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Microsoft launching TV white-space pilots in two nations

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JOHANNESBURG – Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) is expanding its efforts to leverage TV white-space (TVWS) spectrum to deliver broadband to under served areas, announcing new technology pilots in South Africa and the Philippines.

Microsoft’s pilot project in rural Limpopo, South Africa, is aimed at showing how TV white spaces can be used to meet the South African government’s goal of providing low-cost broadband for a majority of South Africans by 2020. Also participating in the pilot are South Africa’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the University of Limpopo and local network builder Multisource.

The TVWS-based broadband network will use solar-powered base stations to deliver inexpensive Internet access to five secondary schools in remote parts of the Limpopo province. Each of the five schools will be given Windows tablets, projectors, teacher laptops and training, education-related content, solar panels for device charging where there is no access to electricity, and other support. The University of Limpopo will serve as a hub for TVWS network deployment.

microsoftThe project is part of Microsoft’s 4Afrika Initiative, which is aimed at accelerating economic development in Africa.

Microsoft also ventured into a TVWS partnership with the Philippine government in hopes of improving registration methods for people fishing in the Danajon Reef Marine Key Biodiversity Area in Bohol. The registration, supported by USAID’s Ecosystems Improved for Sustainable Fisheries (ECOFISH) Project, will buttress the Philippine government’s economic assistance efforts to the fisheries sector.

Using TVWS spectrum, local government units will be able to access the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Fisherfolk Registration System directly from the field, enabling municipalities to immediately distribute IDs, certificates and licenses, even in remote areas.

Additionally, field operatives from BFAR, the Philippine National Police and Bantay Dagat (a volunteer sea patrol group) will use the network to access a central database to monitor compliance in gear and vessels.

Microsoft Philippines will provide Windows 8-powered tablets for the program. The partnership will also provide Internet access for target municipalities, delivering service to public institutions such as clinics, schools and barangay (local government) halls.

The TVWS technology trial is slated for full implementation in September. Results will be assessed for potential program expansion on 2014, said Microsoft

Other countries where Microsoft TVWS pilots have been completed or are underway include Kenya, Tanzania, the United Kingdom and Singapore.

As a member of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, which launched last month, Microsoft is lobbying governments to enact laws and regulations supportive of TVWS technology and spectrum sharing. “We hope governments throughout the world will take note of the increasing momentum behind this technology,” said Paul Garnett, director at Microsoft’s Technology Policy Group.

TVWS has also been getting a big boost from Microsoft rival Google (NASDAQ:GOOG). One of Google’s TVWS pilots is also in South Africa, where the company is working with others on a network trial to deliver wireless Internet connectivity via TVWS to 10 South African schools. Google has been approved by the FCC as a TVWS database administrator in the United States.

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ITREALMS E-Waste Dialogue Partners EPRON, EL-AS Tech, WEE-Eco

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In efforts at spicing up the 2023 ITREALMS E-Waste Dialogue, the management of ITREALMS Media has partnered with E-waste Producer Responsibility Organization of Nigeria (EPRON) membership organisations for a day-long collection scheme of small electronic waste on Friday, December 15, 2023.

The EPRON members aligning their partnership with 2023 ITREALMS E-Waste Dialogue are EL-AS Tech Enterprises Limited and WEEE Eco-Friendly.

ITREALMS’ day-long collection scheme is part of the commemoration of 2023 international E-Waste Day (IEWD) within the ITREALMS E-Waste Dialogue with the theme “You Can Recycle Anything with a plug, battery or cable” at Welcome Centre Hotels, International Airport Road, Lagos.

Revealing this collaboration, the Group Executive Editor, ITREALMS Media, the organisers of the 2023 ITREALMS E-Waste Dialogue, Sir. Remmy Nweke, urged mobile device enthusiasts to come along with their devices that have reached their end-of-life to the venue for proper disposition by professionals who would also be on grounds to address some topical issues.

The collection of small electronic wastes especially mobile phones and like-devices, would be carried out by EPRON member organisation, EL-AS Tech Enterprises Limited as facilitated by ITREALMS Media group as part of this year’s ITREALMS E-Waste Dialogue on Friday, December 15, he added.

He disclosed that the exercise would commence at Welcome Centre Hotel by 9am till close of work hours the same day.

Nweke pointed out that the collection of small e-waste items would include mobile phones, pointers mouse, earpieces, rechargeable torches, phone chargers, to name a few.

Further, he said, that this initiative has become time-serving because some people may have missed any other opportunity before now for the year-long campaign, hence this awareness on e-Waste has to be continuous, “ITREALMS came up with this scheme.”

