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Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Booming African Mobile Markets To Get Boost from Nordic Expertise

PRESS RELEASE

Booming African Mobile Markets To Get Boost from Nordic Expertise

Africa is poised to leap forward, unencumbered by legacy technologies and processes, and empowered by youthful demographics

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, October 25, 2022/ -- SUBTONOMY (https://www.Subtonomy.com/), the leading Network Experience Platform provider in the Nordics, has announced that it will be attending AfricaCom in South Africa (8-10 November 2022) to bring its world-class digital customer support offering to Africa.

The African digital revolution

It’s time to reappraise Africa’s place in the global digital market. Long held back by affordability and availability issues, the advent of cheaper smartphones and ubiquitous, higher capacity mobile networks have provided a huge springboard for growth. Young, internet-savvy Africans are optimistic and opportunistic about tech, utilizing it as a platform for their creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and thirst for education. Already the world leader in mobile money[1], Africa is poised to leap forward, unencumbered by legacy technologies and processes, and empowered by youthful demographics[2]. The continent’s rapid transition to a mobile-first, digital economy means that it already has more smartphone users than North America and by 2025 Sub-Saharan Africa will have 474 million internet users (39% of the population[3]).

New demands on the network, new customer expectations

Whether it’s using their phones for banking, finding work, shopping, creating, listening to music or watching their favorite shows, young Africans have moved far beyond their parents’ expectations of mobile services. While the future of the African mobile market may look rosy, it’s not without challenges, however. In the next few years, African operators will have to cope with onboarding large numbers of new customers[4] and find cost-effective ways to support them while they transition from 3G to 4G, from feature phones to smartphones, and from simple to complex service offerings.

As if all of this were not enough, the expectations of African Gen Z customers are also rising rapidly. Like their social media friends around the world, they expect high-quality uninterrupted services backed by world-class, 24/7 customer support when things go wrong. If they don’t get it, they’re more willing than ever to simply walk away[5].

And this is precisely where African operators can benefit from the experience of other mobile-first markets such as the Nordics. Operators in the Nordics have pioneered efficient and cost-effective digital customer care for years. Subtonomy’s customers, for example, are already able to automate 75% of customer support in digital channels, and increase contact center efficiency to deliver 60% fewer escalations and 47% faster call handling.

Future proofing support

With things moving so rapidly in Africa, it’s hard for operators to manage change cost-effectively or predict what their support operations will look like in a few years. Will future African customers have virtual reality-based support, or get help via their digital assistants? Whatever happens, operators must squeeze the maximum value out of their existing equipment to keep costs down and reduce disruption, while at the same time innovating their customer support offerings and preparing for what’s coming. Fortunately, there’s a win-win here as well. Subtonomy’s Network Equipment Platform takes data from any existing source – including legacy probes (eg Amdocs, Anritsu, Commprove, Empirix, Exfo, Polystar, Radcom, Tektronix, Teoco or Viavi), BSS and OSS, cell data and device data – to deliver a 360^o real-time view of actual customer experience, empowering 24/7 holistic support.

“As the African mobile market matures, customers will expect better support from operators. As researcher Herring Shava[6] recently pointed out, two of the biggest causes of dissatisfaction with support are operators’ reliability (not doing things when they said they would) and responsiveness (not informing customers when they intend to fix problems). We’re proud to have helped our clients fix both these issues in the Nordics and look forward to helping African operators revolutionize the way they support their customers in future – giving them both happier customers and a competitive edge.” Andreas Jörbeck, CEO, Subtonomy

To find out more about Subtonomy’s offering, operators are invited to meet with Subtonomy at AfricaCom 2022, Telcos of Tomorrow booth A52. Book a meeting here: APO Group rep (malika.bouayad@apo-opa.com).

[1] According to the GSMA, Africa accounts for 70% of the world’s $1 trillion mobile money transactions.

[2] Africa has the largest number of Gen Zers (also called ‘Zoomers’) in the world, and more than a billion people under the age of 35.

[3] Forecasts from GSMA.

[4] By 2025 the GSMA forecasts Africa will have 120 million new subscribers and 170 million new mobile internet users, taking the proportion of the population using mobile internet to 40%.

