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Co-Location: An Imperative for CAPEX Reduction

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Although there are pockets of sharing of infrastructure among telecommunications operators among Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), operators there is urgent need now for a massive adoption of co-location of infrastructure by them.
Most importantly, with the global economic meltdown which has reduce the ability of over seas financial institution to give support to businesses thereby affecting the ability of those organizations especially equipment manufacturers as the case may be in telecommunications space to supply equipment on credit to operators in developing countries. To this end, there is urgent need for telecom operators in Nigeria to increase adoption of co-location of infrastructure as a way of reducing cost as well as palliative measure in the current economic recession than looking up to government for such.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek investigations reveal that unlike their GSM counterpart that have gradually adopting co-locations, CDMA operators are yet to consider the option. They are still pursuing the policy of doing it alone as well as battling with the idea of being the first to reach certain subscriber base through expansion without regard to its implication on the already high cost of doing business in the country.
It was reported that a certain CDMA operator, known for this business model lately realized that it lost over N8 million in the last fiscal year as a result of its quest to do it alone and being the first.
More so, there is nothing wrong for a company to be the first to expand to a town but, such company should consider as ways of reducing cost sharing sharable infrastructure with other operators that are there before it, but may not be operating on the same frequency. For instance, there are infrastructure CDMA operators and GSM operations could share these are generating sets, towers, compound among others.
According to a report released recently by a market research firm, Infonetics Research, global service provider capital expenditures (capex) hit a plateau at $298 billion in 2008, marking the end of a five-year investment cycle. This represented a 12.9% increase in capex spending from the previous year, with much of the growth due to currency appreciation against the US dollar, which peaked in July 2008.
The report noted that the first quarter of 2009 was ugly for equipment vendors because service providers were very cautious, pulling back significantly in some areas, particularly TDM and IP voice infrastructure and SONET/SDH optical equipment spending. On the other hand, it was a stellar quarter for large service provider shareholders, as free-cash-flow among service providers is at an all-time high. Overall, service providers around the globe are maintaining clean balance sheets, telco revenue continues to show resilience, and consumers are increasing mobile Internet usage on their iPhones and other smartphones.
Infonetics is now projecting a 2.8% downturn in worldwide carrier capex in 2009, followed by a flat 2010 and a slow return to growth in 2011 with the start of a new investment cycle.
These points to the fact that telecommunications operators should develop tick skin in the face of all these, and in developing tick skin requires effective resource management which co-location is one of them.
In order to meet the increased communications infrastructures sites rollout demand, statutory requirements for infrastructure sharing and harness economic advantages derivable from co-location and sharing telecoms infrastructure, it is important for operators to explore the possibility of site infrastructure co-location with other telecom operators.
In general, co-location is moving or placing things together, and is used to mean the provision of space for a customer’s telecommunications equipment on the service provider’s premises. In the internet world for example, a Web site or an ISP could place its network routers on the premises of the company offering switching services with other ISPs while in the GSM/Telephony world, Operator could decide to share facilities/sites for cost savings reasons. Co-location is sometimes provided by third party company that specializes in collocations.
Benefits of Co-location
Operators can derive savings on Capex and Opex required for site infrastructure build allowing for more efficient utilization of Capex to expand for coverage and capacity.
Scarce capital and management attention can be diverted to key value-creating activities such as customer acquisition, service quality, operational and strategic excellence.
Co-location provides solutions to problems on capital-constrained, high interest rate, high growth environments.
By adopting co-location, there is no need for operators to maintain in-house expertise to build, operate and service site infrastructure.
There is reduced cost to operators under Towers/Equipment lease, on built in Capex costs and Opex costs resulting in increased operating margins.
Addresses regulatory pressure to co-locate and admin costs to operators of managing the co-location process and activity, increased entry speed for new companies.
It reduces environmental hazard caused by having so many sites.
There are two options available to operators for co-location: Operator to operator agreement where an operator will offer one or more operators a space in his location to share some infrastructure.
Third party service provider can provide a site and facilities, for example a Tower for one or more operators to mount their equipments like radios and antennas.
What can be shared through co-location? Shelter Space, Tower or Mast Structures
Cable Ducts, Earthing Protection System, Lighting Protection System, Rack Space, Fence-wall or palisade fencing, Equipment Shelter Plinth, Transmission Link, AC power (public & private source), among others.
Steps required towards co-location
According to Gbenga Adebayo, chief executive officer, Community Network Support Services (CNSS), these steps are, identification of the technical requirements of co-location with a view to strategizing on meeting the requirements, development criteria for achieving a fair, effective and balanced site co-location evaluation and implementation arrangement with other operators.
Others include development of operator’s policy for co-location and provision of framework for accommodating statutory guidelines within the operator’s policy document, and provision of basic information to Operator’s management to enhance management decision making on proposed infrastructure sharing with a view to harnessing economic advantages derivable from the project.
Against these backdrops that Telecom Answers Associate in collaboration with Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) last week reiterated the imperative of co-location at a co-location forum held in Lagos.
Engr. Ernest Ndukwe, executive vice chairman, NCC, said at the forum that co-location is the next stage of telecommunications revolution in the country, which informed the commission’s licensing of some companies to provide co-location infrastructure.
He said that, if operators co-locate their infrastructure there will be great reduction in cost, proliferation of mast that distorts beauty of the environment among others. He noted that the commission partnering with Lagos State government to destroy all the mast erected by cyber cafés and others that are no longer in use. NCC he said being the foremost telecom regulatory agency in Africa has set-up diverse plans and initiatives that will bring about better service delivery by the operators of which co-location id part of it.
Funke Opeke, speaking on ‘Network Planning Considerations in Telecommunications Co-location’, stressed the need to allow cordial operation among telecom operators such that will unite them in communications and information processes.
She added that financial reliability, service level agreement and maintenance of infrastructure will help co-location.
The time has come for the telecom companies in Nigeria to stop playing the number game of how much infrastructure and sites they own and start looking at ways like co-locating and have agreed shared infrastructure with other operators. Operators should start focusing on network expansion, and increasing coverage using the most economic and efficient means possible to promote rapid growth in the industry and reduce the environmental hazards and other disadvantages caused by having so many individual communications infrastructure.

