Aviat Networks Advocates Total Local Support for Nigerian Market

The rationale behind massive financial and technological investments in markets without the necessary logistics and support plan by some telecommunication operators has again been queried by an expert at a recent industry event held in Lagos penultimate week. Making this observation in his chat with select media and industry executives during the event is Patrick Martini, head Business Development of global IP Back-haul solution providers Aviat Networks.

According to him, the global economic situation that presently exists makes it imperative that telecom operators considering their various choices in network enhancement deployments must consider the availability of adequate local logistics and support that can be offered by the competing solution providers before they make their choice of solution providers. His words: “technology alone won’t get you were you need to go. To be the leader in your market, you also need the very best in logistics, support and services to actually get the full return on technology investment”.

Describing support as the most important consideration before any technology upgrade, acquisition and deployment, Mr. Martini is of the opinion that any technology solution provider that does not have the capacity to provide the very best in logistics, support and services in the Nigerian market, does not have the development of the country’s telecommunications sector at heart. As far as he is concerned, “the length of time and the evidence of what has been achieved by any solution provider, especially within the Nigerian telecommunications sector, must also serve as an evidence of it commitment and readiness to play in Nigeria”.

While describing Aviat Networks as the ‘most strategically positioned’ solution provider for the telecom sector in Nigeria today, Mr. Martini defended the claim based on the fact that this global leader meets all the criteria to prove their seriousness in the local market. He explained that, “we have a long-standing presence in Nigeria, from the times when CDMA operations was the rave till now, and we are staffed by indigenous experts who understand what it takes to get things done the right way”, he concluded.

Aviat Networks, which was formerly known as Harris Stratex, is currently rated as experts in wireless advanced IP network migration, and also building the foundation for the 4G/LTE broadband future and enabling wireless transformation around the world. Nigeria currently ranks as Aviat Networks most important market.

Bharti takes IBM, Tech Mahindra for customer care services...announces African call centers

Bharti Airtel said it has selected IBM, Tech Mahindra and Spanco for providing customer care services in the 16 African countries where the telco has a presence following its acquisition of Zain Telecom early this year. An agreement is expected to be finalised soon, Bharti Airtel said in a statement, declining to give financial details on the deal. As per the agreement, Bharti Airtel -- which owns and operates the "Zain" brand in 16 countries across Africa -- will outsource core customer services to these three firms, including call centre and back office processes.

"The outsourcing of customer service operations will play a key role in making Bharti Airtel competitive in Africa as it focuses on making mobile communications affordable," it added. The widespread adoption of the BPO model by Bharti Airtel across its operations in Africa will have tangible benefits for development of the sector in each country and will create additional job opportunities and help develop local talent, the statement added. 

Currently, over 4,000 people have been engaged by Bharti Airtel for customer service operations in Africa. Going forward, the number of people employed for Bharti Airtel's customer service functions will increase as the Indian telecom major expands its network and customer base. The mobile telecommunications operator currently has over 40 million customers in Africa and is targeting a subscriber base of 100 million by 2013. 

"The BPO model has significant benefits for our customers, the countries in which we operate and their economies. Partnering with organisations on such a massive scale will galvanise the BPO sector in Africa and be a catalyst for growth in the sector," Bharti Airtel CEO (International) and Joint Managing Director Manoj Kohli said. This is the second major partnership announced by Bharti Airtel in the African subcontinent. In September this year, Bharti selected IBM to build and manage IT systems to power its mobile communications network across 16 African countries. 

According to a Deloitte report, less than 40 per cent of Africans have access to a mobile phone. However, demand is growing at the average rate of 25 per cent annually and a 10 per cent rise in mobile penetration could increase the gross domestic product of developing markets by 1.2 per cent. The three firms selected by Bharti Airtel collectively employ over 90,000 people for BPO services in more than 100 countries. In Africa, Bharti Airtel has operations in Burkina Faso, Chad, Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

In a related development, Bharti Airtel's global CEO has also said that the Indian company will be bringing call center jobs to Africa after buying out a major mobile phone provider on the continent. Manoj Kohli told journalists Monday that partnerships with IBM, Tech Mahindra and SPANCO will bring outsourced support jobs to Nigeria and other nations to bolster its recently purchased Zain network. 

