MTN Clarifies Alleged Fund Repatriation

MTN Nigeria has said that no dividends were declared or paid until its Certificates of Capital Importation (CCIs) were issued and finalised.

Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Ferdi Moolman made the disclosure while clarifying on the alleged repatriation of funds out of Nigeria adding that

 MTN Nigeria only requested for CCIs for Foreign Capital that was imported into Nigeria, and dividends were externalised on CCIs.

He said that it is not possible to issue a CCI within 24 hours, and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Forex Manual contemplates such situations by asking that the banks refer to the CBN for approval saying that the requirement to issue a CCI within 24 hours of conversion is an administrative requirement.

“As such, the CBN has the authority, and indeed we believe, approved the banks’ applications to issue CCIs outside the recommended time frame,” concluded Moolman.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Communications Commission has refuted claims that some of its officials were bribed in the negotiation and on-going settlement of the N330 Billion fine the agency slammed on GSM network provider, MTN Nigeria.

Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, of the commission, Abdullahi Maikano debunked the claims in Effurun, Uvwien council area, Delta state where the telecoms regulator held its 22nd Consumer Town Hall Meeting.

Represented by his deputy, Dr Femi Atoyebi on the occasion, Maikano said: “no NCC official was bribed. I repeat, nobody bribed any NCC official on that MTN fine issue, quote me. NCC is a very responsible organization under quality leadership which cascades down to the least of staff.

“No NCC staff will ever take bribe. Challenge me if you see one. That allegation is not true. You read in the papers what MTN has done, they have paid some amount and they are to pay the rest by instalments. So, that case is actually settled.”

On the recurring consumer complaints of unsolicited SMS and poor network among other concerns against service providers, Maikano noted that the continued town hall meetings to bridge and bring telecoms consumers with operators and the regulator are providing gainful results in gradually resolving the complaints by users.

“It’s not true that NCC has not been doing anything about complaints. The town hall meetings are not jamborees. Everything going on here is being recorded and we will played. We do a comprehensive report and make recommendations on every outing to management.

“Some of the policies you see being rolled out by NCC emanate from reports from meetings like these. The consumers are the target beneficiaries of all our activities which make them enjoy primary focus in ensuring that they get quality of service, value for money and timely and fair redress of complaints.”

SMILE Now Into Full Telecoms Service With Unique Plan

SMILE Communications Nigeria limited hitherto known for data service has pushed its luck further by introducing its unique voice plan with the launch of its latest  0702SMILE 4GLTE SIM.

Smile is presently is the only operator that offers voice, data and SMS in one plan, an indication that has further pushed the notch of differentiation by giving practical expression to its status as an innovative full telecommunications services provider.  

The company which has always had a valid number range and can do voice just like any other Mobile Network Operator has been misconceived by some as an Internet Service Provider (ISP) announced its entrance into the voice market at a press parley in Lagos. 

The launch, which was also followed with the media presentation of its brand ambassador, On-Air Personality, OAP, Steve Onu popularly known as Yaw  has brought Smile to the fore as the telecommunications service provider in West Africa poise to deploy the 4G LTE that enables it to provide the most advanced telecommunications technologies and standards available anywhere in the world using the 4G LTE network technology.

Speaking during the launch Managing Director of Smile Nigeria, Mr. Godfrey Efeurhobo said that in the recent past has unveiled a number of innovative Voice and Data services and is reinforcing its 0702 number range with the recent introduction of the lowest call tariff that allows its customers to make calls at 8kobo per second to any network from within and outside the country at the same rate, using SmileVoice App on any Smart Phone, and its 4G LTE SIM on Voice over LTE compatible handset.

According to him, Smile offers the best value proposition and experience to customers in Nigeria saying that there are multiple benefits of using a Smile 4G LTE SIM in the latest phones.

Efeurhobo said that Nigerian consumers “can put their Smile 4G LTE Sim in the LTE handset, use their handset to make calls locally and to anywhere in the world, for Internet, video/music streaming/downloads and SMSs, all using one Smile bundle plan, which is a first in this market.”

 Efeurhobo stated that the new brand-positioning proposition accentuates Smile’s quest to expand its scope of operations, provide its customers with unrivaled quality service and contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of mobile broadband penetration in Nigeria.