 

 


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New CAMON Device Set to Redefine Mobile Content Creation

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TECNO is gearing up to launch the next CAMON series device, which promises to be the next evolution in mobile photography.

TECNO

The CAMON lineup has always been known for its innovation in capturing and sharing cherished moments. Now, TECNO is taking it to the next level with a groundbreaking camera innovation that aims to redefine what’s possible.

For years, the CAMON series has been the driving force behind countless memorable shots, empowering users to unleash their creativity and capture the world in stunning detail. With the upcoming device, TECNO promises to exceed your expectations and deliver an unparalleled photography experience that’s second to none.

The new CAMON device will feature cutting-edge technology and unparalleled performance, setting a new standard for mobile photography and content creation. Imagine being ten steps ahead of the curve, armed with a device that empowers you to capture the perfect shot every time.

Stay updated on the latest news and announcements regarding the upcoming TECNO CAMON device by following TECNO on FacebookInstagram, and X(Twitter). Join TECNO on this exciting journey towards the future of mobile photography!


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Data Protection: NIMC’s Licensees to Face More Scrutiny

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Following the reported incident of unauthorized NIN verification by expressverify.com, investigation reveals that a third-party who, among others, was originally authorized to provide verification services to citizens and genuine businesses might have allowed expressverify.com to use its NIN verification credentials to conduct verification. The circumstances surrounding this permission is still under investigation.

 

To remedy this incident, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), in line with established remediation protocols, barred all forms of access to its database.

Though necessary, barring all forms of access affected all genuine and crucial verification requests. After a painstaking review, limited access has been granted to few establishments that are providing pivotal public services such as education and security.

Ongoing investigation – by relevant agencies – seeks to establish the medium through which expressverify.com obtained the credentials of bona fide third parties and to determine the liability of persons involved in line with extant laws.

At the moment, data processing by licensees generally are to be scrutinized and only those that are cleared based on credible evidence of regulatory compliance will be permitted to carry out NIN verification going forward.

Furthermore, series of intensive trainings will be conducted in order to ensure that personnel and licensees are abreast of the duty of care and the standard of care mandated by the Nigeria Data Protection Act, NIMC’s Privacy Policy and other relevant regulatory protocols.

In the meantime, NDPC calls on members of the public to see NIN as an essential data for sustainable development. While existing technical and organizational measures are being strengthened to ensure the protection of this data, it is important for citizens to ensure that they are not left unidentified in various frameworks for development. It is equally important to be vigilant when sharing personal information on various online platforms.


