ICONIC ICT IMAGES OF 2010
GMD, Computer Warehouse Group, Austin Okere receives 'ICT Man of the Decade award from Tayo Adewusi of ICT Watch Africa, organisers of the African Digital Awards (ADA 2010)
The year 2010 recorded several astonishing and outstanding developments in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. In the first quarter, Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Ernest Ndukwe 's eight year term lapsed and the polity was overheated until an Interim EVC in the person of Dr. Bashir Gwandu came on board before a substantive, Dr. Eugene Juwa was appointed.
Subscribers Identity Module (SIM) card registration was implemented by all the telecommunication operators as every subscriber was advised to latch on to the opportunity, while stating the need for the registration.
In what took the country especially its subscribers by storm, Zain rebranded to Airtel Nigeria.
According to the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), Bharti Enterprises, Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal, the re-branding would be the last and Airtel has come to stay in Nigeria and across the world.
Several telecoms companies came up with innovations. Among them is Starcomms, when as the first Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) to introduce roaming and also myPAD.
Designed as a high-end tablet/data device, the stylish hi-tech device is technologically crafted to support multiple and up to date data functionalities that helps the user maintain his /her high social profile.
Other significant events were the commercial launch of MainOne cable and National second operator in the country, Globacom. With these, users of internet now enjoy broadband at a much cheaper and faster rate.
Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) gave Zinox Technologies the privilege to deliver 80 units of Digital Data Capture (DDC) which costs $1, 771. 73 per unit among other local original equipment manufacturers (OEM).While other foreign companies were to deliver 20 pieces each. This feat has been described by international critics as the largest investment in Africa in recent times.
However, the quality of service is still a raging issue in the sector. But operators have always traded the blame on several factors, ranging from theft of generating sets on their sites to cutting of their cables by contractors.
Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Mrs. Dora Akunyili in the twilight resigned her appointment two weeks ago.