He said that these initiatives of Smile are designed to further entrench its position among the leading telecommunications companies in Nigeria adding that Smile remains the only telecom provider that allowed Voice calls and sms from a data package and the benefits include 8k / sec from home and abroad on the SmileVoice Only plan, free calls from aboard on the SmileVoice app which is available on the IOS and Google play store and many more and this gives Smile the unique positioning of offering bespoke and affordable propositions for Nigerians.

HE said explained that the role of Yaw as brand ambassador for Smile Nigeria is coherent with Smile’s values for innovation, creativity, versatility and values of reliability, respect and service.

Kaspersky Beef-up Internet Security For Nigerian Users

DETERMINED to assist internet users in Nigeria to scale the challenges of internet security, Kaspersky Lab has brought into the country its new version of 

security solution.

The Kaspersky Internet Security multi-device solution provides users with additional opportunities to manage their Internet protection and to ensure the safety of their data.

According to the company, users can now protect their data from being intercepted during an unsafe Internet connection with the help of Secure Connection noting that the Kaspersky Internet Security – multi-device 2017 is a security solution for the whole family; that protects Windows, Mac, and Android users against malware, dangerous sites, online tracking, fraud and money theft.

Managing Director at Kaspersky Lab, Africa, Riaan Badenhorst disclosed that the the security solution can patch potential "holes" in their device security with Software Updater and Software Cleaner.

"At Kaspersky Lab we believe that IT security is not only about the effectiveness of a security solution. It is also about the user’s own cyber savviness. Cyber savvy people behave carefully and watchfully online, and they are also ready to apply the latest technological achievements to protect what is most important for them – whether that’s personal information, files, privacy, their devices or peace of mind for their family members. We are striving to offer the user these possibilities with each new version of our solutions", he said.

He explained that Secure Connection allows users to connect to the Internet safely, by encrypting all data sent and received through the network , and that this is especially important when performing financial operations, authorisation on sites, or transferring confidential information, as in these cases traffic interception by a stranger could cause users serious (for example, financial) losses.

He noted that this function is especially useful while traveling, when many people are increasingly connecting to insecure Wi-Fi networks to stay in touch.

According to a Kaspersky Lab study, globally, every 18 percent user has fallen victim to cybercriminals when traveling, saying “This is not surprising considering the fact that (and what a coincidence) – one in five (travelers does not take any steps to protect themselves while online. Secure Connection is now a necessary protection measure when connecting to a public Wi-Fi.”

The Kaspersky Lab protection component, Secure Connection, can be launched from the main window of Kaspersky Internet Security – multi-device.

It can also be activated automatically when the device is connected to public Wi-Fi or the user is inputting confidential information online, such as on banking websites, online stores, payment systems, e-mail and social networks.

Within the security product’s license, users have 200 MB of encrypted traffic at their daily disposal, and for an additional monthly or annual fee they can get an unlimited volume of traffic.

Kaspersky  revealed that one of the common methods of malware penetrating the computer is the use of errors (so-called vulnerabilities) in the programmes installed on it stressing that developers regularly update their products, however not all users regularly update these on their devices.

Software Updater can automatically find the applications that need to be updated and, if the user agrees, install the latest versions from vendor sites on their computer. The user can also request the update of an application manually or add any of them to the list of applications that should not be updated (for example, if the older version is required).

According to the Kaspersky Lab study, 37% of users store programmes that they do not use on their device. In addition to the fact that this overloads the device memory, it also provides extra opportunities for cybercriminals to penetrate the system. 

Software Cleaner scans all applications installed on the computer and marks those posing potential risk. Users sometimes do not even know about these applications being installed on their devices or are unaware of their negative effects.

Software Cleaner will inform users of a programme if it has been installed without their awareness or clear consent (for example, as additional software during the installation of another application), or if it slows down the user’s device, provides incomplete/incorrect information about its functions, operates in the background mode, shows banners and messages without permission (e.g., advertising), or is rarely used. 

Upon receipt of a report from Software Cleaner, the user can either remove or leave the application in question.

In addition to the new functions, Kaspersky Internet Security – multi-device 2017 has been enhanced with improved advanced technologies such as the multi-level protection of financial transactions (with Safe Money), the prevention of the installation of unwanted applications (with Application Manager, part of the former Change Control feature) and the blocking of advertising banners in the browser (with Anti-Banner).