[5] According to a BrandsEye study (2019), 47.2% of the complaints raised by customers in South Africa were about the quality of customer service. Approximately 37% complained about the mobile network provider’s turnaround time, and 44.4% of the respondents complained about the network provider’s failure to attend to queries posted on social media. But in cases where the network provider did respond, 61% of consumers ended up being dissatisfied with the quality of service provided.

[6] See: H. Shava. Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction Experience Among South African Mobile Telecommunications Consumers. Walter Sisulu University. Published in Eurasian Journal of Business and Management, 9(3), 2021, 217-232.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Subtonomy.

For more information or to set up an interview, please contact:
Tina Rosén
tina.rosen@subtonomy.com

About Subtonomy:
Subtonomy’s ML-driven Network Experience Platform provides unprecedented real-time insight into the experience of customers on any network (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G NSA, 5G SA, broadband and gigabit fiber). Its easy-to-use applications utilize this rich data to enable customer support teams to isolate and resolve problems faster; operational teams to prioritize fault fixing and network build according to actual customer need; business teams to up-sell to both business customers and consumers; and wholesale teams to understand the service they’re delivering to MVNO clients. Founded in Sweden in 2012, Subtonomy’s technology helps network operators deliver more personalized support and more proactive care to help its clients deliver a premium network experience. We’re proud to have a 100% satisfied client base and to be finalists in the 2022 World Communications Awards for Customer Experience. Also see: Subtonomy’s website (https://www.Subtonomy.com/).

SOURCE
Subtonomy

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Smartphones Are Changing How People and Disaster Experts Respond To Emergencies

25 Aug 2011 15:37 Africa/Lagos

How Smartphones Are Changing How People and Disaster Experts Respond To Emergencies
allRisk says Smartphones Becoming a Necessity for Disasters

PR Newswire

SOMERDALE, N.J., Aug. 25, 2011

SOMERDALE, N.J., Aug. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- August has been a busy month for regional disaster experts, allRisk Inc. (www.teamallrisk.com). So far, a recent record-breaking rain led a New Jersey state university to hire the company to perform emergency water mitigation in areas where total repair estimates have reached $1.4 million.

Cleanup from the massive flood needed to be completed within days, before students returned for fall classes. With Hurricane Irene upgraded in intensity, and on track to hit the area this weekend the company expects to be even busier.

allRisk is in a "war room" mode, as they prepare to respond to what they anticipate to be a large volume of calls and texts for emergency help -- some from people with smartphones.

The increasing use of smartphone technology not only helps people to cope in emergency situations through calls, texts, emails and social network communication, but in other less obvious ways, thanks to thousands of unique apps.

"After food and water, smartphones during an emergency are a must for the variety of ways in which you can communicate," says allRisk Inc. President Dean Ragone. "However, with apps that have a flashlight light, a strobe and S.O.S abilities, apps to tune in radio with 40,000 stations, fire and police scanner apps, and a weather app to NOAA, smartphones are changing the way we respond to these emergencies."

In addition to having extra cell batteries, Ragone also recommends that people should use their phones to take pictures and video of their homes and businesses before and after a storm for insurance purpose. He also believes it is important to have a 9-1-1 app and one for Twitter so that you can be informed about what is going on outside your environment, and to inform others about what is happening where you are.

Ragone believes smartphones over the course of the next few years will be a necessity, along with food and water.

"A smartphone will also be a replacement for cash, and you can use it like a debit card," he says. "There are also book apps for reading and if you have an urge to pray, there is a Rosary app," says Ragone.

While Ragone has faith in the effectiveness of smartphones, he also notes that during 9/11 and the recent earthquake some phone lines didn't work or became overloaded, yet most text messages and social media connections seemed unaffected, he said.

"Office or family emergency kits should always contain a radio with batteries to ensure communications from the outside world," Ragone said.

Ragone urges his business and professional trade association clients to consider investing in low-cost ham radio training in the event of a communications blackout.

The Salvation Army, for example, operates an emergency radio network, SATERN, that volunteers monitor and share messages and information related to health and welfare during emergencies.

