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Sidmach, Microsoft Plan Broadband over TV White Space

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By peter oluka

Sidmach Technologies Nigeria Limited is targeting part of the wireless spectrum that have been abandoned or left unused by television (TV) broadcasters as they increasingly move to digital transmission.

 

Already, the company has partnered with Microsoft to conduct tests in select location as a faster and cheaper way to beam the Internet to remote rural areas and roll out Sidmach services to the hinterlands.

 

Technology giants such as Microsoft and Google are pushing for governments around the world to open up this ‘white space’, hoping that it will boost innovation in Internet delivery, according to Mr. Michael Olajide, the executive director, Finance and Administration at Sidmach, during an interview with Nigeria CommunicationsWeek.

 

He said that a recent example is a pilot initiative in Abeokuta, Ogun State, carried out by Sidmach in partnership with Microsoft that aims to boost access to the Company’s health and educational solutions by the rural dwellers.

 

He said that the choice of Abeokuta was as a result of ‘noise interferences’ witnessed in Lagos due to the activities of illegal transmitters on such frequencies.

 

Mr. Olajide said that the regulatory authorities should urgently address the challenge as means to boost broadband penetration in the country.

 

He said, “The reason we embarked on the study is that we have a need to make our health management solution available to the rural areas. We also want to expand our school management solutions to every nooks and crannies of the country. No child should be left out in proper formal education, especially in this digital age.

 

“Deploying these solutions through cloud technologies will impact many lives. For example, if there is a clinic in the rural area which doesn’t have all the expertise, the health officers can connect to health institutions in Lagos or any city with equipped facility closer to them. When connected to an expert or specialist, he/she can help diagnose the ailment. In other words, telemedicine will become possible. These are captured in our APMIS. We are launching APMIS this quarter. People are already trying it out”.

 

He further cautioned against continuous interferences on the frequencies by illegal transmitting stations, thus, “The regulatory bodies- NCC and NBC know what to do. They have the equipment and personnel to stamp it out. There are other technologies underway, like the 5G that will make connectivity more available.

 

“Same time, the TV whitespace is interesting, because it moves far; about 20kilometres from the base station. So, if you have a base station within Abeokuta, within 20kilometre radius, you will definitely have connectivity; likewise, if you have the technology in Ijebu-Ode, Shagamu, etc.

 

“This can be replicated in other places like Bayelsa and other hinterlands. That is the beauty of TV whitespace and we hope this is going to come very fast. Other international companies are also supporting this move. For instance, the test we are conducting in Abeokuta, Microsoft sent the equipment. We only paid for the clearing at the ports”, Mr. Olajide told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek.

 

 


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

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How to Beat DStv Price Increase with ‘Price Lock’ Feature

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In today’s fast-paced world, where every penny counts, finding ways to save on essential services is more important than ever. And as part of its commitment to customer satisfaction, DStv has reiterated its “Price Lock” feature.

DStv Price lock

This is in response to the upcoming tariff increase, which the company understands may impose some financial strain on its valued customers.

What exactly does the “Price Lock” feature entail? The “Price Lock” feature offers customers the opportunity to retain their subscriptions at the current rate for 12 months.

To use the “Price Lock” feature, customers simply need to renew their subscriptions before the due date each month, ensuring uninterrupted access to their favourite DStv content at the current rate for the next 12 months.

But here’s the catch: only customers with an active subscription by the 30th of April qualify for this offer, when the tariff adjustment comes into effect.

Make sure you don’t miss the price lock offer! Simply download the MyDStv or MyGOtv app or dial *288# to subscribe, upgrade, or set up Auto-Renewal.


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OJI Demands Ban on Netflix, TikTok, Others over Same-Sex Content

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Civil Society Organisation (CSO) under the auspices of Open Justice Initiative (OJI), has threatened to drag the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to court if it fails to ban Netflix, TikTok, and others over the alleged broadcast of offensive same-sex content on Nigeria’s airwaves.

OJI Demands Ban on Netflix, TikTok, Others over Same-Sex Content

The CSO, also urged NBC to ban other social media platforms, including X, formerly known as Twitter, Facebook, etc with regard to the subject matter.

Donald Ayibiowu, lawyer and programme officer of OJI, gave the warning in a letter addressed to Mr. Charles Ebuebu, director-general of the NBC.

The certified true copy of the letter titled: “Need to ban and bar the continuous broadcast of offensive same-sex contents on Nigeria’s airwaves by Netflix and other specialised broadcast outlets”, made available to newsmen in Abuja, was received by the Commission on April 23, 2024.

The letter said, “We write to draw the esteem attention of your commission to some obnoxious and repugnant same-sex contents being aired or transmitted by some broadcast outfits operating within the Nigeria broadcast space, which platforms includes Netflix and some social media entities.

“These abhorrent contents being campaigned about borders on the promotion of amorous relationships between persons of same sex on the said platforms.

“We received complaints on this topic from well-meaning Nigerians and religious organisations and further discovered that the broadcast contents/materials on these platforms are laced with embedded scenes/episodes where same-sex relationships are practically being propagated.

“We also conducted research on some social media platforms like TikTok, Twitter (X), Facebook (Meta), etc with regards to this subject, and found same hazardous and illegal same-sex content being promoted and transmitted.

“It is clear that there is an agenda to surreptitiously lure the unsuspecting young population of this country to this satanic habit/lifestyle of same-sex practice in Nigeria by subtly introducing same through entertainment and showbiz industry, albeit through the airwaves.

“It is now commonplace to see some of these illegal contents being conveyed on social media and specialised platforms in Nigeria.

“We wish to point out that these contents are clearly being aired or transmitted in contravention of our extant laws such as Sections 4(2) and 5(2} of the Same-Sex Mariage (Prohibition) Act, 2013,” he said.

The lawyer said the act being subtly propagated and promoted via the mediums was targeted at destroying the moral fibre and rectitude, erode, dislodging and polluting the society with unacceptable inhuman values.

He said it was also to erode the age-long cultural practices and sacred religious belief system of male and female gender only as created by God Almighty.

Ayibiowu said, that if the commission failed to block, restrict or scrap the same-sex promotional material/contents from Nigeria airwaves, “we shall proceed to seek further redress in pursuit of our goal of saner Nigeria airwaves”.

 

 


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FCCPC to Review Multichoice’s Tariff Hike

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Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has promised to review recent price increases in MultiChoice cable subscriptions to ensure subscribers in Nigeria get value for their money.

FCCPC to Review Multichoice’s Tariff Hike

Recall that the leading pay TV operator, recently announced increase in the subscriptions for its DStv and GOtv packages by at least 25 per cent.

Multichoice announced the increase in tarrifs in a message sent to subscribers on Wednesday and said that the new regime will be effective May 1.

The company stated this in the statement signed by John Ugbe, chief executive officer was titled, ‘Price Adjustment on DStv and GOtv Packages.’

The pay-TV firm cited the rise in the cost of business operations as the rationale behind the price increase.

The company said, “We understand the impact this change may have on you – our valued customer, but the rise in the cost of business operations, has led us to make this difficult decision.

“It remains our mission to provide the best entertainment and viewing experience to you and are committed to continue to deliver high-quality content and unparalleled service. So, from Wednesday, 1 May 2024, the price adjustment will take effect.”

But Adamu Abdullahi, acting chief executive officer, FCCPC, in a chat with Channels Television on its Dateline Abuja programme on Thursday, provided an update on the summons issued to the owner of a Chinese store in Abuja accused of discriminatory and sharp practices.

He also commented on the adherence to the order given to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, stating that sanctions are imminent for all verified infractions identified by the agency.

 


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