Company officials estimated several thousand call center jobs would start immediately, with more in the future. Kohli declined to offer a value on the deal. Bharti has 183.4 million customers across 19 countries, making it the world's fifth largest telecommunications company. Bharti closed a $10.7 billion deal in June with Kuwait-based Zain to take over its holdings in Nigeria and 14 other African nations.

MTN, Huawei Seal Rural Telephony Deal in Nigeria

MTN Nigeria and Huawei Technologies has sealed a rural telephony deal that will see no fewer than 500 rural communities across the length and breadth of Nigeria connected to telephone lines.

Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony in Lagos, Ahmad Farroukh, CEO, MTN Nigeria said as the industry market leader, it realised that majority of the people in rural areas of the country did not have access to telephony services, adding that to get to this large unserved people with its conventional business model would not create the necessary opportunities for rural access and services.

“As the industry market, we realised that majority of the people in our rural areas do not have access to telephony services. We also realised that to get to these uncovered areas with our conventional business model would not create the necessary opportunities for rural access abd services,” he said, adding that this realisation led to the need to design a new business model that would enable the telko enrich the lives of the rural dwellers in the country.

“We now have a sustainable model that would enable us provide GSM services to rural communities and villages that do not have any network coverage,” Farroukh added.

“Our goal is to cover every village in Nigeria. The first phase will see 350 villages covered before tha end of May 2011 via the support of our strategic partner, Huawei Technologies, while 500 villages will be covered in phase 2 before the end of December 2011,”he explained concerning the scope and vision of the project.

Speaking on the occasion, Olawale Ige, a member of the board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), commended the bold move of MTN in the area of rural telephony which he said has been an issue with the Nigerian government about a century ago.

He blamed the hitherto monopolistic nature of the sector for the inability of the project to come on stream, adding that with the liberalisation of the telecoms sector and advent of digital telecommunications, the project was gradually seeing the light of day.

He identified huge cost of the project and the rate of obsolescence of the technology as the factors that also draw back the realisation of the project.

International CES Named Greenest Show By Trade Show Executive Magazine

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® has announced that the 2009 International CES® was named North America's Greenest Show by Trade Show Executive Magazine. CEA was awarded the highly coveted "Leader in Green Initiatives" Gold Grand Award for outstanding green presence in producing the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow, the International CES.

Building upon its green initiatives, the 2011 CES will again feature the Sustainable Planet TechZone, sponsored by Earth 911, which will showcase world-changing technologies that benefit the environment, utilize new forms of sustainable energy, renew resources and contribute to the global development. This exhibit area will feature products and services that make it possible for everyone to stay connected, informed and live sustainable lifestyles. The Electric Vehicle TechZone will also highlight the latest technology behind electric vehicles for consumers seeking to live more sustainably through alternative transportation.

CES attendees collectively avoid more than 700 million miles of business travel - enough to travel from the earth to the sun seven times. In addition, CES has offset more than 20,000 tons of carbon emissions over the past several years. CEA, the owner of CES, works with its event partners to produce recycling programs and to promote those initiatives to CES attendees. CES continues to work to improve its green footprint each year, including at the upcoming 2011 International CES which will run January 6-9 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"In a very competitive category, the International CES out-greened other contenders," said Darlene Gudea, president of Trade Show Executive Media Group. "CES was heralded not only for the sheer volume of its recycling efforts but also for its numerous creative ideas to reduce the impact of the nation’s largest annual show on the environment. Trade Show Executive commends Gary Shapiro and his team for their outstanding leadership and the ideas that others can adapt and emulate."

"We are honored to have been named North America's Greenest Show by Trade Show Executive," said Gary Shapiro, President and CEO, CEA. "As the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow, we work with our vendors to make sure that CES is on the cutting edge of green initiatives. We hope to set a new standard for green practices in the tradeshow community."