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5 Common Backup Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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Are you confident that your valuable data is protected from unexpected disasters or cyber threats? Consider this: 1 in 10 computers fall victim to viruses, and a staggering 113 phones are stolen every minute every day[1].

With data loss being a sudden and potentially irretrievable nightmare, ensuring reliable backups is non-negotiable. March 31st, celebrated as World Backup Day, is a poignant reminder of this essential task. Let’s delve into the common backup mistakes people make and how to steer clear of those.

1. Skipping regular backups:

The most common mistake is forgetting to back up data regularly. Whether personal files or crucial business documents, not establishing a consistent backup routine leaves you vulnerable to data loss.

Unexpected system crashes or malware attacks can happen anytime, making your precious data inaccessible or permanently lost. But you can help avoid such a situation by setting up automatic backups.

SSD Backup Mistakes to avoid
2. Putting all faith in a single backup device:

A device can get damaged or stolen, putting your backups at risk, so depending entirely on one storage medium is playing a dangerous game with your data’s safety.

 Instead, diversify your backup storage solutions with a combination of external HDDs, NAS, and cloud storage.

Portable HDDs like those from WD like Western Digital’s My Passport offer up to 5TB for simple, cost-effective backups. For smartphones, 2-in-1 flash drives such as SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Go USB Type-C and SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe are convenient options.

These drives, compatible with USB Type-C devices, automatically back up photos, videos, and more. Just plug and play for seamless data transfer across devices.

If you need a device to store huge amounts of data, then the desktop drive called My Book  from WD is just the product for you, with up to 22TB of storage capacity.

SSD Backup Mistakes to avoid
storage device

3. Forgetting version control:

Overlooking version control during backups is another blunder. Not keeping multiple versions of files increases the chance of saving corrupted or wrong data over previous versions.

Without a proper versioning system, fixing mistakes or retrieving older versions can become a challenge. To prevent forgetting version control, establish a system that tracks changes to your files over time.

This ensures that you can always revert to earlier versions if needed, helping protect against accidental data loss or corruption.

Regularly maintaining this system will help you stay organized and prepared for any unforeseen issues.

Additionally, it’s crucial to verify the version you’re backing up to ensure it’s the correct one.

This simple step can help prevent accidental overwriting of important data with potentially corrupted or incorrect versions.

Double-checking ensures that you’re safeguarding the most up-to-date and accurate information, minimizing the risk of errors during backups.

SSD Backup Mistakes to avoid
4. Ignoring off-site backup solutions:

Many people overlook off-site backup solutions, assuming local backups are foolproof. However, relying solely on local backups makes you vulnerable to site-specific disasters like fires or theft.

Using off-site backups means keeping copies of your data in different places so that if something bad happens in one area, your data stays safe.

As an alternative, you could use cloud storage. Cloud backup devices are popular for remote data storage accessible via the internet. Various online cloud services offer features like file synchronization, sharing, and encryption for secure data storage.

5. Underestimating encryption:

Not prioritizing encryption in backups can be a costly mistake. Storing unencrypted backups makes your sensitive data vulnerable to unauthorized access or breaches.

Implementing strong encryption ensures even if your backups fall into the wrong hands, the data remains protected.

However, it is equally important to remember not to opt for out-of-the-box encryption solutions, as they might make it difficult for you to retrieve the backed-up information later.

My Passport HDD and My Book from WD come equipped with built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption with password protection that helps keep content secure.

Additionally, maintaining proper key management practices is essential to ensure smooth decryption and access to your data when needed.

SSD Backup Mistakes to avoid
Monitor and storage device

This World Backup Day, Western Digital urges you to back up your data safely, and at the same time, prepare for the unexpected by having a contingency plan in place for device mishaps like crashes, theft, or damage.

Worrying about losing data isn’t something you have to lose sleep over if you have an active data backup strategy.

A common rule of thumb for keeping important data from disappearing forever is the 3-2-1 Rule. It dictates that you should:

3. Have THREE copies of your data. One is a primary backup and two are copies.

   2. Save copies of your backups on TWO different types of media or devices.

   1. ONE backup copy should be kept offsite in case of disaster.

Determine where and how you’ll store backup files and identify support contacts for swift assistance.

These proactive measures ensure quick data recovery and safeguard your cherished memories for the long haul.


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