The Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has said that the decision to amend the Nigerian Broadcasting Code (6th edition) was taken in the interest of the Nigerian broadcasting industry and to make it more responsive to emerging realities in the broadcasting industry, according to a report in the Vanguard. Acting Director-General of the NBC, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, said that some of the objectives of the amendments were to protect and promote the local broadcast industry from monopolistic and anti/ competitive behaviour as well as the stimulation of advertising revenue…
Author: DigitalTimesNG
Facebook on Monday, announced the launch of ‘My Digital World,’ a programme designed to equip the youth and general public across Sub-Saharan Africa with digital skills needed to navigate the digital world. My Digital World is a consolidation of all Facebook digital literacy programmes including Safe Online with Facebook, Ilizwe Lam, and eZibo and will be offered virtually this year to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic. Facebook has over the years trained thousands of people on digital literacy skills and is this year preparing to train close to 20,000 participants across Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, Senegal, Cote D’Ivoire and…
The African ICT Foundation, (AfICTF) has advocated for more information technology interventions to tackle the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic even as most parts of Africa continue to ease several lockdown protocols instituted by African governments. AfICTF also tasked start-ups on the need to define strategies that are adaptable to current realities and at the same time, establish guidelines for the post-COVID-19 period. In a webinar hosted by the foundation on ‘Post-COVID-19 Recovery Map for Africa’s MSMES,’ a member of the Board of Trustee (BOT), Mr. Oludare Akinbo while speaking on the “Impact of COVID-19 on the African Health…
By Yakubu MUSA A cornucopia of glad tidings has recently thronged the doors of Nigeria’s telecoms industry. It all started with various state governments across the country signing executive orders to either waive or harmonize the Right of Way fees, the perennial industry’s bone of contention, following the successful intervention of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami. There were also the heart-warming stories of burgeoning contribution to the GDP and other spectacular industry statistics. Then came the cheering presidential directives, reassuring the industry of the security of telecom infrastructure in the country, just…
Germany’s smartphone app to trace coronavirus infections is ready to be launched this week, Health Minister Jens Spahn said on Sunday, according to a report by Reuters. After delays to ensure the Bluetooth technology would work at the correct distance, the government says the app will be a vital tool to help avoid a second wave of infections. “It’s coming this week,” Spahn told ARD television, but he declined to confirm German media reports that the app would be launched on Tuesday. The app uses Bluetooth short-range radio to detect and contact people at risk of infection by Coronavirus…
By Deborah CHINAGOROM The Covid-19 pandemic has changed family lifestyle globally. Due to social distancing and lockdown policies implemented to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), many families have limited access to entertainment. Television which is the commonest form of entertainment in many homes prior to the Covid-19 pandemic now has limited content because content production has been at a standstill because many production houses want to be socially responsible by observing the physical distancing rule in order not to spread the virus. Even in sports, the story is the same as organisers of international football leagues such…
Pan African telco, MTN Group, has paid $100 million to renew its telecoms licences in Uganda for the next twelve years, according to reports in the press. MTN Group’s licence originally expired in October 2018, with the South African headquartered firm initially offering less than $50 million to renew its licences, according to a report in the Ugnadan Observer. Uganda’s president rejected the initial offering, insisting that MTN Group must pay a fair rate for delivering services in the country. Since October 2018, MTN Group has been operating under a revolving six-month licence. “MTN Uganda is now pleased to announce…
The African Telecommunications Union (ATU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ericsson to help fast track rollout of technology across the continent. According to ATU, a specialized agency of the African Union in fostering the growth of ICT in Africa, the MoU will support the growth of ICT as critical infrastructure for the 21st century and help set the foundation for social and economic progress in the continent. In the understanding, the two organisations look towards promoting global and regional coordination and harmonization of spectrum usage to encourage economies of scale and maximize the affordability for all…
Powerful dual front-facing speakers, a built-in MP3 player and one month’s worth of standby, all wrapped up in a modern, yet familiar design HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, recently announced that Nokia 5310 is now available for purchase from some Nigerian shops, including Slot, 3C Hub, Finet, Pointek, Spar, Jumia and Konga, starting at N16, 600. Reimagining the original Nokia 5310 Xpress Music, the Nokia 5310 brings with it an MP3 player and FM radio, combined with powerful, dual front-facing speakers letting you carry your favourite tunes with you on the go. The Nokia 5310 remixes classic…
It might not necessarily make that early Monday morning video call more fun, but Microsoft Teams will now let users upload their own photos for custom backgrounds, the company announced in a blog post. Custom images and other background effects are only available for scheduled Teams meetings, Microsoft says. Teams has a background blurring effect and a library of pre-installed images to allow meeting participants to conceal their messy home offices. But it’s still playing catch-up with rival Zoom, which has seen huge growth during the coronavirus pandemic (despite multiple security issues), as people have been working and schooling remotely. Zoom already allows…