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Special Report

For MWEB Nigeria, Quality of Service Is The Watchword

In 1997, Naspers, the renowned South African based-multinational media group (owners of MultiChoice, M-Net, and SuperSport) launched MWEB which has up till date, remained the country's leading Internet Service Provider.

However, it has since then, expanded its operations to other parts of Africa and the Middle East.

In South Africa, MWEB Holdings is the largest Internet Service Provider with over 380, 000 dial-up and broadband customers in both the home and business markets.

With an overwhelming increase in subscriber base, MWEB was encouraged to expand services to other African countries like Namibia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and a host of others.

MWEB Nigeria was formally launched in June 2003 in Lagos shortly after it was registered as a joint venture company with local Nigerian entrepreneurs. In March 2004, it launched an innovative VSAT product range, which are bi-directional, and always on satellite services thus bypassing the poor local telecommunications infrastructure.

In October 2004, MWEB Nigeria launched its traditional dial-up services with the MWEB Internet Card.

Described as a premium Internet service provider in Nigeria, MWEB said at the commencement of business in Nigeria that it was formidably positioned to deliver the latest technology in VSAT and Internet connectivity, as well as proven web hosting, development and email services, operating through subsidiaries and other joint ventures in Nigeria.


		In an avowed desire to contribute to the effort at bridging the country's digital divide, MWEB Nigeria ensures that large multinational organizations, small businesses and home users are catered for in its service delivery. “We service the pan-Nigerian market and provide VSAT solutions bundled with business applications, value added services and tools”, it said about its service

to the Nigerian market. Known for its unequalled pedigree in website hosting and development, MWEB Nigeria has through other bundled services been positively impacting on business and individual needs of Nigerians.

For instance, its VSAT service is an innovative broadband Internet offering, using an earthbound station for satellite communications of data, voice and video signals. This comes with excellent customer service, Internet Protocol acceleration software and a 24x7 technical support service in addition to an unrivalled quality of service, even at a time poor quality of service has been the bane of Nigerian telecommunications service providers.

In a bid to ensure excellent service delivery, MWEB Nigeria had to partner with EUTELSAT, PANAMSAT and INTELSAT, unarguable, three of the world's largest satellite service providers. This partnership gives it the leverage to offer a quality service, which is reliable with various bandwidth options.

The bandwidth options offer access to Internet services like File Transfer Protocol (FTP), distance learning, extranet, intranet as well as VPN connectivity using either C or KU band. The indoor units for instance enables the Internet Service Provider to provide an “always on, two way” IP based satellite connection for instant Internet access.


		MWEB's VSAT product range consists of various products targeted at Small Office/Home Offices (SOHO), medium size business, oil companies, banks, large corporate, multinationals and cybercafe's. The 'always on' and bi-directional MWEB VSAT products have been split into various service classes, which ensure quality of service-per-service class and the differentiation of service class are based on maximum number of computers each customer wants to utilize.

MWEB VSAT fulfills just about any requirements for connectivity and data transfer, including voice priorities.

A couple of months ago, MWEB Nigeria, introduced to its subscribers its Remote iWay Internet Gateway (RiIG). The Remote iWay Internet Gateway (RiIG) is a number of software modules (servers) serving different purposes

bundled together in an operating system to form one server/gateway.
The RiIG has content management feature that gives users more flexibility and freedom in managing and controlling their volume usage locally.

It also allows subscribers to remove unwanted content and increase privacy on their network.
The RiIG can among other things, improve Internet link performance by assuring efficient link utilization, reduced processor load on indoor unit (DW), reduce HTTP Internet usage by approximately 25 per cent.

		Its Network Security service helps protect customers' networks from malicious external attacks. “The core features of the RiIG to our subscribers are numerous as it helps with their content management, antivirus and anti Spam tool; which is set to automatically update every six hours over the Internet. It is integrated with the mail server, Safe Squid Proxy and Cache Server which is a robust content filtering Internet proxy server with transparent caching which enhances security of your LAN by ensuring that only trusted sites are connected to the proxy. “It increases privacy and makes surfing a more pleasant experience by blocking pop ups and advertisements, defining users' limits to allow Internet access by time, bandwidth, and maximum file size downloadable and blocking of unwanted

websites (URL's)”, said Dotun Faseru, MWEB Nigeria VSAT Manager at the introduction of the service.

The MWEB iWay product, considered the ISPs flagship brand is a managed broadband that smashes through the bottlenecks, with a single hop technology, sending data across the globe at record breaking speeds. For guaranteed throughput speeds direct to the Internet and rock solid reliability, iWay service is the answer.