With a firm grasp on smartphone technology and emergency disaster restoration, Ragone says his disaster staff of 70-plus are waiting for that next phone call or text that propels them into action.

allRisk is a 24/7 emergency response company, and one of the largest and best-equipped property damage firms on the East Coast. The company specializes in commercial property damage restoration, general construction (restoration and tenant fit-out) and environmental remediation. Their expertise includes repairs of damage caused by fire, flood, structural failures and mold.

For more information about how to plan for a disaster or about how allRisk plans for one, contact Christine Messina at 877-247-5252, christine@allriskinc.com or www.teamallrisk.com.

SOURCE allRisk Inc.

CONTACT: Tom Peric, +1-856-874-0049, tom@thegalileo.com

Web Site: http://www.teamallrisk.com

Monday, July 18, 2011

New ADP Mobile Application for HR

NEW ADP MOBILE APPLICATION USHERS IN ERA OF ANYTIME HR

Free Application Spurs Collaboration and Provides Employees with Fast, Easy Access to HR, Payroll, Time & Attendance and Benefits Information via their Mobile Devices

ADP Chief Strategy Officer Jan Siegmund unveils the new ADP Mobile Solutions app (Credit: Feature Photo Service)

ROSELAND, N.J. — July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — ADP®, a leading provider of human resource outsourcing, payroll services, benefits administration and integrated computing solutions for vehicle dealers, today added another tool to empower employee productivity: the ADP Mobile Solutions application, a free, easy-to-use app that gives employees access to their vital HR, Payroll and Benefits information via a mobile device.

Using the ADP Mobile Solutions app, employees of ADP clients in the United States can view recent pay statements, access corporate directories and company news, manage time and attendance remotely, and review ADP Retirement Savings information.

Available on the iOS, Android and RIM smartphone platforms, the app’s easy-to-use format and highly intuitive design provides a new connection between Human Resource managers and employees in the workplace. Here is how it works:

* Virtual Payroll Info: Employees can view pay statements from up to five previous pay periods, toggling between Net Pay and Gross Pay year-to-date.
* Retirement Savings: Employees can view their current 401(K) allocations, distribution percentages, account balances and rate of return.
* Time and Attendance: Employees can clock in, clock out, indicate a late arrival, and create timesheets.
* Corporate Intranet On-The-Go: The corporate directory provides the ability to view, search, and contact employees listed in the directory. The company news section allows employees to read news and events posted by management.

“The ADP Mobile Solutions app is the most comprehensive and compelling mobile HR solution available to organizations seeking to provide their mobile workforce with access to the tools and information they need to be more productive, wherever they are,” said Mike Capone, Chief Information Officer, ADP. “ADP has leveraged its human capital management expertise and technology prowess to help ADP clients drive enhanced productivity, efficiencies and employee engagement across their enterprises. ADP is poised to revolutionize the way employers and employees collaborate inside and outside the workplace.”

In today’s dynamic business environment, employers are seeking new methods to personalize and empower their workforce to suit an increasingly mobile lifestyle. Innovative companies see an engaged workforce as a productive workforce and the ADP Mobile Solutions application helps them ensure their employees stay connected and engaged while away from the traditional office.

The E.W. Scripps Company is a diverse media concern with interests in newspaper publishing, broadcast television stations and syndication. Scripps operates daily and community newspapers in 13 markets, and 10 broadcast TV stations. Scripps also operates Scripps Howard News Service and United Media.

“As an ADP client for payroll and its broad spectrum of HR services, Scripps has been utilizing the new ADP Mobile Solutions application in pilot mode over the last several months,” said Joe Carpenter, manager of HR operations for The E.W. Scripps Company. “We have been impressed with the ease and functionality of the app, most notably in accessing our payroll information. In today’s mobile world, an application like ADP Mobile Solutions can help free managers’ and employees’ time to focus on what they do best.”

