Info Tech
Telcommunication operators target $100bn new wireless market
ABUJA; Telecommunications operators in Nigeria’s highly competitive market are making significant investments in broadband network testing and upgrades for migration to Long Term Evolution – a new wireless platform which offers better broadband speeds and efficiency, as they look to drive up data revenues.
Global service revenues generated by LTE mobile networks are forecast to reach $100 billion by next year, and mobile operators in Nigeria are all gunning for a piece of the market. This move is coming on the heels of the recent declaration by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) that new frequency spectrum specifically for LTE/4G would be made available to operators in 2015.
A new report also suggests that mobile network operators in the country have ploughed in $2.24 billion (N347 billion) into network and infrastructure expansion projects in the preceding year.
Industry sources told BusinessDay that a substantial size of the figure has gone into network preparedness for migration to the new platform. Kamar Abass, country manager, Ericsson Nigeria, told BusinessDay that, “As the demand for data and broadband grows, migrating to LTE will become a necessary step for operators, in order to enable more users access high speed data services within the limited spectrum available. LTE technology enables more efficient use of spectrum.”
Globacom and Airtel Nigeria have already announced that they have completed LTE testing. Only recently, MTN deployed the latest wireless packet core network technology which allows operators to introduce newer, smarter functions and capabilities to enhance the mobile broadband experience for end users. The router will support the current 2G, 3G networks of MTN, and will also be able to support future upgrades to LTE.
With about 113 million active telecoms subscriptions in the country, network operators are optimistic that the market holds immense potentials waiting to be tapped. Industry analysts said yesterday that this new wireless platform provides them with the capability to offer innovative solutions, well beyond mundane voice and data services.
This is indeed critical, in view of the steady decline in voice revenues and as operators look earnestly to data services as the next revenue generating stream. Usen Udoh, director, high communications, Accenture Nigeria told BusinessDay that with LTE technology there is every likelihood that telecoms operators would be ready to deploy LTE services by 2015.
“LTE is completely unlike GSM and CDMA technology. Operators will be required to make significant investments in new base stations and equipment. They cannot use existing infrastructure to do LTE.”
Abass agrees with Udoh, further adding that government should speedily make spectrum available to telecoms operators to roll out innovative broadband services.
“If you are offering some 100 megabits per second (Mbps) or 150 mbps as only LTE can offer, you need to build the backhaul for that first. Today, it is hard enough trying to backhaul 3G services. “I think you can just forget about backhauling LTE with this current infrastructure”, he said.
Eugene Juwah, executive vice chairman of the NCC had earlier promised that the commission would this year auction 2.6GHz and the remainder of 2.3GHz spectrum to increase broadband access and make internet pervasive in the country. “The world has decided to adopt LTE as the next generation of technology after 3G. What I have said on several occasions and I think the NCC understands this, is that they have to get that spectrum ready.
“They need to clean it up, and remove people who are there, who are running maybe microwave or whatever. Take them into a different spectrum so that they can free up that spectrum, ready to award it to the four large telcos who can engineer that spectrum in order to support the growth and the demand for mobile broadband because what is critical for Nigeria is to have a world class mobile broadband network”, Steve Evans, chief executive officer, Etisalat Nigeria was quoted in a report.
Speaking in the same vein, Neil Mawston, executive director, Strategy Analytics, said it was clear that 2013 would be the year of 4G/LTE. “LTE has quickly become a high-growth, high-value market that no operator, service deployer, component maker or device vendor can afford to ignore.”
Analysts believe broadband service will truly take-off in 2015 as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) plans to issue new spectrum frequency, especially for LTE by 2015 after the broadcast industry has completely migrated to digital broadcasting, freeing up existing spectrum resources that would be re-farmed by the telecoms regulator and made available to telecoms networks.
LTE is a mobile network technology that can be deployed by telecoms operators on both the GSM and the CDMA technology path. Depending on the spectrum available, live LTE networks can deliver very fast data speeds of up to 100Mbps in the downlink and 50Mbps in the uplink.
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.
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).
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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