MWEB iWay has won numerous awards including 'Best Operator in a developing market' at the World Communications Awards in 2008, 'Best Company of the year, 2008' at SatCom Awards amongst others.

MWEB iWay VSAT offers guaranteed download and upload speeds from 32kbps to 8Mbps. The product is renowned for its reliability, operating in the KU band, while the platform is exceptionally resilient to weather and environmental factors.

A client's data is securely encrypted end to end ensuring data integrity. Virtual Private Networking (VPN) is also supported to allow for the connection of all remote sites in order to ensure seamless flow of information and communication between offices.

The iWay Dedicated for instance is designed for larger corporate and ISPs or customers who need specific uplink and downlink bandwidth to be available constantly. The connection speeds are determined by the customer and range from 32Kbps to 2 Mbps. Symmetric and asymmetric connections are available and solutions of up to 8 Mbps can be provided on request. Each customer's link is designed according to their specific requirements.

And in keeping with its promise to provide only the best, the MWEB iWay dedicated service uses equipment from industry leaders. This is an area where MWEB has a comparative advantage over its competitors.

The iWay Corporate Networks design, implement and operate high end satellite corporate data networks for customer specific Wide Area Network (WAN) solutions. Every business has specific and in many cases unique requirements with regards to Wide Area Network (WAN) communications needs.

For its VoIP service, MWEB Nigeria uses Hughes modem and is currently using the newest version HNS7740. This modem comes with two useable Voice ports. It is currently using Ping Tone platform for the service. The VoIP service is a key market differentiator, allowing MWEB to distinguish itself from the other Internet service providers (ISPs), providing a rich meaningful customer experience.

MWEB VoIP solution has been optimized to work efficiently over its VSAT (satellite) platform through a unique service feature that reserves bandwidth for the duration of the voice call. This is a unique feature to the MWEB VoIP service that provides quality voice clarity.

A couple of years ago, MWEB Nigeria launched its School Support Programme (SSP) aimed at empowering schools in the country to deal with the ever changing evolution common with impacting knowledge through technology exploitation.

The initiative would assist greatly in ameliorating challenges in impacting knowledge, which encompasses the imperativeness that every school must equip itself, staff and students alike to be able to operate on the ever evolving socio-economic, technological and political concepts of a global village.

In fact, ever since it commenced business in Nigeria, MWEB has continued to soar high above its competitors in terms of quality service provisioning, living up to its promise at inception that it was coming to Nigeria to change the face of telecommunications.
It has indeed not reneged on this promise.

Science Made Easy:Systemtech Partners Others To End Students Agony
By ROMMY IMAH

There have been lots of controversies over the question of overall academic standard of Nigerian Secondary School students especially in the area of Science and Mathematics subjects. The controversies resurface at the end of every examination when stocks are taken.

Science and technology for instance, are a sin qua non to the development of any modern nation. Science forms the bedrock for technological take-off. In another vein, technology can be seen as applied science. While science studies nature and seeks meaningful explanations to natural phenomena, technology deals with the application of such knowledge obtained through science in order to make life more comfortable for man.

Knowledge of principles, facts and processes in biology has been applied in agriculture to produce high quality food in large quantity for the ever increasing population of the countries in the world as well as in the medical field. Similarly, knowledge of chemistry and physics are basic to engineering and its allied fields.

Thus, a good grounding in science is necessary for technological take-off. Japan has become one of the world's acclaimed leaders in the production of electronic equipment.

China's emerging power following the technological breakthrough it has made over the years is a classical case study of a country that believes so much in the power of science.

India on the other hand is turning into one of the world's biggest economies following its investment in software development.

This is not just an accident of history but it is the result of a well-planned and implemented science education programme. Nigeria can do same especially now that ICT tools and applications are being deployed for various businesses in Nigeria.

Year-in year-out, examinations are conducted by such examination bodies like the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) for the award of University admission results, Senior Secondary School Certificate and the National Examination Council Certificate.

However, there has been a consistent rise in the low performance of students in Science and Mathematics subjects such that this gives credence to alleged poor foundation at the country's secondary schools. This issue of poor performance has assumed a recurring decimal thus becoming a subject of discussion within and outside academic circles.

It is no doubt that many students have seen Science and Mathematics education as enemies that should be kept miles away. This has resulted to mass failure at both public and private examinations and even at the tertiary education level.