The International CES is committed to working with vendors and facilities that deploy environmentally sustainable practices. Last year, the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), which participates in the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) WasteWise Program, recycled exhibit hall and meeting room materials. The Venetian received silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Aramark uses eco-friendly utensils and napkins and purchases organic or locally sourced products. GES runs 95 percent of all show contracting equipment on clean natural gas and installs recycled carpet. CES exhibitors are encouraged to consider green in their exhibit designs through GES' green booth packaging options, which include eco-friendly paneling and carpeting, formaldehyde-free shelves and counters, graphics printed with water-soluble ink and the use of LED lighting.

CEA has invested more than $100,000 to develop a recycling program in the Las Vegas area, working with Clark County Schools. The fund has already created a recycling and environmental education program for students and faculty at more than 40 schools. CEA continues to look for ways to positively affect the Nevada market, and recently donated $50,000 to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Convention Center Area Command, to purchase T-3Motion electric vehicles and accessories to reduce the use of fossil fuel powered vehicles. CEA is also working to update the first-ever CE Industry Sustainability report to benchmark the progress the CE industry is making toward eco-stewardship, and to highlight the industry's environmental accomplishments.

A full list of CES green offerings is available online, as is CEA’s latest CE environmental sustainability and initiatives.

InterSwitch, Globacom and First Bank launch GloFirst CashCard

InterSwitch in conjunction with telecommunication giants, Globacom, and Nigerian bank, First Bank Plc.,has  introduced an innovative card product called GloFirst CashCard. GloFirst CashCard is a pre-paid debit card which allows users who do not have bank accounts to perform electronic transactions like bank account holders and debit card users via the Glo Mobile network. This is the first time non-bank account holders will be able to use a payment card.

GloFirst is available to both bank account holders and the non-banking public. You won’t need to have a bank account to own a GloFirst CashCard. The new product which boosts the country’s electronic payment system can be used for a variety of transactions, including withdrawing cash from Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and day-to-day purchase transactions in outlets with point-of-sale terminals (POS). Through Glo M-Banking, GloFirst users can have swift and easy access to their bank accounts from their mobile phones and perform certain transactions such as checking account balances, transferring funds and ordering checkbooks. 

The card could be used for making purchases on the internet, in retail stores, supermarkets, fuel stations, hotels and restaurants where CashCard payments are accepted.

“GloFirst can also be used to withdraw money, check card balance, print mini statement, change Personal Identification Number (PIN), and transfer money to another CashCard or bank account. According to Globacom’s Chief Operating Officer, Mohamed Jameel, the product can also be used to send and receive funds. “For example, parents can send money to their children in schools using GloFirst as long as they are on the Glo network. The CashCard can also be used to buy airtime,” he added. 

GloFirst is available to both existing and new subscribers to the network and affords subscribers the opportunity to do much more from their handsets. Commenting on Globacom’s collaboration with First Bank and Interswitch, Jameel stated that is to be expected as the three companies are truly innovative brands, and leaders in their fields. 

In his welcome address, Managing Director/Chief Executive of FirstBank, Moyo Ajekigbe, represented by the bank’s Executive Director, Retail Banking (Lagos & West), Remi Babalola, said FirstBank is proud to be part of this innovative product, which seeks to extend the frontiers of banking services to the majority of the populace. Mitchell Elegbe, the Managing Director of Interswitch, noted that apart from being convenient and trendy, the new product is safe, secure and reliable. “The user’s money is safe even if the card is lost,” he added. 

He noted that Interswitch, being the leader in switching technology, was pleased to partner with FirstBank, the largest and most successful bank in the country and Globacom, Africa’s fastest growing and most innovative telecommunications network. He added that, “First Bank, Globacom and Interswitch are united by a passion for excellence and for proffering solutions to our customers’ needs”. Elegbe said the card is suitable “for use by people who do not have a bank debit card (ATM card), and those who don’t wish to use their bank debit card to make purchases online and that it can be funded from any bank on the Interswitch network. 

Globacom’s COO also said that GloFirst can be obtained, free of charge, at any First Bank branch or Glo World outlets located in strategic locations across the country. “All a customer needs to do is to fill up a form and the GloFirst card would be handed over to him”, he said. 

The customer is then required to change the initial Personal Identification Number (PIN) that comes with the GloFirst before he begins to use the card. A history of the GloFirst CashCard transactions is obtainable on the internet at www.mynigeriacashcard.com after the customer has registered.

