 

• Robotics in medicine for drug administrations, procedures/surgical operations and even remote surgery.

                                                            

• Robots and UAVs photographs Lions in the wild.

• Robots in industrial Manufacturing

• Robots in agriculture

And so on and I see in the next couple of years, increase in the demand for fast and efficient delivery in so many sphere of life which requires advancement in Robotics.

Now, the question is what will be the work of human or will robot replace or reduce human intervention? If robots are precise, not stressed and don't go on annual leaves, vacations, no maternity leaves, no strike actions or protest. 

If all these are true, then, what skills set or line of thought should be considered needful at this time or what idea comes to mind to avoid humans being redundant or edged out. 

What will the future look like with robots?

In as much as I like robots in its efficiency and precision, however, I have my reserves in the sense that;

• Robots are not emotional and thus has no empathy.
• Introduction of Robots will reduce human relationships.
• Robot introduction will impact on job security and employment.

However, you need not be disturbed by the change in technology or introduction of a new technology. Change or technology simply means:

• Change in the skill set requirements.
• And also change or introduction of new job functions.
• It might render the some jobs/work obsolete but it creates new ones.

Our goal should then be to look for ways where our expertise, skill and competencies will be required as new technology emerges as a matter of fact, it is necessary to sense and flow in advance the technology change with respect to your field of work before it happens. 

Thank you, and Enjoy your holiday.

Remember to set Goals for 2015 now if you have not.

Set Career Goals, Financial Goals, Spiritual Goals, Family Goals etc.

Do have a wonderful Holiday.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in Advance.

Android and Windows, The DIFFERENCE

Android and Windows

                                   

I have often been asked the difference between an Android and a Windows Phone, some even ask which is better "Android or Windows Phone". I put up this to enlighten those who need to know and those who find it difficult in making a choice of what to go for.

        Android is an open source, free, Linux-based operating system for smartphones and tablets.

The term "open source" refers to something that can be modified because its design is publicly accessible.

In other words, Open source software is software whose source code is available for modification or enhancement by anyone.

The system was designed and developed by Android Inc., which was funded and later purchased by Google in 2005.

Windows Phone on the other hand is a series of proprietary software developed and marketed by Microsoft Corporation. Windows Phone is a closed-sourced, which means that it is solely developed by the company and protected by copyright. The company offers a bunch of new features compared to the older Windows Mobile OS.

              We all know, smartphones was not this popular some few years back and its influx and presence has really enhanced the way we communicate.

Before then, Windows palm pilots or pocket PCs ruled the market and popular for many businessmen keeping appointments and phone numbers in one place.

Then, there was the influx of the Android in 2007, and many believed its arrival will not stand the test of time. There were several changes that were made that changed the way it was run and has brought us to point where we are now and becoming a popular OS (Operating System) in the market today.

Windows recently launched the Windows 8 Mobile systems and is also currently a popular OS among Nokia fans.

Android and Windows Mobile are two different operating systems that run on phones, smartphones and tablets.

           We now have many manufacturers running Android on their phones as a result of the benefit of Android being an open source. Developers can develop content, apps and games for Android which is available on the Google Play. These enable developers showcase their talent and skills with quite a number of free apps and games, making Android popular for consumers.

 Another popular feature of Android is the number of apps and the Google Play. Google Play, formerly known as the Android Market is an application distribution platform, where developers publish applications for the many Android users.

The applications are also developed by an open community and many of them are free for downloading through Google Play. Android is also popular because of constant and frequents updates that are available by Google. The last Google update was the Android 4.4 "KitKat" and Google recently released Android 5.0 Lollipop currently available on Nexus 9 on the 15th of October 2014.

        Windows OS on the other hand is a proprietary software developed and marketed by Microsoft Corporation. The Windows Phone is a closed-sourced meaning it's solely developed by the company and protected by copyright. This system offers new feature such as a whole new interface, text input by an on-screen virtual keyboard, threads messaging, Internet Explorer browser, organized contacts via People Hub, Email access (support for Outlook.com, Exchange, Yahoo! Mail, and Gmail), Xbox Music, Xbox Videos, Xbox Video Store, Games Hub, Bing Search Engine, Bing Maps, Voice recognition function, turn-by-turn navigation, Office Suite (Microsoft Office Mobile), Multitasking capability, syncing capability with Zune software, Windows Phone App and Windows Phone Store. 

      The Windows Store is limited as there only a few number of apps. The company has yet to populate the store with the number of apps that is available on Apple Market or Google Play. 

              In Summary Here are the differences/similarities.

	Android	Windows Phone
Company/ Developer	Google	Microsoft
Programmed in	Java, C, C++	C, C++
OS family	Unix-like	Windows
Initial release	September 23, 2008	October 21, 2010
Supported platforms	ARM, MIPS, x86, I.MX	x86
License	Apache License 2.0 Linux kernel patches under GNU GPL v2	Commercial proprietary software
Default user interface	Graphical (Multi-touch)	Graphical (Metro UI)
Working state	Current	Current
Source model	Open source software	Closed-source
Updates	Updates are provided by different parties in the consortium.	Updates are only done by Microsoft.
Applications	Applications are created by an open community of developers.	Applications are created by tie up companies and Microsoft.
Touch style	Capacitive technology	Capacitive technology
Offers native support for	Google Sync for Gmail, Contacts, and Google Calendar.	Mail, Exchange, Outlook Contacts, Calendar, Windows Market, etc.
Number of applications	Over 700,000 applications	Limited number of applications.
Language support	Multiple language support	Multiple language support

Reference and thanks to: http://www.differencebetween.info