Globacom links PHCN offices nationwide

By Remmy Nweke

Second National Operator (SNO) Globacom has linked all the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) offices nationwide.

This follows an understanding between Glo and PHCN for the telco to deploy its state of the art “telemonitoring” facilities to enable the power company check power usage via wireless technology.

Powered by the Globacom’s enhanced second generation (2.5G) technology, the new internal communications system come with International Direct Dialing (IDD) capability and calls are connected through the least cost route possible, thereby reducing the company’s total communications expenditure.

With this arrangement, customers could call a single Glo number and would be connected to the Glo/PHCN switchboard from where it would be linked to any staff member they may wish to speak with.

Executive Director at Globacom, Mr. Mike Jituboh, while announcing the development Tuesday in Abuja, said that in addition to the Private Automatic Branch Exchange (PABX) network which is a fixed line facility, Globacom is packaging Glo Mobile Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) for PHCN staff.

He said that the SIMs and a comprehensive directory of all PHCN telephone lines will also be released to the power company soon.

Commending on the package, Managing Director of PHCN, Mr. Joseph Makoju, disclosed that 32 lines have been dedicated to the public for customer relations purposes nationwide under this arrangement.

He also announced the base number, from which other PHCN lines could be reached, as 08050184000.

The chief executive further said that communications is very vital to a power company as it helps in securing the system and improves operational effectiveness, expressing delight that Globacom has made such critical communication easy and less expensive for the company.

“We can now communicate with distant locations without stress. For example, we can reach our staff at the Kainji power station from anywhere” Makoju said, stressing that communication at this point is even more crucial to the PHCN at this time that the company is being unbundled, considering that the staff would have to keep in touch with the various component parts of the of the organisation.

He congratulated Globacom for the big strides it is taking in communications revolution in Nigeria, “Glo is setting the pace and every Nigerian is proud that Glo is a Nigerian company” A demonstration of the Glo/PHCN internal communications network was held before newsmen at the PHCN headquarters in Abuja.