“The ADP mobile app’s robust functionality and intuitive interface is impressive,” said Jayson Saba, research analyst, human capital management at Aberdeen Group. “While we have seen other mobile apps that can perform a few of these functions, ADP’s application does a great job combining payroll, time management, benefits, and other relevant information. Our research found that adopting a strategy that leverages real-time access via multiple channels, including mobile devices, improves manager productivity and employee engagement.”
Study Indicates Employers are Seeing Strong Benefits from Mobile HR Solutions

A recent study conducted by VDC Research and the ADP Research Institute (ADPRI), a specialized group of market research professionals within ADP, found that early adopters are experiencing strong benefits from mobile HR solutions, ranging from workforce productivity and easier recruiting to increased employee satisfaction. Organizations are also increasingly viewing mobile HR access for employees as a critical function when evaluating the capabilities of next-generation HR solutions and services. Conducted across 400 mid-sized and large U.S. organizations, the study found that mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, are proving to be an effective means to achieve improved worker productivity, real-time decision making, and workforce satisfaction. Moreover, employers are increasingly seeing real value in allowing employees to access their payroll and HR data via mobile devices. A full copy of the whitepaper, entitled “Mobile HR Solutions: Connecting & Empowering Your Workforce” can be downloaded for free by clicking here.
ADP Mobile Solutions Application Eligibility and Technical Requirements

The ADP Mobile Solutions app is currently available to ADP clients who operate in the United States and meet certain eligibility requirements, including utilizing one or more relevant ADP solution offerings, such as payroll, time and attendance, and benefits. In order to use the ADP Mobile Solutions app, employees of ADP clients will need to have one of the following compatible mobile devices:

* iPhone 3G
* iPhone 3GS
* iPhone 4
* iPad
* iPod touch
* Android v2.0 (or higher)
* Blackberry v4.6.1 (or higher)

There is no additional charge to use the ADP Mobile Solutions application. It is available for download through the Apple App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices. It is also available using the browser of Android and Blackberry OS devices from the following URL: https://mobile.adp.com.

Editors’ Note: A photo of the ADP Mobile Solutions app is available via the Associated Press Photo Network and on the Internet at Feature Photo Service’s link on NewsCom at: http://www.newscom.com.

For more information on the ADP Mobile Solutions app, please visit http://www.adp.com/mobilesolutions.

About ADP

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADP), with nearly $9 billion in revenues and about 550,000 clients, is one of the world’s largest providers of business outsourcing solutions. Leveraging over 60 years of experience, ADP offers a wide range of HR, payroll, tax and benefits administration solutions from a single source. ADP’s easy-to-use solutions for employers provide superior value to companies of all types and sizes. ADP is also a leading provider of integrated computing solutions to auto, truck, motorcycle, marine and recreational vehicle dealers throughout the world. For more information about ADP or to contact a local ADP sales office, reach us at 1 (800) 225-5237 or visit the company’s website at www.ADP.com.

For more information, contact:

Jim Larkin
ADP
(973) 407-9714
Jim_Larkin@ADP.com

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

LG THRILL 4G Arriving in AT&T Stores this Summer

First Dual-Core, Dual-Channel, Dual Memory Superphone Primed to View, Create and Share 3D Content Including YouTube 3D

DALLAS AND NEW YORK, June 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The ideal handset for on-the-move entertainment enthusiasts, LG THRILL™ 4G is the ultimate on-the-go superphone. Gamers will love it for the 3D games. Amateur cameramen will love the ability to create and share in 3D video. And, any customer looking for one of the most powerful and capable smartphones on the market will be delighted by the LG THRILL 4G.

Key Facts

* LG THRILL 4G to arrive in AT&T company-owned stores and online this summer with a leading suite of 3D content preloaded on the dual-core, dual-channel, dual memory Android 2.2 superphone.
* Glasses-free, 4.3-inch, 3D display provides access to a portfolio of 3D content including preloaded 3D games, the Gameloft™ 3D Store, preloaded YouTube 3D, access to 3D movies from mSpot® and more.
* Rear-facing dual five-megapixel stereoscopic cameras give users the ability to create and share everyday life experiences in 3D, as well as post to YouTube 3D.

3D Content

LG THRILL 4G can revolutionize customer’s multimedia experience with the ability to view, create and share in 3D on a glasses-free 3D display. LG THRILL 4G is the only smartphone in the U.S. to feature a 1 GHz dual-core, dual-channel, dual memory for the ultimate in performance when playing 3D games, shooting 3D video, or uploading 3D content.

