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26 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020 COVID-19: Microsoft aids work from home with free remote working solution By Prince Osuagwu With COVID-19 continuing to impact people and countries around the world, teams everywhere are exploring remote work options. Microsoft has announced that it will avail its hub for teamwork in Office 365,Microsoft Teams, for free to the public to enable remote working. In a statement announcing the free service, Jared Spataro, Corporate Vice President for Microsoft 365 said, “At Microsoft, our top concern is the wellbeing of our employees and supporting our customers in dealing with business impact during these challenging times. By making Teams available to as many people as possible, we hope that we can support public health and safety by making remote work even easier.” Teams (Part of Office 365) is a chat-based collaboration tool that provides global, remote, and dispersed teams with the ability to work together and share information via a common space. With Microsoft Teams, users can utilize features like document collaboration, one-on-one chat, team chat, and more. Users can find out how to sign up for Microsoft Teams via Microsoft 365 blog post with further tips on usage of the product available on this blog ,including tips on working from home with Microsoft Teams. “Microsoft Teams is a part of Office 365. If your organization is licensed for Office 365, you already have it. If you are not licensed for Teams, you will be logged into the product and automatically receive a free license of Teams that is valid through January 2021. This includes video meetings for up to 250 participants and Live Events for up to 10,000, recording and screen sharing, along with chat and collaboration”, says Jared. The free Teams version will give users unlimited chat, built-in group and one-onone audio or video calling, 10 GB of team file storage, and 2 GB of personal file storage per user. Users will also get real-time collaboration with the Office apps for web, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. In addition to the above, Microsoft has also worked on several scenarios for different sectors on ways to utilize Microsoft Teams for free, even for organizations that don’t have Office 365. Please see the links below for your consideration. Prince Osuagwu, Hi-Tech Editor THE present Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, appears to be overreaching itself on matters of telecom regulation. Its officials also appear to be biting off more than they can chew, negating relevant laws that clearly define the relationship between the ministry and the Nigerian communications commission, NCC. The NCC is the independent regulatory authority for the telecommunications industry, established by Decree 75 of 1992 and reestablished by the Nigerian Communications Act 2003. It is responsible for the preparation and implementation of programmes and plans that promote and ensure the development of the communications industry as well as the implementation of the Government’s general policies on communications sector of the economy. *Pantami *Danbatta Prescriptions of communications Act Although, the ministry plays a supervisory role on the commission, neither the NCA Act of 2003 nor the federal government’s gazetted Public Service Rules, prescribes that the commission should cede its independence to the ministry. The Act only permits the minister to formulate and review the general policy for the Nigerian communications sector, even on this he had to ask the NCC to do so on his behalf by organising a public consultative process . Even in amendments of the policy, the Minister and the Council shall take into consideration the findings of the consultative process . The minister is also expected to from time to time notify the Commission and or express his views on the general policy direction of the Federal Government in respect of the communications sector, even though the Commission is not bound to accept them. The Civil Service Rule also toes the line of the Act. In clear terms, the rule in chapter 16, section 2(b) and (c) says: “A Board shall not be involved directly in the day-to-day management of a Parastatal. A Minister exercises control of Parastatals at policy level through the Board of the Parastatal only”. But this appears not to be the type of relationship the current minister of Communications and digital economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami and his counterpart in the NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta are reportedly having. Many industry stakeholders have described their relationship as almost a master-servant relationship which ruins the independence of the commission and erodes the gains made by the sector. The minister is alleged to be breathing down the neck of the EVC and frustrating him from taking credit of his achievements since becoming the CEO of the commission in 2015. He is being alleged to have compromised the independence of the commission by completely changing the structure and the reporting line of the management of the Universal Services Provision Fund (USPF), a body set up by the NCC to provide strategic funding to take telecom services to rural and underserved parts of the country. The USPF is domiciled in the NCC building and takes directives and inputs from the various departments of the NCC in managing the affairs of the Fund. However, Pantami, has been accused of re-designating the USPF Secretary as Executive Secretary who now has executive powers and reports to him directly. This runs Why poor relationship between Pantami, Danbatta may ruin telecom sector *As breach of protocol at NCC’s new