VoIP forum gathers momentum

Remmy Nweke

The third African Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) forum slated for Lagos next month has continued to garner support, just as the African Internet Service Providers Association (AfrISPA) and ISP Association of Nigeria (ISPAN) have expressed support for the forum.

The forum scheduled to hold between July 31 and August 3, with the theme “The developmental and business imperatives of Internet Protocol (IP) telephony in Africa,” is being hosted by foremost organiser of computing and communication events, AITEC Africa, in partnership with leading Nigerian ICT magazine, IT Edge.

Already, the forum is enjoying the support of major industry groups in Nigeria, such as the Nigeria Internet Group, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), and the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), as well as Association of Telecommunications Company of Nigeria (ATCON).

While ATCON is the umbrella body for telecommunications operators in Nigeria, the NIG is the country’s leading interest group for the promotion of Internet diffusion and the NCS is regarded as Africa’s biggest body for computer (ICT) professionals.

“This is a welcome change in event themes and focus. We are glad to associate with an event of this nature that seeks to focus on one of the most important issues in the industry today,” said Dr Chris Nwannenna, president of NCS in Lagos.

To the NIG, the Forum promises to incite positive input from stakeholders on IP which tended to be viewed by suspicion by a section of the industry.

“Now the industry has a chance to talk sincerely and objectively on a technology that is changing everything,” said Lanre Ajayi, president of NIG.

The forum which is being organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which has taken a lead among African regulators in addressing the issue of IP technology with a view to stimulating continuous growth in the industry.

The NCC is held in high esteem globally for its forward and practical approach in adopting regulatory and technology policies that have helped position Nigeria as one of the fastest growing communications markets in the world.

And for ATCON president Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, “This is very exciting. The industry is a dynamic one and certainly VoIP would not cease to be a major issue for a long time.”

The African VoIP Forum ushers in opportunities for exhibitors and delegates to explore diverse opportunities offered organisations and individuals by IP technologies.

Announcing AfrISPA’s and ISPAN’s support for the event, ISPAN president Mr. Sam Adeleke expressed the hope that the forum would play a benchmark role in encouraging progressive and effective regulation of VoIP throughout the continent.

“We encourage fellow ISPs, as well as regulators, to attend from throughout Africa so that we can form a continental body of knowledge on best practice in this crucial area for the future of telecommunications development,” he said.

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