International Foundation Programme

Study Skills

Assignment Seven

An Evaluation of Mobile Computing in Nigerian Industry

Bilyaminu Auwal Romo

(Business Information Systems)

31 May 2009
 An Evaluation of Mobile Computing in Nigerian Industry

I. Introduction

II. Body:

1. Concise historical back ground of mobile computing

industry in Nigeria.

2. Constraints of mobile computing industry in Nigeria.

A. Bandwidth

B. Power Supply

C. Personal

3. Implementation strategy of mobile computing industry in

Nigeria.

A. Sufficient Bandwidth

B. Adequate Electricity Power Supply

C. Personal

III. Conclusion
The term mobile computing is used to describe one’s use of
computing devices while away from a normal, fixed workplace. In
other words, mobile computing is using portable computing
systems and communications devices to access mobile wireless
networks while in transit. The most common misconception is that
wireless means the Internet. However, wireless actually refers to
the underlying technology that supports the transport of data
between a mobile device and a central computing system without a
wired communication between the two. Mobile computing is
extremely versatile and can be beneficial to anyone, including
individuals, small companies, and large organizations. Mobile
computing industry faces the limitations of narrow bandwidth,
limited computing power or power supply, small memory and
battery capacity. These industries comprise of all entity that take
part in enabling wireless connectivity, such as the manufacturers
of mobile computing devices who produce different items such as
laptops, notebook PCs, tablet PCs, palmtops, and other hand held
devices. In addition, the industries have witnessed a respectable
growth in recent years due to the demand for mobile computing
devices (Romando, 2007). They are currently working in order to
bring new innovation to this technology, that is to say mobile
computing. So as to develop new devices that will be small enough
to fit a pocket watch and operate much faster than current
generation mobile computing devices. Therefore, the purpose of
this write-up is to evaluate the mobile computing industry in
Nigeria.

By way of background, The advent history of mobile computing

industry in Nigeria dated back to three decades ago during which
they were indigenization policy and the prevailing economic boom,
which lead to the up-spring of mobile computing industries taking
the advantage of the policy and the economic boom. Since then
development in mobile computing industry has continuously
increased. For instance, there are over 200 registered companies
in Nigeria that were offering a broad range related services during
that period. Among them includes, Advance Micro Technology
Lagos Hardware sales & service, And International Computer Ltd.
Lagos Manufacturer's reps, sales & service (Kendo 2005).

In contrast, Mobile wireless networks involve radio

communications services carried on between mobile stations or
receivers and land stations, and by mobile stations communicating
amongst themselves. These services consist of Wi-Fi (wireless
fidelity) network service providers who provide wireless network
coverage in offices, public places, homes, small workplaces, etc.
The network service providers use a wireless access point device
to provide wire-free network coverage in designated areas, which
allow mobile devices to connect to the mobile wireless network
(Aranda 2007). These mobile networks typically provide users
with service that is comparable to that of stationary subscribers
Concerning mobile computing industry in Nigeria, Globacom was
believed to be the most recent expanding mobile Wireless
Network provider. It were awarded by the Nigerian
Communications Commission (NCC) as the fourth Nigerian digital
mobile license which was eight years ago now for $200m. In
addition, Globacom's GSM system was officially launched in the
Nigerian capital city Abuja, and then followed by other cities.
These include Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt and Ijebu Ode. That
was in late 2003. In addition, after six years of it inception, the
company possess a quarter of the market share (Globacom, N.C.C.
2005-2006). As result, the company provide its subscribers with a
wide range of coverage and valuable wireless network access, in
which mobile operators could send and receive data, such as via
multimedia messages, mobile internet etc. Moreover, this will
benefit most of the mobile computing industry that provide such
devices to access Globacom network. For instance, like Nokia,
Siemens, and Alcatel. They produce mobile phones, portable
device assistants etc. But without the existing of Globacom
wireless network service and other network providers in Nigeria
there will be no market for them to retails their goods to
customers.

Nonetheless, Alcatel by then were trying to construct a fixed line

network for Globacom which has already been done last four
years ago in order to deploy an 8600 km submarine cable for
Globacom. As a result, Nigeria has connected with United Kingdom
(UK) and significantly expands the country’s international
Connectivity. Moreover, Globacom by then are able to connect
with the united state of America (USA) via the UK.
Telecommunications industries like Globacom and mobile
computing industry such as Alcatel are the beneficiary to this
project, since Alcatel import mobile devices, such as phones,
computers etc, into the country. (Globacom, N.C.C. 2005-2006).

