THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 3, 2013
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CompuLife British Airways e-tags passengers’ luggage EGINNING from this month, British Airways (BA) is expected B to commence a new electronic bag tag system that eliminates the use of paper tag on luggage.
Minister of Communications Technology, Omobola Johnson (right); Permanent Secretary, Communications Technology Ministry, Henry Akpan and the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Eugene Juwah, at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos.
Internet group canvasses zonal frequency allocation for broadband spread By Adeyemi Adepetun S Nigeria matches towards realising its set out broadband strategy, the need for regional frequency allocation has been stressed. This was the submission of the Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), which also canvassed for more infrastructures for better service delivery and expansion. Already, the Federal Government, through the recommendation of the Presidential Broadband Committee has set out a five year (2013-2018) strategy for massive broadband expansion in the country. Beside, government said it is also targeting an 80 per cent increase in Nigeria’s 3G penetration. But, the president of NIG, Mr. Bayo Banjo believed that for improved broadband reach across the country, there should be zonal frequency allocation. Banjo, in an interaction with journalists, said having frequency on a zonal basis is the most critical issue if the country must achieve its broadband target. He explained that the previous frequency allocation exercise in which only big companies situated in cities like Lagos, Abuja and probably Port Harcourt have access didn’t really work, stressing that there were service issues including interconnect challenges. “The challenge is that an area like Sokoto will have that frequency tied up and it will be very unlikely that those companies will ever reach there in the next 10 years. However, if allocation were made on small zones basis, there won’t be need for them to apply for national licenses and secondly, their licenses can be revoked if they don’t work in those areas. “For instance if that frequency was allocated also to Sokoto, am sure an indigene of that state will take it up and have broadband service delivered in those areas. But, we believe that the present Nigerian Communications Commission is looking at that”, he stated. Indeed, Banjo said good investment in telecoms infrastructure, like broadband, was very important considering the multiplier effect it would have on the Nigerian people and the economy at large. He said various funds being committed to some projects in
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the sector, like the rural telephony project, could have been used to build ducts for the channelling of broadband in the country. The NIG boss said bandwidth was technically free, but its high cost over the years was as a result of the cost of transportation. According to him, the involvement of the private sector investors in bringing in fibre optics and satellite facilities has made it imperative to attach some cost elements to the infrastructure as such investors needed to recoup their investments. Speaking on the development of the Internet in Nigeria, he said, “The roles of the Internet have changed. There is now the need for government laws that protect intellectual property and innovations. This will help entrepreneurs to flourish in the sector. This has been relatively successful in the country’s entertainment industry.” Banjo explained that government needed to find a way to reduce the cost of bandwidth to enable the private sector provide infrastructure. In proffering solutions, he said, “Government has a cable. It can crash the price of SAT 3 reasonably. We also have satellite, which was acquired using tax payers’ money. Government can play its role without distorting the market. “The economic benefits of providing free bandwidth, far outweighs the cost of provision.” He stressed the need to censor the Internet in Nigeria, saying there was a high level of abuse in the polity via the Internet. According to him, the Judiciary needs to be equipped with the right legislations. “In developed countries, people are taken to court for using foul languages on the Internet. But in Nigeria, anybody says anything on the Internet and nothing is done,” he complained. According to him, until government appreciate the explosion that will happen when the Internet is liberalized, like what we have in the telephone sector, stressing that government should create an enabling environment for its growth. “Most countries that has moved fast with Internet have some government push”, he stated.
E-PPAN, CBN to examine grey areas in electronic payment HE E-Payment Providers Association of Nigeria, with the support of industry stakeholders, including Interswitch Nigeria T Limited, SecureID Nigeria Limited and the Central Bank of Nigeria, is making fresh move to encourage increased adoption of the cash-less initiative in Nigeria. These stakeholders are expected to meet at the second annual E-Payment for Government Summit 2013, scheduled for July 30 to 31 in Abuja. Interswitch Nigeria, an e-payment and switching company, was quoted in a statement by E-PPAN as saying that it was committed to proffering solutions to the issues facing Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government in the implementation of the e-payment system. SecureID Nigeria, in the statement, said that it was set to make
services available to over 400 top-level government executives expected to attend from various MDAs from the three tiers of government across the country. According to the Summit Director, Ms. Ntia Sylvia, the edition was set to increase by 100 per cent as the work of E-PPAN had increasingly become oriented to policy advocacy and capacity building towards the achievement of a cashless Nigeria. Speaking more on the summit, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, E-PPAN, Mrs. Onajite Regha, said that Nigerians were awash with stories of delayed salaries, bill payments, among others in the country, and stressed the need for government all levels to harness the opportunity, which the summit offers to resolve issues and understand the workings of the e-payment system.
