Author: ITPulse

  The GSMA Intelligence’s Spectrum Prices in Developing Countries study, has revealed that developing countries such as Nigeria pay three times more for spectrum than in other locations around the world. The study believes this has taken a toll on these developing markets, leading to rise in price and hampering access, especially for mobile services. Speaking at the ongoing Mobile 360 Series in Kigali, Rwanda, GSMA head of Spectrum, Brett Tarnutzer described the huge differences in the cost of acquiring spectrum as a major roadblock to mobile penetration in the developing countries. “Connecting everyone becomes impossible without better policy decisions…

  The GSMA has disclosed that mobile ecosystem in Sub-Saharan Africa will contribute 8 percent to the Gross Domestic Product of Sub-Saharan Africa by 2022, representing $150 billion in value to the economy. This indicates an increase when mobile technology services contributed 7.1 percent, representing $110 billion of economic value in 2017. According to GSMA, the gains come as countries continue to benefit from improvements in productivity and efficiency, particularly due to the increase in mobile internet adoption. Some 3 million jobs were supported by the industry in 2017, and it contributed almost $14 billion to public sector funding in…

  More than half of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to have subscribed to mobile services at the end 2025, the GSMA has predicted at the ongoing Mobile 360 Series event in Kigali, Rwanda. This is because the mobile phone is presently the primary channel for getting on and a vital tool for improving lives. “The rise of mobile and digital technology has unlocked new opportunities across the African continent, providing a platform for innovation, creating new opportunities and services, and providing employment opportunities,” said Akinwale Goodluck, GSMA’s head of Sub-Saharan Africa, while opening the event. GSMA believes…

  The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has met with the House Committee on Financial Crimes in a bid to tame the reccurring challenges of  Call Masking, Call Refiling and Sim Boxing. The meeting became necessary because the phenomenon poses great security challenges and economic sabotage to the industry. Speaking at the meeting, the Executive Vice-Chairman of NCC, Professor Umar Danbatta, explained that call masking of calls with another number, especially international calls has been trending since September 2016 when NCC reviewed the International Termination Rate (ITR) to N24.40. He added following the implementation of the reviewed ITR to N 24.40,…

  By Martin Ekpeke Services and professional advisory company, KPMG has advised companies who want to remain relevant in the ever changing business environment to adopt digital innovations or slowly phase out. The advice was given on behalf of KPMG by Bunmi Akinyemiju, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Venture Garden Group at the 2018 KPMG Alumni Cocktail, held in Lagos last week. Akinyemiju argued that given the vulnerability of industries as a result of the taking over by digital disruption, there is a heightened customer expectation, and that any business that is not able to leverage digital offering to scale…

  One of Africa’s leading Business to Business (B2B) e-commerce platform, Afrimart has officially launched its E-Commerce platform specially designed to create new business opportunities for African Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs), general merchants and service providers. The platform, according to Afrimart  will create visibility and accessibility to African buyers and suppliers and ultimately, lead to growth. Speaking on the platform, which is a one-stop-shop for all things African, Fredrick Igbinedion, Afrimart’s President and Founder, said the central aim of Afrimart is to create an infrastructure that supports rapid growth of seamless trade of goods and services across Africa and…

  By Martin Ekpeke The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), is presently intervening in the sealing of Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited office by the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS). Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited, also known as 9mobile as a member of ALTON, had written to the association complaining of unlawful sealing of its Port Harcourt Regional Office on Tuesday, the 26th of June 2018 based on an alleged N107,958,536.96 tax liability arising from the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) of expatriates erroneously believed by the RIRS to be on EMTS’ payroll. But ALTON in a letter dated…

  By Martin Ekpeke One of Nigeria’s leading Information Technology companies, FPG Technologies & Solutions Limited has unveiled plans and strategies that will see the company providing flexible business solutions, which are focused on helping them accelerate their business using world-class technology and expertise. FPG unveiled these growth plans in Lagos last week in a press conference, as part of activities to mark its five years of rolling out cutting edge technology solutions, which it boasts has helped businesses in Nigeria to grow and expand. “Today, we are happy that we are five years in business. I believe it is…

The UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development’s Working Group on Broadband for the Most Vulnerable Countries, has again identified some lingering challenges, which are considered as setbacks to broadband access, especially in Africa. The Working Group, in a report Broadband for national development in four LDCs: Cambodia, Rwanda, Senegal and Vanuatu, argued that lack of relevant local content and applications, low digital literacy and unaffordability are the drawbacks why the use of broadband has not fully matched its increasing supply. This, according to the report is worrisome as high-speed Internet improves economies and livelihoods in least developed countries. To…

  By Martin Ekpeke Carrot.ng, a one stop shop to estate planning has unveiled its digital platform, that would ultimately alter the usual ways of estate management in Nigeria. Specifically, the digital platform has been created for subscribers to securely create, update and schedule execution of their Wills or other Testamentary instruments such as  Deed of Gifts or other Revocable Living Wills in real time, anytime, anywhere. “Carrot.ng is an online platform that turns the unexpected into comfort for your loved ones,” said Odunayo Willaims, Chief Operating Officer of Carrot.ng at a press conference in Lagos on Saturday. Odunayo explained…