Featuring rear-facing dual five-megapixel stereoscopic 3D cameras, LG THRILL 4G gives users the ability to shoot 720p video in 3D and capture crystal clear stills. LG THRILL 4G also enables owners to capture high-quality 3D content with 3D video stabilization technology that automatically corrects for shake during recording. LG THRILL 4G also can easily convert 2D content, including images and videos, into 3D with the push of a button.

Being a YouTube 3D lead phone, LG THRILL 4G comes preloaded with YouTube 3D, allowing users to easily share their 3D creations. Additionally, LG THRILL 4G comes preloaded with 3D games, including Let's Golf 2, Asphalt 6 and NOVA. Users also can access the Gameloft™ 3D Store and 3D movies from mSpot®.
LG THRILL 4G Specifications and Features

LG THRILL 4G runs the Android 2.2 platform and provides glasses-free viewing on a 4.3-inch WVGA display, which offers bright and flicker-free images in HD – 1080p in 2D and up to 720p in 3D. Ideal for sharing 3D or 2D content with a monitor, LG THRILL 4G features an HDMI connection with included micro cable and is DLNA capable for highest resolution playback of user-generated content. LG THRILL 4G also features AT&T Mobile Hotspot for connecting Wi-Fi enabled devices to the AT&T mobile broadband network.

LG THRILL 4G also has a front-facing camera and is the first from AT&T to come preloaded with the Qik video calling service for use over Wi-Fi.
3D Entertainment Summit

Today at the 2011 3D Entertainment Summit, part of CE Week in New York, Vice President of Marketing for LG Mobile Phones, Tim O’Brien, delivered remarks on technology’s important role in the evolution of entertainment. Illustrating how 3D enabled mobile devices will be the next step in the natural evolution of entertainment, O’Brien declared that user-generated content will fuel the overall 3D experience. O’Brien added that with the launch of LG THRILL 4G all consumers will have access to this next-generation technology, breaking former accessibility, technology and content barriers. Media on site were able to demo LG THRILL 4G’s 3D content and shoot and share capabilities. LG THRILL 4G will also be on display for media at the Digital Experience event at the Metropolitan Pavilion the evening of June 22.
AT&T Developer Program Webcast on 3D Content

As part of its mission to help developers create and market compelling applications, AT&T’s Developer Program is conducting a free webcast on Thursday, June 23 where the program will provide an overview of building 3D content for the LG THRILL 4G. AT&T’s Developer Program has ranked highest of all carrier developer programs for the past five years by Evans Data. Membership is free to all at http://developer.att.com.
Quotes

“While consumer demand for 3D is relatively nascent, LG THRILL 4G both does 3D right and is also a superlative smartphone,” said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Devices, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “With a 3D camera on a smartphone, user-generated content has the power to shape the evolution of 3D behavior. This is an amazing dual-core superphone.”

“LG is pleased to offer a new standard by which mobile users can interact with their content that is more engaging and life-like than ever before,” said Tim O’Brien, vice president of marketing for LG Mobile Phones. “This device adds a new dimension to smartphone performance and gives LG THRILL 4G an edge over other devices in the emerging superphone category.”

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

For health and safety information for 3D content viewing please visit www.att.com/3Dinfo.

4G speeds delivered by HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul. Available in limited areas. Availability increasing with ongoing backhaul deployment. Requires 4G device. Learn more at att.com/network. Limited-time offer. Coverage not available in all areas. Subscriber must live and have a mailing address within AT&T’s owned wireless network coverage area. Two year service commitment, voice and smartphone data plan required. Up to $36 activation fee applies. Other conditions and restrictions apply. Early Termination Fee: None if cancelled in the first 30 days, but up to $35 restocking fee may apply to returns; thereafter up to $325. Some agents impose additional fees. Smartphone Data Plan Requirement: Smartphones require a DataPlus (200MB) or DataPro (2GB) plan. If you exceed your initial data allowance, you will automatically be charged an additional $10 for each additional 1GB provided on DataPro or an additional $15 for each additional 200MB provided on DataPlus. For more information see att.com/dataplans. Sales tax calculated based on price of unactivated equipment. Mobile Hotspot requires a DataPro 4GB plan. Devices connected to your Mobile Hotspot use data from your DataPro 4GB plan. Overage charges of $10 per GB provided apply if the included monthly data allowance is exceeded. The number of devices you can connect depends on your device. Performance may vary depending on the number of devices connected and other factors. If you do not use a password, others will be able to use your Mobile Hotspot connection.
About LG Electronics, Inc.

LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 93,000 people working in over 120 operations around the world. With 2010 global sales of 55.8 trillion Korean won (USD 48.2 billion), LG comprises four business units – Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, and Air Conditioning & Energy Solutions. LG is one of the world’s leading producers of flat panel TVs, mobile devices, air conditioners, washing machines, and refrigerators. LG has signed a long-term agreement to become both a Global Partner and a Technology Partner of Formula 1™. As part of this top-level association, LG acquires exclusive designations and marketing rights as the official consumer electronics, mobile phone and data processor of this global sporting event. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.
About LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company

The LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is a leading global mobile communications and information company. With its cutting-edge technology and innovative design capabilities, LG creates handsets that provide an optimized mobile experience to customers around the world. LG is pursuing convergence technology and mobile computing products, while continuing its leadership role in mobile communication with stylish designs and smart technology. For more information, please visit http://www.lgmobilephones.com.
About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T │DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT.

© 2011 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

Media Contacts:
Warner May
AT&T
404-986-1807
wmay@attnews.com
Elizabeth Latham
LG Mobile Phones
858-805-6701
Elizabeth.Latham@lge.com
Erica Samadani
LG-One
310-280-2456
Erica.Samadani@lg-one.com

Thursday, June 9, 2011

GSMA Announces mFarmer Initiative Fund

MOBILE WORLD LIVE

GSMA Announces mFarmer Initiative Fund

mAgri Programme Aims to Benefit 2 Million Farmers in Developing Countries by 2013

PR Newswire

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 9, 2011

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The GSMA, the body that represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, today announced at the inaugural mAgri Working Group in Cape Town, the launch of the mFarmer Initiative Fund, supported by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Fund will encourage mobile communications service providers, in partnership with other public and private sector agriculture organisations, to use mobile communications to provide information and advisory services to smallholder farmers in developing countries living on under US$2 per day. The mFarmer Initiative Fund, which is part of the GSMA's Mobile Agriculture (mAgri) Programme, will be available over a period of two years.

"There are over 2.3 billion people living on less than $2 day, a large number of whom are rural smallholder farmers in developing countries and who face many issues which inhibit their agricultural productivity and limit their incomes," said Chris Locke, executive director, GSMA Development Fund. "Through the mFarmer Initiative Fund, the GSMA Development Fund's mAgri Programme will accelerate the provision of high-quality agricultural information services through mobile and by 2013 we aim to provide two million farmers in developing countries with an invaluable and transformative business resource."

The GSMA Development Fund accelerates economic, environmental and social evolution through mobile technology. Within the Development Fund, the mAgri Programme exists to catalyse the deployment of mobile solutions benefiting the agriculture sector. To date, focus has been on engagement with mobile operators and their partners to prove the market opportunity of agricultural extension services through mobile to smallholder farmers and to understand which business models are most suitable.

Improvement in agricultural productivity directly increases food security and income of the agricultural population. Food security occurs when all people, at all times, have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life. Currently, African agricultural output stands at a meagre 56 per cent of the world's average. The impact of this shortfall is enormous and can be attributed to a variety of reasons, including a lack of access to vital agricultural information, as well as training and advice on topics such as pests and diseases, weather and proven farming practices.

Mobile technology offers new, cost-effective and scalable solutions to address these challenges. In developing countries, access to mobile phones is growing dramatically even amongst those at the base of the economic pyramid, providing a new and powerful channel of communication and the ability to link previously excluded rural communities to up–to-date information.

mFarmer Initiative Fund

The mFarmer Initiative Fund is designed to:

* Stimulate the development of mobile phone-enabled agriculture information and advisory services that are commercially sustainable;
* Build services that impact farmers' income and productivity;
* Reduce the barriers for operators to launch and improve mFarmer Services;
* Test and prove models for delivering agricultural information services via mobile phones; and
* Promote a culture of knowledge sharing in the mFarmer ecosystem.