Reps To Investigate ATM Charges By Banks

THE House of Representatives yesterday resolved to investigate the N65 being charged customers by commercial banks for Automated Transaction Machine (ATMs).

The house directed its Committee on Banking and Currency to investigate the charge and other related rates paid by banks’ customers.

The resolution followed a motion under Matters of Urgent Public Importance moved by Tijani Yusuf (PDP-Kogi), which was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote.

Bank customers can withdraw from ATMs other than those of their banks freely thrice a month. Subsequent withdrawals would attract a N65 charge.

Moving the motion, Yusuf expressed concern that banks across the country had been extorting N65 from customers from every bank transaction while the Central Bank of Nigeria failed to act.

He said that recently, banks in the UK were asked to pay customers monies collected from them in the name of bank charges.

Also contributing on the matter, Rep. Aminu Suleiman (APC-Kano) accused the CBN of not doing its job as a regulatory agency.

The house referred the matter to the Banking and Currency committee and was directed to report back in four weeks for further legislative action.

NigCommWeek

CBN Disburses N366.39bn for 465 Agric Projects

THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disbursed N366.39 billion to 465 projects under the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS) from 2009 to date.

The scheme was established to address financing challenges in the entire agriculture value chain: production, processing, storage and marketing or distribution.

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, disclosed this at an international conference on ‘Environment Dialogue 1: Diversification of Economy – The Role of Jatropha’, held at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja.

Meanwhile, the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM), yesterday, commenced training in design and fabrication of agricultural implements for 60 youths across the nation.

This comes as the Benue State Commissioner for Agriculture, James Anbua, disclosed that 3,750, hectares of land have been cleared for this year’s dry season farming in the state.

Acting Director of NCAM, Yomi Kasali, said: “This training and empowerment is not targeted at the novice but youths undergoing training in welding and fabrication, to brush up their skills and further empower them, as part of the commitment of the Federal Government towards youth empowerment through agricultural development.”

Represented by Dr. Aisha Mahmud, Emefiele said the dialogue could not have come at a better time, when the current global economic crisis required game changing transformations, to achieve resilient and sustainable growth through economic diversification.

The Guardian

TECNO Mobile Retains 31.1 % Of Nigeria's Market

MOBILE technology company, Tecno Telecoms, which recently took a swoop on the global market launching its flagship smartphones in Dubai, retains 31.1 percent of the mobile device market in Nigeria.

Deputy General Manager and Global marketing lead at TECNO Mobile Mr. Vane Ni, said its aims is to become the most competitive mobile brand in the world.

Ni said that since 2006, TECNO has been delivering quality mobile devices - smartphones, smart-bands and tablets, with the aim of making high-end mobile devices readily available to consumers.

He said its customized product lines focus on how to meet the needs of the African consumers and how to effectively serve them saying that very few people would have thought that we would grow so fast to control the largest market share of 25.3 percent across six major African markets such as Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Cameroon and Ethiopia.

“We are proud of what we have been able to achieve in Africa so far and we are confident the time is right for us to duplicate the same success across other emerging markets”, he said.

 While unveiling two of its latest brand, TECNO Phantom 6 and Phantom 6 Plus in Lagos, General Manager, TECNO Mobile, Mr. Chidi  Okonkwo described the Nigerian market as one of its critical markets, and that currently Nigeria has one of the highest yearly mobile shipment volume for TECNO smartphones while feedbacks from Nigerian consumers have helped inform some of its most revolutionary upgrades in flagship specifications.

He said that the launch of our latest TECNO Phantom duo- Phantom 6 and Phantom 6 plus was meant to impress Nigerian customers who prefer durable, super-performance, high-end smartphones to budget phones or mid-rangers.

According to him, TECNO Phantom 6  comes with an outstanding SONY 13MP+5MP dual rear lens camera capable of capturing beautiful images with stunning detail as a professional DSLR camera saying that Phantom 6 currently wears all these specifications upgrade in an ultra slim metal uni-body- which makes it the slimmest smartphone with the dual-rear-camera technology in the market.