complex launch sends wrong signals to investors afoul to the Act establishing the Fund which designates the Head as Secretary. Show of shame Meanwhile the effects of such sour relationship has started putting the country into shame and generally put the opportunity of increased foreign direct investment in danger. The most recent, is the show of shame at the launch of NCC’s new complex in Abuja,last week. The minister was alleged to have breached protocol twice to interfere in the speech of the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman at the event. An eye witness, Mr Greg Ofor, said: “The Minister of communications and digital economy displayed the most shocking, unruly attitude and disrespect for the office of the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC today at the launch of the digital economy complex. The way and manner the minister was hushing Danbatta while he was delivering his speech was bad enough. It was a total embarrassment. “At a point, the minister took the microphone off the EVC’s mouth. As if that was not enough, he made the event a show of shame and lack of respect for the office of the President of Nigeria. The Minister broke protocol three times whilst the President, Commander in Chief was seated, to stop the Executive Vice Chairman from reading his speech. He timed him the third time to a point where Professor Umar Danbatta was to mention the achievements of the Commission - the ECC project, Pantami stopped him” he added. High point of sour relationships in the sector was when the NITDA DG in his own address, claimed that NITDA mid-wifed the establishment of Emergency Communication Centres across the country. Pantami reacts However, the spokesperson to the Minister, Mrs Uwa Suleiman has long dismissed the account as misleading, explaining that “the President, attended the event on the invitation of the Minister, and it was paramount that his timing be strictly adhered to, as earlier agreed at the preparatory meeting in the Presidential Villa, that all speakers at the event will adhere to the time allocated to them and, limit their presentations to the responsibility(ies) assigned to them. The Minister regulated the speeches of both speakers; the EVC of the NCC and the Director General of NITDA”. However, an industry practitioner, Mr Gerald Ndukuba said: “I will find it difficult to believe that the minister is envious of the achievements of the EVC, especially ,as it regards the complex, because the NCC Annex, Ombura isn’t a new project. The project was already standing tall and in use long before Pantami became the minister. He only renamed it and cannot take the glory of what Danbatta has turned the complex into since becoming EVC. I am only worried that this show of shame will not encourage foreign direct investors to come here and invest”. Danbatta’s presentation Part of Danbatta’s address at the event also alluded to that fact. He said: “As part of its desire to further develop the communications sector, the NCC set up the Digital Bridge Institute in 2005 and the NCC-DBI hostel and recreational facilities as part of initiatives to provide favourable atmosphere for students. The Facility was confirmed and ratified by the Federal Executive Council at its 45th meeting held on November 22, 2006. The NCC-DBI hostel and recreational facilities were abandoned before completion and were redesigned and modified by the NCC Management in 2018 from a hostel to an office complex; and was later renamed the Communications and Digital Economy Complex in line with current realities and policy direction. The Facility provides office accommodation to the Honourable Minister, Communications & Digital Economy and four full departments of the NCC. “The Communications and Digital Economy Complex sits on eight hectares of land at Mbora district of Abuja with two level basement floors and five floors from ground level. It has many facilities such as this 650- seater auditorium, offices, 300mutli-level car park spaces and an additional 200 within the premises. In the same vein, this beautiful facility has a crèche for nursing mothers, industrial kitchen, a gymnasium and other sporting facilities for squash, table tennis, swimming pool and sewage treatment plant. There are also six lifts, a central air conditioning system, fire alarm and detection system, fire fighting system, data and access control system, external street lights and CCTV control room and also five 800KVA generators and three dedicated transformers connected to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). This world class complex is the product of Mr. President’s effort in creating an enabling environment for the ICT sector in recognition of its value as an enabler for other sectors of the economy. “The NCC has also facilitated the establishment of the Emergency Communications Centres across the Country. The establishment of the ECCs is in line with the Commission’s mandate under section 107 of NCA 2003,to promote and enhance public safety through the use of a particular number designed as the universal safety and emergency assistance number for telephone services generally; and encourage and facilitate the prompt deployment throughout Nigeria of seamless, ubiquitous and reliable end-to-end infrastructure for emergency communication needs. C M Y K