The mFarmer Initiative Fund will support projects implemented in South Asia (India) and Sub-Saharan Africa (Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia). Whilst these are the target countries for disbursements, the mFarmer Initiative has the wider scope of sharing learnings with the mFarmer ecosystem. Disbursement decisions are made on a competitive, deadline-driven basis by an independent assessment panel. Grant recipients will have access to relevant agricultural information via an on-line database. Technical assistance will be provided to support the design and implementation of projects.

Eligible projects can qualify for funding if they can demonstrate the following criteria:

* The project will involve a mobile communications service provider in partnership or consortium with one or more organisations that are using, or planning to use, mobile communications to provide agricultural information and advice to poor smallholder farmers;
* The project will include the use of the mobile communications channel as a significant element of its delivery model;
* The project will directly result in significantly increased access to affordable agricultural information and advisory services by smallholder farmers who are living on under US$2 per day;
* The agricultural information and advisory services will provide information and advice of sufficient relevance, range and quality to be of utility to smallholder farmers;
* The project will involve a commercial business model for the provision of agricultural information and advisory services that will be sustainable after the period of grant funding; and
* The project will demonstrate how it will provide equitable access to female smallholder farmers.

Full criteria list and how to apply can be found at: http://gsmworld.com/mfarmer

About the GSMA

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide. Spanning 219 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world's mobile operators, as well as more than 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media and entertainment organisations. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as the Mobile World Congress and Mobile Asia Congress.

For more information, please visit Mobile World Live, the online portal for the mobile communications industry, at www.mobileworldlive.com or the GSMA corporate website at http://www.gsmworld.com.

SOURCE GSMA

CONTACT: Abigail Faylor, +44 (0)2070 670 851, afaylor@webershandwick.com or press@gsm.org

Web Site: http://www.gsmworld.com

Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time

9 Jun 2011

11:32 GSMA Announces mFarmer Initiative Fund

8 Jun 2011

18:14 The AUC Chairperson meets with (AUHLIP) Team and discusses the situation in Abyei

14:29 African Union celebrates its first “African Border Day” with the aim of transforming African borders from barriers to bridges

14:09 Denying Terrorists Safe Havens: Efforts to Counter Threats from Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia

Saturday, May 7, 2011

10 Years of GSM in Nigeria

President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria on BlackBerry mobile phone, the most popular smart phone in the most populous country in Africa with over 90 million users of GSM phones..

10 Years of GSM in Nigeria

• The Global System of Mobile Communications (GSM) was introduced into Nigeria in August 2001 with only 400, 000 lines, and a dismal 0.4 teledensity. But today the active lines are over 90 million with a teledensity of 64.16!

• Nigeria is ranked as the largest and fastest growing telecom market in Africa and among the top ten fastest growing telecom markets in the world.

• The leading GSM operators in Nigeria are, MTN, Airtel, Etisalat, Globacom, Starcomms, Mtel, Visafone, Zoommobile, Multilinks

MTN Kiosk

• The Nigerian telecom industry has attracted over $18 billion in private sector investments, including direct foreign investment, contributing over N300 billion to the coffers of the Nigerian government through frequency spectrum sales and the annual revenue from mobile services is about four percent of the nominal GDP.

Smartphone Sales Will Account for 53% of Global Handsets in 2015

Smartphone Sales Will Account for 53% of Global Handset Sell-Through in 2015, Pyramid Finds

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 6, 2011

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Total handsets sold to end users globally will reach 1.46 billion in 2011, while smartphone sales will account for 27 percent of total handset sell-through. Driven by demand for inexpensive Android models, this figure will almost double to 53 percent in 2015, according to Pyramid Research's quarterly smartphone forecast released this week.

Offered as a quarterly-updated subscription or as a one-off resource, Pyramid's Smartphone Forecast provides annual sell-through of total mobile handsets and smartphones for a ten-year period, including five historical years and five forecast years. Smartphone sell-through data is also segmented by vendor and by operating system. Granular data is provided for key emerging and developed markets, with ten new countries added to its coverage in its latest release, making Pyramid's smartphone forecast the most detailed on the market today.