The electronic tag requires passengers to hold their smart phone over the electronic tag, which will automatically updates with a unique barcode containing their flight details and an easy-to-see view of their bag’s destination. Not requiring a traditional paper tag to be printed and attached, customers can then save precious time by having their electronic tag quickly scanned at the bag drop, going straight through security to relax before catching their flight. It is intended that the patent-pending hi-tech tag can be used time and time again. BA Managing Director, Brands and Customer Experience, Frank van der Post, said: “This is a fantastically simple, yet smart device that gives each customer the choice to have their own personalised electronic baggage tag that changes with the swipe of a smartphone – every time they fly. “As the saying goes, ‘good things come in small packages’, and this innovative device is no exception. Along with other initiatives we are investing in, we believe it has the potential to revolutionise the way our customers check in and pass through every airport around the world in the future.” BA’s Head of Service Transformation, Glenn Morgan, said: “Our customers are at the heart of everything we do and our drive to innovate with this new electronic bag tag is a brilliant example of how we can help transform their travelling experience. We’ve harnessed expertise from across the airline to produce a solution for speedier checking-in, which at one swipe shows British Airways can be a game changer when it comes to customer service.” Development of the personalised electronic bag tag is part of a wider strategy by BA to improve dramatically the customer experience through the airport, making it quicker, smoother and easier. Major trials have also taken place on self-service bag drops, automated boarding gates, porter services, auto check-in, and meet and greet hosts. The electronic tags have been specially developed by BA in partnership with Densitron Displays, and Designworks Windsor, while Heathrow Airport is providing help with the trials. Over the next five years BA will be investing more than £5 billion in new aircraft, smarter cabins, elegant lounges, and new technologies to make life more comfortable in the air and on the ground.
NCS seeks support for conference HE Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has solicited for more T support on its forth-coming conference, scheduled for IjokoIjesa, Osun State. According to Chairman, Publicity and Events Committee, NCS, Jide Awe, with the theme being “e-Government and National Security”, he said it would provide an opportunity for stakeholders to identify the related issues, concerns and opportunities for consideration in moving the sector and country forward. Awe, who said the event comes up from July 24 to 26, noted that the yearly NCS conference facilitates forward thinking discussions, practical demonstrations and experiences with a view to influencing outcomes to advance society in general and the Information Technology (IT) industry and profession in particular. According to him, the NCS Osun 2013 promise and focus is on IT in governance and security for global competitiveness, digital inclusion, economic growth, job creation, human capital development and overall prosperity. He informed that the conference comprises plenary, parallel and technical sessions, networking meetings, panel discussions and special focus forums. Interactive engagement will be used to facilitate learning and networking – critical is the promotion of innovation and global best practices in addressing the national priorities of smart governance and security. Issues to receive attention include governance automation, improving public service delivery, closing skills gaps, Public-key Infrastructure (PKI), ICT sector capacity, identity management, digital culture for governance, privacy, research approaches, legislation, policy making, youth innovation, etc. “The immense intensity, energy and follow through the conference will generate is expected because this NCS event is the largest annual gathering of IT professionals and stakeholders in Nigeria. Participants should look forward to new models, ideas, concepts and methodologies. As an international conference NCS Osun 2013 will provide avenues to connect with other IT professionals and stakeholders working on these areas in Nigeria and in other countries. With international participation and attendees from all sectors (education, business, industry, government, social, etc), there will be platforms for fresh, multidimensional and multi-stakeholder insights and approaches.