PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2013
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Ex- Tanzania president joins Microsoft Board Stories By Chris Alu
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icrosoft has appointed former Tanzania president, Benjamin Mkapa as external board of Advisory Council for Africa. The board is expected to provide guiding strategic investments undertaken by the Microsoft for Africa initiative across the continent and ensuring Africa is closely aligned
to broaden African development goals. Speaking at the swearing in ceremony in Tanzania,Mkapa said, “I am deeply honoured to chair the Africa Advisory Council and to represent this prestigious group of council members because we all believe deeply in Microsoft 4Afrika’s mission to help Africa improve its global competitiveness. According to him, Africa
together with Microsoft team,’ we look forward to helping to grow African leaders, encourage and support African businesses and highlight African innovation here on the continent and on the world stage, “he stated “Not only will the group help Microsoft Africa to understand and engage in existing areas of untapped potential, but we are confident it will also help us break new ground within
the initiative’s targeted sectors, including healthcare, education and small business enablement, said Mkapa. The council will meet in person twice annually and will also hold regionally focused meetings at other times in the year. The council members have also committed to contribute to 4Afrika efforts in capacitybuilding with African youth leaders.
Ict Glo launches 200% bumper tariff bonus for prepaid customers
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Communication Biztellers
Internet penetration still stand at 33% in Nigeria - NigComsat Boss
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he Managing Director of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat) Engr.Ahmed Timasaniyu Rufai has said that Nigerian internet penetration still stands at 33%. He put broadband penetration at 6%; and 72.25% of access is via wireless networks, mainly GSM while the remaining 27.75% access is via other services. According to him, 2G mobile coverage is 65% while 3G
is only 35%, that is to say only urban areas enjoy broadband services in the country. Speaking at the 6th edition of the e-Nigeria 2013 conference on local content organized by Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Abuja, Rufai said in a country where over 70% of its population resides in the rural areas, the limitation of access to broadband via cable may be bridged via NigComSat-1R which could serve
as conduit to improve access links but sadly NigComSat-1R is grossly underutilized. Presenting a paper titled “Satellite based broadband in Nigeria, prospects and challenges” Why Broadband? He explained that Africa remains the least wired continent in the world today “in terms of robust telecommunications infrastructure and systems to cater for its nearly one billion populations”.
This , he said underscores the reason for high demand in the form of communication satellites and variants of terrestrial wireless systems more than in any other continent for the sole purpose of bridging its digital hiatus, complementing the group of inadequate terrestrial ICT infrastructure in the rural areas, swampy and landlocked terrains thus playing a critical role of delivering ICT readiness in unserved and underserved areas.
MTN launches movie platform for Nigerians
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TN Nigeria has partnered with Do Media to launch an exclusive mobile movie platform for subscribers in the country. Users will need to subscribe to the MTN DoBox app to be able to rent any movie,
including the latest blockbuster releases. Alongside the app, subscribers can access cheaper data to use the app by purchasing a DoBox Internet Bundle (DIB) before renting movies with a ‘token’. Gafar Williams, chief
executive officer (CEO) of Do Media, said: “We are very lucky to have chosen the right partners, MTN, to promote this initiative and also this is one of MTN’s bold steps to deliver a new digital world to its customers.
“Indeed, this move has reinforced MTN’s leadership position in leading the charge in the delivery of invaluable digital world to ICT subscribers in Nigeria.” Movies will be available in multiple languages including Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba.
lobacom, has introduced a new and unique Bumper tariff plan for pre-paid subscribers as robust value of 200% instant bonus on every recharge for this chrismas season. The bumpa tariff subscribers can use the bonus to text or call any network across the country and to browse the internet. Globacom said the 200% recharge bonus will be given to Glo subscribers every time they recharge their phones with airtime worth N100 and above. Speaking about the new bonus offer, Adeniyi Olukoya, Globacom’s Marketing Coordinator, said that Glo Bumpa was conceived to give additional superior value to subscribers and enable them fulfill their passion of staying connected with friends, family and business associates beyond what their standard recharge credit would have given them. “In order to bring unprecedented value to our loyal subscribers, we have configured Glo Bumpa in such a way that it allows subscribers to use their bonuses to text or call any network in Nigeria and also to browse the internet. This unique move is unsurpassed in its novelty and gives our subscribers not only great value but the freedom to utilize their bonuses in any way they want,” he said. Olukoya further explained that Glo Bumpa comes with a flat tariff of 50k/sec for Glo-to-Glo calls as well as calls to other networks. It also comes with a flat rate of N4 per SMS to all networks, while international SMS will be charged at N10 per SMS. He added that Glo Bumpa is available to all prepaid subscribers on the Glo network and those on other networks who port into Glo. Another exciting part of the tariff plan is that the subscriber will continue to enjoy the 200% instant bonus for as long as he or she is subscribed to Glo Bumpa and keeps recharging his or her phone with credit. “We are committed to delivering bigger and better value to our subscribers in terms of competitive tariffs and product offerings. As we march into the New Year, our subscribers are going to see more propositions that will deliver unlimited value to them and reinforce our vision as Africa’s biggest and best telecommunications network”, Olukoya said.