Ceragon Provides High-Capacity Wireless Backhaul Solutions to Globacom Nigeria

Ceragon Networks, the provider of high-capacity 4G/LTE-Ready wireless backhaul networks, has announced that Globacom Nigeria (Glo) will utilize Ceragon’s advanced FibeAir IP-10 solution for backhauling voice and data services as part of its broadband access solutions portfolio for enterprise users. Glo, a leading African telecom operator, will also benefit from Ceragon’s comprehensive management software and installation services. 

Glo offers a variety of services including mobile broadband access, voice/data access to business and more. The company has over 25 million subscribers in Nigeria and owns network assets in other African markets including Benin, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Gambia.

“Our customers rely on us to deliver reliable, value-add voice and data applications,” said Mohammed Jameel, COO of Globacom. “By using Ceragon’s backhaul solutions, we can ensure a constant, high-quality transmission and high capacity services.”  

Ceragon’s solutions allow for a simple and cost efficient migration path to all-IP, high-capacity wireless backhaul networks. The company’s cutting edge FibeAir IP-10 solutions coupled with high-transmit power radio frequency units (RFUs) enable higher capacities at any link budget, improving access, aggregation and backbone/long-haul transport applications. Ceragon has also recently launched an energy-efficient RFU which implements adaptive power technology to increase link length and capacity while reducing the overall system power consumption.

“Nigeria is one of the world’s most important markets for broadband services and is currently ranked as the largest online market in Africa.” said Ira Palti, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ceragon. “Our technology makes wireless broadband applications accessible and more affordable by providing high quality radio transmission. Furthermore our professional services offering and 24/7 support matches the needs of operators such as Glo. Ceragon is committed to increasing our footprint in Africa, and Nigeria in particular, working with industry leaders in this expanding market.”

Lukewarm Early Reviews May Bog Down WinPho 7

By Richard Adhikari

Windows Phone 7 devices have made their debuts to reviewers, and the verdicts appear to average out to a moderately positive reception. But how much sway do reviews hold, anway? Negative reviews can actually motive people to disagree, and positive reviews are certainly good, "but lukewarm reviews don't drive any controversy and don't excite people about the product either," said analyst Rob Enderle.

The first reviews of Windows Phone 7 smartphones -- the Samsung Focus and the HTC HD7 -- are in, and they range from lukewarm at the low end (nice, but not enough pizzazz) to acceptable (much improved but not enough features). Will smartphone buyers be influenced by the reviews? Or do they generally decide what they want first, then go get it? Will the reception for WinPho 7 and smartphones running the operating system make Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT) future or break it?

Some Thumbs-Ups But no Thumbs in the Eye. Many reviewers say Microsoft has done a good job with Windows Phone 7, not just in terms of the platform itself, but also in the clean break it made from the flagging Windows Mobile OS.

Smartphone buyers didn't find any difficulty in staying away from post-Windows Mobile 6 versions, preferring instead to wait for what at the time was designated Windows Mobile 7. However, after the spectacular failure of the Kin smartphone, which Microsoft launched in April and pulled from the market a few weeks later, dropping a cool US$240 million or so in the process, consumers were wary. Their concerns were heightened by the delay in launching WinPho 7, which was attributed to Microsoft's decision to rewrite the operating system from scratch.

"There's a lot stacked up against Microsoft in terms of its own history, and the pressure has been on them to put out a product and a service that make people forget what Windows Mobile was like in the past," Ramon Llamas, a senior research analyst at IDC, told TechNewsWorld. The decision to rewrite the OS from scratch seems to have paid off, by and large. WinPho 7 is "light-years ahead and beyond what Windows Mobile 6.x have been," Llamas said. "From what I've seen, Windows Phone 7 smartphones are very much on par with iPhones or Android smartphones," he added.

"I've seen and played with a Windows Phone 7 phone, and I didn't see any problems with the operating system" Maribel Lopez, founder and principal analyst at Lopez Research, told TechNewsWorld. "I found it quite easy to use, and you know, some Android smartphones are easier to use than others." Most of the early reviewers like WinPho 7, although they point out it lacks a few essential features and enough pizzazz to actually go head-to-head with Apple's (Nasdaq: AAPL) iOS or with Android.