L-R: Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo; Head, ALTON Secretariat, Mr. Gbolahan Awonuga; Senior Manager, Spectranet, Mr. Umesh Budhrani and Head, Corporate and Regulatory Services, Smile Communications, Mr. Gbolahan Thomas, at an emergency meeting on how to cushion the effects of Coronavirus on telecoms operations, organised by ALTON in Lagos, recently COVID-19: Telcos list conditions for hitch-free telecoms services By Prince Osuagwu In anticipation of a possible economic lockdown in Nigeria, in response to the rampaging Coronavirus pandemic, Covid-19, telecom operators through their umbrella body, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), has held an emergency meeting and listed conditions that would help them provide hitch-free service throughout the period the pandemic will last. Chairman of ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo who gave a rundown of the conditions, said Nigerian government may likely declare partial or complete lockdown of its economy, like other economies of the world. He said in anticipation of a possible lockdown ALTON has made recommendations to the telecoms regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the federal and state governments on how best to ensure hitch-free telecoms services throughout the period of the Coronavirus outbreak. The meeting which was attended by the Head, Corporate and Regulatory Services, Smile Communications, Mr. Thomas Gbolahan, among top executives of other telcos, made suggestions and recommendations, which formed part of the communique that was released after the meeting. In the communique, members agreed that all telcos must increase their network capacities to enable them provide quality service throughout the period of Coronavirus. It was recommended that the industry regulator, the NCC, should facilitate the process of getting approval for Right of Passage (RoP) for all telecoms operators, from the federal and state governments, to allow for easy movement, should there be a partial or total lockdown of the economy as a result of Coronavirus. Members also recommended that NCC should facilitate the process of Right of Passage (RoP) for logistics companies that are involved in supplies of goods and services to telecoms operators. According to the communique, telcos must also support government through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, to provide safety materials that will protect the public against Coronavirus effect. They also suggested the need to sensitize the public about safety tips on Coronavirus in different languages, through the Interactive Jumia excites customers with price slash offer, holds Tech Week By Juliet Umeh As part of its measures to cushion the effect of coronavirus on its customers, e-commerce platform, Jumia Nigeria has offered a price slash to its products as it holds Tech Week campaign this week. Tech Week is seven days window for shoppers on Jumia platform to save money by getting value for less on global gadget brands of their choice. It said this year’s campaign with the theme ‘Upgrade Your Life’ will run in parallel with its Stay Safe campaign also aimed at providing consumers access to hygiene products especially now that most Nigerians might be experiencing restrictions in movement as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The company CEO, Massimiliano Spalazzi, said there are over six million home essential products and groceries that Nigerians can choose from. He said: “Similarly, Tech Week gives customers the opportunity to buy tech-related items at the most affordable prices. “To take advantage of this opportunity, customers are expected to download the Jumia App from the android or iOS stores and follow the its social media handles for purchase of tech products such as phones, computing televisions, games and consoles, cameras and other accessories. Speaking on the campaign, Spalazzi said the Tech Week offer is an immense upgrade of the mobile week which offers customers discounts on mobile phones. He explained that during the week, customers can get deals on over 10,000 gadget products in partnership with global brands like Samsung, Intel, HP, Microsoft, Nexus and Scanfrost. Spalazzi said: “The Tech Week offer is in response to our customers who yearn for such opportunities beyond just mobile phones. This campaign caters for everyone with gadget needs; gamers who need the latest video game, a student who needs a laptop, phone enthusiast, homemaker into appliances, or a sports lover who wants that large screen TV can get deals during the Tech Week. To access the deals, all you need to do is download the Jumia App, register and get down to shopping,” he added. Voice Response (IVR) and other channels. ALTON recommended that government should establish a front desk at all Emergency Communication Centres (ECC), to provide information about Coronavirus. Members equally urged NCC to seek support from law enforcement agents to protect telecoms facilities throughout the period of Coronavirus outbreak. NCC should also consider stepping down Number Portability during the period of the Coronavirus outbreak in order to reduce pressure on networks, when subscribers tend to migrate from one network to another. Members suggested that NCC should call on government agencies to put a stop to all government orders, directing the closure of telecoms sites, to enable the proper management of telecoms sites throughout the period of outbreak. According to the communique, it was agreed that NCC and the state government should reduce the frequency of physical meetings all through the period of the Coronavirus outbreak and deploy alternative meeting platforms, in order to reduce the risk of contacting the Coronavirus during travels for meetings. In the area of network sharing, the communique stated that members agreed that telecoms operators should collaborate to share resources among themselves in times of difficulties throughout the period that the Coronavirus will last. By Juliet Umeh Telecommunication network, MTN Nigeria recently, took its ‘Turn it up’ campaign to the maiden edition of the ‘I Believe Summit 2020’ in Jos. The