Nweke beckoned on Nigerians, especially mobile phone users, to leverage the opportunity in disposing of their mobile devices they no longer use, of course in exchange for a voucher or gift item.

In her reaction to this year’s day-long small waste collection, EPRON Executive Secretary, Mrs. Ibukun Faluyi, described the initiative as commendable, expressing confidence it would intensify the collection of end-of-life devices for proper disposition.

Mrs. Faluyi, also urged Nigerians to take advantage of this day-long collection of small wastes courtesy of ITREALMS Media.

Recalling for instance that in October 2022, EPRON had partnered SLOT alongside some UN agencies for collection of small e-waste items in Lagos, including the United Nations Information Centres (UNIC), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), International Labour Organisation (ILO), Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).

This is even as the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Dr. Aminu Maida and Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. Aliyu Jauro, would both lead speakers at the 2023 ITREALMS E-Waste Dialogue slated for this Friday, December 15, in Lagos.

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iPhone 15: Things To Know About Apple’s Newest Model

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iPhone 15: Things To Know About Apple's Newest Model

Today, September 12, the tech corporation Apple will introduce the iPhone 15, their newest iPhone model.

According to a Forbes story, this model, which will be introduced at the company’s “Wanderlust” event in Cupertino, California, will be available in four variations: the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Here are five things you should know about the new iPhone 15 model.

1. The new model is made of titaniu, not stainless steel as some other Apple smartphone models, Senior research analyst at DIGITIMES, Luke Lin reports.

2. The Pro Max model will feature double the optical zoom on the iPhone 14 as it comes with a newly-introduced ‘periscope lens upgrade, performing 5-6x optical zoom.’

3. The Pro models will carry an A17 bionic chip expected to make it perform faster.

4. The iPhone 15 model will feature a USB-C charging port, the same port featured on some Android phone models.

5. Due to its titanium shell, the new model is anticipated to be more expensive to purchase. The following is the speculated price list, as reported by Forbes:
The iPhone 15 starts at $799, the iPhone 15 Plus at $899, the iPhone 15 Pro at $1,099 ($100 increase), and the iPhone 15 Pro Max at $1,299 ($200 increase).

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FG Partner With Firm, Set To Introduce 500 Autogas-Powered Buses

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FG Partner With Firm, Set To Introduce 500 Autogas-Powered Buses

In an effort to reduce the exorbitant cost of Premium Motor Spirit, better known as petrol, the Infrastructure Bank Plc announced its collaboration with FEMADEC Group on Monday to offer 500 buses powered by autogas (Compressed Natural Gas).

Partners in the agreement claimed that the project was created to provide citizens with dependable, affordable, and environmentally friendly travel options, taking into account the negative effects of the nationwide increase in PMS costs.

Under Decree No. 51 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 1992 Constitution, the Infrastructure Bank, originally known as the Urban Development Bank of Nigeria Plc, was founded in 1992 to promote the quick development of infrastructure throughout the nation.

In a statement issued in Abuja on its partnership with FEMADEC, the bank said, “The preliminary offer extended by TIB lays a solid foundation for the expansion of FEMADEC Group’s CNG bus fleet.

“With plans to introduce 500 CNG buses within the next five years, commencing with an initial batch of 50 buses in the forthcoming year, this proposal stands poised to instigate significant change.

“The acceptance of this proposition by FEMADEC Group, notably championed by Fola Akinnola, the Group Chief Executive Officer, is a testament to their zeal and dedication to this alliance.”

The bank described the partnership as a “pivotal endeavour that is primed to redefine Nigeria’s public transportation landscape, offering dependable, cost-effective, and ecologically conscious travel alternatives for citizens, while harmonising with the nation’s broader sustainability ambitions.”

“This partnership represents a remarkable stride towards a more ecologically aware future for Nigeria’s transportation sector, highlighting the shared commitment of both TIB and FEMADEC Group to sustainable advancement and progress.”

It said FEMADEC Group’s strides in operating Compressed Natural Gas buses, including the existing fleet of 20 CNG buses under LAMATA, underscored their unwavering dedication to ecologically sound solutions, a commitment predating the fuel subsidy removal.

“Their leadership within the CNG value chain is undeniable, and the new alliance with TIB underscores their foresight.

“This partnership seamlessly aligns with TIB’s sustainability objectives, echoing their resolute endorsement of the government’s net-zero and climate change agenda.

“The bank’s aspiration to champion Nigeria’s infrastructure progress is evident in its endorsement of pivotal initiatives like this, yielding expansive positive impacts on both the environment and society,” the bank stated.

The bank added that it would continue to make a significant contribution to the country’s growth as a leading financial institution committed to advancing effective and long-lasting infrastructure projects.

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