AbdulRahman Abiola-Odunowo, is the managing director/CEO of Private Networks Nigeria Limited (PNN).   The graduate of chemistry from the University of Dundee, Scotland, got involved in telecoms in 1992 while working for New Generation Advertising and has been with PNN since 1995. He has attended various programmes within and outside Nigeria. He spoke to funmi ilesanmi.

PNN’s Role in Telecommunications and Energy Sectors in Nigeria
We are the one-stop-shop for the deployment and management of technology solutions for both the telecommunications and energy sectors of the economy. Our focus is on delivering quality products and services to our customers. We play an active role in these two sectors because we provide services from the planning stage through deployment, operations and management stages. We have also invested a lot into research and development because we are consistently striving to do things in a more efficient and cost effective manner. Our customers are very demanding and we must stay on top our game to satisfy them.
Need for Telcos to Outsource Some of their Operations
They already do that. Telecom operators cannot help but outsource those services. The task of providing network to subscribers is quite overwhelming and operators will continue to use best practice to get the best service quality. Outsourcing is one of them. As early as 2003, PNN had pioneered the outsourcing of the entire network deployment by executing a build, operate and transfer (BOT) frame agreement with Zain Nigeria (formerly Econet) for expansion into Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, and Ilorin, Kwara State. Under this model, PNN was responsible for the planning, deployment, operations as well as sales and distribution of operator products.
PNN and Delivering Quality Network Design, Optimization and Implementation
Our track record speaks adequately for us. Over the years we have specialized in providing first class service in design, roll out, management and performance improvement of the wireless network. We ensure that the operator offers best in class service to their customers while also maximising return on their network infrastructure investment. Our teams of experienced engineers have successfully delivered its full range of services to a wide variety of cellular operators around the world. We effectively provide cell planning, coverage expansion, core network design, network thinning, and network optimization services. We also offer radio network audit, network improvement and benchmarking as well as core network audit, core network improvement, network management, competence transfer and consultancy.
How Alternative Power Generation Help businesses
PNN offers a series of hybrid solutions integrating renewable sources of energy such as water, wind and solar to provide innovative power solutions that ideally suit all of the pre-requisites and operational boundaries our customers hope to achieve. We are in the forefront of delivering cost efficient products and services to help reduce the overall energy costs as well as reduce our nation’s dependence on fossil fuels. These solutions would also reduce our carbon foot print in the earth’s environment, and act as protection against rising energy costs.
Apart from the overall benefits the use of alternative energy would offer, telecommunications service providers in Nigeria, using our DC power solution can save up to 65 percent in current operational expenses; their businesses would be more cost effective because of comparative capital expenditure. They would also have very low system maintenance as well as reduced fuel consumption. All of these benefits would invariably translate to a reduction in the tariffs Nigerians currently pay for communication. We are fully equipped in the design and installation of alternative energy using our natural resources efficiently and effectively.
Can Solar Really Work in Nigeria
Absolutely. The use of solar as a means of generating energy for power supply can work in Nigeria if we can get the design right from the onset. And let me quickly add that Nigeria is quite ready for this. We know this because in PNN we have been involved in the research and development of solar power as a cheaper, more cost effective, reliable and durable alternative for the generation and provision of power that can be used for applications such as street lights. Because we understand what the generation of power using solar energy entails, we can provide a 5 year warrantee for all solar street lighting deployed by us.
Solar street Lights as Part of Corporate Social Responsibility
As a corporate organization, it has always been important to us to make contributions that would have a positive and direct impact on people’s lives. In Nigeria today, the power situation is still very epileptic in spite of the various attempts by several administration at providing constant power supply. Often times, activities literarily grind to a halt from 7.00pm because the people are afraid to move around at night, especially when the streets are not lit. This drastically affects the social and economic lives of the citizenry. That was the basis for the deployment of solar lights on Oremeji Street in Ilupeju area of Lagos. We wanted to make the people in that neighborhood feel safe enough to go about their businesses at anytime of the day.  The project which cost us over N7million to deploy was also a way for us to support the Lagos State Government in its megacity project.
Partnership with Speakeezee
As you may know, Speakeezee mobile stores have been around since 1992 and have remained consistent in offering intelligent cutting edge services. However over the years it has become obvious that mobile technology is evolving at a pace that needs a dynamic and forward looking outfit to adapt to the ever increasing change in the telecoms industry. The decision to develop Speakeezee retail brand with PNN is based on the fact that the management of PNN has shown an understanding of what the Speakeezee brand stands for and what the expectation of Speakeezee clients are. We believe that the synergy with PNN will further enable Speakeezee deliver excellent value and first class services to the door step of Nigerians, and indeed Africans who have consistently yearned for quality and independent service offerings
Coping with Insufficient Skilled Manpower
I have always maintained that the greatest challenge to delivering quality service is the dearth of highly skilled capacity in the country. It is sad but, true. That is why we partner with institutions to initiate engineering training programmes that will help Nigeria bridge the digital divide. For example, we are currently working on one of such partnerships with Yaba College of Technology. We would give you the details soon.
PNN Group to in the Next Two Years
We have great plans for the future, with staff strength of over 350, and offices in four African countries; Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda and Rwanda. We have plans to be in a total of 10 countries in Africa by 2010. Over the next 2 years, we intend to grow the business by achieving a minimum of 35 percent growth yearly. PNN intends to list on the Nigerian capital market also by 2010. We have recently concluded plans to start the production of LED lights in Nigeria and we hope to have our products in the market within the next 2 years. A lot is happening and we are excited about the future.
Economic Recession and the Future
Nigeria still has a great future. Economic recession is only for a season. It behoves on us as a country to maximize our resources. We have always advocated that Nigerians should look inwards, well the time is now.