summit is an annual forum where young and enterprising minds engage in enlightened debates on issues hampering national development with a view to providing possible solutions. Manager, Go-to-Market, MTN Nigeria, Olugbenga Hammed, said “Amazing opportunities abound in the country for us to take advantage. We understand the importance of having these conversations to inspire Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020 — 27 Fiam wifi debuts to provide affordable data for users By Juliet Umeh A new telecommunication company, Fiam Wifi has launched services in Nigeria to provide affordable and reliable internet connectivity to people especially on high-density, lowincome and rural communities. It launched operation in a suburb of Lagos, Ajegunle, after a three month pilot. CEO of the company, Mr. Akin Marinho, said, the network installs Wifi hotspots and has started with 25 hotspots in Ajegule with plans to install another 100 over the next six months. He also disclosed that after its launch in Ajegunle, Ajeromi- Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State, the team has put together a roadmap for its rollout plans in phases. According to him, “Amuwo Odofin, Alimosho, and Apapa will be covered during the first phase. Surulere, Oshodi, and Isolo are billed for the second phase. Shomolu, Mushin, Kosofe, Ikeja, and Agege are scheduled for the third phase and Ifako Ijaye, Lagos Island, Badagry, Ikorodu, and Ojo will be added in the fourth phase of its 18 month rollout plan. Marinho explained that the network will be strategically built to hold concurrent users of about 10 percent of the population of designated By Juliet Umeh As part of its plan to cushion the effects of the dreaded coronavirus on its teeming customers, e-commerce platform, Konga, has announced a N10 million intervention package. It made this announcement recently while stating that the fund, which will be disbursed to Konga customers through vouchers, will go towards offsetting some of the purchases made by customers during this period. In addition, Konga also announced free delivery for purchases made by customers. Konga said: “We know that many of our customers are experiencing uncertainties resulting from this global outbreak. To help during this challenging time, we are offering MTN takes “Turn it Up” message to Jos Nigerians. That is why we are part of this summit. We will continue to encourage Nigerians to look within and seek better ways to provide solutions to the country’s challenges and turn it up for themselves.” The ‘I Believe Summit’ is powered by Project Tour Nigeria, a non-governmental vehicle for national reconciliation meant to showcase the wealth of Nigeria’s social, economic, cultural and traditional heritage as well as the enormous tourism investment potential in the country. The Summit will hold in all states of the federation before proceeding for a finale in Abuja. communities. He said: “The Company has partnered with Dolphin Telecom and Vodacom who provide broadband speed band with. Part of the company’s communitydriven policy, customer engagement and maintenance teams will be sourced from residents of the communities it serves, thereby creating employment opportunities for many. “In addition the company has partnered with the local government to provide wifi hotspots in every primary school in Ajegunle. Revealing the company’s plans to compete in the tough and highly competitive market of internet providers, Marinho disclosed that Fiam WiFi’s pricing is its unique selling point adding that the pricing is targeted at making low-income earners have access to fast and reliable internet services at an affordable rate. “The data pricing is simple, clear and transparent and starts at N400 for 1GB. The data prices come with one simple condition of no validity or expiration period, unlike some other internet service providers where subscribers may get 100MB for a day or specific validity period. Fiam WiFi does not restrict usage by validity, “users need not worry about data expiration when not in use, “he said. COVID-19: Konga sets up N10m fund, free delivery for customers N10m in vouchers to support their purchases this season. “Deliveries are now Super-Safe & Free. We have equipped our last-mile delivery agents and partners with gloves and facemasks. All our warehouses and delivery partners have been trained on the best practices on hygiene and social distancing. On top of that, all deliveries to you are now free and super-fast. “Among the structures and resources put in place by the management of Konga to support customers include: Setting up of COVID-19 response desk to handle enquiries and requests; the launch of multiple partnerships to assure lowest prices for customers on products across categories. “This is the time to maintain social distance. If you prefer not to go out to shop, you can safely find everything you need on Konga.com. We have sped up the ‘contactless’ operations in order to reduce the use of cash. You can handle all your payment needs (airtime, internet, utilities) via our KongaPay Platform. “Konga had not only instituted strict health checks for its staff including all customer-facing personnel such as delivery men, store staff and others; it had also gone beyond this to set up an internal feedback mechanism where all employees and management were regularly updated on latest developments on the coronavirus scourge, what to do when ill and preventive tips to keep them protected.” The company also added that high-alert was activated for all staff that regularly came into contact with external customers and the public as they underwent special sessions and checks, solely as a preventive measure.
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