As regard, mobile computing environment as in the case Nigeria

it’s characterized by Number of problems which constraint the
operation of mobile computing industries within the country.
Firstly, there is low bandwidth and frequent disconnection of
network. This means when a user need access to a network such
as the internet while in transit using his portable device may have
to resort to slow wireless WAN (wide area network) systems that
were primarily intended for telephone use. Likewise Higher speed
wireless LANs (local area network) is available, but only in
specific regions or location (Wikipedia 2008).

Secondly, inadequate power supply within the country hindered

most of the mobile computing industry. Because mobile computing
device consume high amount of electricity and one must re-charge
his device in order to use portable communications systems or
devices. People in transit must, generally, depend on the battery
power of their mobile device. This can cause the device’s power
to quickly decrease; this limitation is becoming serious problem.
However, the average power supply estimated last year was about
4hrs/day. Alternate sources of power supply are standby
Generators, batteries and solar panels. Using this source to
generate electricity which consume 10 – 30 litres of diesel per
hour at 0.85USD per litre many subscribers cannot use the mobile
network effectively to access internet regularly
(Osuagwu & Iloanusi, 2009)

Thirdly, the most commonly identified constraint to mobile

computing industry in Nigeria is the lack of well-qualified human
resources in other words personal that are able to handle new
systems and technology. This is because Nigerian expert on ICT
and Academic ‘staff-in-Diaspora’ are unable to make their own
contributions regardless of where they live or work (ICTS & HEA,
n.d.).

However, Mobile computing industries in Nigeria may perhaps

solve the abovementioned problems by which the industry were
facing. Firstly, having frequent access to network by increasing
the bandwidth that is the bit-rate at which data is transfer via a
communication path. This is by using satellite-based, because
Personal Computer System now uses a constellation of low-earth
orbit (LEO) satellites, orbiting around the Earth at a few hundred
miles (Boyinbode & Akinyede 2008). This idea will provide an
affordable and worldwide access to telecommunications services
such as computer network, broadband Internet access, high-
quality voice traffic, and other digital data in the country. In
response to this, Monarch Communications a privately-owned
company among the mobile computing industry in Nigeria were
now trying to overcome the use of fixed-line networks within the
country thereby emphasising the use of Wimax (Wireless
Interoperability for Microwave Access). This technology gives
individuals a high speed access to the net over relatively long
distances. A typical installation of a Wimax system could give
users in an area three to 10 kilometres wide 40 megabits per
second (Mbps) connection to the net. Alvarion president and CEO
Tzvika Friedman said:

’’We are pleased to have been selected by

Monarch Communications, further increasing our
strong presence in Africa. With a population in
Nigeria of over 140 million, and fast growing
demand for voice and data services, Monarch
Communications is facing vast potential for
business growth. WiMAX is the best fit
technology and our 4Motion [equipment]
enables primary broadband services with fast
return on investment’’ (TeleGeography 2007).
Therefore this could be a stepping stun toward having a sufficient
bandwidth to mobile computing industry within the country at
large.

In addition, the government should provide ICT facilities that are

necessary in secondary and tertiary institution. However, the
personal or experts that are residing in foreign countries should
make their own contributions regardless of where they live or
work. This might help and improve mobile computing industry in
Nigeria.

Moreover, steady and regular power supply in Nigeria is admirable

goals of transforming mobile computing industry operating
perfectly within the country. Because having electricity anytime all
over the country will bring about an effective and sufficient way of
promoting the use information and communication technology. The
Federal government is working towards improving the generation
of enough megawatts of power supply in the country. This was
notified by the Senate president David Mark at a seminar on
nuclear power programme in Abuja which was held last year said:

"All viable options must be harnessed. It is in

this regard I believe that Nuclear Power must be
considered as a viable option in the fight against
Nigeria's perennial electricity dilemma. In fact the
immediate past administration made the
necessary national political commitment to
nuclear power programme for peaceful use during
 the visit of the Director General of the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Dr.
Mohammed El-Baradei to Nigeria in January
2005. We must seize this opportunity and pursue
it with vigour." (Muhammad 2008)

Therefore, implementing nuclear program in Nigeria one might

suggest that the issue of electricity which hinder mobile users and
mobile computing industry as whole will become a thing of the
past.

In conclusion, therefore this write-up has shown that mobile

computing industry in Nigeria might be of great advantage and
important to the general economic development if the entire
enumerated problem above are properly taking care of. In addition,
mobile computing industry will play a key part in sustainable
development in Nigeria. because In a country where electricity
and transportation are unreliable, mobile devices are driving force
to change – and not just for voice calls but perhaps sending and
receiving data from one place to another and across the world at
large, mobile gadgets such as mobile phones, personal digital
assistants (PDAs) and laptops are being connected to the Internet
at an increasing rate, and can access almost all types of
information available on a computer. Therefore, mobile devices
are becoming major sources of information in Nigeria.
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