In what has rather become the outbreak of Science and Maths phobia, many students have resorted to looking for shorter routes to make their results since such Science and Mathematics subjects are prerequisites for reading their dream or parents-induced courses at the university.
Mathematics for instance is the cornerstone to the overall development of any nation and is considered critical to the development of science and technology. Mathematics and Science therefore, are pivotal to development in such areas as the economy, culture and politics. And this is why experts argue that national

development is dependent in the education of the citizenry and that mathematics and science remain the sine qua non.

Poor performance of students in Mathematics and the Sciences should therefore, be a cause of concern for all advocates of a strong and virile nation.

It should be seen as the greatest challenge of this millennium which requires proactive measures by all and sundry to end. One company however, that has shown greater concern in this disturbing

trend is Systemtech Services Limited, a leading ICT company in Nigeria offering Consultancy Services, specialist training programmes, sales and maintenance of various computer hardware and peripherals.

The company is also into Software development for various applications, Website design and hosting and syndicated client operational support services on all platforms.
With a mission built around delivering sustainable information and communication technology solutions for maximum benefits for stakeholders,

Systemtech Services recently entered into a partnership with Cyber School Technology Solution, a globally recognized premier provider of quality educational services and Hewlett Packard (HP), leading world providers of technology, products, solutions and services, to provide virtual Science and Mathematics learning series for Nigerian Schools.

As a premier provider of quality educational services, Cyber School Technology Solution empowers educators and governments with digital content and solutions to transform the delivery and management of education, with a global team of highly dedicated and passionate people. In Africa, it has presence in Kenya, Uganda and South Africa.

A one-stop-site for development, e-learning and communication solutions, Cyber School Technology works with experienced educators and technocrats across the globe in designing and developing digital educational resources, portals and learning management systems for improved communication and easy access to syllabus-specific lessons on Science and Mathematics.

Be it digital content on 3D, online tutoring services, ICT courses or School Online Information Systems, all its products, educational tools, training and support material and services are well-researched and tested, providing appropriate solutions to achieve student success at all levels.Cyber School solutions address the critical needs of educators, students, parents and individuals, help improve the quality of education, support

continuous school improvement and help all students achieve academic and career success. Its products and services help students develop and apply foundational technology skills, provide teachers with resources to integrate technology across the curriculum, and help districts satisfy technology accountability requirements.

For instance, its delivery of Science and Mathematics on 3D is an innovative and interactive product solution that enhances the learning process of the student and makes learning a dynamic and exciting experience. This product is curriculum specific and is an outstanding, proven way for students to build their Math and Science skills and develop a strong foundation for success in their classroom and beyond.

In these self-paced tutorials every lesson, unit, and concept based on a specific syllabus is brought to digital life with graphics, animations and sound. This enriches the learning process, makes understanding of core concepts easy and as a result students are keen and ready to learn more.

3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images. Such images may be for later display or for real-time viewing. In computer graphics software, the distinction between 2D and 3D is occasionally blurred; 2D applications may use 3D techniques to achieve effects such as lighting, and primarily 3D may use 2D rendering techniques.
3D computer graphics are often referred to as 3D models. Apart from the rendered graphic, the model is contained within the graphical data file. However, there are differences. A 3D model is the mathematical representation of any three-dimensional object (either inanimate or living). A model can be displayed visually as a two-dimensional image through a process called 3D rendering, or used in non-graphical computer simulations and calculations.

Managing Director of Systemtech Services Limited, Emeka Madubuike believes digital Science balances hands-on experience with a systematic study of scientific terms and concepts through engaging animated tutorials that help students visualize dynamic processes.

According to him, “Students can perform experiments with animated equipment and procedures in a way that is similar to the real lab experience to understand scientific principles, and receive guided instruction in concepts in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Digital Science not only nurtures a student's curiosity but also builds their analytical skills.

He said that digital mathematics balances mastery of fundamental skills with critical thinking and problem-solving through a series of interactive tutorials. “Vivid Graphics, animation and online games are used throughout the lessons to help students visualize the key concepts in Maths, motivate them and help build their problem-solving skills. Even students who have struggled earlier will find themselves learning Maths with ease.”

Already, plans are underway by Systemtech Services to deploy a whopping 5000 HP branded computers to kick-start the project with some schools in Nigeria.
This Madubuike said is part of Systemtech's contributions to the growth of Science and Mathematics education in Nigeria.

Some educationists and IT experts who spoke to this magazine expressed delight at this development agreeing that it will go a long way to saving parents the agony of paying for endless examination fees for their wards as well as bring to an end the long run of poor performance by students on Science and Mathematics subjects.