Download the Smartphone Forecast Insight , a summary of the findings from the Smartphone Forecast just released this week, written by Stela Bokun, Senior Analyst and Practice Leader for Mobile Devices at Pyramid Research.

"Much of the projected total market growth in 2011 will come from the Africa and Middle East (AME) region, which will see a strong demand for low-end smartphone models, ultra low-cost handsets and dual-SIM and full touch-screen feature phones," says Bokun. "The main drivers of the demand in the developed markets will be the launches of a number of flagship high-end devices and new features and technologies," Bokun explains. "However, inexpensive smartphone models, particularly those from Huawei and ZTE, also will be in high demand in some of the richest Western European, Asian and North American markets."

Android-based smartphones will continue to shake the smartphone world, but Pyramid's recent findings predict that by 2015, Windows Phone will overtake Android and other major competitors and establish itself as the leader in the smartphone OS space.

Download the Smartphone Forecast Insight here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/downloads.htm?id=2&sc=PRN050611_SMRT.

To learn more about the new expanded smartphone coverage, or to download a forecast template, click here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/SmartphoneForecasts.htm?sc=PRN050611_SMRT.

For more information about Pyramid Research's products and services, please visit www.pyr.com or email us at info@pyr.com.

CONTACT: Jennifer Baker, +1-617-871-1910, jbaker@pyr.com

SOURCE Pyramid Research

Web Site: http://www.pyr.com

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Mobile Communication: Umuodagu Ntu and excruciating poor network

Mobile Communication: Umuodagu Ntu and excruciating poor network

~ By Nwaorgu Faustinus

The advent of Mobile telecommunication industry in Nigeria is traceable to 1999 and present democratic government. Prior to 1999, telephone be it landline or walkie-talkie was seen as one of the rare luxuries of the rich. But the coming of mobile telecommunication operators changed the situation for the better as every Tom, Dick and Harry have accesses to one or two handsets. That is why its arrival and operation was seen as a great achievement of the former President of Nigeria, Chief. Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

Initially, MTN, the first mobile telecommunication company was given license to operate followed by ECONET which metamorphosed into Vmobile first, then Zain and now Airtel. The last mobile telephony network but not the least is Etisalat. Apart from these four major telephony networks, there are also others that are regionally based.

Though the impacts of these four major mobile networks are well felt in urban areas the reverse is the case in some rural communities. Since half a decade of the advent of some of the mobile networks, it is sad to state that their signal, service or network have been abysmally poor in rural villages. It is the expectation of mobile telephone users in the villages that given the inception of mobile telephony industry, their areas would have been covered with the mast of various mobile telephone network operators.

One of such villages is Umuaka, in Umuodagu Ntu, which is in Ngor/Okpala Local Government Area. It is disheartening to note that in this quiet and serene village one hardly makes or receives calls from the comfort of his or her bedroom, parlor, kitchen or compound without walking for two to three kilometers in search of network signal. This is not good for rural mobile telephone users.

This writer who has written a related piece titled “Overt letter to Etisalat”, “concluded it by stating thus: “Others who cannot buy external antennas have resorted to climbing all sorts of trees ranging from mango, orange, avocado, cashew, oil bean, palm trees among others in search of network. It is therefore imperative for Etisalat and other telephony operators to cover such communities by building their base stations or masts there in order to reduce the rate at which subscribers climb trees. In the case of the above community (Umuodagu Ntu), land where the base station or mast will be sited is available, as the Eze and his cabinet, as well as the elders and youths are ever ready to work with any telecommunication company that indicates interest”.

This piece is an appeal to the four major mobile telephony networks – MTN, AIRTEL, GLO and Etisalat to come to the aid of the above community and village so that they can stay in their various homes to make and receive calls. No doubt, if the mast is hoist or built, the community will remain grateful to any of the network operators that honoured their appeal.

Nwaorgu Faustinus Chilee, writes from Igboeche, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Mobile: +2348035601312. Email: fausteness@yahoo.com

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