Tech
NCC Recovers 3.5GHz Spectrum From NIGCOMSAT, Ready To Commence Auctioning
As part of the moves aimed at making the deployment of the 5G network a reality, the Federal Government has taken steps to fully recover the 3.5GHz spectrum band (the lower C-band) from NIGCOMSAT and reallocated it to the Nigeria Commissions Commission (NCC) for auction.
Amongst the Frequency Spectrum bands allocated to 5G by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the C-band (3.4GHz – 3.9GHz) stands out because its balancing point between coverage and capacity provides the perfect environment for 5G connectivity.
TechEconomy.ng had reported that NCC signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat) on the use of C-band spectrum for 5G services in May 2021.
NCC, NIGCOMSAT, 5G
R-r: The EVC, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof Umar Garba Danbatta and MD/CEO, NIGCOMSAT, Dr. Abimbola Alale, immediately after the MoU signing
The recovery of the spectrum from NIGCOMSAT and reallocating it to the regulator was imperative as far as plans to roll out the 5G network is concerned, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Ibrahim Pantami, said on Thursday during the Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum in Lagos.
In his keynote address “Deploying 5G Networks in Nigeria: The Critical Role of Stakeholders”, at the forum organized by the NCC, he said the next step is to auction the band which is under the purview of the NCC.
At the forum, the NCC listed conditions and qualifications to participate in the auctioning slated to hold on December 13, as well as the timelines for 5G deployment across the country.
However, the Minister urged the NCC to ensure transparency and accountability in the sale of the 3.5GHz spectrum band, describing it as common national heritage.
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“The Federal Government thought it wise to involve relevant stakeholders in the process so that the general public is carried along.
“The purpose of this gathering, therefore, is to discuss the Information Memorandum on the Auction of this 3.5GHz Spectrum Band allocated for the deployment of 5G network in Nigeria,” the Minister said.
Telcos are expected to pay a whopping 75 billion Naira to acquire the 3.5GHz spectrum which has a duration of 10 years life span license.
Although, they have expressed concerns that the high cost of spectrum and the limited lifespan of the license could hamper the move for inclusive auctioning.
Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, executive vice chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, commended the Minister for the role he played in ensuring the smooth allocation of this Spectrum to the Commission amongst others.
He said having put in these efforts and resources to secure amongst others the contiguous spectrum in the 3.5GHz premium band with about 70 percent of 5G global deployment, that it was imperative to immediately license the 3.5GHz band in Nigeria for the deployment of 5G services.
Amongst other conditions by the NCC is that only licensees who make a down payment of 10 percent of the reserved bid price and with 100 percent regulatory compliance would be allowed to participate in the auction.
The regulator also mentioned that licensees with outstanding debts that have secured NCC’s approval for a payment plan will be allowed to participate in the auction.
Samsung Electronics has officially unveiled the latest addition to the popular Galaxy A series smartphones – the Samsung Galaxy A06.
Joining a fan favorite series and combining powerful performance with a sleek design, the Galaxy A06 offers customers and loyal A series fans unique features and premium experience at an affordable price.
The stylish Galaxy A06 is set to redefine what users expect from entry-level smartphones, offering cutting-edge technology without compromise.
Aptly, tagged “Galaxy Wey Sabi”, the Galaxy A06 stands out in the competitive category as it aims to resolve the customers’ needs in a smartphone with focus on durability, functionality, security, camera, and entertainment.
Users can enjoy capturing high-resolution photos with the 50MP rear camera, now equipped with Nightography for capturing the essence of every detail especially in low-light conditions. The 8MP front and 2MP (depth) cameras also provide crystal-clear selfies with advanced beautification features.
Spotting a slimmer design and comfortable grip, as well as a side fingerprint scanner, the new Galaxy A06 features a stunning 6.7” HD+ display, providing vivid colors and crisp clarity for an immersive viewing experience that delivers seamless visuals on the infinity-U display with enhanced brightness, especially for outdoor visibility.
Galaxy A06 – Galaxy Wey Sabi is truly a device, which understands your needs, equipped with a 5000mAh long-lasting battery, you can enjoy more device usage without worrying about battery life. The 25W Super-Fast Charging feature ensures up to 50% battery charge in just 30mins, meaning you are back in action quickly.
“The Samsung assurance is a promise, a trustworthy reliability in our Knox Security on this device, which protects your personal information by isolating your passwords and other private data within a secure environment,” said Stephen Okwara, Head Product Management, Samsung Electronics West Africa. “What also awesome about this is our promise of continuous OS upgrades and up to 4 years security update on this device. Isn’t that impressive from a brand that understands the needs of its customers?”
Also speaking at the Galaxy A06 launch event in Lagos, Oge Maduagwu, Head of Marketing, Samsung Electronics West Africa said: “We are excited to introduce the Galaxy A06, which brings together powerful performance, an advanced camera, and long-lasting battery life, all in a stylish and affordable package,” She added: “Also customers can enjoy premium support for their device with a screen damage insurance cover of just N9000.
Available in four stunning colors – Black, Blue Green, Lime and Silver – The Samsung Galaxy A06 will be available in Nigeria at all authorized Samsung Stores from 11th October 2024, with pricing starting at N146,000.
Tech
Anambra School Emerges Winner In National Girls In ICT Competition With Groundbreaking VR Technology
St. John Vianney Science College, Igbariam, used their virtual reality project to conquer the National Girls in ICT Competition 2024, claiming the national championship title yesterday!
The National Girls in ICT Competition, organized by the Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, is a technology innovation competition for all girls in secondary schools across Nigeria.
Their innovative project, M-Tag VR, allows users to explore iconic landmarks like Zuma Rock and learn about fascinating cultural aspects of Nigerian tribes. The girls, Immaculate Ebube Ikegwuonu, Camilla Anyadike, and Nweke-Nonso Oluchi, mentored by their coach, John Onuigbo, triumphed over teams from all 36 states.
The girls’ talent shone brightly throughout the competition. They started at the state level where they aced the Anambra state competition, then proceeded to conquer the Southeastern regional championship, defeating teams from Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, and Enugu, to make it to the national finals.
Rivers and Lagos states secured the second and third-place positions, respectively.
Tech
Google To Delete Billions Of Browser Records To Settle ‘Incognito’ Lawsuit
CNN reported that Google will delete billions of data records as part of a settlement for a lawsuit that accused the tech giant of improperly tracking the web-browsing habits of users who thought they were browsing the internet privately.
The suit was originally filed in 2020 and accused Google of misrepresenting the kind of data it collects from users who browsed the internet via “Incognito” private browsing mode in Chrome. Google agreed to settle the suit late last year, but the terms of the settlement were first disclosed in a filing on Monday.
As part of the settlement, Google must delete “billions of data records” that reflect the private browsing activities of users in the class action suit, according to court documents filed Monday in San Francisco federal court.
Google will also update its disclosure to inform users about what data it collects each time a user initiates a private browsing session. Google has already started implementing these changes.
For the next five years, Google will also let private browsing users block third-party cookies as part of the settlement. Google also will no longer track people’s choices to browse the internet privately.
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