Never Mind the Sticks and Stones. Still, perhaps it would have been better if WinPho 7 had generated enough passion to get people to either really love it or hate it.

"Negative reviews can get people motivated to disagree with them, and that drives sales; positive reviews also can drive controversy, and clearly people will buy on them, but lukewarm reviews don't drive any controversy and don't excite people about the product either," Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group, told TechNewsWorld. "Normally, reviews don't kill a product per se; they might give you some hesitation, but you'd still want to see it," Lopez Research's Lopez said.

"I've just had some great conversations with carriers and retailers, and I've learned people initially come in looking for a phone with a particular operating system -- Android or BlackBerry or iOS," IDC's Llamas remarked. "But two factors really help them decide after that -- cost, and whether the smartphone suits their needs."

While most of the newer smartphone models provide access to the Internet and to social networks, they implement these differently through their user interfaces, Llamas explained. "The question is, does the smartphone provide this access in the way you like?"

Where Does WinPho 7 Go From Here? Perhaps the next round of reviews on WinPho 7 will generate more passion, as more WinPho 7 devices hit the market and Microsoft tweaks the OS to add some of the features reviewers say are lacking.

Or maybe Microsoft should rethink its advertising.

"Windows Phone 7 is one of those operating systems that won't come alive for you until you play with it," Lopez remarked. "A flat campaign won't do it; I think an in-store presence and a multimedia presence are critical to get people excited about the platform." Microsoft did not respond to requests for comment by press time. Besides devices, Redmond has to catch up in other parts of the smartphone market where it's lagging if it is to see WinPho 7 succeed. The most prominent of these is its lack of apps. "Microsoft needs lots of apps, it needs apps like games from Electronic Arts (Nasdaq: ERTS), because it's very difficult to wrest mindshare from Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) and Apple right now," Lopez Research's Lopez said. "We saw how tough it is in the smartphone market when [Research In Motion] came out with a more friendly OS -- it got a ho-hum yawn. Windows Phone 7 runs the risk of getting a ho-hum yawn too."

Courtesy - TechNewsWorld

MTN/Nokia unveils new C3 mobile device with Internet Bundle

Nigeria’s leading telecommunications operator, MTN, in conjunction with world leader in mobile solutions, Nokia, has launched a new mobile device, the Nokia C3 in Lagos. At the launch which took place at the Silverbird Galleria, Lagos, officials of the two organisations shed some light on the capabilities of the new device and the collaboration of the two companies. The new Nokia C3 comes with a ground breaking messaging solution that enables instant messaging and easy access to favourite social online communities such as Facebook, Twitter, and You Tube right from the home screen, allowing users to easily view and post comments and update their status. “This is another strategic partnership MTN is delighted to enter into with the sole intention of enriching the lives of our esteemed customers,” said Mr. Bola Akingbade, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN, who was represented by the General Manager, Products, MTN Nigeria, Mrs. Ugonwa Nwoye. Also speaking at the launch, General Manager, Nokia West Africa, Mr. Marcel Van-De-Pas, said the C3’s QWERTY key board is a big advantage over other mobile devices as it enables faster and more convenient management of emails, chats, calendar, music and other files right from the home screen. “Nokia is launching the C3 device in partnership with MTN Nigeria and users would be required to pay a revolutionary monthly data subscription of N1000 only to enjoy this service on the MTN network. We are also offering all customers 1 month free access on the MTN network,” said Van-De-Pas. He noted that this solution meets the desires of Nigerians with a growing population of social networking and online generation. “At last, a sleek yet affordable handset that allows people to stay continually connected to communities that suit their lifestyles � whether it’s via email, social networks or IM buddies, the C3 offers access to Yahoo mail & messenger, Gmail, MSN Hotmail, Windows Live Messenger, Facebook and Twitter,” he added. Akingbade highlighted MTN’s market leadership strength which informed Nokia’s decision to offer the product in partnership with the network. He said that MTN was the first telecom operator to launch 3G network alongside enhanced 3.5G/HSPA services necessary to guarantee fast internet access and faster data downloads. This, he said opened up the internet to a large population of Nigerian youths to browse and access the net in ways that were never before possible. According to expert reviews, the Nokia C3 is a special gadget with attractive features for the young and it is packed with many benefits one of which is the high quality internet service offering from MTN. “We are proud to say no other operator in this market is in the position to offer this unbeatable combination”, said Akingbade. With a two mega-pixel camera, the Nokia C3 takes great pictures and videos which can be easily shared online. The Nokia C3 is available in exciting colours of hot pink and slate grey.