Okonkwo added that the 6 plus version is taunted as one of the fastest smartphones in the market today, stomaching the latest MediaTek Helio X20 Deca-core chipset with an impressive 6.0-inch IPS touch display and hosts TECNO’s first tri-fold security combination (fingerprint, eye scanner and Trustlook antivirus).

“We had over 500 engineers work for more than 2,880 minutes, passing through 32 systematic processes to manufacture either of the duo - TECNO Phantom 6 and Phantom 6 plus”, he said.

Glo Rolls out 4G LTE Network Across Nigeria

GLOBACOM has instituted the country's first world-class nationwide mobile 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network following the development is consequent upon its successful multi-dimensional test-run of the advanced network.

Telecom subscribers in  key cities in Lagos, Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Abuja in the Federal Capital City, Jos in Plateau State, Warri in Delta State, Eket in Akwa Ibom State, Benin City in Edo State, Yola in Adamawa State and Zaria in Kaduna State are privileged to enjoy instant connection to Glo 4G LTE network, while roll-out to other major cities of the country will be effected in quick succession in the coming days.

Globacom said its 4G LTE  is the country's first nationwide network implementation, and offers  instant efficient broadband internet to millions of Nigerians at speeds multiple times faster than the 3G network, thereby enabling customers to download ultra high definition videos within seconds.

This is a major milestone which will enable the data grandmasters, Globacom, to give its subscribers data intensive applications. The development, said industry watchers, is great news to individuals who consume huge volumes of data, as well as government and corporate organisations like banks, oil and gas companies, academic institutions and health institutions, which depend extensively on seamless data transfer for their operations.

Head, Corporate Sales, Globacom, Kamaldeen Shonibare said at the launch in Lagos that "We are pleased to once again play a leading role in empowering Nigerians with world class data services, which will help to close the digital divide. In the last one and a half years, the people of this great country have spoken repeatedly by making Globacom the largest data network in new subscriptions. The best we can do for our people who believe in us and made us their number one data network is to give them the best technology. What we are offering is the new speed of life"

The launch of 4G/LTE services by  Globacom promises a basket of hard-to-beat 4G data bundle offers to all categories of subscribers for   access to the revolutionary products and services.  Benefits accruing to subscribers on the strength of the innovation include free access to thousands of music, videos and movies on demand. For instance, for only N500, subscribers will get a whopping 1.6GB of data, while N1000 will give them 3.2GB data. Other exciting offers include 7.5GB for N2000, 10GB for N2,500, 18GB for N4000 and 24GB for N5000. The very cost effective data plans range from N50 to N18,000.

Globacom also disclosed that it was offering a brand new 4G LTE router which provides  access to Ultra High Speed Internet  and landline, with free SIM, 60Gb of shareable data valid for a month. It will also give access to free world-class contents for a set up cost of N31,000. Subscribers who prefer MiFi, can enjoy  the brand's  bundling of its 4G MiFi with free SIM, 60Gb of shareable data valid for one month and free world-class content at a set-up fee of N25,000.

Shonibare disclosed further that  the Glo 4G LTE services would make life more exciting, comfortable and enjoyable for Nigerians as the advanced technology would touch all aspects of life from education to agriculture and medical care.

“Our subscribers today already enjoy downloading music, video and movie contents while also streaming contents on their phones and other devices.  But the new Glo 4G LTE network offers subscribers a significantly improved experience. The video and voice quality in video calls on different applications like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Viber etc is a lot clearer while the picture quality is crisper, and the transmission is faster,” he noted.

According to him, the technology will give most of the over 150 million telecom subscribers in Nigeria access to the internet at a much faster speed, while they can also enjoy ultra-high definition video without buffering as they  utilise other high intensive data applications seamlessly.

Shonibare added that Globacom was the digital network for both the present and future generations. “We're the next generation network, the grandmasters of data. That is why we have taken the lead in providing 4G LTE nationwide with mobility for Nigerians. We want them to experience the power of real time mobile broadband technology at the most affordable rates," he said.

Subscribers who wish to join the most advanced network are encouraged to buy and register  a 4G LTE Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) or swap his or her existing SIM for a 4G SIM, get a 4G phone and dial *777# to buy a data plan.

He urged subscribers to visit the nearest Gloworld shop to connect to the Glo 4G LTE and enjoy the boundless opportunities offered by the advanced and superior technology.