Nigerian Minister Endorses HiiT Blackberry App

Professor Dora Akunyili, Minister of information and communications has endorsed the Nigeria brand campaign application developed for Blackberry users worldwide by HiiT plc. In a letter to the company, the minister described the application as an initiative capable of disseminating different forms of information, especially the theme of National rebranding and the 50^th Anniversary celebration of the country, urging the good people of Nigeria to support the laudable initiative and also take advantage of the opportunities provided by the applications.

According to Kayode Shobajo, chief executive officer of HiiT plc, the gesture is to contribute to the celebration of our country’s golden jubilee and also to support the National rebranding. He states that Nigeria should expect more of these initiatives from HiiT plc.

The Nigeria at 50 theme which was developed by the software arm of HiiT plc can be download from www.hcntech.com/themes/nigeria50 free of charge by all users of Blackberry phones anyway in the world. HiiT plc also developed a blackberry application for political campaigns, suitable for all political parties and individual aspirants to make their campaign a more effective one. 

The application is designed to provide politicians and political parties the platform to reach out to voters who use smartphones (Blackberry). This campaign platform will enable politicians to reach out to millions of influential voters directly and broadcast their campaign messages the smart way. 

Aviat Networks Nigeria Repositions, Looks to the Future.

The global microwave leader, Aviat Networks Incorporated, which announced its name change from Harris Stratex Networks a couple of months ago, has pledged to capitalize on its new brand identity to further rededicate itself to its commitment to providing advanced IP wireless network solutions and to continue to make progress in radio access networks as well as support the evolution of wireless technology in developing telecommunication markets especially in Nigeria.

According to the company’s officials in Nigeria, the new brand is said to represent a culmination of the company’s transformation from that of a specialized microwave backhaul equipment supplier into a world-class provider of advanced IP wireless network solutions, energy and security system solutions, 4G broadband access and core solutions and comprehensive TDM to IP product migration lifecycle services. Today, Aviat Networks is ideally positioned to help operators successfully evolve their existing networks toward an all-IP broadband future, expand into untapped rural and remote markets, and capitalize on the explosive growth of mobile data traffic around the globe.

Speaking during the launch of the new company, Harald Braun, president and CEO of Aviat Networks said, “The unveiling of Aviat Networks marks a significant milestone in the evolution of our company. The Aviat brand embodies our commitment to quality and innovative products, highly individualized services, operational excellence and industry leadership.”

He continued, “In markets around the world, advancements in wireless network capacity have often been constrained because carriers are grappling with operational network limitations and cost-related challenges that historically haven’t been sufficiently addressed by telecom equipment vendors. Instead of ‘handshake’ assurances that do little to mitigate the perceived risk of IP migration, operators need practical and innovative solutions that help them bridge seamlessly from the legacy network of today to the network that will fuel their success in the future.”

Broadband is increasingly regarded as an essential utility for economic growth and social and political stability. Fuelled by new business models and government incentive programs, operators are deploying and expanding into the rural and underdeveloped areas of Africa, Asia, Middle East, and the Americas. Braun explained, “But it’s not without challenges given significant differences in the local government, economy, demographics, terrain and existing network infrastructure, including limited spectrum availability. Building networks in these environments takes skill, understanding and experience, as well as working closely by the side of our customers all the way.”

From fixed networks to broadband mobility, from TDM to all Ethernet/IP, from public to private, from planning to managed services, from the core to the edge – Aviat Networks is and intends to continue to help operators create, expand and manage the best networks for their markets and their bottom lines.